Dorothy I. McCracken, 86 of St. Ignace, formerly Crystal died at 5:20 PM Thursday afternoon Feb 29 at Mackinac Straits Hospital Long Term Facility. She was born on February 9, 1923 in Pine Township, Montcalm County and grew up in Ionia. Her parents were Lester and Flora (Greenfield) Richards. She graduated from Ionia High School, class of 1941. She married Paul Cecil McCracken on March 17,1945 and he died on September 19,1966. They had a dairy farm on Crystal road many years until his untimely death. She retired from the Probate Court of Montcalm County as Deputy Register in 1985 after 28 years of service. She lived in Crystal township until 2004, moving to St. Ignace because of health issues to be with her only daughter. She was past Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star, Crystal Chapter. In St. Ignace she loved to go to the casino on Thursday, Senior Day, to play her coins and have lunch. She moved into the new Senior Apartments 2 years ago on Lake Street, and enjoyed her private life as long as health permitted.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn K. and Bruce J. Dodson of St.Ignace, 2 grandsons, Eric and Kelli Dodson of St. Ignace , Josh (Kyla Crawford) Dodson of Farmington Hills, MI great grandsons Jack and Alex , a special sister-in-law, Ethel Greenhoe, Stanton. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and siblings, Kate Whitney, Lila Mae Hansen, Lena Peabody, Anna Mae Alden, and William Richards, sister-in-law Geraldine Dopp, brothers-in-law, Coyne and C.J. McCracken.
Visitation will be Sunday, Feb.22 from 4 to 6 PM at Dodson Funeral Home, St. Ignace. Funeral services will be Tuesday Feb 24 at 2 PM from the Hurst Funeral Home, Greenville with visitation from noon until service time. Burial will be in Crystal Cemetery, Crystal Road, located on the corner of the family farm. Memorial contributions may be given to Mackinac Straits Hospital Long Term Care Facility or a charity of your choice.
