Hazel Marie Esch, age 84 of Mecosta, passed away Saturday, December 4, 2010 in Lansing. She was born March 13, 1926 in Big Rapids the daughter of Elwyn and Delia (Duchene) Starr. Marie grew up in Big Rapids and on October 19, 1946 she married Gale Esch. They made their home in Lansing until Gale's retirement, moving back to the Mecosta area over 20 years ago. Marie was a member of the Pine Grove Tabernacle Church in Remus where she was very active and dearly loved her church family. Marie appreciated the wonders of nature; she loved animals and bird watching. She was a master gardener and loved to read. Marie was very devoted and involved with her family. She leaves them with many cherished and loving memories. Marie is survived by her beloved husband of 64 years, Gale Esch of Mecosta; 3 children, Natalie (Dale) Majeski of Kalkaska, Paul (Jody) Esch of DeWitt, Jeff (Tracy) Esch of DeWitt; grandchildren, Melanie and husband Dane, Jamie and wife Alicia, Jason and fiancee' Moana, Jeff, Andy and fiancee' Kristen, Heather and husband J.J., Sara and husband Ben, Christopher and wife Tina, Eric and wife Tiffini; great-grandchildren, Nicolas, Alexis, Talia, Emerson, Eliza, Sylvia, Sophia, Lorna, Bella, Faith, Liam, Lila, Clayton and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Marie was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Pauline Avis Starr, Josephine Ruth Hendricksen and a brother, James David Starr. Funeral services will take place 1:00 p.m. Monday (today) December 6, 2010 at the Pine Grove Tabernacle on the corner of M66 and Garfield Road, north of Remus. The family will greet friends at the church from 11:00 a.m. until services at 1:00 p.m. Pastor Darwin Mowat will officiate and burial will be at Wambolt Cemetery in Remus. Memorial contributions in Marie's name may be made to either the Pine Grove Tabernacle Church of Remus or McLaren Visiting Nurse and Hospice in Lansing.