Penny Jo Chard, 81, of Union City, MI passed away following a brief illness on December 4, 2025, while in Florida. Her two sons, Jon Cortright and Robert Chard were by her side when she passed.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation, 1276 Tate Trail, Union City, MI 49094. Eulogies will be shared around 6:00 P.M.
Penny is missed dearly by her sons and their wives, Diane Cortright of East Lansing, and Tina Chard of Byron Center, as well as grandchildren Erik, Nick, Drew, and Kenzie.
Penny is also survived by Ken Strong, also of Union City, her life partner of 55 years and his daughters Christal of Jonesville, and Dawn from Rifle, Colorado, as well as their children, who she always thought of as her grandkids, Katie, Jacob, Cailine, and Corwin.
Penny had many dear friends in the community who over the years had become like family to her.
Penny was preceded in death by her parents, who resided in Bronson, MI, Roland (2009) and Hope George (1998) and infant granddaughter, Emma Cortright.
Penny was an only child, spending a lot of time outdoors, while growing up in Bronson, where she developed a fondness for nature and all living things, particularly frogs. Rumor has it that each year on her birthday, April 9, she would jump into Gilead Lake at her family cottage. It was at Gilead Lake she learned to waterski at age 10, and spent many summer afternoons in a hammock reading a book. Reading continued to be a favorite pastime throughout her life.
Upon graduating from Bronson High School, she attended Michigan State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Education, following in her mother’s footsteps. Later she received her masters from Western. She returned to the Bronson area, originally teaching 3rd grade, moving to k-6 Phys. Ed., then 8th grade language arts and PE. She culminated her career with a 23 year run as the school guidance counselor at both Quincy Middle School, and Union City Middle and High Schools, from which she eventually retired. Her guidance counselor office was loaded with figurines, photos, posters and stuffed frogs, numbered in the several hundreds by the last students’ count.
Penny had a passion for making the lives of others better. As an educator and a counselor, as a daughter, mother, grandmother, partner, and friend. There are countless people who are better because she was part of their lives. A myriad of animals, from spiders and mice, to adopted dogs and cats, felt compassion and caring because she couldn’t tolerate suffering of any living thing. The world is a kinder, more beautiful place because of the 81 wonderful years she was a part of it.
It is with this in mind that we ask that instead of flowers or cards, that you please make a donation in her memory to your local humane society and help her continue to have a positive effect on the world now that she is gone.
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