Jean Dunham

Although the way before her was not without times of trial, Jean Dunham was a gracious and compassionate woman whose faith and love for her family sheltered her when the storms of life came her way. She lived to serve others in ways both great and small, impacting the lives of numerous people along the way. Jean was blessed to spend the best years of her life alongside her true love with whom she experienced so many of the best things that life has to offer. With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Jean Dunham was a gift in the lives of all who were within her reach.

During one of the most colorful times in our nation’s history, it was great to be an American during the 1920s. With the end of WWI in 1919, we were recognized as a world leader for the first time, and innovation was transforming the way we lived our lives in countless tangible ways. The washing machine and refrigerator were celebrated by housewives from coast to coast, and with the more affordable automobile Americans, families, and friends were able to connect with each other in ways that were never before possible. It was during this vibrant time that a young couple from Edenville, Michigan, welcomed a healthy baby girl into their hearts and home on June 25, 1927. Dorothy “Jean” was the third of ten children born to her parents, John and Adele (Boes) Bacon, and she was raised in the family home alongside her brothers, John, Robert, Leland, Donald, Allan, and Richard, and her sisters, Lois, Barbara, and Linda. Her father worked as a carpenter for Dow Chemical while her mother had a bustling family to care for. Jean’s father also grew pickles on their ten acre farm.

In many ways Jean experienced a childhood that was reflective of the times for the youth of her generation. She was a bit of a tomboy who would rather fish and climb trees than take piano lessons as her mother had wanted. The Bacon family lived on the Tittabawassee River, which meant that Jean spent much of her time on the water. Her father always had a boat available for his children and bobsleds for winter fun. Money was tight, but Jean and her siblings always found ways to create their own fun. They were a close-knit family, especially because their closest neighbor was about a mile away, but Jean did enjoy having local kids over to play baseball when she could. She was involved in the local 4-H program, raising chickens and vegetables for the exhibit. She enjoyed school and was a student at Edenville School through the 10th grade. Jean then spent her junior and senior years at Midland High in Midland. In addition to holding down her studies, she did housework for local people to earn some extra money to buy flour so her mother could bake bread. Jean loved playing basketball and was on the teams both at Midland High and also at Adrian College where she was a student for about one-and-a-half years until an illness left her unable to continue. She later finished up her schooling at Central Michigan University, earning her teaching degree.

Life was forever changed for Jean when she met the young man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Emerson Dunham, and they met through her roommate at Central after she told Jean that he was handsome, rich, and owned his own farm. Despite the fact that he didn’t own his own farm, nor was he rich, Jean was content that he was indeed handsome, and they began dating. Their love blossomed over nine months, and with a desire to build a life together Jean and Emerson were married on August 6, 1949, in Edenville.

The newlyweds settled in St. Johns where Emerson worked at Motorwheel and farmed. Together they were blessed with the births of two boys, John and Harold. Jean and her family were given a tough pill to swallow when Harold was hit by a car while walking home from school one day in 1978.

In addition to caring for her family, Jean kept busy with other things. She worked for Ovid-Elsie schools until she retired. Jean was involved with the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #153, Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, Elsie United Methodist Church, and United Methodist Women. She also enjoyed heading out for a game of golf as often as she could.

Trying days were again in store for Jean when Emerson died suddenly in 2007 after complications from a blood disease. In the days following his death, she spent her free time working around the house and church. Jean was deeply saddened with the death of John in 2011 after suffering a heart attack.

With unending love for others, Dorothy “Jean” Dunham was a gift to others. She was never concerned with building great wealth or gaining stature, rather, she made it her goal to live each day to the fullest while treasuring the time she had to spend with her loved ones. Jean will be dearly missed and warmly remembered.

Dorothy “Jean” Dunham, of Elsie, died on Friday, September 6, 2013. Jean’s family includes her daughter-in-law, Pamela Dunham of Elsie, MI; granddaughters, Jennifer Dunham of Lansing, MI and Bethany (Neil) Dreffs of Howell, MI; great-grandchildren, Cooper, Avery, and Bennett Dreffs; sisters, Lois Gatton, Barbara Huebner, and Linda (Joe) Keene; brothers, Allan (Bobbie) Bacon and Richard (Carolyn) Bacon; sisters-in-law, Connie and Pamela Bacon; and several nieces and nephews. Along with her husband, Emerson, Jean was preceded in death by her sons, John and Harold Dunham; brothers, John, Robert, Leland, and Donald Bacon; and an infant sister. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 10, 2013, at Elsie United Methodist Church, 160 W. Main St., Elsie, MI 48831 with Dr. Donald Ferris-McCann officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Elsie. The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. Monday, September 9, 2013, at the Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Homes, 232 E. Oak St., Ovid, MI 48866. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Legion Post #502, 220 S. Ovid St., Elsie, MI 48831. To learn more about Jean and view her Life Story film, visit her personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/93819.