Doris Figgins

Doris loved to have her family around her. She was loving and caring. She was always honest and opinionated. She always had a positive effect on people that she met. Doris Ida Petersen was born June 4, 1923, in Ludington, Michigan, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Petersen and Ellen (Porter) Petersen. She was one of three children: Donald Petersen and Ruth (Petersen) Young. Her parents and siblings have preceded her in death. Doris was a typical farmer's daughter who went to bed and woke up with the chickens. She loved to dance at Johnny's Hall and was a rebel in her early years. She worked in the Hamlin Lake area as a housekeeper cleaning cottages. She worked at Ludington's "Watch Factory" during WWII years and after the war had four children from her marriage to Dewey MacDonald. Ronald (MacDonald) Figgins Iris and wife, Carla, Leslie Figgins, Gary Figgins, and wife, Nellie, and late infant, Tommie MacDonald. In early 1950, she moved to Mt. Morris, Michigan, with her new husband and soul mate, Howard Edsel Figgins of Custer, Michigan. They had five children together: Una ( Figgins) Rockwell and husband, Jan, James Figgins and wife, Barbara, Ellen (Figgins) Mahan and husband, Kail, Harold Figgins and wife, Janice; and late infant Ruth Figgins. Howard adopted the three children from the previous marriage and together they raised the chaotic "Figgins Bunch." She worked as a dispatcher at the Mt. Morris City Police Department. She also was a crossing guard in front of Montague Elementary. She wrote a gossip column for the Genesee County Herald. And you thought Facebook was a new concept! Doris was a Christian and had a strong faith in God. Doris loved to dance and play cards. In the later years, she loved "winning" at Rummy with her two daughters. Doris spent many, many hours doing her jigsaw and crossword puzzles. She enjoyed bird watching and tending to her beautiful flowers. She loved watching the old tv game shows. Her cultivated habit of keeping a daily calendar and writing notes lightened the burden of her not so good short term memory in the last years of her life: so long as she didn't tidy up before bed and throw them away. As the Bible says, she was blessed with nine children, 24 grandchildren, and 35 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Isaiah 61:9 "(Her) descendants shall be known among the tribes, and her offspring among the peoples; all who see them acknowledge that (she) is the person whom the Lord has Blessed!" Doris resided in an apartment at Independence Village of Frankenmuth for the last year and a half of her life. She won everyone there over with her smile and infectious giggle. She was loved by many there! She even added a few "children" to her family. At the age of 95, Doris passed away Saturday, January 26, 2019, at Independence Village of Frankenmuth, peacefully with her family at her side. She would want us to know that she is OK and that she's with her loved ones. Go on with your life and remember the good times. She will be greatly missed by all. A funeral service will be held 11:00 am, Wednesday, January 31, 2019, at the Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services in Mt. Morris. Pastor Walter David officiating with burial at Mt. Morris Cemetery. Doris' family will be present at the funeral home on Tuesday to receive guests from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon and from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm. On Wednesday morning from 10:00 am until the time of the service at 11:00 am. Those desiring may consider memorial contributions to a charity of choice. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.