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Mary Ellen Tithof
Born: 3/11/1942
Died: 7/9/2026
Age: 84
Community: Chesaning, MI
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Mary Ellen Tithof, beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, died peacefully at Wellbridge of Fenton on the morning of July 9, 2026.
Mary Ellen was born in Leslie, Michigan, on March 11, 1942. She was the oldest child of Norman and Marjorie Mitchell, graduated from Leslie High School, and then Aquinas College where she met her soul mate Dale Tithof. Dale and Mary celebrated 60 years of marriage in June.
Mary Ellen was a proud and loving parent of five, grandmother of ten, and great-grandparent of three. One of her greatest joys was hosting a full house of family and friends for birthdays and holidays. For almost sixty years, the Tithofs’ house in Chesaning was the hub of the North 4th street neighborhood, where Mary welcomed friends, her kid’s friends, exchange students, neighbors, day-care children, and a few abandoned pets.
She had a special bond with her three sisters, Joanne, Normi, and Janet, known affectionately as the “Mitchell Women.” They enjoyed getting their children together, traveling, playing cards with their spouses, and joining the occasional protest.
Before raising her own family and the children of her day care, Mary Ellen had a career as a teacher. She was a lifelong supporter of public education, of local,state and national humanitarian and political organizations, and an ardent peace activist. She served several terms as a Chesaning Union Schools School Board trustee.
Mary Ellen Tithof is preceded in death by her parents, Norman and Marjorie Mitchell and her siblings Normi (Frank) Spadafore and Tom (Shirley) Mitchell. She is survived by her husband, Dale; her siblings, Joanne (Ray) Edmonson, Jim (Nancy) Mitchell, Janet (Jim) Muir, and Pat and Mike Mitchell; her children, John (Marytherese) Tithof, Susan (Stuart) Forsyth, Mark (Nicole) Tithof, Scott (Shannon) Tithof, and Christopher Tithof; her grandchildren, Gwen, Joanna (Zachary), Alli, Jack, Lexi, Wyatt, Ava, Ken, Lincoln, and Vinny; her great-grandchildren, Penelope, Henry, and Oliver; and her many dear nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be hosted at the Tithofs’ Chesaning home, 869 North 4th St., on Saturday, August 22nd, 4 PM to 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to CAER, the Michigan Peace Team, or the Dale & Mary Ellen Scholarship Fund, causes that reflect her lifelong commitment to helping others. You may light a memorial candle or share a memory at misiukfuneralhome.com.
Misiuk Funeral Home
202 South Front Street
Chesaning, Michigan 48616
989-845-3096 |
Copyright © 2026 Direct Obits, LLC
| Visitation |
| Date: |
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8/22/2026 |
| Time: |
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4:00 PM |
| 4-7pm at the family residence |
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| Funeral Service |
| No Service |
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