Florence Mae Black

Traverse City-Florence Mae Black, 94, a Cedar native, died Thursday morning, July 18, 2013, at Munson Hospice House, surrounded by her loving family.

Born May 24, 1919, in Cedar, she was the daughter of the late Rudolph and Celia (Holmes) Neumann. On June 19, 1938, in Traverse City, she married John Roman, who preceded her in death in 1972. Florence found love again, and on October 1, 1977, in Traverrse City she married Loren Black. He also preceded her in death in 1995.

Florence was a long time member of the Long Lake Friends Church and the County Line Extension Club for over 50 years.

At a young age and growing up on a farm, Florence learned what hard work was all about. Her childhood experience benefited her later in life with each of her marriages as she supported her husbands on their farms by helping to raise mink, picking cherries and other crops. She truly was not afraid of hard work.

Her interests were vast and varied as she enjoyed studying genealogy, crafts, reading, flower gardening, bird watching and feeding and shooing the squirrels away.

It was always a special time when Florence made her homemade donuts, as family and friends gathered for this joyous occasion.

Florence will be fondly remembered for her dry sense of humor, which turned out to be her trademark. On a daily basis, she read the Traverse City Record Eagle obituary page, just to make sure she was not reported in a column.

Family was so special and important to her as she fussed over those grandchildren and the other generations of grandkids.

Florence is survived by her very loving and supportive family; sons, James (Marge) Roman, Jack Roman, all of Cedar; son-in-law, Paul Higginson of Cedar; step-children, John (Sheryl) Black of Eaton Rapids, Bill Black, Susan (John) Nink, step daughter-in-law Virginia Roman, all of Traverse City; grandchildren, Christine Roman and her friend, Randy Hill, Stephanie (Hector) Olvera, Carly Roman, Hannah Roman, Travis Higginson, Jesse Black, Russell Black, Megan Black, Jacob (Alexis) Nink, Ashley (Spencer) Crouch, April Nink, Pam (Rick) Gray, Donald (Karen) Roman and Eric (Suzanne) Roman; and her sister, Dorothy Carpenter.

In addition to her parents and her two husbands, she also preceded in death by a grand-daughter, Zabrina Higginson; daughter, Carol Higginson, step grand-son, Dennis Roman; step-son Bob Roman; siblings, Celia Larrabee, Joe Neumann, Robert Neumann, Fred Neumann, and Joyce Morris.

The Roman/Black family will receive friends at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Monday, July 22, 2013, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Services will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, July 23, 2013, at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. John Greene officiating.

Burial will follow at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens, where she will be laid to rest next to her 1st and 2nd husbands.

In remembrance of Florence, memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Hospice House or to the Cedar Fire and Rescue. Envelopes may be obtained at the funeral home.

Kindly share your memories with the family on their online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com

Arrangements were made with the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.