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Mary Eatherton Obituary

Mary Lou Eatherton
Mary Lou (Brown) Eatherton passed away peacefully on October 22, 2025.
Mary Lou was born on February 23, 1930 in Coleman, Michigan. She was the daughter of the late Harold J. and Mary Margaret (Fenton) Brown. Mary Lou graduated from Coleman High School in 1947 and completed a Secretarial Course at Northeastern School of Commerce in Bay City. She worked as a secretary for The Dow Chemical Company in the Legal Department, retiring in 1986. During a hiatus from Dow, she worked at MiraCosta College in California for five years. She married Gerald (Jerry) Eatherton on April 21, 1973. When they both retired from Dow, they moved to Leesburg, Florida and remained there for 20 years, until returning to Midland in 2006.
Mary Lou was an active "Red Hatter" in Florida and Michigan. She also loved to travel, bowl, and especially to play golf. She served on the board of the Ladies Club, Women's Golf Club and Theater Group in Florida. She and Jerry enjoyed traveling and went on several cruises, including to Alaska. She was a long time resident at Riverside Place in Midland, where she had many happy years. She served on the Tenant Council and the Welcome Committees there.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and brothers Frank, Bill, Harry, Robert and her sister Dorothy.
She is survived by her daughters Mary Shawn (Danny) Durden; Michelle (Bill) Schmit; two step-daughters Linda (Mark) Gilson and Lisa Brady; four grandchildren, one great grandchild and many nieces and nephews.
Per Mary Lou's wishes, there will be no formal service. In honor of Mary Lou, please feel free to make a donation to your favorite charity.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Midland Daily News on Oct. 29, 2025.

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Mercedize Yanna

November 27, 2025

Mary lou was a sweet resident everyday smiles sometimes having fun and talking to others I knew here from Riverside and she had been sweet to me

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