Ione Marie Thompson

ONTONAGON, Mich. — Ione Marie Thompson passed away Friday, Dec. 13, 2013, at the Aspirus Ontonagon Long Term Care Facility in Ontonagon.

Ione was born on the family farm on June 28, 1921 in Metamora, Ohio. She attended Ohio Northern University and, in 1941, married Robert “Kelly” Thompson. During Kelly’s service in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Ione lived in Florida and Kansas, before returning to Metamora after World War II. Ione and Kelly lived on a farm in Ohio, raising six children, until the family moved to Paradise, Mich., in 1958.

In Paradise, Ione and Kelly operated Cloud 9 Cottages on the shores of Whitefish Bay. Ione and Kelly both worked as school teachers. Ione graduated from Northern Michigan University and taught English, literature, Latin and music in Paradise and Newberry. Ione was a founder and charter member of the Paradise United Methodist Church, where she served as an organist for more than 40 years. She was also active in school and community affairs, having started the Whitefish Township Library and the “Paradise Eagle” newspaper.

Ione was an excellent cook and avid reader. She was an accomplished musician and played the piano, organ, harp and various other instruments. Ione also had a lifelong love of literature. She authored and published five books. Ione was a Blue Star and Gold Star Mother whose four sons all served in the military. The eldest son, Michael Kelly, was killed in Vietnam.

Ione lived in Ontonagon at various times from 1993 until the time of her death. She is survived by five children: Patrick (Missy) of Arnold, Md .; Molly (Dr. Gerald) Takala of Ontonagon; Bridget (Lyle) Nodurft of Paradise; Tim of New Orleans; and Terry (Kathe) of Ontonagon and Stafford, Va. Ione is also survived by ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kelly; a son, Captain Michael Kelly Thompson; her parents, Carey and Pearl Clark; brother, Carey Jr .; and sisters Sarah Semler and Eunice Jacob.

A celebration of Ione’s life will take place in Paradise in the spring, followed by burial at the Our Lady of Victory Cemetery.

Friends may view Ione’s obituary and leave messages of remembrance at canefuneralhome.com.