Joseph Ivan Mendenhall's Obituary
Big Rapids - Joseph I. Mendenhall, 66, of Big Rapids passed away at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Rapids on Sunday, January 29, 2017, after a brief illness. He was born on April 17, 1950, in Detroit, Michigan, to Ivan and Helen (Dufour) Mendenhall, and graduated from Dearborn Divine Child High School in 1968. Joe then attended Ferris State University where he received his Bachelor's Degree and Central Michigan University for his Master's Degree. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. For 22 years, Joe was the Director of Housing at Ferris, and more recently the owner of the Big Rapids Dairy Queen/State Street Scoops for the past 20 years. He was devoted husband, father and grandfather. Joe loved spending time with family, time at the cottage, and playing cards with friends. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and big heart. On February 23, 1980, Joe married Mary Ann (Peterson) who survives. Also surviving are sons Joseph (April) Mendenhall of Big Rapids and Michael (Julia) Mendenhall of Cedar Springs; daughter Katie Mendenhall of Sand Lake; grandchildren Tate and Callie Mendenhall (and two more grandchildren on the way); sisters Susan (Craig) Smith of Livonia and Jane (Jim) Wenrick of Howell; brother Dan (Cindy) Mendenhall of Troy; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and his mother and father-in-law, Jean and Norm Peterson of Big Rapids. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 4, 2017 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Big Rapids, with Fr. Michael Burt as celebrant and Fr. Lam Le as concelebrant. Burial will take place in the Pine Plains Cemetery this spring. Visitation will take place from 6 to 8:00 p.m., with Rosary at 7:30 p.m., on Friday, February 3, 2017 at St. Mary's Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Catholic Newman Center at Ferris State University or St. John Paul II Parish in Cedar Springs for their Growing in God's Merciful Love Campaign, with envelopes available at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids.
What’s your fondest memory of Joseph?
What’s a lesson you learned from Joseph?
Share a story where Joseph's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joseph you’ll never forget.
How did Joseph make you smile?