Marian F. Bynum

Marian F. Bynum, 86, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus at Bronson Methodist Hospital after a brief illness. She was born February 29, 1936 in Dowagiac, Michigan, the daughter of Ray and Olive (Bogue) Phillips, who owned a small farm there. Marian graduated early from Dowagiac High School, class of 1953. She continued her education at County Normal Schools in Dowagiac where she did student teaching alongside her friends Edna and Delores, after which she attended Adrian College in Adrian, MI, majoring in English. While attending college, Marian lived at the YWCA in Kalamazoo, MI, and commuted to college by Greyhound bus. It was there that she met Loren Robert (Bob) Bynum, the bus driver at the time, fell in love and married on August 7, 1956 in Ohio. The couple settled in Hartford, MI briefly, then moved to Breedsville, MI. They raised their family in the Bangor-Breedsville area, where they continued to live through the remainder of their lives. Marian worked at Bangor Elementary School, then later at Martin Luther Nursing Home until her retirement in 1997. An avid reader, Marian immersed herself in literature; the written word was like breathing for her, allowing her to experience parts of the world that she would never see. She also loved knitting and sewing; she would knit hats for underprivileged children in her “spare” time; every new grandchild or great-grandchild could look forward to a quilt or a blanket, and her children would always ask for her handmade scarfs for winter. Marian also loved gardening; as a proud country farm girl, she loved working with the soil; her flowers are a lasting legacy and a sight to behold. Most important was Marian’s relationship with God; Marian made it a point to have all of her children in church with her every Sunday while she helped with Sunday School and relied on her faith to carry her through all of the hard times, up to and including hearing that her time on earth was coming to an end; a faith that continues to live on in her children, providing comfort in this difficult time. Marian was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Olive; her husband of 33 years, Loren Robert (Bob) Bynum; brothers, Gayle, Stanley and Ronald Phillips; her best friend and cousin, Prudie Steenholdt; granddaughter, Jeleesa Hutton; stepson, Loren Bynum Jr.; stepdaughter, Lorraine Kahn-Bynum; and grandson, Austin Bynum. She is survived by her seven children, Mark Bynum, of Kalamazoo; Albert Bynum, of Chicago, IL; Rose (Ronald C.) Henton of Sycamore, IL; Patrick (Christine) Bynum, of Kalamazoo, MI; David Bynum of Kalamazoo, MI; Julya Bell, of Portage, MI; Paula (Bruce) Thompson, of Henderson, NV; stepson, Aaron (Joan) Bynum of Kalamazoo, MI; stepdaughters, Pamela (Bill) Chapman, of Kalamazoo, MI and Rita (Randy) King of Gary, IN; many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held at Simpson United Methodist Church, 507 Joy Street, Bangor, MI on Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 12:00 p.m., Bishop Ronald C. Henton officiating. Immediately following the service, interment will be at Breedsville Cemetery. Following interment, the family would like to join funeral attendees for a reception in remembrance of Marian at Simpson United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to the South Haven Public Library. Arrangements by the Bangor Chapel, D. L. Miller Funeral Home.

Marian F. Bynum

February 29, 1936 - February 20, 2023