TEACHOUT – Florence Erna (Harris) Teachout : Born November 30 1930. Died May 12 2008. Florence was born in Mount Pleasant MI to Lynn Harris (b. Hastings MI) and Erna (Lucht) Harris (b. Big Rapids MI). Florence grew up in Bay City and Grand Rapids while her father managed operations with the Harris Sample Furniture Company. She graduated from Michigan State University earning a Masters degrees in English (1977) and Bachelors degree in Sociology (1952). She graduated from Grand Rapids Central High School in 1948. Florence was a homemaker and a teacher during her lifetime. She loved arts and culture and was a big enthusiast of Hollywood musicals and romance based dramas. She enjoyed plays held by the Grand Valley Civic Theater and elsewhere. She loved folk music including the works of Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie. She was an avid reader and book collector in the areas of language poetry music and social commentary. Her most recently interest was with the Ojibway language and customs. She was a shy and reserved person but possessed an adventurous spirit that she exercised through the activities of her children and grand children. She was affiliated with Immanuel Lutheran Church. She was married to Richard Louis Teachout of Lapeer MI from 1953 until 1975. She most recently worked as a job coach with the Hope Network at various sites in Grand Rapids. She taught English as a second language at St. Josephs Community Center in Grand Rapids and in various educational institutions in the Chicago Area. She also taught High School English in Lapeer MI Sparta MI and Washington MI. She he is survived by her three children and their spouses: Dana (Teachout) and Charles Hickman of Ada Mark and Hermogenia Teachout of Naperville IL and Todd and Lori Teachout of Hercules CA.. Florence is also survived by four grandchildren: Justin Hickman and his wife Anna of Ada MI Jessica Hickman of Grand Rapids MI Jake Hickman of Ada MI and Israela Teachout of Naperville IL. She is also survived by three step-grandchildren Maika and her husband Joshua Goodwin of Rodeo CA Maren Eattock of New York NY and Nicholas Eattock of Albany CA. Finally Florence is survived by two step great-grandchildren Marissa Peterson and Evan Godwin of Rodeo CA. Private graveside service will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery. No donations are requested.
