FOR THE LOVE OF WALLOON

Celebrating the Life of Mary Whitfield Erb 1932-2023

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The Whitfield family soon became highly active and philanthropic community members. Even before Mary was born in 1932, her parents James and Vergene Glidden Whitfield, Sr. had become full-time Walloon residents. James, an engineer at General Motors, and Vergene built another house at the opposite end of North Shore, on what is now called Whitfield View. To provide employment for the people of Walloon Village, James also founded the Whitfield Packing Company, located at Walloon and Smith Streets near the library's present site. The company became well known for its canned "Sunny Hill" brand applesauce, corn and pickled peaches.

Mary spent a typically idyllic childhood on the lake, delighting in lake activities and enjoying Camp Daggett from an early age. She attended Central Grade School in Petoskey, then Wayland Boarding School in Wisconsin for high school, followed by Northwestern University. While at NU she met her future husband Peirce Erb from Holland, Michigan; later they both transferred to Central Michigan University.

Mary and Peirce married in 1951 at Walloon, where they spent most of their lives. They enlarged Buena Vista, the family cottage, and lived there for many years before building a home high on a hill with a spectacular view of the lake, which Mary enjoyed for many years. Peirce became a teacher, while Mary worked as a bookkeeper for various local businesses, including Masters' Boat Works, Gattle's and Boyne Mountain.

Mary's long record of community involvement, however, was perhaps even more impressive than her career. She served as Melrose Township clerk for 16 years and was highly involved in the Walloon branch of the Crooked Tree District Library. In fact, that beautiful Walloon Library may be Mary's greatest legacy in the community. She was one of a group of dedicated library lovers who helped raise funds for the charming building that stands today. "It's absolutely a dream library for a town this size," she once commented. Mary served as treasurer during the fundraising and was a library trustee for 24 years.

In 2003, Mary and fellow historian Cynny Beadell Hermann published Walloon Yesterdays, the quintessential Walloon history book found on the bookshelves of many a Walloon cottage. The book was designed as a highly successful fundraiser for the Friends of the Walloon Library, raising nearly $40,000. "Mary was delightful to work with, a great friend and historian who made you feel part of her family," comments Cynny. "She was the ultimate Wallooner."

In writing a history of Walloon, Mary followed in the footsteps of her father James Whitfield, Sr., who penned a memoir he called My 'Ancient' History of Walloon. It is a fascinating and often quite humorous snapshot of life on the lake in the early 1900's. Mary's own memories were equally captivating, as she remembered many of the grand old names of Walloon history, like Ben Ellis, Mary Peabody and Dr. Dean Burns. Ross Renwick of General Store fame was her cousin.

A number of Whitfield family members maintain their ties to the area. Mary lived next door to her daughter Debbie and husband Gary Green. Her brother Jim and wife Marilyn Stone, also from a longtime Walloon family, live in California but still come back to Walloon. The family of her sister-in-law Maxine still owns property on Whitfield View. Periodic family reunions are held on Walloon.

Mary was a beloved nonagenarian with a keen wit, an astonishing memory, and a warm smile. Despite health issues, she kept in touch with a wide circle of friends who cherished Walloon as she did. Walloon was a "special way of living" according to Mary, who always made an effort to embrace and befriend both locals and summer residents.

No history of Walloon is complete without mentioning the myriad of contributions of the amazing Whitfield family. No recorded history of Walloon would be possible without the incredible talents of Mary Whitfield Erb to preserve that history. Sadly, Mary passed away Feb. 18, 2023, but she will be forever remembered on Walloon. A life worth celebrating, indeed.