Marie L. (Keller) Bergeon

Marie Louise (Keller) Bergeon , age 89 of Midland, formerly of Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, died on Monday morning August 22, 2011 at her daughter's residence. The daughter of the late Theodore Emil and Ella Marie (Verg) Keller was born in Detroit on May 28, 1922. She graduated from Western High School in Detroit in 1940, and attended Wayne State University in the 1940's. On October 21, 1955, Marie married A. Stanley Bergeon who predeceased her in 1975. She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Detroit for more than 60 years. During that time, she served in many areas, primarily as Sunday School teacher, Public Relations Chairperson on the Board of Directors, Editor and Business Manager of The Peace Messenger, and chairperson of "PROP" a revitalization program that raised $60,000.00 for repairs to the church and school. In 1987, Marie was named Peace's Women of the Year.

Marie worked for both Detroit newspapers for a combined total of 30 years. "I always wanted to be a newspaper person. So when I had the chance to get a job with The Detroit News in 1946, I took it." While at the Detroit Free Press in 1972, as Classified Telephone Room Manager, she began selling "Happy Ads" in which people could send pleasant little messages to each other on special occasions. It was an instant success as a moneymaker, a circulation-builder, and a boon to lovers everywhere. Over the years, it has been copied by almost every paper in the country.

After retiring from the Free Press, Marie then went to work for the Grosse Pointe Park Public Service Department, where in 2002 she retired after 20 years of service. Colleagues referred to her as Mother Marie.

Surviving is her daughter, Karen Ellen Mills and her husband Brian Stanford Mills of Midland; grandchildren, Jeffrey Patrick Mills of Greenville, South Carolina, and Amy Elisabeth Mills of Indianapolis, Indiana.

To honor Marie's wishes, there will be no memorial services. Those wishing to do so are asked to remember her in a private moment. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered to Peace Lutheran Church 15700 E. Warren Ave, Detroit, MI 48224 or to The Dahlia Hill Society of Midland, 2809 Orchard Dr. Midland 48640. Arrangements are under the care of Wilson MILLER Funeral Home 4210 N. Saginaw Rd Midland, Michigan. Personal messages of support may be left for the family at www.wilson-miller.com