Barbara Tow

Mrs. Barbara Ann Tow, age 68, of Clifford Lake, Stanton, passed away Saturday evening, October 10, 2009 at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, following a valiant 12 year battle with cancer. The daughter of Wilber Robert & Cleo Eveline (Spencer) Greenhoe, she was born on Jan. 29, 1941 in Carson City. After graduating from Sheridan Agricultural High School, Barb briefly attended college and then worked at Sheridan Community Hospital. On Oct. 7, 1961, in Carson City, she married John H. Tow. Barb worked alongside John and their family in many of their business ventures including the Crystal Store, Paris Hardware & Grocery, Brookside Dairy Freeze in Big Rapids, Tows General Store in Crystal. She not only managed the family rental properties, but as a skilled carpenter, personally handled the many renovations herself. A woman of deep faith, Barb was a long time member of the Sheridan Assembly of God where she was active in the womens ministry and sang on the churchs praise team for several years, in addition to singing in a nursing home ministry for 12 years. Barb had a life long appreciation for music and the memory of her voice in song will be forever cherished. She also enjoyed summers at the lake, spending time at the lodge in the Upper Peninsula, and helping her family with building and remodeling projects but she found her greatest joy in spending time with her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Wilmer Roger Greenhoe; and a son, David Mark Tow on Dec. 28, 1969. Surviving are her husband of 48 years, John H. Tow of Clifford Lake; their children, John H. II & Kelly Tow of Lincoln Lake, Jackie Zerka & Gordon Hansen of Sheridan; six grandchildren, Sarah, Joshua, Jacob, and Katie Tow, and Eric & Ben Zerka; a sister, Betty & Jim Wilcox of Sheridan; two brothers, Ronald & Jackie Greenhoe, and Wilber Jr. & Laura Greenhoe, all of Sheridan; siblings-in-law, Norm & Gayla Tow of Turk Lake, Shirley & Fritz Strautz of Stanton, and Dick & Sharon Tow of Alba; and many, many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009 at the Sheridan Assembly of God, with Pastor Jerry Carlson and the Rev. Jim Wilcox officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Township Cemetery. Visitation is on Tuesday from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the Sheridan Assembly of God, where envelopes for memorial contributions to the church will be available. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Barbara Tow, please visit our flower store.