Ruth Ann (Nemecek) Vallance

Ruth Ann Vallance, 91, of East Jordan, died on Sunday, October 19, 2025, in Charlevoix.

  She was born on July 19, 1934 in Jordan Township, Antrim County, the daughter of Edward, Jr. and Rose (Burbank) Nemecek.    

  She grew up in East Jordan  and graduated from East Jordan High School in 1952.

  On October 17, 1953, she married John E. Vallance. John preceded her in death on Sunday, July 12, 2015.

  She liked playing cards and bingo, exploring thrift stores, knitting and gardening.  Ruth was an avid reader.  The story was, “she was born with a book in her hand.”

  Ruth Ann is survived by three children, Vallerie Ann (Bobby Carter) Johnston of East Jordan, Monica Rose (Tim) Spencer of Ellsworth and Roxanne Marie (Larry) Fritz of Kingsley; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-two great grandchildren; nineteen great great grandchildren; one sister, Josephine Morris of East Jordan; and one sister-in-law, Donna L. Nemecek of East Jordan; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

  She was also preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Tom E. Vallance & Rex Alan Vallance; daughter, Candace Mary Vallance; grandson, Jimmy Johnston; great grandson, Austin Sheldon; two sisters, Kate Bingham and Esther Paliwoda; two brothers, Raymond Nemecek and Jerry Nemecek.

  A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Jordan.  Interment will be in St. Johns Nepomucene Praga Cemetery, Jordan Township, Antrim County, Michigan.

  The family will receive friends on Monday, October 27, 2025, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc., East Jordan with a Rosary at 7:30 P.M.   Memorials may be directed to St. Johns Nepomucene Catholic Church, St. Joseph Catholic Church or Charlevoix County Humane Society.

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