Ione Margaret Corning-Smalley

INTERLOCHEN — Ione died peacefully surrounded by her loving family at her Interlochen home.

Born in Hubbell, Mich., to John and Mary Yauch, Ione was the oldest of eight children. She grew up in the Linden/Swarts Creek area, graduating from Mary Carpo.

While working as the Personnel Director for the Fisher Body Tank plant during WWII, she met and married Glenn A. Corning Jr. Together they raised their four children in Flint Township. Ione was the first Director of the Out Patient Department at St. Joseph Hospital from which she retired after 30 years of service.

Ione and Glenn moved to their summer home in Interlochen where they enjoyed entertaining their family and friends. They were a passionate couple for 55 years until Glenn's death in 1999.

In the fall of 2004, Ione was reunited with her childhood sweetheart, John "Bud" Smalley. They were married in August of 2005 and were blessed with three special years together.

Ione was a devoted daughter, a bossy big sister, and a gracious friend. She was the soulmate to two wonderful men, a mother who gave unconditional love and encouragement and a greatly loved Nana.

Ione opened her home to all — her friends, her children's friends and the Yauch and Corning clans for every type of life's celebrations. We all knew she would provide great food, great fun and love unbounded.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, parents and sisters Barbara Yauch Willis and Betty Yauch Hawkins. She is survived by her husband John Smalley; son Michael (Patty) Corning; daughters Marcia (Rick) Landsman, Cathie (Art) Corning-Shafer, Glennda Corning; niece Kelly Corning; siblings Maxine (Jack) Tullar, Shirley McCaslin, Ronnie Yauch, Corbin Yauch, Beverly (Gary) Cramer; grandchildren Beth (Gavin) Baillie, Amanda (Jason) Pawloski, Molly Mitoma, Joe (Melissa) Shafer, Glenn (Mia) Mitoma, Noah and Mary Ingrid Corning-Hyman; great-grandchildren Madeline Pawloski, Ivy Baillie, Sophie Pawloski, Ben Baillie, Olivia Pawloski, Miles and Porter Mitoma; sister-in-law Geri (George) Bell; and brother-in-law Don Corning.

Heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Janet Messerschmidt, Munson Hospice, Munson Home Health Care, Grand Traverse Pavilions, Father Jerry Micketti, and most importantly, Kelly Corning, who has cared for her with love and laughter.

Visitation for Ione will take place at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home today, Aug. 31, from 5-8 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 1, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. The Reverend Gerald Micketti will be officiating. Burial will take place at a later date at the Cornell Township Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Hospice.

The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.