Obituaries of Ben William Wolford and Donna J. (Stoll) Ryan
October 16, 1939 ~ March 18, 2023
Ben William Wolford, of Lake City, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at the age of 83.
Ben was born in Osgood, Indiana on October 16, 1939, the third of four children of William and Maria (Thielbar) Wolford. He attended Osgood High School while working on the family farm prior to receiving his degree from Purdue University, where he met and married the love of his life for 62 years, Mary Ann (Welker) Wolford. While attending Purdue, he began what would become a lifelong career with the Dow Chemical Company in marketing and sales management. During his career he managed many sales offices in several cities in Michigan and Ohio. He was a devoted father and family man who spent many hours with the Boy Scouts, coaching soccer and advising youth fellowship. After taking an early retirement, he found time to pursue his love of woodworking. He started to make some cabinets and book shelves and a place to store music components and CDs. However, he still wanted to do bigger things, so he put an addition on the house using wood from trees on the property. This included a large hobby room for his wife to show his appreciation for all the wood finishing she did for him. In an RV, he and his wife traveled throughout the United States and Canada, including the adventure of a lifetime to Alaska, where his vehicle met a moose up close and personal! They eventually narrowed down their travels to Texas to be closer to their eldest son and grandsons. As a park host, he assisted with the clean up of trails, rivers and educating the public on the environment. This sparked a new passion for environmental conservation that he would bring back to his home in Lake City, Michigan, where he became involved with the Lake Township Board, eventually becoming a trustee and serving over two terms. He also became involved with the Sapphire Lake Improvement Board, where he strove to improve water quality and fight invasive species in the lake. In addition, he was also on the Lake Township Fire and Sewer boards as well as President of the Sapphire-Birchhaven road association for 25 years, and spearheaded the Lake Township bus transportation program. He was also a man of faith, serving as an Elder for Chapel Lane Presbyterian Church in Midland, Michigan for 25 years, then moved on to the First Presbyterian Church of Lake City, Michigan for an additional 25 years. He enjoyed repairing the needs of an old school building church.
Ben is preceded in death by his parents, William and Maria Wolford; his older brother, John Wolford; and his sisters, Patricia (Wolford) Brown and Hilda (Wolford) Elston.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Wolford; his three children, Jeff Wolford, Julie (Wolford Martin, and Jack Wolford; his grandchildren, Jason, Kyle, Sonia, and Rhys.
A memorial service was held on Sunday, April 2, 2023 at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Lake City.
October 29, 1923 ~ March 19, 2023
Donna June Ryan, of Marion passed away Sunday, March 19, 2023 at Pleasant Ridge Manor in Marion. She was 99.
Donna was born on October 29, 1923, in Bryan, Ohio to Charles and Nellie (Bradford) Stoll. She moved to Michigan with her parents as a five year old child. Her mother preceded her in death at the age of 10 and her step-mother, Ruth (Powell) Stoll continued to raise her from the age of 14. Donna entered into marriage with James Patrick Ryan, Sr. on March 9, 1944, at the Methodist Church in Santa Ana, CA, where James was currently stationed in the Army. After his time in the service, Donna and James moved back to Marine City, Michigan until 1953 when they moved to Marion. In Marion they began farming and Donna went to work for Evart Products retiring after 23 years.
Donna was a member of the Marion Baptist Church, the Marion VFW, and the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary. She spent time crocheting and enjoyed time traveling with family and friends. She also enjoyed every opportunity with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as the time spent at family get-together's.
Donna is survived by her son, James "Jim" P. (Cara) Ryan, Jr. of Marion; son, Richard (Patricia) Ryan of Houghton Lake; daughter, Debra (Craig) Neuman of Bellaire; her grandchildren, Robert (Kelly) Ryan, Chanda (Mark) Dunn, Michelle (Paul) Postal, Ryan (Brooke) Neuman, and Chelsey Neuman; step-grandchildren, Terri (Chad) Forster, Jennifer (Chris) McKellar; great-grandchildren, Madison, Brittney, Jacob, Chase, Christopher, Sydney, Damon, Laine, Gage, and Sawyer; step-great-grandchildren, Riley (Michelle), Morgan (David), Bailey (Brad), Kennedi (Luis), Camryn, and Arik; her sister, Irene (George Mobeck) Campbell; many nieces and nephews; as well as many other loving family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Patrick Ryan, Sr.; her parents and step mother; sister, Helen Getty; brothers, Hilbert, Lawrence, Charles and Marvin Stoll; granddaughter, Andrea Ryan; and her daughter-in-law, Barbara Ryan.
Visitation took place on Friday, March 24, 2023, from 4pm until 7pm at Fosnaught-Holdship Funeral Home. Funeral services followed, also at the funeral home in Marion, on Saturday, March 25th at 11am, with visitation one hour prior. Officiating was Rev. Dennis Williams. Interment took place at the Greenwood Cemetery in Marion in the spring.