Maurice Dawson

Maurice E. Dawson, 94, lifetime resident of Central Lake, was called home to be with his heavenly father on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at Munson Medical Center. Maurice was born on July 30, 1914 to John and Mary Della (Morse) Dawson in Central Lake Twp, Antrim County. Known to most as "Morrsie", he graduated from Central Lake High School in 1932. On November 29, 1933 in Central Lake he married Beatrice McGuire. Unto this union, six sons and one daughter were born; Eugene (Joanne) Dawson, Arvin (Alice) Dawson, Gary (Lois) Dawson, Linda (Larry) Prokop, Kevin (Vickie) Dawson, Ronald David (Lynda) Dawson and Craig (Leslie) Dawson, seventeen grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and five step grandchildren. On January 20th, 1980, in Central Lake, he married Melva Bedell Mills. He leaves to mourn his passing his three step children; Joe (Terry) Mills, John (Kaylene) Mills, Faith (John) Hershiser, special daughter in-law Valorie Mills, and many nieces and nephews. Most of his life Morrsie was a dairy farmer from the horse drawn plow to the Farmall Tractor. He loved Shady Nook Farm and was a Master of Greenwood Grange. He also held several jobs from a school bus driver for Central Lake, to the Ellsworth Canning Factory and even 19 years with the United States Postal Service. Morrsie came from a time when people were important! His favorite thing to do was to visit with his many friends, family and neighbors. He loved people and found their lives fascinating. He enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, bird watching, and reading the daily paper. He ate lunch out almost daily and was a walking history book. Morrsie was preceded in death by his parents, both wives and his brothers and sisters; Hettie Dawson Dewey, Jasper and Harold Dawson, Frances Dawson, Anderson Donaldson, Drogt Hocking, Versile Dawson and Genevieve Dawson McGuire Holland, infant sisters Edith Ann and Lenore Ann Dawson and his grandsons Michael Dawson and Jeremiah Mills. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 17, 2009 at One p.m. at the Central Lake Chapel, Mortensen Funeral Homes with Pastor Chuck Williams officiating. The family will receive friends Friday, January 16th from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will take place in Southern Cemetery, Central Lake Twp. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family. Please sign our online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.