Gail Joan Ehlers

November 24, 1948 - April 8, 2014

Gail Joan Ehlers, 65, of Kingsley, lost her battle with depression on Tuesday, April 8, 2014.  She is now experiencing eternal peace with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.   Gail was born on November 24, 1948 in Long Beach, CA to Robert Carl and Virginia Joan (Proctor) Townsend.  She married her husband of 43 years, Melvin “Rick” Richard Ehlers on April 4th in Ojai, CA.  Together they raised two wonderful daughters.    Gail was a devoted teacher at Kingsley Area Schools where she taught second and fifth grade. She and her family spent the 1984/1985 school year in Indonesia as teachers. She was a member of Faith Reformed Church in Traverse City for many years.  Gail enjoyed knitting, reading, gardening, skiing, travelling, and enjoying the ocean. She faithfully helped care for her five grandchildren in the weeks following their births, both in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Okinawa, Japan. In the past few years, she has shared her love of puzzles with her grandkids, such as Sudokus and logic puzzles.   Surviving Gail is her husband Rick, daughters, Erica (Andrew) Griffin, and Laura (Brian) Workman, grandchildren, Maya and Naomi Griffin, Joanna, Terra, and Brennan Workman, her mother, Joan Townsend, siblings, Terri Eastman and Jim Townsend, sister-in-law, Elaine Emmons, brothers-in-law Duane (Donna) Ehlers and Curt (Monica) Ehlers and many other loving family members and friends.   Gail is preceded in death by her father Robert.      A memorial service will be held in Gail’s honor at 4pm on Monday, April 14, 2014 at Kingsley United Methodist Church with a visitation beginning at 3pm.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), PO Box 62596, Baltimore, MD 21264-2596; 1-888-999-NAMI (6264) or the Rainbow of Hope Farm, 1951 County Line Road, Kingsley, MI 49649.  Kindly share condolences with the family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.