Erma Elaine Bisard (Higgins), age 83, passed away January 1, 2005 at Muskegon Mercy Hospital. Her funeral services will be held at the McKinley Funeral Home in Grant, Michigan on January 5, 2005at 11:00 AM at the McKinley Funeral Home in Grant with visitation one hour earlier. Internment will be at Ashland Center in Grant.

Erma was born July 1, 1921 at the family farm near Grant, Michigan. She was the third oldest of ten children of Eva (Peterson) and Lee Higgins. She attended Wheat School and worked on the farm until she married Walter James Bisard on September, 1938 in Indiana. The marriage lasted 65 years and Walter died on May 4, 2004. She worked at Norge (5 years) and Piston Ring (31 years) in Muskegon.

She is survived by two sisters, June Campbell and Betty Beebe and four brothers, Buster (Lennie) Higgins, Archie (Judy) Higgins, Bill (Paula) Higgins, and Jim (Betty) Higgins. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Marge Richardson, Clayton Higgins, and Bud Higgins.

She and Walter had three children, Pat (Sam) Hinton of Ravenna, Bill (Sue) Bisard of Mt. Pleasant, and Stephen Charles who died in infancy. she had 5 grandchildren, Kelly, Jody, Mark, Terry, and Bucky and 9 great-grandchildren.

Erma enjoyed working in her garden, raising many pets, cooking great meals for her family, and spending time with each of her grandchildren. She was a life auxiliary member of the Ravenna American Legion and Muskegon Hts. Eagles. She loved to play her organ and to revive dead house plants. She never met a stranger and embraced life with enormous energy. All who knew her will fondly remember her with a smile.

Her family celebrates the reunion of Walter and Erma in heaven. Donations in her name may be made to any Hospice organization of Michigan.

McKinley Funeral Homes, Grant 231-834-5613