Catherine M. Ireland

Catherine Matilda Ireland, 80, of Mio, graduated to Heaven February 13, 2017 at Webber Heart Center in Traverse City, Michigan surrounded by many family members and loved ones.
Visitation will be held at Lashley Funeral home Thursday, February 16th, from 4:00-8:00 pm.
Another visitation will be just before the funeral service at the United Methodist Church in Mio from 12:00-1:00 pm.
Funeral service will be held at the United Methodist Church in Mio on Friday, February 17th, at 1:00 with luncheon immediately following.
Cathy (as she preferred to be called) was born to Leo and Grace (VanRentergehan) O’Connor April 16, 1936, the 6th of 13 children. She was born on the family farm on Todd Road in Croswell, Michigan. She learned a fantastic work ethic and the ability to cook just about anything (especially pies), and take care of many children on that farm growing up. December 1, 1956 she married Leon Erbe, and the next 11 years she kept busy helping him through college and taking care of her growing family. Along with raising a family of 5 children, she continually had an entrepreneurial spirit. In 1969, she and her husband Leon Erbe moved to Mio and purchased Riverview Motel. She and Leon ran the 6 unit motel and also built from scratch a bustling canoe livery as well. Many local teens were employed by them in the 1970’s, and oh did she have fun with them. There was always lots of laughter and joking around.
On December 5, 1981, she married her second husband, Merlin (Jug) Ireland. She helped him run his wrecker service and mechanic business. They enjoyed being on golf leagues with friends. She also did catering during this time for weddings and other events, and before it burned down, she baked many delicious pies for the Parkway House Restaurant. She and Jug decided in 1987 to build another business, the Au Sable River Restaurant. Literally building it from scratch, they worked very hard, and it became a thriving meeting place for good food, (especially her famous pies) and always a chat from Cathy as she would move from table to table greeting all of her customers. She truly loved people.
After they sold the Au Sable in 1992, she turned her energies to what became her biggest passion and love, decorating her yard for Christmas. Every year her decorations became bigger and more until she had tens of thousands of lights and dozens of different blow-ups and displays. It was something she and Jug worked on all year around. Her biggest delight was lighting them up right after Thanksgiving, and counting all the cars from people all over northern Michigan as they would drive through every night.
She became known as the “Christmas Light Lady” of Mio. The last few years of doing the lights, even with the beginnings of declining health, she refused to give up her lights, and would be out there in her wheelchair with her helpers making sure everything was done right.
She had a natural ability to see a need and meet that need in any way possible. She was a servant at heart not just to her family, but to anyone who needed her. At any and every open house, wedding, shower, or party she was always willing and ready to make her delicious food and help in any way she could. Cathy was a tireless worker and cheerleader, especially for her family.
Her work here on Earth may be completed, but we all know she’s currently having a wonderful time catching up with beloved family and friends who have preceded her in death. All the while basking in the love of her Savior, Jesus Christ.
Cathy is survived by her husband Jug Ireland, daughter Delores (Dave) Yoder of Mio, MI, son David (Merly) Erbe of Melbourne, Florida, daughter Denise (Tom) Kemp of Luzerne, MI, daughter Doreen (Roger) Wiegand of Mio, MI, daughter Dena (Eric) Alderton of Rose City, MI, sister Bea Norman, of Lexington, MI, brother Bill (Eleanor) O’Connor of Croswell, MI, brother Ed (Beverly) O’Connor of Ft. Gratiot, MI, sister Carolyn Koch of Port Huron, MI, sister Clara (John) Will of Croswell, MI, sister Marion (Gerald) Hitchcock of Dallas, GA, and brother Wayne (Becky) O’Connor of Zionsville, IN.
Her grandchildren were a huge, important part of her life. She was there for each and every one: Justin (Leana), Chad (Dee), Jessi (Ryan), Connor, Jordyn, Christopher, Gaby, Grace, Kristy (Aaron), Dan (Nicole), Jeni (Bobby), Kenny (Ashlee), Michael (Lynsie), Josh (Laurajane), Monica (Mark), Evan, Matthew, Benjamin, Allie Joy. There are also 16 amazing great grandchildren with three more on the way this year in which she delighted greatly. Even having no computer experience, the last few years she made the effort to learn to use an iPad and enjoyed Facetiming all of the great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations for the Downtown Christmas Display project coming in December, 2017 can be made in memory of Cathy Ireland to Mentor Township flagged with “Christmas Display donation” (216 E. 10Th St., P.O. Box 730, Mio, MI 48647).