Emma Deuel

Emma Grace Deuel was a hardworking woman who put her heart and soul into everything she did. She was a loving and caring mother that lived by strong core values and passed these values on to her family with both her words and through the example she set. Emma spent her life working tirelessly inside and outside the home, but always took the time to enjoy the simple beauties of nature.

1914 was a time of great change in America. The Industrial Revolution continued to reshape the very face of this country as huge factories drew people to cities like magnets and immigrants from all corners of the world were making their way to the U.S. looking for a better life. Life on the farm in rural Michigan was still basically the same as it was a generation before. Families generally had many children and fields were planted with a horse and plow. Emma Grace began her life on a farm in Decatur Township, Michigan, on June 16, 1914, the third of four children born to Orville and Mary (Hammond) Abbott. Sadly, Emma's mother, Mary, died of scarlet fever when Emma was four. Other family that lived on nearby farms assisted with raising Emma and her siblings. She learned at an early age the value of hard work and found pleasure in the simple things of life that others have failed to appreciate. She learned to drive at the age of 5 and couldn't even see over the dashboard, but continued driving right up to the age of 85. Emma attended Shaw school in Decatur Township for K-8th grade and graduated from Decatur high school in 1931. Her future husband, Gilbert Deuel, was a few years ahead of her in school and had Edgar Burgen as a classmate at the Shaw school. Emma continued her education at Western State Teacher's College and realized while student teaching that she wished to pursue other interests. She turned her attention to Lansing Business College where she studied administrative and secretarial work. Upon graduating, Emma returned to Van Buren County and was reunited with Gilbert. They were soon married on October 9, 1937, in South Bend, Indiana. Shortly after marrying, Emma found out that she had inherited a farm from her great aunt. Although the property was run down and needed much work, the young husband and wife worked hard to develop the property into farmland once again. Emma did not shy away from hard work and when Gilbert took a job with the Michigan State Highway Dept., she continued to run the farm. However, family always came first. Emma had two sons, Gary and Carroll, who she took great pride in. She taught them simple lessons of living a quality life with hard work ethics and team philosophy. Emma worked tirelessly in the operation of the family farm as well as working outside the home at the Van Buren County 4-H office. She retired in 1979 after 23 years of service. How Emma found the time and energy to do what she did is a testament to her commitment to her family. Emma's son Gary continues to run the farm today and her legacy of hard work is now recognized as a Michigan Centennial farm and has been in the family for over 107 years.

Life was not always easy for Emma. In the late 1940s, she was diagnosed with cancer and treatment was very primitive at that time. She did not want history to repeat itself and leave her boys without a mother, so with great perseverance and her strong faith, Emma came out a victor and lived until the ripe age of 89.

In the whirlwind of life's busyness, Emma found time to enjoy her love for music. She learned to play the violin and at 17, was honored when she was invited to play with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. Emma's musical talents did not end there; she was also self-taught on the piano and organ. For many years she served as the accompanist at the Harmony Chapel Church where she was a member. Never completely getting away from teaching, Emma shared her talent by mentoring many young musicians in several area church bands and orchestras. For over 20 years, Gary lived next door to his mother and during the summer he and his wife, Martha, could hear the beautiful music his mother played on her piano and organ. They could always tell what kind of mood she was in by the type of music she played and the way in which she played it.

Besides the beauty of music, Emma admired the splendor of nature especially in the springtime when everything was in bloom. She enjoyed traveling by car so that she could take in nature’s wonders and appreciate their beauty. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles that she said kept her mind in tiptop shape and was a fan of country music and TNN. When she was out, she liked eating at her favorite restaurant, Bill Knapp’s, because they had excellent food. Emma was a member of Farm Bureau, Vineyard Grange, Harmony Chapel Church and most recently attended the Lawton Evangelical Mennonite Church.

Emma had been living the last 10 years at White Oaks in Lawton, Michigan. Her room was situated so that she could see the coming and goings of everyone and keep tabs on what was happening.

Emma Grace Deuel passed away on Friday, December 12, 2003, at her home at White Oaks in Lawton. Her husband of 59 years, Gilbert, a sister, Elsa Myles, and a brother, Marion Abbott, preceded her in death. Surviving are her two sons, Gary (Martha) Deuel of Lawton, and Carroll (Dru) Deuel of Hickory, NC, a sister, Marvel MacKellar, of Lawton, a sister-in-law, Eloise Abbott of Decatur and several nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received on Monday, December 15 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at BETZLER & THOMPSON, LIFE STORY FUNERAL HOMES, 60900 M-40, South of I-94, 657-3870. Celebration of Life services will be held on Tuesday, December 16 at 11 AM at the Lawton Evangelical Mennonite Church with visitation from 10-11 AM at the church. Interment will be at the Anderson Cemetery, Decatur Township. Food and Fellowship will follow in the church hall. To read Emma's complete life story, share a memory, send flowers or make a memorial contribution to Harmony Chapel, Lawton EMC, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society or Van Buren Co. Hospice, please visit her personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com.

Emma Deuel was devoted to her family and faith. Her years of dedicated work afforded her both a happy place in life, and a family that loved her dearly. She will be greatly missed.