Ila Mae Gregory

Ila Mae Gregory of Pellston, Michigan, born May 11, 1930, to Amos R. Gregory and Elsie S. Gregory (née Brubacher), passed away peacefully on January 25, 2026, at the age of 95.

Ila was born in Flint, but the economy of the day soon brought the family back to the farm on Gregory Road in Brutus.  A happy child, she was known as "Smiley Ily". She attended and later taught at the Woodland School.

On July 14, 1949, Ila married William Everett Gregory at home in Brutus.

They began their family in Michigan, with several sojourns in Idaho, returning to Emmet County in 1978.

Ila was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  She was a member of the Brutus Mennonite Church. She taught Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School and served as an example to all.  Her spirituality and love for God were lived out every day in her sweet demeanor. After their retirement, she and Bill enjoyed travelling as well as working to help with Mennonite Disaster Service in affected areas. Ila's life was marked by her strong family ties and quiet strength. She will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Ila was preceded in death by her parents; her husband William Gregory, her son, Daniel Gregory; her sisters, Katherine Yoder, Ruth Yoder, Jean Michael, and Bernice Dick; and her brothers, Wilmer Gregory and Leroy Gregory.

She is survived by her daughters: Judith Peche of Texas, Rose Sutton of Wisconsin, and Cynthia Gregory of Wisconsin; her sons: David Gregory of Alaska, Randall Gregory of Wisconsin, Bruce Gregory of Brutus, and Scott Gregory of Pellston; her brother, Gerald Gregory of Ohio; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family members who cherish her memory.

A memorial service will be held in the Spring.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation in Ila's name is asked to look for a charity that feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, or visits the sick or imprisoned, answering Messiah's call to benefit those in need.