Billie Crain

Billie Louise (Bergmann) Crain passed away on July 13, 2018 at Grandvue Medical Care Facility.

She was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on July 13th, 1951 and was adopted as an infant by Bill and Arletta Bergmann of Charlevoix. She graduated Charlevoix High School Cum Laude in 1969, then studied liberal arts at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City for one year. In 1970 she enrolled in Petoskey Beauty Academy and became a licensed cosmetologist in 1972. She worked as a hairdresser for 7 years for Helene's Beauty Shop of Charlevoix during which time she met and married Gary Crain, also of Charlevoix. They had two boys together, James and Casey. She left Helene's after her second son was born in 1977 and started a licensed home daycare business.

In 1981 she went to work for Hoskins Mfg of Charlevoix and worked there until 2000 when she became disabled by COPD.

During her illness she was able to pursue her passion for painting and her work was represented by Northern Michigan Artists Market Gallery of Petoskey, Michigan for several years.

She is survived by both sons, James Crain of Charlevoix and Casey Crain of Naples, Florida.

A memorial service will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, August 17, 2018 at Ferry Beach Pavilion in Charlevoix. Arrangements are being handled by the Winchester Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.