Obituary

Edna Marie (Nielsen) Shepard

November 13, 1936 ~ February 4, 2025 (age 88)

Edna Marie Shepard of East Jordan, passed away on Tuesday February 4, 2025, at Grandvue Medical Care Facility in East Jordan surrounded by her family. 

    She was born on November 13, 1936, Edna Marie Nielsen the daughter of Ole Edward and Edna Edith (Cunningham) Nielsen.

    On February 16, 1957 in Charlevoix she married James Stephen Shepard.

    Marie is survived by her husband of 67 years, James Stephen Shepard of East Jordan, four children, Donna Makara of Lansing, Sandi (John) Whiteford of East Jordan, Jim (Anita) Shepard of Hudsonville and Debbie (Tim) Schroeder of East Jordan; Grandchildren

    Jeremy (Brandi) Girven, Josh (Jen) Girven, Kyle (Heather) James, Patrick (Malena) Whiteford, Becki (Toby) King, Margaret (Toby) Langworthy, Mathew Whiteford, Michael (Alicia) Whiteford, Kevin (Michelle) Whiteford, Jenaye (Zach) Hughes, Andrea Chew, Sarah (Dave) Suttle, Ashlie Bennett, Pam (Nick) Fame, TJ Schroeder.  Great Grandchildren; Jourdan, Landen, Alexis, Rylan, Chyna, Wyatt, Aries, Lillie, Jeremiah, Oliver, Leo, Shayna, Brooke, Logan, Cody, Shiann, Roz, Ethan, Alley, Hunter, Parker, Alexis, Dillon, Madison, Oliver, Connor, Elisabeth, Lillie, Sadie, Richard, Amelia, Skyler, Landen; 4 Great-great Grandchildren; Payton, Violet, Oliver and Connor and Dakota; one sister, Barb (Buck) Cihak of East Jordan.

    She was preceded in death by her parents: one grandson, Daniel Paul Whiteford on October 16, 2005, and one Great-Great Grandchild, Paisley Marie on June 29, 2017 and Son-In-Law John Makara on August 27, 2024.

    Through her life of raising a family she also participated with the American Red Cross, 4H Leader, Cooked and Served Rotary Club Meeting Lunches, Women’s Bowling League and was named a Lions Club Mother of the Year. She enjoyed family get togethers, helping with grandchildren and spent many hours gardening.

    Funeral services will be held on Friday February 7, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at the Lighthouse Missionary Church in East Jordan. Rev. Bart Adams will officiate. Interment will be held in the spring at Sunset Hill Cemetery, East Jordan

    The family will receive friends on Friday at the church from 10:00 A.M. until time of service.

    The family was served by the Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc. in East Jordan.

    Memorials may be given to the Shepard Family Scholarship Fund at the Charlevoix County Community Foundation or Grandvue Medical Care Facility Horizon Vue Unit.

    A graveside service will be held on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at Sunset Hill Cemetery, East Jordan.