Dorothy H. Mellinger

April 30, 1920 - February 21, 2011

Dorothy H. Mellinger of Tustin died Monday, February 21, 2011 at Mercy Hospital in Cadillac. She was 90. She was born on April 30, 1920 in Ypsilanti, MI to Ralph and Helen (Elke) Cole. She married John Wayne Nichols in 1937 and later married Earl Raymond Mellinger in Cadillac on November 26, 1966 and he preceded her on death December 3, 1986. She had lived all her life in this area. She had been employed in Cadillac at Kelly\'s, Ursula\'s, Northwood Inn and had also worked at Four Star. She had also baby sat for her grandchildren and great- grandchildren and enjoyed crocheting, flowers and gardening. She is survived by her daughter, Katherine Sutton of Tustin, daughter-in-law, Mary Nichols of Tustin, son-in-law, Ralph (Marilyn) Stocking of Tustin and Florida, 10 grandchildren; John (Terri) Stocking of Texas, Jim (Kathy) Stocking of South Lyons, Jean (Virgil) Pyle of Canton, Debbie Davis of Tustin, Barb Nichols of Tustin, John (Kathy) Nichols of Luther, David (Barb) Nichols of Tustin, Juanita Nichols of Tustin, Janet Holmes of Leroy, Sharon (Matt) Kelsey of Tustin, 41 great- grandchildren, 20 great great- grandchildren, a brother, William B. Hillard of Florida and a sister, Joan Ellery of Traverse City. She was preceded in death by her parents and the father she was raised by, C.L. Hillard; a son, John Nichols; a daughter, Helen Stocking; grandsons, Doyle Holmes and Tim Davis; a great- granddaughter, Kayla Davis; brother, Robert Cole; a sister, Maxine Kiger and son-in-law Floyd Sutton. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 25, 2011at 2:00 pm at Peterson Funeral Home in Cadillac with Reverend Robert Kahly officiating. Friends may meet the family Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Peterson Funeral Home. Burial will be at Burdell Township Cemetery in Osceola County, Michigan. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com