Amelia Hall Ames

Amelia Hall Ames, 82, of Cedarville formerly of Newberry passed away peacefully, Wednesday morning, January 6, 2016, with her family by her side in the warmth and comfort of her home. She was born on July 29, 1933, in Gaylord to Hobert and Irma (Burns) Ames. Amelia grew up on the family farm between Rexton and Trout Lake. During her early teen years, she moved with her family to Newberry where she attended school. In the early1950's, she took a job with Michigan Bell and worked in Ypsilanti later transferring to the Newberry office. Amelia moved to Lansing where she lived for several years and began raising her children. The family returned to Newberry in 1962. Amelia worked at Helen Newberry Joy as a Central Supply Clerk and Nurse's Aide. She retired from there in 1979 after 15 years of service. She then started her own business, Ames AFC Home. She continued to run her business for 23 years until 2002, when she retired due to health issues. Amelia moved to Cedarville in the summer of 2002 to reside closer to her daughter, Deborah. Amelia was a very nurturing and wonderful caregiver. She always welcomed people in her home and took many under her wing. She was an excellent homemaker as well. Amelia was known for her potato salad and pickled beets as well as her lemon meringue, coconut cream and banana cream pies. For many family and social gatherings, she was asked to make them. When she moved to Cedarville, she was the chief cook and bottle washer for some of her neighbors in her Apartment Complex where she resided for 12 years. She was always helping out others, whether it was running errands, taking them to doctor appointments, going to senior citizen luncheons or just going for a ride around the area. She continued to care for some elderly in the area, which was one of her greatest joys up until she was 79 years old. The greatest joys in her life, however, were her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and her many friends. Amelia was an active member of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church, Hessel and former member of St. Gregory Catholic Church, Newberry. She was a member of the John T. Bouchard Aerial #3401 Eagles Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary and Women of the Moose. Surviving are daughters, Deborah (Ross) Beukema of Cedarville, Marlene Kempany of Lansing, and Karen (Robert) Swanberg of Cement City; a son, Keith Kempany of Newberry; granddaughters, Katelyn (Brandon) Wheeler of McMillan and Emily Nelson of Newberry; grandsons, Matthew Nelson of Holland and Thomas (Lindsey) Beukema of Florence, Alabama; great-grandchildren, Morgan Wheeler and Baby Boy Wheeler due in April; sisters, Alice Ream of Houghton Lake and Lois (Donn) Cronk of Cedar Springs; a brother, Herbert (Patricia) Ames of Sault Ste. Marie; a sister-in-law, Barbara Edgar of Newberry; a special niece, Catherine (Bruce) Robinson of Kent City with whom Amelia resided with from May 2014 to August 2015; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins along with many friends in the Cedarville, Hessel and Newberry areas. Preceding Amelia in death were her Father in 1978, her Mother in 1973, her step-father, Coral J. Edgar, Sr. in 1954; a sister, Mary Lou Snook; a brother, Coral J. Edgar, Jr.,; a niece, Nancy Jean DePottey; a nephew, Richard Snook and brothers-in-law, Vincent "Bob" Snook and Corbin Ream. The family will receive relatives and friends at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church, Hessel from 10:00 until 11:45 a.m. Monday, January 11th. A Funeral Mass celebrating the life of Amelia will follow at 12 Noon in the church with the Rev. Fr. Janusz Romanek officiating. Interment will be at Caffey Cemetery in Epoufette near her father this summer. Memorials may be directed to Clark Township Volunteer Ambulance Corp, P.O. Box 367, Cedarville, MI 49719, in her memory. Dodson Funeral Home of St. Ignace is caring for the arrangements.

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Amelia Hall Ames

January 6, 2016