Ward Cary

Ward Allen Cary, 73, of Central Lake passed away at home on Monday, October 4, 2010 surrounded by his family. He was born July 12, 1937 in Detroit, to the late Clarence and Eileen (Gunsolus) Cary. Ward spent his younger years in Detroit coming north to Central Lake every summer with his mother, brother Robert, and sister Doris to run Cary's Cabins, their resort on Green River. His father, a Detroit policeman would join them on his time off. In 1952, his father retired and they moved to Central Lake where Ward finished high school, graduating in 1955. He attended Northwestern Michigan College for two years and then went to Ferris State College graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Ward married Jeanne E. Friend, of Bellaire on April 17, 1962 in Central Lake. Together they continued to run Cary's Cabins. Ward started teaching at Central Lake Schools in the fall of 1962 and was principal of the whole school in 1967-1968. Ward purchased Chain O' Lakes Realty in 1969 from Paul Ecke and was a real estate broker for 43 years. With his wife Jeanne, they purchased a gas station in Central Lake in November of 1981 which became Cary's Self Serve and Convenience Store. They ran the business for 25 years, selling in 2006. He enjoyed wintering in Florida, his many fishing trips to Canada with his family, smoking jerky and fish for his friends, and spending time with his special girl, Annie. Ward is survived by his wife Jeanne, son William (Dawn) Cary of Oxford, FL, daughters Kathleen (Charlie) James of Central Lake, and Jill (Greg) Send of Williamsburg, daughter-in-law, Sandra Cary of Central Lake, sister Doris (Clayton) Good of Florida, grandchildren Morgan, Emily, Erin, and Liam Cary, Matthew Cary, Molly and Michael James, Julie and Becky Send, great-grandson Isaiah Johnston, nieces Denise Shooks and Sharon Earle, nephews Dean Cary, John, Steve and Corey Good. Ward was preceded in death by his parents and son Scotty in 2008 who was his faithful fishing and hunting partner, and greatly missed by his Dad. He was also preceded in death by his brother Robert Cary and sister-in-law Marilyn Cary in 2010. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 8, at Eleven a.m. at the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes with Pastor Tim Manzer officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday, October 7, from 4 to 8 p.m. also at the Central Lake funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the Central Lake Athletic Development Fund, c/o Central Lake Public Schools, PO BOX 128, Central Lake, Michigan, 49622. sPlease sign his online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.