Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Porter, Rita Joyce (Compagner) June 17, 2008 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patricia Currigan currigan1932@concast.net November 5, 2023, 8:53 am Ionia Sentinel Standard - Friday June 20, 2008 Rita Joyce Porter Rita Joyce Porter, of Schoolcraft, wife, mother, grandmother and friend, died peacefully on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 1:22 pm at Borgess Nursing Home surrounded by her family. Rita was born on the family farm near Saranac, Michigan on Feb. 19, 1931. She was the youngest of five children born to Arendt & Anne (VanderLeest) Compagner. She graduated from Saranac High School where she played basketball and was a cheerleader.Rita attended Western Michigan College now WMU, and majored in education. On a blind date in December 1951, she met a young airman, David Lee Porter. On June 6, 1953 she and Dave were married. While Dave was in the Air Force, they resided in Bermuda. When they returned to Michigan in 1954, Rita taught in a one room school in Saranac, and while er husband attended MSU she taught in a a one room school in Holt. In 1958 they relocated to Kalamazoo and then settled in Schoolcraft in 1969.and raised their children there. Rita & Dave provided their family with a home filled with a lot of love, laughter and fun, and their home was always open to all. During her children's younger years she was a stay at home mom. In later years she worked as a sales clerk at JC Penney and Montgomery Wards.She worked as a receptionist for Schoolcraft Veterinary Clinic for many years.She was a member of the Schoolcraft United Methodist Church. Over the years Rita was active in many community organizations including the PTA,PTO, Jolly Doers, American Red Cross and Schoolcraft Boosters. For many years she volunteered as a Sunday school teacher, Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout den mother, Literacy Council reader and Borgess Hospice Volunteer.She was a volunteer cook for the Schoolcraft 7th grade camp for 15 years and the Schoolcraft Lions Club for 8 years. She helped create and wore the first Schoolcraft high School Eagle mascot suit She was a good cook and was known for her baking powdered biscuits, home canning and and homemade jams. Rita enjoyed homemaking, camping arts and crafts, playing cards, traveling, animals and most of all spending time with her family and friends. Her greatest joy was being with her grandchildren. Preceding her in death are her parents; brother Edwin Compagner and her sisters Katherine Rush & Gertrude Brand. She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Dave her children Jana (Dale) Van Antwerp of Portage,Julie (MIchael) Noteboom of Parchment, Stanley Porter of Texas and Aaron (Neena) Porter of Schoolcraft; her grandchildren Anne,Jeffrey & Rebecca Porter, Daniel & Rachel Noteboom and step-grandchildren Alecia & Chris Ruswinckel and Michael Noteboom. She is also survived by her sister, Linda Blaser of Belding, several in-laws. nieces, nephews and friends. Cremation has taken place. Visit with Ritas family on Monday from 7 to 9 pm at Schoolcraft United Methodist church; 342 N.Grand, Schoolcraft where a memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Tuesday at 11 am with Rev.David Nellist officiating. Private interment will be held at a later date in Schoolcraft Cemetery. Please visit Rita's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read her life story, archive a memory or photo, sign her memory book or make a memorial donation to Schoolcraft United Methodist Church women's Group or South County Community Services. Rita's family was cared for by Life Story funeral Homes, Vicksburg; 409 S.Main Street. Rita touched many lives. She was loved very much, will be greatly missed and always be remembered by her family. Additional Comments: SchoolcraftCem. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/p/porter46480nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 4.2 Kb