Ethel Brock

A loving mother with a passion for her grandchildren, Ethel Brock was an extraordinary woman. From a modest childhood emerged a talented and giving woman. Ethel was a hard worker with a deep love for her family. Every relationship was important to her. She lent her wonderful sense of humor and compassion to everyone around her, and in doing so, brightened many lives.

Ethel was born in Mount Vernon, Kentucky on September 7, 1912, a quieter, more relaxed time in American history; there were no televisions, automobiles were a rarity, and families tended to sit down to meals together. Ethel was the third oldest of eleven children born to Emmit and Schrilda “Minnie” (Stokes) Langford. Growing up, she was the only girl among 9 boys; her sister wasn’t born until Ethel was just about to be a mother herself.

Ethel was 14 when she first met her future husband, Felix Brock. She was under a tree picking chestnuts when he approached her, and after one glance, Felix told his friend he was going to marry that “cute little girl” one day. Hopelessly in love, Ethel was 16 years old and Felix was 19 years old when they eloped and were married on February 4, 1929. After saying “I do”, Ethel left school, and the newlyweds moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan to find work. After the Great Depression hit and jobs were hard to come by, they moved back to Mount Vernon to be near their families during these difficult times.

Eventually, Felix and Ethel moved back to Michigan and bought a farm in the Plainwell area. It was here they raised their three beautiful daughters together: Thelma, June and Goldie. While Felix provided for their family working at the Plainwell Paper Mill, Ethel was a loving and caring mother who derived endless joy from watching her family grow and succeed. In addition to caring for her family, Ethel had many talents around the house. She was an excellent cook, especially when it came to her southern cooking and her out-of-this-world fried chicken. Ethel was also a skilled seamstress. After her girls were grown, Ethel went to work at Richard’s Garden, where they grew and shipped bedding plants. This was the perfect job for her because she loved gardening and now she was getting paid to do something she loved.

Time together as a family was always important to Felix and Ethel, and they spent every summer for over 30 years on Minkler Lake, enjoying the water, each other’s company and all the grandchildren that came to stay. They also took yearly trips to Kentucky to visit their families there, and keep these family bonds strong. With family being the greatest source of Ethel’s happiness, it was only natural that she was an extraordinary grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother too! Ethel cherished each and every one of her grandkids, and made lasting memories with them all. With her ever- thoughtful ways, Ethel made sure her sons-in-law also felt a part of the family, and comfortable in their family circle. She had such a great sense of humor, it was hard not to feel at ease around her.

Although Ethel’s life was happy, it was marked with sorrow. Ethel lost her beloved husband Felix in 1999, after 70 wonderful years of marriage. This was a very difficult time for Ethel, but she stayed strong and was determined to stay in her own home, even though her own health was not the best. Tragically, on Thursday, January 22, 2009, Ethel was walking across the street to her neighbor’s house when she fell, and subsequently died of her injuries.

A loving mother and grandmother, Ethel will be deeply missed and remembered always.

Visit with Ethel’s family and friends, view her life story film and share light refreshments on Sunday, January 25, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Life Story Funeral Home, Plainwell; 120 S. Woodhams (685-5881). A Funeral will be held on Monday, January 26, at 11:00 a.m. at the same location with Pastor Keith Heyn of the First Baptist Church of Plainwell officiating.

Ethel was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Felix, 7 brothers her sister and a beloved son-in-law. Members of Ethel’s family include her 3 daughters and their husbands: Thelma & James Rohrer of Inman, South Carolina, June & Don Burge, Goldie & Royce Cosgrove both of Plainwell, Michigan; 9 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren & 12 great great-grandchildren; her brothers: Louis & Christine Langford, Ulysses & Beverly Langford both of Ohio; numerous nieces, nephew and other relatives. Please visit Ethel’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo with her family or sign her online guest book before coming to the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Allegan County Resource Services towards the hot meal program or a charity of one’s choice.