Carol Jean Gatiss

Carol Jean Gatiss, age 61, of 214 Hickory Street, Munising, died unexpectedly in her sleep at her home on Tuesday morning, September 20, 2011. She was born in Munising on February 7, 1950 to the late Arthur and Katherine (Twork) Dale. Carol graduated from Sacred Heart School and then from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1968. She went to work for the Munising Public Schools as a secretary at Central Elementary and Mather Middle Schools. Carol married John "Jack" Howard Gatiss III on September 25, 1971. They were married over fifteen years when Jack preceded her in death on April 20, 1987. Carol was a businesswoman and civically involved. She owned and operated LaFemme Dress Shop for many years. After Jack's untimely death, she ran Gatiss Distributing and LaFemme. Carol served on the Downtown Development Authority; the Alger Centennial Arena Board, where she coordinated the All-Class Reunions for many years; and the City Commission, where she served as Munising's Mayor. Carol went to work for the Pictured Rocks Cruises in 2000 and was working there at the time of her death. She was a dedicated volunteer and cook for funeral lunches at Sacred Heart Church. Carol loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed doing Sudoku puzzles, cooking and baking for family and friends, and going to the casino with Mickey.

She is survived by her two sons - John Gatiss IV of Westerville, Ohio and Billy Gatiss of Munising; sisters - Dorothy (Charlie) Vartti of Wetmore, Delores Parker of Marquette and Virginia (Sam) Macurio of Munising; brothers - Jim Dale of Wetmore and Bill (Pat) Dale of Munising; mother-in-law - Marie Gatiss of Munising; and nieces and nephews - Carmen Baker, Amy Dale, Kathy Dale, Julie Spence, Brian Parker, Dean Parker, Jim Niemi and Linda Parent. Carol was preceded in death by her parents - Art and Kate; husband - Jack; father-in-law - John "Jack" Gatiss, Jr.; sisters - Geraldine "Gerry" Dale, Florence Dale, Katherine Belmore and infant sister Theresa; brothers-in-law - Mel Parker and Bob Belmore; sister-in-law - Sandy Dale; nephews - Dale, Eero and Gary Niemi; and niece - Larissa Vartti.

Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Father Chris Gardiner will celebrate Carol's funeral Mass on Friday, September 23, 2011 at 12:10 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Munising. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising. Carol will be escorted by Paul Heminger, Picky Posont, Shaun St. Amour, David Gumuski, Brian Parker and Dean Parker.