Obituaries

Barbara Jean (Mitchell) France, age 85, of Rudyard, Michigan, died on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on June 2, 1940, in Pontiac, Michigan, to Thomas and Beatrice (Allen) Mitchell.

After graduation, Barbara attended Pontiac Business School. She married Mahlon James France Jr. on January 27, 1961. Over the years, she worked as a clerk for the Oakland County Business Agency, Flint City Hall, and in Financial Aid at Kirtland Community College. She later became the director of the Performing Arts and Music Department at Oakland University, where she retired in 2004. Following retirement, Barb and Jim moved from Lapeer, Michigan, to Gould City, Michigan, in 2004. In 2013, they moved into their daughter Dorie’s home in Pickford.

Barb enjoyed fishing, camping, ceramics, cross-stitching, canning, attending craft shows, going to the casino, and playing bingo. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, cherishing every moment watching them grow. Barb enjoyed baking cookies, doing crafts, and putting puzzles together with the children. She also had a deep love for animals and adored all of the pets in the home. Barb recently learned of six additional grandchildren in the fall and had been looking forward to meeting them this summer.

Barbara is survived by her children, Tom (Jennifer) France of Houghton Lake, Michigan, and Dorie (James) Winegard of Rudyard, Michigan; grandchildren, Melissa (Jamie) White of Pickford, Graceanne France-Winegard of Rudyard, Thomas Charles France of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, William France of Oregon, Kayla Hall of Dallas, Texas, and Angelica Black of Houston, Texas; great-grandchildren, Blaze White, Xander White, Phoenix White, and Ellowynn White, Oliver Hall, Emmy Hall, Elaine Newman, Gabrielle Sinibaldi, Brantley Sinibaldi and Jamison Dreyer; and siblings, Linda (Jack) Lutz, Sherry (Ward) Mitchell, and Tomi (Jay) Edens.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Mahlon; parents, Thomas and Beatrice Mitchell; sister, Marilyn Glygloroff; and grandson, Matthew Thomas Charles France.

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 1, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Pickford Presbyterian Church, 115 E. John St. Pickford, MI 49774. The Funeral Service will begin at 3:00 PM, with burial to follow at Cottle Cemetery.

Barbara’s final resting place will be at Cottle Cemetery in Marquette Township, Michigan.

Family Life Funeral Homes – Pickford assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com.