Mrs. Blanche Barbara Foster, age 92, of Hart and formerly of Mears, passed away Sunday, March 17, 2013. She was born May 21, 1920, in Golden Township to Hiram and Annie (Duemler) Staples. After attending Oceana County Normal School and Western Michigan University, she earned her Master's Degree and taught at Brooks, Elbridge, and Flower Creek Schools. She later was a postal worker in the Mears Post Office. She married George Foster in May 1942 in Hart; he preceded her in death in 1968. Blanche was a member of St. Gregory Catholic Church, Oceana County Historical and Genealogical Society, and the Retired Teachers Association. Mrs. Foster will be remembered as being a fine lady, one who never used a harsh word. She loved her grandchildren and always made time for them. She enjoyed watching them at their sporting events. She also loved all of her students. She was an avid Detroit Tigers baseball fan, whether they were winning or losing.

Blanche is survived by three daughters, Patricia (Phil) Syer of Hart, Jan (Jerry) Omness of Shelby, and Ann Foster of Hart; two sons, Larry (Beverly) Foster of Hart, and Jerry (Julie) Foster of Mears; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. Three sisters, Kathryn Foster of Hart, Josephine Skinner of Hart, and Agnes Rhoades of Muskegon, and two brothers, Archie Staples and Earl (Rosalie) Staples, both of Mears, also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband; her son, Bob Foster in 1987; three grandsons, Jeff Omness in 1966, Patrick Syer in 1973, and Jason Foster in 2000; and nine siblings.

The Mass of the Resurrection for Mrs. Foster will be offered Thursday, March 21, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Gregory Catholic Church with Father Thomas Bolster presiding. Interment will be in Hart Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the King Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to the Crystal Valley Care Fund, P.O. Box 451, Hart, MI 49420 or to St. Gregory Catholic Church Food Pantry, 316 South Peach Street, Hart, MI 49420.

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