Mayonne E. "Tommie" Debruyn

Mayonne E. "Tommie" (Gehrman) Porter-DeBruyn

It is with great joy that the family of Mayonne E. "Tommie" Porter-DeBruyn announce that on May 30, 2013 she was called by her heavenly Father into eternal life. Tommie was born July 23, 1928 to George F. and Anna M. (Koser) Gehrman in Battle Creek, Michigan.

On July 12, 1947, Tommie married the love of her life, Marvin Porter at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Battle Creek, MI. He passed away on November 12, 1972. She then married Marinus "Rene" DeBruyn on December 21, 1974. He passed away on June 17, 2005.

Tommie is survived by her children, Carol (David) Pierce of East Leroy, Aaron "Joe" Porter of Houston, TX, Laurie (James) Whitlock of Anchorage, AK, Connie (James) Elliott and Becky Porter both of Battle Creek, and Timothy (Karen) Porter of Newport News, VA; 14 grandchildren and 25 great-¬grandchildren; two step grandchildren and three step great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Arthur "Ike" (MaryLou Stanton) Gehrman; sister-in-law, Jane Young; brothers-in-law, Lionel Wood and Robert Nichols; special cousin, Bernice (Jerry) Stiemsma and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her two husbands, she was preceded in death by brothers, Lloyd, Roland "Skeeks" and Kenneth Gehrman; sister, Rynilda Wood; sisters-in-law, Anne, Phyllis, Eleanor and Edith Gehrman and Mary Louise Nichols; and brother-in-law, Robert Porter.

Tommie lived all her life in Battle Creek graduating from Battle Creek Central in 1947. She was a member of the first class of "Giff" Richards famous A Cappella Choir and played piano for his voice students and accompanied students for adjudication. As a student, she participated in the Band Follies and was a member of the Community Chorus of Battle Creek. She served as the pianist for many service personnel singing gatherings at Fort Custer during WWII as well as the Fort Custer Chapel services.

At age 13, Tommie became the organist at St. Paul Lutheran Church for many years. Later, she was the organist, junior choir director and secretary at the church office of Redemption Lutheran Church of which she was a charter member. She served as interim organist at Trinity Lutheran and St. Peter Lutheran Churches in Battle Creek as well as Zion Lutheran in Marshall and Olivet College Congregational. Retiring from church positions, she was a substitute organist throughout southwest Michigan for 15 years. She considered her greatest musical career challenge to be when she played the organ for a Western Michigan University graduate student's "thesis" to acquire his masters degree, playing all instruments, as well as percussion, on the organ.

Tommie worked at Jacobson's, Kellogg's, Meyer Toy World, Lakeview General Hospital and Nelson Cleaners, where she mastered her sewing abilities. At home she sewed costumes for recitals and for follies programs at B.C. Central and Lakeview High School. Still finding time for her children's activities, she was a Camp Fire and Cub Scout Leader and was very involved with the B.C. Central marching band, as all her daughters were majorettes. She made the first flags used by the band's flag bearers and repaired them as needed. Being an avid football fan, she enjoyed the games and half-time performances.

Besides her love of music, she enjoyed the outdoors, raising a garden and many flowers. Her dream to travel was fulfilled in her later years by car trips to most states and cruising that took her to many foreign countries. Cruising was her favorite mode of travel and she saw the world.

As a resident at Calhoun County Medical Care Facility since 2007, Tommie was dearly loved by the staff and many of the other residents. She was currently the president of the resident council and was a participant in the implementation of the Eden principles that moved the facility from a nursing home mentality to a group of family neighborhoods creating a real "home" experience for the residents. This was truly her home and she loved her home. In addition to these accomplishments, Tommie did sewing projects and played her organ twice a month for the residents and staff sharing her love of music.

Friends will be received 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home. Pastor Karl Strenge will officiate funeral services at Redemption Lutheran Church 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2013. Interment will follow at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to:
Calhoun County Medical Care Facility, 1150 E. Michigan Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49014
Redemption Lutheran Church, 2450 W. Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49037
or Humane Society of South Central Michigan, 2500 Watkins Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49015.
Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.