Ann L. Thering

Ann L. Thering, age 94, of Mt. Pleasant passed away peacefully Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, at her residence. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Robert Byrne presiding. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at Lux Funeral Home on Thursday from 7-9 p.m. and Friday from 2-9 p.m. with a vigil service beginning at 7:30 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Saturday from 10-11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sacred Heart Academy Foundation or to the charity of the donor's choice. Envelopes are available at Lux Funeral Home. Ann was born Sept. 22, 1909, in Isabella County, the daughter of John and Anna (Diehl) McDonald. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1925. On Dec. 2, 1933, she married Elmer Thering at Sacred Heart Church. Together they raised nine children. In 1961 she graduated from Central Michigan University with a teaching degree and later taught Elementary Education in Beal City and Clare. Some of her favorite pastimes were gardening, crocheting, and watching sports, especially the Lions and Tigers. Ann is survived by her nine children, Joseph (Rose Marie) Thering of Elsie, Mary Lou (Lyle) Willoughby of Shepherd, Sam (Paula) Thering of Mt. Pleasant, Thomas (Ellie) Thering of Mecosta, Jack (Connie) Thering of Mt. Pleasant, Jean (Russell) Messersmith of Grand Rapids, Jim (Sara) Thering of Mt. Pleasant, Elizabeth (Ken) Miller of Wildwood, IL, and Patrick Thering of Mt. Pleasant; 24 grandchildren; 42 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Anna McDonald; husband, Elmer Thering in 1992; a grandson, Brian Thering; two brothers, Joseph and Fred McDonald; and six sisters, Elizabeth McDonald, Cecelia Bingham, Marguerite Haener, Mildred Monroe, Frances Roberts, and Evelyn Spoehr.