Marguerite A. Gorham
October 21st, 1929 - January 9th, 2026
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Marguerite's Obituary
Marguerite A. Gorham, 96, formerly of Dowagiac, passed away Friday morning, January 9, 2026, at Maple Lake Assisted Living in Paw Paw, Ml.
She was born on October 21, 1929, in Three Oaks, MI, the daughter of the late Fay and Phyllis (Jane) Baldwin. Growing up, Marguerite attended schools in Three Oaks, Baroda, and Berrien Springs, before moving to Dowagiac for her senior year. She was a 1947 graduate of Dowagiac Central High School.
On July 20, 1950, Marguerite enlisted in the US Women's Army Corps. On November 1, 1950, while home on leave, she was united in marriage to Walter J. Gorham in Dowagiac, who preceded her in death on March 24, 2014.
She was a longtime member of Silver Creek United Methodist Church in Dowagiac.
Surviving are her five children, Barry Gorham, Ward Gorham, Sandra Smith, Yvonne Kohler, and Melanie Rice; four grandchildren, Rhonda Byrd, Tyler Kohler, Cole Rice and Clay Rice; three sisters, Florence Parish, Karen Pike and Marylyn Stewart; four great grandchildren; Ethan McNees, Hailey McNees, Kayce Rice, Brooks Rice and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her husband of 63 years, Walter Gorham; Daughter Karla Gorham; Parents, Fay and Phyllis (Jane) Baldwin; and sisters Ruth Irwin and Bonnie Parish. Brothers Bill Baldwin and James Baldwin
A service to celebrate Marguerite's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 23, at Clark Chapel - Starks Family Funeral Homes, 405 Center Street, Dowagiac, with Pastor Sara Carlson officiating. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Maple Lake Assisted Living in Paw Paw as well as the Wings of Hope Hospice staff of Allegan for the care they provided for Marguerite at the end of her life's journey.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Cass County Cancer Services, Dowagiac VFW Post #1855, Cass County Council on Aging (COA) (https://www.casscoa.org), Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org), or Wings of Hope Hospice in Allegan (https://wingsofhopehospice.com).
To share a memory or offer condolences, please visit Marguerite's personalized webpage at www.clarkch.com.
She was born on October 21, 1929, in Three Oaks, MI, the daughter of the late Fay and Phyllis (Jane) Baldwin. Growing up, Marguerite attended schools in Three Oaks, Baroda, and Berrien Springs, before moving to Dowagiac for her senior year. She was a 1947 graduate of Dowagiac Central High School.
On July 20, 1950, Marguerite enlisted in the US Women's Army Corps. On November 1, 1950, while home on leave, she was united in marriage to Walter J. Gorham in Dowagiac, who preceded her in death on March 24, 2014.
She was a longtime member of Silver Creek United Methodist Church in Dowagiac.
Surviving are her five children, Barry Gorham, Ward Gorham, Sandra Smith, Yvonne Kohler, and Melanie Rice; four grandchildren, Rhonda Byrd, Tyler Kohler, Cole Rice and Clay Rice; three sisters, Florence Parish, Karen Pike and Marylyn Stewart; four great grandchildren; Ethan McNees, Hailey McNees, Kayce Rice, Brooks Rice and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her husband of 63 years, Walter Gorham; Daughter Karla Gorham; Parents, Fay and Phyllis (Jane) Baldwin; and sisters Ruth Irwin and Bonnie Parish. Brothers Bill Baldwin and James Baldwin
A service to celebrate Marguerite's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 23, at Clark Chapel - Starks Family Funeral Homes, 405 Center Street, Dowagiac, with Pastor Sara Carlson officiating. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Maple Lake Assisted Living in Paw Paw as well as the Wings of Hope Hospice staff of Allegan for the care they provided for Marguerite at the end of her life's journey.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Cass County Cancer Services, Dowagiac VFW Post #1855, Cass County Council on Aging (COA) (https://www.casscoa.org), Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org), or Wings of Hope Hospice in Allegan (https://wingsofhopehospice.com).
To share a memory or offer condolences, please visit Marguerite's personalized webpage at www.clarkch.com.
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