Louise V. Mahar, 96, of Belding passed away Sunday morning August 14, 2022, at home. Louise was born on November 16, 1925, in Sand Lake, the daughter of Edwin and Alma (Call) Newland. She graduated from Trufant High School with the Class of 1943. With World War II still being fought, Louise went right to work after graduation to Gibson’s in Greenville helping to assemble gliders. She was well known there as one of the many “Rosie the Riveter”. In later years Louise worked at Indian Summer and co-owned and worked at the bowling alley, Hillcrest Lanes in Belding. She was married on June 16, 1945, in Belding to Jack J. Mahar, who preceded her in 2018. She was also preceded by her parents, her five sisters, Gladys, Delphine, Molly, Ethel, Marie and two brothers, Dennis and Donald.
She enjoyed antiques and golf, especially making two hole-in-one shots at the Candlestone, and one at Castleberry Golf Course in Altamonte Springs, Florida. She was a longtime member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Belding, active in the church and especially enjoyed quilting on Thursdays with the Holy Cross Quilting Group. Louise loved all the animals, and regularly fed all the birds and critters that visited her yard. She was also well known for her famous peanut butter fudge, which everyone loved. Louise was blessed with a long and fruitful life and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She is loved and survived by her children, Linda (Richard) Chilton and John (Marty) Mahar all of Saginaw, and Dave (Beth) Mahar of Dowagiac, her grandchildren, Sarah (Jeff) McCarthy, Sandra (Brian) Hooks, Sonia (John) Weber, Lisa Viergutz, Marcie (Ron) Lechlitner, Megan (Scott) Nate, John (Danielle) Mahar, Drew (Katie) Mahar and eleven great grandchildren. Louise’s family would like to give a special thank you to her wonderful neighbors, Mary and Jim, who cared for her.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Thursday August 18, 2022, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Belding with Pastor Robert Wagner officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service at church. A luncheon will be held in the lower level of the church following the funeral. Private interment will be in River Ridge Cemetery, Belding. Memorials maybe given to Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Envelopes will be available at the service and Johnson-Feuerstein Funeral Home, Belding, where funeral care has been entrusted.
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