Gertrude DePeel

Gertrude Merle (Morningstar) DePeel, 85, of Mancelona, died April 18, 2016 at Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility. She was born August 16, 1930, in Raco, Michigan to the late William and Bernice (Stout) Morningstar. She married Harold DePeel of Kalkaska, Michigan on June 19, 1948. They spent most of their married life in the home they built in 1953 on Valley Road in Mancelona. Together, they raised six children. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold in 1988, her parents, siblings; Shirley and Jock Orman, Wilma and Max Hughes, Pat and Sherm Tipton, Joyce Morningstar, Bill Morningstar, and Grant Morningstar; her sons in law Ron Conway and Jim Kondrat; daughter in law Debra (Ray) DePeel; granddaughter Tina (Brown) Slotman, and great-granddaughter Louisa Marie. She is survived by her siblings Ralph (Chris) Morningstar of Dexter, KY, Linda (Harley) VanHoose of Greenville, MI, Joan (Bob) Carlson of Cedar Springs, MI, Jim (Judy) Morningstar of Chandler, OK, Janice Tingley, and Catherine (Louie) Scholl of Mancelona, and many nieces and nephews. Also surviving are her children, Diane Conway, Jeanne (Bob) Wilcox, Bennie DePeel of Mancelona, Jacie Kondrat of Boyne City, Bill (Mary) DePeel and Don (Terri) DePeel of Rapid City, 16 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson, Joey. Her family was her greatest joy. Gertrude and Harold spent a lifetime making the best of memories with their family and extended family and friends. Especially memorable, are the camping trips to Wakami Lake in Ontario, Canada which began in the late 50's and still continue to this day each year in mid-June. We have now had five generations of family camping at the same park. She will long be remembered for the loving, caring, and close knit family she has left behind. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, April 23 at 1:00 p.m. at the Antrim Church of Christ with Visitation from noon until the time of services at the church. Pastor Mark McCool will officiate. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Mancelona. Visitation will be on Friday from 5-8 p.m. at the Mancelona Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Memorial contributions may be made to the Antrim Church of Christ. Please sign our online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.