Margaret Punches, 84, of Onekama, Michigan, went to be with our Lord on December 1, 2024. Margaret had her husband George and her daughter Ann by her side. Margaret had a brief but courageous battle with cancer.
Born Margaret Ann Whalin in Saginaw, Michigan, on April 3, 1940, to Ward and Virginia Whalin. Margaret graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1958 and then attended Central Michigan University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Education in 1962. Margaret moved to Clare, Michigan, in 1963 where she taught until 1966. On June 20, 1964 she married George Punches, the love of her life. The couple went on to have three children: Ann, John, and Jeff. Margaret worked as a teacher in Clare from the mid- 1970’s until retiring in 2000.
Margaret was an avid member of her community and an entrepreneur. Along with her husband, she owned and operated Punches Pharmacy Plus and Hallmark Shop in Clare, Michigan and Fun Stuff under the Tree in Onekama. She was a charter member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Clare, raising her family in a Christian household and establishing treasured lifelong friendships through her faith. Her commitment to education spanned decades, teaching numerous grades in Clare, Junior Achievement courses and serving on the school board for both the Clare and Onekama School Districts. Margaret was also involved in numerous clubs and held leadership positions in the Portage Lake Association, Garden Club, Junior Clio, Onekama Summer Concert Series, Trinity Lutheran Church in Onekama and Arcadia. She loved participating in book clubs, and bible studies and the friends she made along the way. She was a wonderful role model to everyone she met and she will be sorely missed by so many but we are all better for having known her.
Margaret was also a competitive sportswoman, competing in tennis, pickleball, shuffleboard and chili cookoff competitions, and if going against her grandchildren in Sequence or any card game, would show them how winning is done(or how to lose gracefully and never ever cheat). Most of all, Margaret was dedicated as a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She helped create “Camp Nana & Pops” where her grandchildren and great-grandchildren gathered at her house annually and were profoundly impacted by the love, compassion, laughter, songs and activities that she created in an effort to be constant and active in all their lives.
Margaret is survived by her husband George, children Ann (Married to Jim Reeves of Manistee, Mi), John (Married to Bunny Punches of Holland, Mi) and Jeff (of Midland, Mi). She is also survived by her sisters Barbara Wild (of Cadillac, Mi) and JoAnne (Married to Harry Engel of Cadillac), various cousins, and 17 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Darby (Scott Smith of Chesterfield, Mi great-grandchildren Ryhan, Charlotte and Emilia), Zoe (Jordan Greenfield of Cadillac, Mi great-grandchildren Ethan and Carter), Colton (Ana Punches of Bourbannais, IL), Sierra Benchley, Tanner Punches, Chloe Reeves(grandson David), Ross Benchley, Claire Reeves, Jake Punches, Fletcher Punches and Fisher Punches. Margaret is preceded in death by her parents Ward and Virginia Whalin.
A Memorial Service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arcadia, Mi on December 9 at 11:00 am with time to visit with the family starting at 9:30am, luncheon following. There will also be a Memorial Service at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Clare, Mi on December 13, 2024 at 11:00 am with time to visit with the family starting at 10 am. Burial will take place privately in the Cherry Grove Cemetery in Clare. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church food pantry or Onekama Junior Achievement. Arrangements were handled by the Clare Chapel of Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home. On-line condolences may be left at www.stephenson-wyman.com
