Winifred Eleanor Cleland, age 79, met her Lord and Savior on July 24, 2018 ​after a brief battle with liver cancer. Winnie was born October 23, 1938 to the late William and Mildred (Mayworm) Edwards. She was a lifelong resident of Bad Axe working on the family farm and babysitting for area children. When she was sixteen years old she started working at the Bad Axe Theater. During her senior year at Bad Axe High School, Winnie began working at the Michigan Bell telephone office until it closed in 1960. After the telephone office she worked at the Mill End store until 1972 and then McDonald's Food and Family Center until she retired in 2001. While working at the telephone office, she married Eugene Cleland on June 21, 1958.

Winnie is survived by her devoted husband of 60 years, Eugene, and four loving children: William (Deborah) Cleland of Bad Axe, Douglas (Joyce) Cleland of Ubly, Sharon (William) Sturgill of Bad Axe, and Karen (David) Friebe of Auburn.  Winnie was the loving Grandmother of Nicole (Robert) Anzell, Candice (Kyle) Parsons, Erin (Kyle) Recker, Michael (Breanna) Cleland, Sarah Cleland, David (Sarah) Sturgill, Megan, Matthew, Alexander and Benjamin Friebe.  She was also blessed to be Great-Grandma to Alexander, Elizabeth, Emily, Isabelle, Victor, Vivienne, Addison, Jack, Adrienne, Avery, Adalynn, Brooklyn, Eleanor (Ella), Grant and Jacob. Winnie is also survived by siblings Janette Minnick (Bay City), Elizabeth Sabaugh (Tomball, TX), William Edwards (Benton Harbor) and Gene (Jan) Edwards (San Diego, CA), in-laws Jerry (Theo) Cleland (Cass City), Judy (Jim) Doerr (Ubly) and several nieces and nephews. Her greatest joys were spending time with her family and friends, cooking their favorite meals, and providing her world famous cookies for anyone who might stop in for a cup of coffee and a visit.

While she will be terribly missed, we know she now joins loved ones who have already gained victory over this life including her parents William & Mildred Edwards, siblings Frank (Phyllis) Edwards, Victor Edwards, Wilma Edwards and Connie Edwards, and in-laws Frank Minnick, Richard Sabaugh, Barbara Edwards, and Curtis & Velma Cleland.

Our family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Elaine and Christina of Compassus Hospice, Cass City.  Thank you for making this very heartbreaking journey a more tolerable experience.

Winnie was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Bad Axe. Memorials can be given in memory of Winnie to the First United Methodist Church where they will be designated for the Youth & Children's Ministry.

Visitation will take place at MacAlpine Funeral Home on Thursday, July 26 from 2-8 pm and at the church before the time of service.  Funeral service will be held at Bad Axe First United Methodist Church Friday, July 27 at 11:00 am​.  Graveside service will immediately follow at Colfax Cemetery.

Condolences can be shared at www.macalpinefuneralhome.com