Obituaries are more than just death announcements. They’re an important part of how communities remember their members, chronicling lives and marking the passage of time. They’re also valuable resources for family history and genealogy.
This page focuses specifically on obituaries from Ionia, Michigan, offering resources and context for finding records of those with ties to the Ionia area.
What information can you find in Ionia obituaries?
Ionia obituaries are a terrific resource for genealogical research or for finding out more about a person who was important to you. In general, you can expect to find information such as:
Biographical details
- Full name and dates. Obituaries usually list a person’s full name, date of birth, and date of death. For example: Daniel James Tanis, born June 24, 1950, died May 3, 2025.
- Location of birth and death. You’ll often find a person’s place of birth and death, including the city and state.
- Age at death. Obituaries often explicitly state the age of the deceased at the time of death. For example: Edward T. Chmielewski, died May 1, 2025, aged 89.
Family and relationships
- Mention of family members. Most obituaries list surviving family members, such as spouses, children, grandchildren, and siblings, as well as mentioning family members who died before the subject of the obituary. For example: Rosalie Ann Farraher, married June 12, 1953.
- Community connections. Obituaries often highlight the person’s connections to their community, including churches, social groups, and other organizations.
Life achievements and occupation
- Career and employment. You’ll often find details about the person’s career, employment history, and professional achievements. For example: Patsy Mae Weisner, worked at Sears for 24 years.
- Hobbies and interests. Obituaries sometimes include information about a person’s hobbies, interests, and passions.
Finding Ionia Obituaries Online
If you’re looking for an obituary from Ionia, Michigan, there are several places you can look online.
Legacy.com
Legacy.com is a common site for hosting obituaries, including those from Ionia. When you use Legacy.com, you may be asked to verify that you’re a real person and not a bot. This might mean completing a CAPTCHA or some other task.
Local newspaper websites
Many newspapers in the Ionia area keep archives of obituaries on their websites.
Funeral home websites
Funeral homes often publish obituaries on their websites as a service to the families they’re helping. These sites are often searchable by name and date.
Library and historical society resources
Local libraries may have both paper and digital archives of obituaries. Historical societies may also have older obituaries and genealogical information.
In Closing
More than just a notice of someone’s passing, an obituary is a valuable historical record. It tells the story of a life and recognizes the contributions a person made to their family, friends, and community.
By documenting and sharing these stories, we honor those who have died and keep their memories alive.