Obituary of Marion J. Fairchild

Marion Jean Fairchild, 89, a lifelong resident of Dundee passed away Friday, June 12, 2015 at the Evangelical Home in Saline. Friends may call on Monday, June 15, 2015 from 10:30 AM until services at 11:30 AM at the Cover Funeral Home, 297 Tecumseh Street in Dundee. Officiating will be Rev. John Tibai, pastor of the Maybee Congregational Christian Church. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dundee. Marion was born on July 28, 1925, a twin daughter of the late Edward and Esther (Monk) Schaap, a Dundee businessman and civic leader, and homemaker, respectively, in Dundee. She married David O. Fairchild of Cambridge, Ohio on October 18, 1952 at the Dundee Congregational Church. He passed away on August 20, 2000. Marion and her twin sister Marilyn graduated from Dundee High School in 1944. They both completed 2 years of secretarial courses at Western Michigan University. The girls returned to Dundee to work in their father’s businesses including the Dundee Hatchery and the Dundee Feed Mill. Marion enjoyed raising her 4 children on the family farm where she was tirelessly up at 5 AM every morning; was a homemaker; driving the tractors and other equipment with the field corn, soybeans, oats, wheat and helping raise a huge garden; canning freezing, making juices jams and jellies for her family while also getting the kids to and from their sports and other activities. She also loved raising chickens and a few pigs every year and selling eggs to local customers, while giving them away to family and friends. She prepared large Sunday meals after church for her family and parents. Dinners always included 2 homemade pies baked from scratch the night before. At Christmas many different kids of cookies were baked to give in boxes to family, relatives and friends. She did a lot of knitting for others. She spent a number of years taking care of family members including her grandmother, mother and husband. Serving others was a top priority for her. When she was in the 5th grade she received the name of a pen-pal Jane Steenhuis of the Netherlands. They lost contact during World War II but reconnected and stayed in touch for over 60 years. They were able to visit each others home's in their respective countries. She was a member of the Maybee Congregational Christian Church where she played piano, taught Sunday School and was a Junior Church Leader. She also was an active Campfire Girls Leader for a few years. Survivors include 2 sons: Hugh (Sharon) of Bowling Green, Ohio; Dwight (Lorri) of Saline; Roger (Cathy) of Mishawaka, Indiana; daughter Beth Quinn of Gallatin, Tennessee; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandsons. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and sister Marilyn Juckette. Their family would like to thank the nurses and staff at the Evangelical Home for their excellent care this past 3 ½ years. Memorials may be made to the Maybee Congregational Christian Church or to the Ann Arbor Hospice.