Marcelyn “Marcie” LaBelle, a loving wife and mother, and a
tremendously active Coldwater resident for nearly 60 years, died Monday, February 3, 2020.
A public viewing for Marcie LaBelle will be Thursday, February 6, 2020 from 4 – 7:00 PM at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater with the rosary beginning at 6:00 PM.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, February 7, 2020 at 11:00 AM at St. Charles Catholic Church in Coldwater.
A private family interment will take place in Oak Grove Cemetery in Coldwater.
Marcie, born on May 24,
1924, to Albert Reek and Elizabeth (Loftis) Reek and spent her childhood and
high school years in Ludington and Muskegon, Michigan. She graduated from
Muskegon Heights High School.
On July 31, 1943, Marcie married Gerald “Jerry” LaBelle at
Sacred Heart Church in Muskegon Heights. While living in the Muskegon area,
Marcie and Jerry had three children: Gary, Lorna Sue, and Darwin.
Shortly after their third child was born in 1950, a job
transfer with General Telephone Company brought the LaBelles to Coldwater. In
1952, on Marcie and Jerry’s 9
th
wedding anniversary, another son, Ron,
was born. The LaBelle family was complete in 1955 when a second daughter,
Deborah, was born. Marcie was a “stay-at-home Mother” until all five children
were in school; thus, delaying her own professional life.
With the children in school, Marcie pursued her career. Her
entry into the Coldwater work force was as the office manager for William’s
Grain Company. After five years there, she became the purchasing agent for
Essex Corporation, where she remained for an additional five years.
In 1972, Marcie left the private sector and entered the
public arena as Finance Director and City Clerk for the City of Coldwater.
During this period, she received certification as a Municipal Clerk from
Michigan State University. In addition to these two positions, Marcie, also,
ran for Mayor in 1999, served as the recording secretary for Coldwater’s City
Council, Industrial Development Authority, Planning Commission, Economic
Development Corporation, and the Building Authority. In 1985, Marcie retired
from the city of Coldwater.
Though “retired,” Marcie continued to be extremely active in
the community. On December 5, 1972, a raging fire destroyed Branch County’s
historic Courthouse (built in 1877.) Since many residents of Branch County
missed the historic “Clock Tower” of the old Courthouse, Marcie, along with
some other dedicated Coldwater residents, spearheaded the “Clock Tower
Project.” They sought funding and other donations from residents of Branch
County. After many years of work, a new “Clock Tower” was constructed from the
old Courthouse. Until her death, Marcie was, indeed, proud of the Tower and the
community effort to restore the bell and clock.
In 1988, Marcie received two
prestigious awards recognizing her dedication and commitment to her family and
the community. She was honored as “Woman of the Year, 1988” and was awarded the
“Book of Golden Deeds.”
Marcie LaBelle vigorously supported various other Coldwater
activities during her life here. Some of those included: Southern Michigan Commission
on Aging, Altrusa, Tibbits Opera House, Red Cross Blood Bank, Coldwater
Historical Society, Branch County Community Health Center Auxiliary, Maple Lawn
Auxiliary, Friends of the Library, branch County AARP, and St. Charles Catholic
Church.
While raising the LaBelle children with Jerry, she was active in the
children’s lives. Marcie was a Campfire Girls Leader, Den Mother, Cub Scout
Leader, and participated in numerous Franklin School PTA activities.
In recent years, Marcie had been extremely involved with the
H. & C. Burnside Senior Center where she served as president for 10 years.
She was also appointed to the Branch County Commission on Aging in 2010.
Marcie was preceded in death by her parents and her husband
Gerald “Jerry” LaBelle in 1995 after 53 years of marriage.
She is survived by her five children: Gary LaBelle of
Rhinebeck, NY, Lorna LaBelle-Steffey of Marshall, Darwin (Marie) LaBelle of Missouri City, TX,
Ron (Vicki) LaBelle of Coldwater, and Deborah Hannon of Coldwater. Nine
grandchildren: Jennifer, Adrienne, Nicole, Brandon, Jessica, Sarah, Amy,
Michael and Tatiana. And eleven great-grandchildren: Oona, Twyla, Sayer, Evan,
Gia, Sebastian, Alexandria, Claire, Theo, Lucy, and Harrison.
Memorials may be directed to H. & C. Burnside Center.
www.dutcherfh.com
