Mary Lou Bale

Mary Lou Bale, age 86, passed Wednesday, Sept. 28 at Hope Hospice of Cape Coral, Fla. in the presence of family.

Mary Lou was born August 6, 1936 to Elmer and M. Irene Burleson. She graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1954 and from Cleary College in 1956. She married William Bale in 1956. They had three children, Marsha (James) Oenick, David (Jan Jedele) Bale, and James Bale, who survive.  

Mary Lou was a mother and homemaker, was active in the Tipton Elementary School PTO, and was a sewing leader in the Tipton Jets 4-H Club for many years, among other service projects. When her youngest child went to junior high, she became a special education teacher’s aide at the Lenawee Intermediate School District. She attended Eastern Michigan University and earned her bachelor’s degree in special education at age 48. She taught special ed at LISD until she retired, focused on preparing students for life post LISD including building life skills, sex ed, and being a good employee. She helped place many students in jobs. She was a great teacher, beloved by her colleagues, students, and their families.

After retiring May Lou was a “snow-bird” before moving full time to Carriage Village in North Fort Myers, Fla. She was active in many activities and events and played dominos weekly until just before her recent illness.

She was a loving and supportive mother and grandmother and known as Grandma Lou to many in her extended network of family and friends.  She played countless games of canasta with her kids, grandkids, and friends; she wore out several card shufflers as a result. Her laugh and great spirit will be missed by all who knew her.  

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, sister, and two brothers-in-law. In addition to her children, she is survived by grandchildren Helen (Eliza Walsh) Oenick and Sean (Omoyemi Idowu) Oenick; two sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law, and their families as well as the family of her sister.  

Mary Lou’s arrangements are under the care of National Cremation and Burial Society North Fort Myers. She will be interred with her family at Lenawee Hills Memorial Park at Billington Corners outside Tecumseh. Memorial services are being planned.

Donations in memory of Mary Lou can be made to Hope Hospice at morehope.org or 9470 Health Park Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908.  

  
Online condolences may be offered to the family at obituaries.nationalcremation.com/obituaries/north-fort-myers-fl  then search for Mary Lou Bale.