Margaret Alto

Margaret L. Alto, 97, of Monroe died Saturday, January 20, 2007 in Westerville, OH. Friends may call from 5-8 PM Tuesday at the Bacarella Funeral Home. She will lie in state Wednesday at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church from 10 AM until services at 11 AM, the Rev. Evans C. Bentley; pastor of the church will officiate. A private burial will be held in the Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Crystal Falls, MI. Margaret Alto was born in Chassell, MI on June 3, 1909 to John and Minna (Luchterhand) Miller. After graduating from Chassell High School she received a teaching degree in 1929 from Northern State Normal School in Marquette, MI. She taught elementary school in Owosso, MI, where she met and then married Lawrence L. Alto on June 3, 1934. They moved to Monroe in 1937, and she was a substitute teacher in the Monroe Public Schools, and taught kindergarten at Boyd School and Christiancy School. She retired from teaching in 1972. After retiring, she enjoyed traveling, especially to Finland and Germany to visit extended family, and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Margaret was an avid gardener, a charter member of the Monroe Townsite Garden Club, and a life member of the Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan. She was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women Society for over 60 years. She was a member of Eastern Star, Mercy Memorial Hospital Guild, the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, the Thrift Shop Association, and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Surviving are two daughters, Marcia Meulenberg and Janet (Frank) Johnson, both of Westerville, OH, a son, Larry (Carol) Alto of Marquette, MI, seven grandchildren, Cindy Mackin, Nancy Dumford, and David Meulenberg, all of Westerville, OH, Susan Raiford of Dubois, PA, Sarah Mullendore of Kansas City, MO, Dale Alto of Cincinnati, OH, and Brad Alto of Phoenix, AZ, and seven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, October 14, 1983, and a daughter, Loris Gilbert in 1998. Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.