Cathleen Ruth Cruzan (nee Bleiler) of White Cloud, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 68 years of age. Born in Fremont, Michigan on May 21, 1956, Cathy was a devoted and loving wife to Edward Cruzan, and was married October 20, 1984 (they recently celebrated their 40 th wedding anniversary).

As a child, Cathy was the baby of the family—the only girl with three older brothers. Throughout a gentler age of free-range children, Cathy developed a joyful sense of humor, a gift for constant conversation, a love for swimming (floating down the White River, summer days at the Mill Pond, Robinson Lake or Lake Michigan), and a spirit of adventure—she was game for anything.

Cathy always had a zest for life. And she loved to travel—from visiting cousins in Elkhart, Indiana and Tahquamenon Falls when she was young, to visiting East- and West-Coast states and great world cities of London, Paris and Rome when she was older. Cathy had a most loving heart and she brought joy into the hearts of everyone she met…undoubtedly due to the lifelong love of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Cathy was a member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church and served as its treasurer for 36 years. She also served as Deaconess, Sabbath School teacher, Youth Leader, Teen Center Mentor, Summer Christian Service Corps Project Director, Vacation Bible School Director, camp counselor, and nursery worker. Like her mother, she was competent and always super-organized in every job or project she handled.

Cathy was also a loving wife, mother and grandmother who loved to play board games, cards and chatting with family and friends. She was also deeply involved in her community, serving on the White Cloud School Board (14 years), Love in the Name of Christ (board member), White Cloud Singers and Newaygo County Community Singers (she loved to sing), Stage Door Players, and City Election Worker. She worked at Fremont Mutual Insurance Company (until she became a full-time mom), part-time secretary for her husband's law practice, and preschool Bus Aide.

Cathy was preceded in death by her mother, Joan Maxine Bleiler (nee Putz), and father, Everett Wendall Bleiler. She is survived by her husband Ed, her children Jackie Burns (David), Anna Vining (Brian), and Jeannie Sconyers (Lee), grandchildren Kaylee Burns, Thomas Burns, Skylar Burns, Aubrey Vining, Leah Vining, Caleb Vining, and Jacob Sconyers; brothers Steve Bleiler (Mary), Roger Bleiler (LuAnne), and Alan Bleiler (Millie); brother-in-law Duane Cruzan (Luann); sister-in-law Cheryl Cruzan; and several nieces and nephews.

VISITATION: Friday, November 22, 2024 from 11am – 1pm at the Seventh Day Baptist Church 984 E. Wilcox White Cloud, MI 49349 with CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICES at 1pm at the Seventh Day Baptist Church in White Cloud, followed by a light luncheon. INTERMENT: White Cloud Cemetery at 3pm. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS: please consider memorial contributions to the Seventh Day Baptist Church Deacon's Fund in memory of Cathy. Friends may send a condolence or share a memory with the Cruzan (Bleiler) Family online at www.crandellfh.com. Arrangements by Crandell Funeral Home – White Cloud Chapel. 231-689-1492.