Frances Dunham

Mrs. C. Frances Dunham, 98, of Muskegon, MI passed away early Tuesday morning, October 18, 2016 in Muskegon. She was born January 29, 1918 to Albert and Verna (Smith) Gardner in LaSalle, IL, and moved to the Muskegon area from Kalamazoo in 2005. Mrs. Dunham lived her early life near Wrigley Field in Chicago during the Great Depression, and while it was a difficult time for many families she was able to enjoy the social programs for children provided by the City. She also proudly worked for the war effort at Zenith Radio in Chicago during WWII. She loved sharing happy memories of her early life in Chicago. Mrs. Dunham was very active all of her life and after she moved to Lawton, MI in 1948 she was employed as a bookkeeper for defense contractor, Ingersoll/Borg Warner and became a long-term active member of the Lawton Baptist Church. She later worked for the Kalamazoo Nature Center before retiring in 1970. From 1987 to 2005 she was the bookkeeper for the Plainwell and Parchment Libraries. She especially loved her last few years living on Middle Lake, in Twin Lake, entertaining many visitors, cooking, reading, playing Scrabble, and doing crossword puzzles. She was also a member of the Twin Lake United Methodist Church. In 1959 She married Byron Dunham, and he preceded her in death in 2001. SURVIVORS include her daughter Charlotte (Jim) Pond of Twin Lake; 6 grandchildren, Jennifer (Carl Kedzierski) Pond, Teri (Bob) Scott, Dolly (Chip) Harris, Steve (Shannon) Cramer, Kathy (Bill) Perysian, John (Janet) Stewart and Sandy (Mike) Piper; and many nieces and nephews. Her parents, 1 brother and 4 sisters also preceded her in death. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held at a later date. You may visit the family's online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Dunham may be made to Hospice of Michigan. Arrangements by The Sytsema Chapel, 737 Apple Ave., (231) 726-5210.