EDWIN L. SOUTHWORTH
Caro
Passed away at Lapeer Regional Medical Center on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, following a courageous battle with cancer, at the age of 82. Ed was born at home on July 10, 1927 in Ellington Township, the son of the late Frank and Lillian (Darbee) Southworth, and was a lifelong area resident. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1945, serving for 10 months in Japan and Korea. Following his service in the Army Air Force, Ed was united in marriage with the former Loretta Conner on June 15, 1947 in Bay City. He was employed for several years with Don Adams at the Shell gas station in Caro and with Art DuRussel in construction, as well as other various jobs around Caro before accepting employment at the Caro Regional Center in 1961. He retired from his position as an attendant nurse in 1987 after 21 years of service. Ed most enjoyed being with his family, hunting, fishing, being outdoors, making maple syrup, building birdhouses and watching the variety of birds around his home. Surviving are his wife, Loretta Southworth of Caro; five children and their spouses, James Southworth of Kalkaska, Jeanne Frakes, Tim Southworth, Faye and Tom Childs, all of Caro, Pat and Freda Southworth of Mt. Pleasant; 10 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; four sisters and two brothers, Paula Ott of Fairbanks, AK, Leone Wolfgang and Margaret Waasdorp, both of South Branch, Betty Phillips of Mio, Fred and Bert Southworth, both of Caro and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 at Ransford Funeral Home in Caro with Rev. Jerome K. Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Ellington Township Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Ransford Funeral Home on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to Cass River Pet FriendZ. Friends may share memories, thoughts and prayers online at www.ransfordfuneralhome.com.