Marguerite "Peg" Whitcomb

Marguerite Anne Whitcomb, age 94 of Portage went to heaven on November 13th surrounded by her family. She was born July 27, 1930, in Lawrence, MI. Daughter of Leo and Margaret LaDuke. She was raised on the family farm in Lawrence, MI. She attended Mundelein College in Chicago for 2 years, then transferred to Western Michigan University, graduating with her Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1952. Marguerite, better known to friends and family as “Peg,” met the love of her life, James Edward Whitcomb, at a high school dance when she was 16. Peg and Jim were married on July 3, 1954. Peg started her teaching career in Climax, MI then began teaching at Portage Schools, where she spent over 40 years at North Middle School before retiring in 1994. Peg taught classes in home economics, science, and was a cheerleading, basketball and track coach. She was well liked by her students and fellow teachers because of the charisma and enthusiasm that she brought to the classroom every day. Peg enjoyed planning and hosting parties or family events at their Gourdneck lake home or at the “Green Cabin” in northern Michigan. Karaoke and euchre were frequently part of the activities after the snowmobiles and motorcycles had been parked or the pontoon boat was docked. She enjoyed spending time with her teacher friends at the Eagles Club in Portage.

Peg and Jim were charter members of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic parish. Peg was full of enthusiasm and adventure, looking at life with a positive mindset. She centered her life around her family. She was the rock to her husband Jim for 69 years of marriage and the cornerstone to each of her 5 children. She leaves this world with a beautiful legacy to be admired and manifested. Peg is survived by her 5 children: Reginald Whitcomb, Dorothy Dzoiba, Rodney Whitcomb and his wife Susan, Judith Whitcomb and her husband Randy Viola, Richard Whitcomb and his wife Diane, and John Burns, who was like a son. Her grandchildren Rodney, Melissa, Monica, Amanda, Ashleigh, Blake, Claire, and James “Jas”. Her great-grandchildren Ally, Cameron, Kyleigh, Chase, Charlee, Alexis, Taylor, Emarie, Ivy, Olivia and Richard and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband James, daughter-in-law Carol Whitcomb, by her parents and brother Thomas, sisters Francis, Murrell and Dorothy. 

Friends may visit with her family on Sunday, November 17th, from 2:00 PM-4:00 PM at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Burial & Cremation Services, 411 East Centre Avenue, Portage, MI, 49002. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 18th, at 11:00 AM at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1150 West Centre Avenue, Portage, Michigan 49024 with Father Joseph Abraham presiding. An interment will be held at 2:00 PM at South Portage Cemetery. Donations in memory of Peg may be made to Portage Parks and Recreation Department. Please visit Peg’s personalized web page to sign the online guest book or leave a message for the family at www.langelands.com