Sue Ellen Grice

Obituary For Sue Ellen Grice

Sue Ellen (Mitchell) Grice March 24, 1950 – September 28, 2025

On September 28, 2025, Sue's remarkable life came to an end, leaving her family with a lifetime of love and memories. She was born on March 24, 1950, in Marion, Michigan, to Kenneth Earl and Amy Ray (Corner) Mitchell and spent her entire life in the community she loved.

Sue grew up in Marion, where she met her high school sweetheart, Michael Grice. The two were married on January 9, 1970. Together they shared 55 years of devotion and partnership while raising two children, Anetra and David.

She was especially proud to be Grandma to Dylan Grice, with whom she shared many meaningful years while he was young and living nearby. Dylan spent his later life living in her home, and she adored seeing him every day. She was also grandmother to Ashton, Trenton, Joseph, and Saturn Phillips, as well as Evan Blackledge. She loved being part of their lives.

In her early years, Sue attended nursing school and worked briefly as a nurse before joining her husband in the family business, Mike's Body Shop. There she managed the office, keeping things running with diligence and positivity until her retirement. What she treasured most was working alongside her son David-seeing him every day and sharing in the life of the shop. She also loved chatting with customers and being part of the community.

Sue had an artist's soul and creative hands. She painted and drew with natural talent, and her crocheting was extraordinary. From delicate lace doilies to intricate doll clothes made with the tiniest hooks, she poured patience and care into everything she made. Long before the internet existed, she was crocheting handmade stuffed animals, creating keepsakes that reflected both her skill and her giving spirit.

She was a collector at heart, with a curiosity that led her to gather unusual treasures, including abandoned paper wasp nests, which friends and family would save and bring to her. She was also fascinated by bees, loved watching and feeding birds, and had a bee-themed collection. She collected a specific Pfalzgraff dish pattern that took years to complete and also built a substantial antique oil lamp collection. Sue delighted in garage sales and bargain hunting. She used her sharp eye to surprise others with trinkets and treasures. From comics and Star Wars memorabilia for her daughter to items that helped friends complete their own collections or toys for her grandkids, if you stopped at the house, she always had something for you, "just because."

Together, Sue and Mike built several homes, including their cabin in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. They loved hosting friends, snowmobiling, and savoring the seasons there. Sue especially loved the fall colors and often spoke about Maple Lane, where the trees arched overhead in a brilliant tunnel of autumn leaves, even toward the end of her life.

Later in life, Sue enjoyed quiet evenings watching old Westerns, especially Gunsmoke. But no matter the season of her life, she was known for her warmth and positivity. She was small in stature, yet strong in ways that surprised those around her. And she will always be remembered as the biggest cheerleader for those she loved.

Sue is survived by her husband, Michael; children, Anetra (Brian Phillips) and David; grandchildren Dylan Grice, Evan Blackledge, Ashton, Trenton, Joseph, and Saturn Phillips; and

sisters Laura Malosh and Linda Randel. She was preceded in death by her brother, Kem Mitchell, and sister, Barb Jones.

Sue will be remembered for her kind spirit, her creativity, and her endless generosity.

A memorial service will be held at the Marion Eagles Auxiliary Banquet Room on October 11, 2025, at 12 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Michigan–Cadillac. The family is being served by the Burkholder Family Funeral in McBain, thoughts and prayers can be expressed to the family by visiting the online obituary at burkholderfamilyfuneralhome.com