Elnora N. ATWATER
Sturgis-Elnora N. ATWATER, 79, 208 Gateway Village, died June 26, 1989, at
Thurston Woods Village, following an extended illness. She was born Jan.
27, 1910, in Ray, Ind., a daughter of George D. and Daisy (COX) FINK. On
Dec. 5, 1936, she married Otis W. ATWATER, in LaGrange, Ind. He died April
8, 1972. She was a Sturgis resident for more than 60 years, coming from
Reading. She attended Reading High School and was employed at Kirsch
Company, Sturgis. She also was a homemaker and a member of the First
Baptist Church, Sturgis, where she had taught in the Sunday School department
for more than 40 years and had served in several other branches of the
church. She had served on the church education and mission committees, was
president of the Mission Society and past president of the Philathea Class.
Surviving are two sons, Donald E. ATWATER, Shrewbury, Pa., and Robert L.
ATWATER, Tremont, Ill.; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two
sisters, Mary LYTLE, Sturgis and Mrs. Delbert ELLIS, Hillsdale; and several
nieces and nephews. Relatives may call after 2 p.m. today where the family
will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. today. Services are at 10
a.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church, Sturgis with John BENHAM
officiating. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorials may be
directed to the First Baptist Church, Sturgis. Envelopes are available at
the funeral home. (No family connection to submitter.)
Belle ATWATER
Mrs. A. Belle ATWATER, 82, a resident of Sturgis for the last 35 years, was
found dead this morning at her home at 200 1/2 N. Clay St. The discovery was
made by her son, Otis ATWATER, of this city. Death was attributed to a heart
attack. Mrs. ATWATER was born in Mercer County, Oh., March 10, 1874. She was
married to Edgar D. ATWATER, who preceded
her in death in 1934. Mrs. ATWATER was a member of the Sturgis Methodist Church
and was affiliated with Jacob Rebekah Lodge and the Royal Neighbors. She was a
past noble grand in the Rebekah's and was awarded the degree of Chivalry in this
order. She was also a member of Patriarch Militia No. 12 of Kalamazoo. Surviving
are her daughter, Mrs. Edward (Blanche) MURRAY, and her son, Otis ATWATER, both
of Sturgis and two grandsons. Friends may call at the Foglesong Funeral Home
where services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, with Byron A. HAHN, D. D., pastor
of First Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will take place in Riverside
Cemetery at Howe, Ind. (November 28, 1956) (No family connection to submitter.)
Lulu M. BAKER
Sturgis - Lulu M. BAKER, 97, died July 16, 1988, following a short illness. She
was born Jan. 20, 1891, in Sturgis, a daughter of Henry and Sophia (FALKENSTEIN)
VOLPEL. On Nov. 21, 1921, she married Edgar BAKER in Howe, Ind. He died July 7,
1960. She was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a homemaker. She had taught school
for 10 years. She lived during the summers on Swarthmore Circuit of Chautauqua,
serving one year as an advance person. She was a lifelong member of St. John's
Episcopal Church and St. John's Guild and a charter member of the Grobhiser
Guild. She was active in several bridge clubs. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs.
Peter (Betty) JACKSON, Sturgis. Relatives and friends may call from 6-8 p.m
Tuesday at the Foglesong Funeral Home, Sturgis. The Requiem Mass is at 11 a.m.
Wednesday at St. John's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Allyne SMITH, JR.
officiating. Burial will take place at a later date. Memorials may be
directed to St. John's Episcopal Church. Envelopes are available at the funeral
home. (No family connection to submitter.)
Ruth E. BRYIE
Howe, Ind. - Ruth E. BRYIE, 87, 416 S. Fifth St., died 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11,
1983 at her home. Born in Ovid, Mich., she was a Howe resident for two years.
She had lived in Ocala, Fla. for 20 years and was a Sturgis resident for most of
her life. On Feb. 20, 1911, she was married
to Alfred W. BRYIE. He died April 27, 1959. During World War II, she was
employed by Nelson Restaurant and Bing's Restaurant. Most of her life was spent
as a homemaker. She was a former member of Capt. John J. Kelley Veterans of
Foreign Wars Auxiliary. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Charles (Mildred)
RUSSELL, Howe; two sons, Alfred William BRYIE, JR., San Diego, Calif., and
Richard D. BRYIE, Beaumont, Texas; 10 grandchildren; three great grandchildren;
several nieces and nephews. Ruth E. BRYIE was born April 9, 1895, daughter
of Charles D. and Sarah M. (RYAN) THOMPSON. She was preceded in death by her
husband, parents, one son, Charles D. BRYIE in 1975, and a sister, Mrs. Ethel
McGUIRE. Friends may call at Foglesong Funeral Home beginning Thursday
evening. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home 1 p.m. Saturday
with the Rev. Richard HADDAD of the Christ Community Church officiating.
Interment will take place in Bronson Cemetery, Bronson, Mich. If desired,
memorials may be directed to the Michigan Heart Association. Envelopes are
available at the funeral home. (No family connection to submitter.)
Dewey H. CLEVELAND
Howe, Ind. - Dewey H. CLEVELAND, 90, died July 7, 1989, at the LaGrange
Hospital. He was born March 9, 1899, in Shipshewana, a son of James and
Frances (WOLF) CLEVELAND. On July 13, 1953, he married Wilda WOODS in
Angola. She died in 1971. He had been employed at the United
Telephone Company and Formed Tubes, Sturgis. Surviving are one son, Lehman
CLEVELAND, Allen; and one daughter-in-law. He was preceded in death by his
parents, one step-son, one great-grandson, four brothers and one sister.
Relatives and friends may call from 1-4 p.m. (Ind. time) Sunday at the Shoup-Carney-Frost
Funeral Home, Howe, where services are at 1 p.m. (Ind. time) Monday.
Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Howe. Memorials may be directed to
the American Heart Association. (No family connection to submitter.)
Emma FREE
Sturgis-Emma FREE, 101, 124 S. Nottawa St., died June 10, 1988, at Miller's
Merry Manor, LaGrange, Ind., where she was a resident and had been in failing
health for the past two years. She was born March 3, 1887, in LaGrange County,
Ind., a daughter of John and Elizabeth (LEITY) WISLER. In November, 1903, she
married Vern J. FREE, in LaGrange County. He died Aug. 19, 1956. She was a
lifelong resident of LaGrange County and Sturgis. Surviving are three daughters
Gladys FOSTER and Lenore BROTHERS both of Sturgis, and Marguerite BELL, Fort
Pierce, FL; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and several
great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by six sisters.
Relatives and friends may call from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. (Ind. time) Sunday at
the Frurip-May Funeral Home, LaGrange, where services are at 1 p.m. (Ind. time)
Monday. The Rev. Mark D. GRAHAM, Sturgis First United Methodist Church, will
officiate. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, LaGrange. Memorials may be
directed to Pet Haven, Sturgis. (No family connection to submitter.)
Helen (RUHL) GAGE
Sturgis-Helen RUHL GAGE, 93, 128 S. Nottawa St., died Dec. 30, 1988, at Miller's
Merry Manor, LaGrange, Ind. She was born March 4, 1895, in Howe, Ind., a
daughter of Levi and Viola E. (NICHOLS) RUHL. On Dec. 23, 1920, she married Vern
GAGE in Sturgis. He died in 1955. She was a Sturgis resident most of her life
and graduated from Burr Oak High School. She was a homemaker and a member of the
Sturgis First United Methodist Church. Surviving are one son, Harry GAGE, Fort
Wayne, Ind.; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Viola
AVERY, Sturgis. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters,
Marjorie AMOS and Vinnie McKEE. There will be no visitation. Graveside services
and burial are at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Oak Lawn Cemetery with the Rev. Ray W.
BURGESS, First United Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements were handled
by the Foglesong Funeral Home,
Sturgis. Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church.
Envelopes are available at the funeral home. (No family connection to
submitter.)
Miles HOWK
Sturgis-Miles Newton HOWK, 56, former City Commissioner and a veteran of World
War I, died unexpectedly of a heart attack at 5 p.m. Monday at his home, 504
West West. Mr. HOWK had worked at his place of business Monday morning but left
at noon because of feeling ill. He was found dead by his wife when she returned
home in the evening from the Sturgis High School gym, where she had been working
as an official at Monday's election. Mr. HOWK was born in Fawn River Twp., April
16, 1894, a son of Newton and Nancy (McLAUGHLIN) HOWK. He was living in Fawn
River Twp. at the time he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at Detroit on Nov. 16, 1917.
He served as a second class seaman on the U.S.S. San Diego and the U.S.S.
Pennsylvania and was honorably discharged April 26, 1919, while on the latter
ship at New York City. At the time he was discharged from service he held a
seaman's rating. Following his discharge he returned to Michigan and had lived
in Sturgis ever since. He was married July 31, 1918, in Sturgis, to Miss Laura
PETSCHULAT. Mr. HOWK was employed as a machinist by the Kirsch Co. in 1919 and
later owned and operated the West Side Tire Shop. After selling his business he
was employed by this Harvey Paper Products Co. until 1942, when he and Richard
A. COLLINS
established the C & H Machine Co., now located on North Centreville Road.
Mr. HOWK was elected to the City Commission in 1944 and served two terms each.
He was a member of the Neuman-Wenzel Post No. 73, American Legion. Surviving are
the widow, a daughter, Mrs. Wesley (Joyce) STETSON of Detroit; a son, Victor of
Bryan, Ohio; a sister Mr. C. F. WALLMAN of
Hillsdale; three brothers, Alfred and Fred of Fawn River and Vern of Burr Oak;
an uncle and an aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Delmer COLER of Sturgis; and nieces and
nephews. Friends are being received at the Moon Funeral Home, where services
will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday. The Rev. H. M. HEIDENRIECH of the Trinity
Lutheran Church will officiate. Military rites at Oaklawn Cemetery will be
conducted by members of the American Legion. (April 2, 1951) (No family
connection to submitter.)
William G. KESSLER
William G. KESSLER, 77, 128 S. Nottawa, died March 8, 1983 at Sturgis
Hospital. Born in Adams County, Ind., he came to Sturgis in 1921. He
had been employed as a molder in the foundry, and operated the Sturgis Grain
Co., eight years. He retired in 1967. He was a member of the
Fraternal Order of Eagles. Surviving is a daughter, Mrs. Dale (Billie)
ROBISON, Sturgis; three grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. William
G. KESSLER was born Nov. 14, 1905, son of Jacob C. and Etta R. (HARRON)
KESSLER. He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.
Friends and relatives may call at the Locust Grove Mennonite Church after 1 p.m.
today. Services will be held in the church at 11 a.m., Thursday, with
Pastor James CARPENTER and Dean BRUBAKER, officiating. Interment will be
in Burr Oak Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Locust Grove School
Recreation Equipment Fund. Arrangements are being completed by the
Rosenberg-Schipper Funeral Home, Sturgis. (No family connection to
submitter.)
Frank J. KOLADY
Frank J. KOLADAY, 75, formerly of Sturgis, 2454 Australia Way East, Clearwater,
Fla., died Saturday, March 26, 1983, at the Mease Hospital, Dunedin Fla. He had
been ill since September of 1982. Born in Chicago, Ill., he spent most of his
life in Sturgis, where he owned KOLADY Newsstand. He was a newspaper and
magazine wholesaler and retailer in 34 towns circling Sturgis. He moved to
Florida about 14 years ago. He was a member of the Holy Angels Catholic Church,
past president of the Sturgis Exchange Club, past president of the Sturgis
Cemetery and Park Board, past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus 2508, life
member of the Sturgis Elks, and director of the Midwest Independent Distributors
Association. On August 30, 1930, in Chicago, Ill, he was married to Irene
FRANCIS. Surviving are his wife; two children, Ronald F. KOLADY, Sturgis, and
Mrs. William (Laurie) FARMAN, Lake Zurich, Ill,; six grandchildren; three
brothers, James KOLADY, Munster, Ind.; Edward KOLADY, Sturgis, and Joseph KOLADY,
Las Vegas, Nev.; three sisters, Mrs. Stephen (Florence) KUKTA, Mrs. Herbert
(Leona) HEWITT, both of LaPorte, Ind., and Mrs. Harold (Julie) DeWOLFF, New
Hope, Pa.; several nieces and nephews. Frank J. KOLADY was born August 20, 1907,
in Chicago, Ill., the
son of Joseph and Josephine (SCHWARTZ) KOLADY. Friends and relatives may call at
the Rosenberg-Schipper Funeral Home after 1 p.m. Tuesday. A prayer service will
be in the funeral home at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening. Mass of the resurrection
will be celebrated at Holy Angels Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Wednesday, with the
Rev. Father James S. O'LEARY, officiate. Interment will be in Oaklawn Cemetery.
(No family connection to submitter.)
Henry C. LYTLE
Battle Creek - Henry C. LYTLE, 81, 5041 Paradise Road, died March 23, 1988, at
Leila Hospital, where he had been admitted a few hours earlier. He had
been ill a year. He was born in Montgomery and moved to Battle Creek from
Sturgis about 30 years ago. He retired from the
Crumpton Automotive Parts, Battle Creek, in 1976. Before that, he was
employed at the Sturgis Auto Supply. He was a member of the Climax Lodge
59 F&AM, Kalamazoo Valley Antique Engine and Machinery Club and the Leroy
Township Board of Review. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Surviving
are one daughter, Helen L. LYTLE, Fort Wayne, Ind.; one son,
Charles D. LYTLE, Sturgis; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and two
sisters, Margaret BOHYER, Colon, and Ruth Ann TAYLOR, Angola, Ind. He was
preceded in death by his wife, Margaret L. MAXWELL. Services are at 11
a.m. Saturday at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home, 703 Capital, S.W., Battle
Creek. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Sturgis. Memorials may
be directed to the Ronald McDonald House. (No family connection to submitter.)
Isabelle May ROOT
Three Rivers-Isabelle May ROOT, 77, 14th Street, died Sept. 7, 1987, at the
Three Rivers Area Hospital, following a short illness. She was born Aug.
4, 1910, in Barryton, a daughter of Orren and Effie (RATHBURN) THORNTON.
In 1928, she married Henry TEADT, in LaGrange, Ind. in November, 1957, she
married Earl ROOT. She had lived in Barryton from 1910-1912, in Sherwood
from 1912-27, in Leonidas from 1927-53, in Nashville from 1957-77, and in Three
Rivers, from 1977-87. She was a member of Assembly of God Church, Three
Rivers, and the Rebecca Lodge 185, Leonidas. Surviving are two daughters,
Aletha LEONARD, Ney, Ohio,
and Madge WOLFE, Three Rivers, four sons, Donald TEADT, Aurbendale, Fla., Edwin
TEADT and Bill TEADT, both of Lakeland, Fla., and Ted TEADT, Phoenix, Ariz;
three step-children, Donna TUCKER, Battle Creek, Pat GRAHAM, Leslie and Michael
ROOT, Sturgis, 23 grandchildren; 11 step-grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren;
eight step-great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Evelyn BAAD, Athens, and
Ethelda STOUDINGER, Battle Creek. She was preceded in death by her
husband, Earl ROOT, one stepson, Jerry ROOT; two grandson, Billy and Don SHAW;
and one sister, Jean COLEBURN. Services were at 3 p.m. Thursday at the
Spencer Funeral Home, Athens. Burial was in Sherwood Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association. (No family
connection to submitter.)
Maxine L. REED
Burr Oak - Maxine L. REED, 69, of 445 N. Third St., Burr Oak, died Friday
morning, June 3, 1983, in Sturgis Hospital. She had been a life-long area
resident. On April 12, 1936 in LaGrange, Ind., she was married to T. John REED.
He died in 1970. She was a member of the Burr Oak Mother's Club, Sturgis Women's
Club, Chapter 28 Order of The Eastern Star of Burr Oak and the past Worthy
Matron's Club. Surviving are: one son, J. Lynn REED, Sturgis, one daughter, Mrs.
Dennis (Judith) A. BAKER, Sturgis; and four grandchildren. Maxine L. REED was
born Sept. 24, 1913, daughter of Clifford and Clara (MILLER) FAIR. Besides her
husband she was preceded in death by her mother, who died in 1976. Friends and
relatives may call at the Rosenberg-Schipper Funeral Home after 3 p.m. today,
where the family will meet with friends today and Sunday from 7-9 p.m. There
will be an Order of the Eastern Star service at the funeral home at 7 p.m.
today. Religious services will be held from Burr Oak United Methodist Church
Monday at 1 p.m. where Mrs. REED will lay in state on Monday at 10 a.m. until
service time. Interment will be in Burr Oak Cemetery. Memorials may be directed
to the Burr Oak United Methodist Church of the American Cancer Society. (No
family connection to submitter.)
Gustav PETSCHULAT
Sturgis-Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon for Gustav PETSCHULAT,
61, a resident of this city for the past 30 years, who died at his home 504 West
West street, Friday evening at 11:50 after an illness of about two years
duration of cancer of the stomach. Services
will be held at the home at 1:30 and at the Trinity Lutheran church of which he
was a member at two o'clock on Tuesday. The Rev. W. T. SCHALM will officiate.
Interment will take place in Oaklawn Cemetery. Mr. PETSCHULAT was born in
Schilleren, Germany May 18, 1865, and was the son of George and Helen PETSCHULAT.
He came to America at the age of 17 years and lived for 10 years in Big Rapids
where he resided for four years after which he came to Sturgis where he had
lived since. He married Augusta KUTSCHINSKI on April 18, 1890 at Big Rapids. Mr.
PETSCHULAT was formerly a railroad man but after coming to Sturgis he took up
the carpenter trade which he followed for 26 years. The widow, three children,
George PETSCHULAT, and Mrs. Miles HOWK, of Sturgis and Victor PETSCHULAT, of
Grand Rapids; a brother in Germany and three grandchildren survive. A daughter,
Dorothea, died in 1916. (Undated - estimated 1926). (No family connection to
submitter.)
Treva M. PAINTER
Sturgis-Treva M. PAINTER, 84, formerly of 306 John St., died March 8, 1988, at
Miller's Merry Manor, LaGrange, Ind. She was born Jun 23, 1903, in Portland,
Ind., a daughter of George and Jessie (HIATT) METZGER. On July 23, 1920, she
married Earl PAINTER in Centreville. He died March 30, 1987. She was a Sturgis
resident since 1920. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Presbyterian
Church, Sturgis, the American Legion Auxiliary; the Metropolitan Auxiliary,
having served as its national president; and the Eagles Auxiliary, having served
as its state president. She was a convention parliamentarian. Surviving are two
daughters, Mrs. William (Donna) LAMBERT, Titus, Ala. and Mrs. William (Kay)
LONG, Fort Wayne, Ind.; seven grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. She was
preceded in death by her parents; one son, Earl; one brother and one sister.
Relatives and friends may call after 2 p.m. today at the Rosenberg-Schipper
Funeral Home, Sturgis, where the family will receive friends from 10-11:30 a.m.
Friday. Services are at 11:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev.
Loren M. SCRIBNER, First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Oak
Lawn Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Michigan Heart Association.
Envelopes are available at the funeral home. (No family connection to
submitter.)
Victor PETSCHULAT
Victor PETSCHULAT, 56, of 11419 Blackburn, in Livonia, Mich., a native of
Sturgis and well known here, died unexpectedly at 4 a.m. Saturday, from a
coronary occlusion. Mr. PETSCHULAT had been at his bowling alley in Livonia and
had returned home early in the morning. He was stricken and died a short time
later. Dean of the Kirsch Company's sales force, he had been a Kirsch salesman
for the last 38 years. He was born in Sturgis, a son of Gustav and Augusta
PETSCULAT and was a graduate of the high school here. When he was only 17 years
old he was playing semi-professional baseball and also was a star track man. He
continued his athletic career after entering Kalamazoo College. Surviving are
his wife, the former Thelma YODER of Sturgis; three daughters, Mrs. Ben DARNELL,
Mrs. Richard ERDYLLI and Mrs. Robert SHELLY, all of Plymouth; three
grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs. Miles N. HOWK of Sturgis. The body is at the
Shafer Funeral Home in Plymouth. Arrangements for the
services are incomplete. (No family connection to submitter.)
Mrs. George C. PETSCHULAT
Mrs. Gertrude PETSCHULAT, 59, well known Sturgis and area resident, was found
dead in her bed in her home at 400 W. Lafayette St. at about 5:30 p.m. Sunday
Mar. 24. The discovery was made by her son, Dr. Neubert PETSCHULAT and his
wife, Joan, of LaGrange, when they stopped to call Sunday afternoon. Death
is believed to have occurred mid-morning on Saturday. She had begun
breakfast preparations and had apparently partaken of her morning coffee and had
removed toast from the toaster when she became ill at which time she returned to
her bed, fully clothed. An autopsy is to be performed Monday afternoon to
determine the cause of her passing. Mrs. PETSCHULAT had had a telephone
conversation at about 9:30 a.m. Saturday with her sister-in-law, Laura HOWK, at
which time the women made plans to attend church on Sunday. Mrs. HOWK
called for Mrs. PETSCHULAT Sunday but was unable to enter the house. She
then assumed Mrs. PETSCHULAT had stayed overnight with Mrs. C. F. McBRIDGE, a
close friend. Mrs. PETSCHULAT was born at Big Rapids, Mich., May 16, 1903,
a daughter of William and Amelia (TOLKEMITT) NEUBERT. Her marriage to
George C. PETSCHULAT was solemnized Nov. 27, 1922 at Grand Rapids. Her
husband, an executive with the Kirsch Company preceded her in death May 12,
1943. She was a member of the Howe, Ind. Presbyterian Church and had just
recently been named chairman-elect of the Loan Service Guild of the Sturgis
Hospital Auxiliary. Surviving are two sons, George PETSCHULAT of Kalamazoo
and Dr. Neubert PETSCHULAT, of LaGrange, Ind.; four grandchildren, and one
sister, Mrs. R. H. DeBEER, of Kalamazoo. Services will be observed at 2
p.m. Wednesday, Mar. 27 at the Foglesong Funeral Home with her former pastor,
the Rev. Earl BURGER, officiating. Interment will take place at Oak Lawn
Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home beginning at 11 a.m.
Tuesday. If desired, friends may direct memorials to the Remembrance Fund
of the Sturgis Hospital Auxiliary. Mrs. Harry J. SPRECKEN is administrator
of the fund.
Sturgis-Funeral services for Mrs. George C. (Gertrude) PETSCHULAT, 59, were held
at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Foglesong Funeral Home with her former pastor at
Howe, Ind., the Rev. Earl BERGER, officiating. Mrs. Lucille CAMERON was
the organist. The committal service was pronounced at Oak Lawn Cemetery
where the Rev. Walter KUCH, a relative of Mrs. Peter PETSCHULAT, gave the final
benediction. Pallbearers were R. W. WESPHALL, Arthur W. EVERS, T. L.
SHUMAN, Jack KIRSCH, Joseph DOBBERTEEN and Dr. John SHELDON. Mrs.
PETSCHULAT, victim of a coronary occlusion that is believed to have occurred in
her home, 400 W. Lafayette Street last Saturday, was found dead in her home at
about 5:30 p.m. Sunday by
her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Neubert PETSCHULAT. Surviving
besides her son, Dr. PETSCHULAT, of LaGrange, is another son, George PETSCHULAT
of Kalamazoo, her sister, Mrs. R. H. DeBEER of Kalamazoo, and four
grandchildren. Mrs. PETSCHULAT had been active in the Howe Presbyterian
Church and was the chairman elect of the Sturgis Memorial Hospital Loan
Guild. She had also planned to have been a sorority house mother at the
University of Michigan this fall. (March 28, 1963) (No family
connection to submitter.)
Harold D. MOLTER
Sturgis - Harold D. MOLTER, 81, 69915 S. Big Hill Road, died March 20, 1988, at
the Sturgis Hospital Emergency Room. He was born Sept. 3, 1906, in LaGrange,
Ind., a son of Earle and Elizabeth (WISLER) MOLTER. On Aug. 23, 1930, he married
Frances RUCK in Fort Wayne, Ind. She died Sept. 6, 1987. He was a lifelong
resident of the Sturgis and LaGrange area. He had owned and operated the Shell
Service Station, Sturgis, and the Kozy Kitchen, Sturgis. He also was employed at
Burr Oak Tool and Die, Dick Plock Sales and Harvey Paper Company, all of
Sturgis. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Laymen's
League. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. John (Sharon) LINDAMOOD, Sturgis; one
son, DeWain MOLTER, Grand Blanc; two granddaughters; one grandson, two sisters,
Katherine McNETT, Angola, Ind. and Florence POLEY, Sturgis; three brothers, John
MOLTER and Carl MOLTER, both of Sturgis, and Pete MOLTER, Orland, Ind.; and
several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister
Ruth REID; and one brother, Ralph MOLTER.
Relatives and friends may call after 6 p.m. today at the Foglesong Funeral Home,
Sturgis, where the family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today. Services are
at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church with the Revs. Erwin A. RUHLIG
and John F. MUELLER officiating. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorials
may be directed to the American Lung Association or the American Heart
Association. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. (No family
connection to submitter.)
Phoebe B. WEBSTER
Sturgis-Phoebe B. WEBSTER, 87, formerly of 29185 U.S. 12, died at 3 a.m. Dec. 4,
1987, in Sturgis Hospital, where she was admitted Dec. 3. She was born
April 24, 1900, in Centreville, to Henry and Lena (SPEICHER) RHODE. She
was a Centreville and Sturgis area resident all her life. On Jan. 7, 1922
she married Ray B. WEBSTER in Centreville. He died Oct. 8, 1973. She
was employed by Royal Easy Chair Co. of Sturgis and Sturgis Posture Chair,
retiring in 1962. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She
was an avid bowler for 30 years and was named to the Sturgis Women Bowlers Hall
of Fame. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Earnest (Lois) WARE, JR.,
of Sturgis, one grandson and one granddaughter; one great- grandson; one
brother, Garnet RHODE, of Hawks; and several nieces and nephews. She was
preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a sister, Mr. John (Elta)
MOLTER. Service will be 1 p.m. today at the Foglesong Funeral Home, with
the Rev. John F. MUELLER of the Trinity Lutheran Church officiating.
Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to
Trinity Lutheran Church, envelopes available at the funeral home. (No
family connection to submitter.)
Mrs. John S. STEWART
Mrs. John S. STEWART, 84, who had taught piano in Sturgis and Burr Oak for 60
years or more, died at 8:30 a.m. Sunday in the Murray Rest Home in
Concord. Mrs. STEWART was taken to the rest home three weeks ago after
five weeks in Sturgis Memorial Hospital. The body was returned to Sturgis
and is at the Foglesong Funeral Home where services will be held
at 2 p.m Wednesday. The Rev. Byron A. HAHN, D. D., pastor of the First
Methodist Church, will officiate and interment will be in Oak Lawn
Cemetery. Mrs. STEWART, whose maiden name was Mina PYLE, was born in Pekin,
N.Y., Mar. 1, 1872, to Hiram and Martha (BORDNER) PYLE. When she was three
years old the family moved to Burr Oak. She lived there until
her marriage in 1908 to Mr. STEWART. Since then she had lived in
Sturgis. Mrs. STEWART was a graduate of the music department at Albion
College and took further piano study with William H. SHERWOOD of the Chicago
Musical College, which later became the Sherwood School of Music. Mrs.
STEWART had her studio at 210 N. Clay St., in Sturgis for many years. Her
husband died Jun 16, 1955. Surviving are three nieces, Mrs. Edna HOLTZ, of
Dunsmuir, Calif.; Mrs. Julius RUTZ, of Albion; and Mrs. Earl SLOCUM of Chapel
Hill, N.C. (June 18, 1956) (No family connection to submitter.)
Ruth MOLTER REID
Waukegan, Ill.-Ruth MOLTER REID, 63, died Aug 9, 1984, at St. Therese Hospital
here. She was born Aug. 2, 1921 in LaGrange County, Indiana, a daughter of
Earl and Elizabeth MOLTER. On Feb. 21, 1943 she married Paul E. REID in
Reno, Nev. Surviving are her husband; two daughters Mrs. Carl (Linda)
NICHOLS, Ann Arbor, Mich., Mrs. Robert (Dianne)
STOLARIK, Lindenhurst; three grandchildren; four brothers, Elwin MOLTER, Orland,
Ind.; Harold MOLTER, John MOLTER and Carl MOLTER, all of Sturgis; two sisters,
Mrs. Melvin (Catherine) McNETT, Angola, Ind., Mrs. Robert (Florence) POLLEYS,
Sturgis, Mich. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.
(No family connection to submitter.)
Willard MURRAY, JR.
Willard MURRAY, JR., 56, Rt. 2, White Pigeon (LaGrange County), died at 3 p.m.
Tuesday in his home. He had been seriously ill four months. He was
born Sept. 27, 1921, in Shipshewana, Ind., a son of Willard and Ocie (DAVIS)
MURRAY. He had spent most of his life in the White Pigeon area. In
1949, he was married to A. Lucille KULL. He was a farmer, was
employed by the White Pigeon paper mill, and also served in the U. S. Army
during World War II. Mr. MURRAY was a member of the Shipshewana United
Methodist Church. Surviving are his wife; a son Terrance Darr, White
Pigeon; a daughter, Mrs. William (Jacqueline) WALSH, White Pigeon; seven
grandchildren; a brother, Roscoe MURRAY, Shipshewana; three sisters, Mrs. Vera
KNOWLES, Elkhart; Mrs. Henry (Rachel) CELMER, California, and Mrs. James
(Roberta) MARKLEY, Shipshewana; a stepbrother, Brice WEDDLE, California; a
sister-in-law, Mrs. Geraldine MURRAY, Three Rivers, and his step-mother, Mrs.
Willard MURRAY, of
Shipshewana. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother,
William. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday (Michigan time) in the
Farrand Funeral Home, with the Rev. James PARKER, Stone Lake Church of God,
officiating. Burial will be in the Klightley Cemetery, Shipshewana.
Military rites will be held at the cemetery. (Wednesday, May 10, 1978) (No
family connection to submitter.)
Satie B. LINKHAUER
Mrs. Satie B. LINKHAUER, 82, Sturgis resident for the past 55 years, died in
Sturgis Memorial Hospital at 2:45 p.m. Sunday following apoplexy. She had
been admitted to the hospital on Aug. 19. Mrs. LINKHAUER, who had made her
last home at Maple Towers, was born in Matteson Township, Branch Co., Nov. 1,
1886, a daughter of Allen and Adell (TRAYER) WARNER. She was first married
to George SMEAD Jan. 17, 1906, at Batavia. He preceded her in death in
1920. She was later married to William LINKHAUER in 1928. He died in
1947. Mrs. LINKHAUKER had been a Harter Corp. employee for 23 years and
had retired in 1959.
Prior to residing in Maple Towers, Mrs. LINKHAUER lived at 316 N. Lakeview Ave.,
in Sturgis. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Charles (Shirley) JELLISON,
Sturgis; two sons, Harold SMEAD, Pontiac, and Gerald SMEAD, Tulsa, Okla.; one
brother, Donald THAYER, Sturgis; two grandson, Maj. Jerry SMEAD of the United
States Air Force, stationed in Germany and Michael JELLISON, Sturgis, and a
number of nieces and nephews. Friends are being received at the Foglesong
Funeral Home where rites will be observed at 1 p.m. Wednesday with the Rev.
Charles HAHN, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, officiating.
Interment will take
place at Oak Lawn Cemetery. (Aug. 24, 1969)
Rites for Mrs. Satie B. LINKHAUER, 82, Sturgis resident for the last 55 years,
were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Foglesong Funeral Home with the Rev.
Charles HAHN, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, officiating.
Mrs. Phyllis YOUNG was the organist. The committal service was pronounced
in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Casket bearers, all former associates of Mrs.
LINKHAUER at Harter Corp., were Lee SHEARS, Donald WOLF, Kenneth BEERS, Virgil
HARTER, Robert MARSHALL and Emerson KLINE. Mrs. LINKHAUER, who had last
resided in Maple Towers, 128 S. Nottawa St., died in Sturgis Memorial Hospital
last Sunday afternoon after a brief illness. She had been a Harter Corp.
employee for 23 years and had retired in 1959. (Aug. 26, 1969) (No family
connection to submitter.)
Kathryn GILHAMS
Kathryn D. GILHAMS, 70, Rt. 1, 867 Airline Rd., Sturgis, died Jan 14, 1979 in
Sturgis Hospital, where she was admitted Friday. She had been in failing
health a week. Mrs. GILHAMS was born in Wexford County, Mich., June 27,
1908, a daughter of Hope and Myrtle (KECKLER) FINNEY and had been a Sturgis
resident all her life. She was married to Chauncey
GILHAMS Aug. 24, 1929, in Colon. Mrs. GILHAMS was employed by the Sturgis
Journal and also the Sturgis Bottling Co. Surviving are her husband; two
sons, Frank GILHAMS, White Pigeon and Chauncey James GILHAMS, Sturgis, nine
grandchildren; a brother, Theron FINNEY, Indian Lake Estates, Fla.; and several
nieces and nephews. She was preceded in
death by a daughter, Mrs. Jacklyn ULMER, on Dec. 15, 1969. Friends may
call at Foglesong Funeral Home, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday
with the Rev. George HARTMANN, pastor of the First United Methodist Church,
officiating. Burial will take place in Oak Lawn Cemetery. (No family
connection to submitter.)
Shirley DOBBERTEEN
Shirley E. DOBBERTEEN, 47, 203 Cottage Ave., Sturgis, died Jan. 21, 1979 in
Sturgis Hospital, where she was admitted Jan. 15. She had been in failing
health six months. Mrs. DOBBERTEEN was born in Pontiac, Feb. 9, 1931, a
daughter of Floyd and Grace (UNDERWOOD) GEIL, and had been a Sturgis resident
since 1954, coming from Rochester. She was married to William L.
DOBBERTEEN March 11, 1951, in Rochester, Mich. Mrs.
DOBBERTEEN taught remedial reading in Sturgis Community Schools several
years. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Tray Guild of
Sturgis Hospital Auxiliary. Surviving are her husband; a daughter, Nancy
A. DOBBERTEEN, at home; three sons, Thomas S., John L. and William M. DOBBERTEEN,
all at home; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd GEIL,
Rochester; a sister, Mrs. Ronald (Joan) GUYETT, Rochester; a niece, Mary GUYETT,
Rochester; a nephew, Ronald GUYETT, Rochester, and her mother-in-law, Mrs. Mabel
DOBBERTEEN, Sturgis. Friends may call at the Foglesong Funeral Home until
9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Trinity
Lutheran Church with Rev. Erwin A. RUHLIG officiating. Burial will take
place in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the H. M.
HEIDENREICH, JR., Scholarship Fund or St. Joseph County Chapter of the American
Cancer Society. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. (No
family connection to submitter.)
Earl BUTLER
Earl M. BUTLER, 69, prominently known in Sturgis after nearly 40 years residence
here, died at 2 p.m. Thursday at Sturgis Memorial Hospital after an illness that
became serious last May 23. His home was at 207 S. Monroe St. Mr. BUTLER had
been associated with the New York Central Railroad since 1908. When he moved to
Sturgis he became freight agent with the NYC two years later - a position he
retained until he retired a little over three years ago. He was born in Morenci,
Mich., March 29, 1887, and was a son of C. A. and Cora (COFFIN) BUTLER. His
marriage to Ethel DEYO took place at Erie, Mich., July 26, 1908. In addition to
his railroad duties, Mr. BUTLER was active in Masonry and the Sturgis Exchange
Club. He was a member of Meridian Sun Lodge No. 49, F. and A.M., and the Royal
Arch Masons and in the latter organization he had served for many years as
secretary. As secretary of the Exchange Mr. BUTLER became its outstanding
official in this group of officers. He is survived by his wife, at home; three
daughters: Mrs. Arthur (Margaret) HART of Knox, Ind., Mrs. Robert (Alice) SHIPP
of Scarsdale, N.Y., and Mrs. George (Betty Jane) GOTTSCHALK of Kensington, Md.;
his father C. A. BUTLER of Valparaiso, Ind.; two brothers: Ceil A. BUTLER of
Elkhart, and W. A. BUTLER of Valparaiso. Other survivors are six grandchildren.
A son Earl Jr., preceded him in death in 1928. Friends may call at the Foglesong
Funeral Home where services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday with members of the
Meridian Sun Lodge No. 49 in charge of services. Interment will take place
at Oak Lawn Cemetery. (June 6, 1956) (No family connection to submitter.)
John E. BEAN
John E. BEAN, 71, of Rt. 1, Howe, died Monday in LaGrange County Hospital.
He was born Nov. 9, 1886. Surviving are his wife, Minnie, who is a patient
in the Marks Nursing Home in Mongo; two brothers, Hewett, of New Buffalo, Mich.
and Horace, of Ohio; one sister Ella BEAN
of Sturgis, Mich.; and his stepmother, Mrs. Mary ARNOLD, of New Buffalo,
Mich. The body is at the Shoup Funeral Home in Howe, where services will
be held at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday. Interment will take place in Riverside
Cemetery in Howe. (No family connection to submitter.)
George C. BARE
South Bend, Ind.-George C. BARE, 64, of 5125 W. Colfax, South Bend, died Monday
in South Bend Memorial Hospital after an illness of four months. He was
born in Sturgis, Sept. 3, 1911, and moved to South Bend from Sturgis 25 years
ago. He was a carpenter by trade. On Aug. 5, 1934, he was married to
Margaret SIMON in Constantine. Surviving are the widow; a son, John D., of
Coloma, Mich.; two daughters, Mrs. Sandra NEWMAN, Niles, and Wanda BARE,
Elkhart,; 11 grandchildren; a great-grandson; a brother, Jacob, of Sturgis; and
four sisters, Mrs. Eunice (VANEK) and Mrs. Ethel SITES, Elkhart; Mrs. Ralph
(Neva) SWIHART, Sturgis; and Mrs. Eva ADAMS, Pheonix, Ariz. Services will
be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the Hickey Funeral Home, 2700 Lincoln Way
West, South Bend. Interment will take place in Constantine, Mich.
(April 1976) (No family connection to submitter.)
Walter E. STETSON
Walter E. STETSON, 75, whose home was at 508 N. Prospect St., died at 1:20 a.m.
Sunday in the Ford Hospital, Detroit, where he had been admitted three weeks ago
for medical treatment. He had previously been a patient at Sturgis Memorial
Hospital. He had been a resident of Sturgis for almost 60 years. Mr. STETSON, a
retired Sturgis-Newport employee, was born in Decatur, Ind., Jan. 4, 1895, a son
of Chauncey and Lydia (RUSSELL) STETSON. He was united in marriage to Georgia S.
LEADERS in Sturgis at the St. Johns Lutheran Church May 28, 1918. Mr. STETSON
began his career with the former National Carbon Coated Paper Co. 50 years ago
in the capacity of a pressman. At his retirement five years ago he was the
printing supervisor for the present Sturgis-Newport Business Forms, Inc. His
name is linked with many others, both living and deceased, as a member of a
pioneer group that fostered the success of the printing enterprise established
by the late Charles L. SPENCE. Mr. STETSON was a member of the St. Johns
Lutheran Church. Surviving are his widow; two sons, Wesley STETSON of Kansas
City, Kan., and Elmer BASHORE, Scottsville, Ky.; one daughter Mrs. Charles (Treva)
WUTHRICH of South Bend, Ind.; 10 grandchildren; one brother, Ralph STETSON of
Detroit; four sisters, Mrs. Victor (Bessie) CATTON of Kalamazoo, Mrs. Guy (Edna)
ROBINSON and Mrs. Victor (Agnes) WESTLAKE, both of Elkhart, Ind., and Mrs.
Lillian BURKHEAD Howe, Ind.; and several nieces and nephews. Rites are to be
observed at 2 p.m. Wednesday in St. John's Lutheran Church with the pastor, The
Rev. F. C. KNEUPPEL, officiating. Interment will take place at Oak Lawn
Cemetery. Friends may call at the Foglesong
Funeral Home until noon on Wednesday at which time the body will be taken to the
church. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorials
to St. Johns Lutheran Church. (Aug. 16, 1970) (No family connection to
submitter.)
Chester A. CONE
Chester A. CONE, 75, of 609 N. Lakeview Ave., who had served as the veterans
counselor for St. Joseph County for 26 years, died at 5:36 a.m. Friday in
Sturgis Hospital, where he had been admitted two hours earlier. He had been in
ill health since 1960. Mr. CONE had retired in
1944, because of disability, as a railway clerk for the federal government, a
position he had held since 1921. He assumed the position of veterans counselor
the same year, and continued with the work until he retired in 1970. A veteran
of the first World War, in the 64th Infantry, 7th Division, as a first aid man
on the Mexican border and in France and Germany, Mr. CONE was life member (50
years) of Neuman-Wenzel Post No. 73 of the American Legion, and served as a
commander in 1930; as district commander in 1933 and also had been state vice
commander of the organization. He was awarded in a Citation of Meritorius
Service in 1960. He also was a past chef-de-gare of the local 40 et 8; was a
life member of Capt. John J. Kelley Post No. 1355 of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars; was a member of the ãCootieä organization of the VFW, serving in many
district functions; was a past commander of the Disabled American
Veterans and had served as service officer for many years. The Sturgis Exchange
Club extended its highest honor, its book of Golden Deeds, to Mr. CONE in 1972.
Mr. CONE was born April 18, 1897, in Elkhart, Ind., to Willard and Emily
(BARNES) CONE. He and Augusta A. HAVENS were married Dec. 27, 1919, in Sherwood,
Mich. They moved to Elkhart, in 1927. Surviving are the widow; three
daughters, Mrs. Donald (Jean) TOZER of Sturgis; Mrs. Lawrence (June) DOOLITTLE
of Shippensburg, Pa.; and Mrs. Frank (Lorraine) FINNERMAN of Sturgis; seven
grandsons; five granddaughters; one great-granddaughter, and several nieces and
nephews.
His parents, five brothers and three sisters preceded him in death.
Friends may call at the Foglesong Funeral Home beginning Saturday noon. Services
will be held at 1:30 p. m. Monday in the First United Methodist Church with the
pastor, the Rev. Hilding KILGREN, officiating. Full military honors will be
conferred in Oak Lawn Cemetery by the American Legion and the Veterans of
Foreign Wars. (Dec. 8, 1972) (No family connection to submitter.)
Leo L. WOOD
Leo L. WOOD, 79, 617 N. Fourth St., Sturgis, died at 2:35 p.m. Saturday, March
26, 1983, at the Sturgis Hospital. He was admitted Friday and had been in ill
health for one year. Born in Bronson, he lived in the Sturgis area most of his
life. On Nov. 22, 1926, he was married to
Mildred H. KIME in Bronson. He was employed by Weatherseal Window Co. for many
years, then with Kirsch Co. for 16 years in the shipping department, retiring in
1972. He was a member of the Holy Angels Catholic Church, a 3rd degree and
charter member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2508, and a member of the UAW
797. Surviving are his wife; three daughters, Mrs. Nino (Betty) CONTARDO, Battle
Creek, Mrs. Richard (Mary Ann) SPACKMAN, Sturgis, and Doris WOOD, Bellevue,
Neb.; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Pearl LOSINSKI,
Sturgis and Mr. H. D. (Cecelia) SIKORSKI, Sherwood; four brothers, Bernard,
Stanley, and Fabian, all of Sturgis and Marion, Battle Creek; several nieces and
nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Leo L. WOOD was born on June 6,
1903, in Bronson, the son of Joseph and Mary (KIBILOSKI) WOOD. He was preceded
in death by a
brother, Sylvestor; half-brother Raymond; a sister, Jeanette BUTLER; and his
parents. Friends and relatives may call at the Foglesong Funeral Home. The
rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. Monday. Mass of the resurrection will be at the
Holy Angels Catholic Church 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, with the Rev. Father James S. O'LEARY, officiating. Interment will take
place at the Oaklawn Cemetery. If desired, memorials may be directed to the
Knights of Columbus Retarted Childrens Fund. Envelopes are available at the
funeral home. (No family connection to submitter.)
Ruth E. TEETERS
Sturgis-Ruth E. TEETERS, 71, 309 N. Orange St., died July 12, 1985, in Borgess
Medical Center, Kalamazoo, where she had been a patient since Wednesday.
She had been ill for two years. She was born Nov. 10, 1913, in Portland,
Ind., a daughter of Dorsey O. and Ada (SHAUVER) TEETERS. She moved to
Sturgis in 1928 where she lived the rest of her life. She
worked at Porter Drug Store for 40 years until she retired in 1983. She also
owned and operated a ceramic shop in her home. She had worked for 10 years
for Dr. M. F. Parrish, Sturgis. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Thelma
JORDAN; and one brother, Noah TEETERS, both of Pomona, Calif.; and several
nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends and relatives may call at the
Foglesong Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Sunday. The family will receive
friends from 6-8 p.m. Sunday and 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Monday. Services
are at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Douglas A. JORDAN, La
Mesa, Calif., officiating. Burial will be in
Oak Lawn Cemetery. (No family connection to submitter.)
Marvel G. VAN NUYS
Marvel G. VAN NUYS, 75, 614 George St., died at 3:20 a.m. Friday in Sturgis
Memorial Hospital after an illness of several months from complications.
He had been a Sturgis resident for the last 54 years and had been employed with
the Doerr Electric Products Co. in Burr Oak before he retired because of ill
health. In his earlier life he had been employed as a skilled wood
finisher, with the former Royal Easy Chair Co. He was born in Orland,
Ind., July 18, 1893, a son of Elroy and Nora (SIMON) VAN NUYS. His
marriage to Wava HAMILTON took place in
Coldwater, Mich., Sept. 27, 1913. Surviving besides his wife, at home, are
two daughters, Mrs. William (Hazel) BLACKBURN of Roseville, Mich., and Mrs.
Dorothy BRONSTETTER of Sturgis, and two sons, Donald VAN NUYS of Coldwater and
Marvel VAN NUYS, JR. of Three Rivers. Surviving are also his brother,
Russell VAN NUYS of Goshen, Ind.; 14 grandchildren and
10 great-grandchildren. Friends may call at the Foglesong Funeral Home
where rites are to be held at 1:30 p.m Monday. Interment will take place
in the East Gilead Cemetery. (May 30, 1968) (No family connection to submitter.)
Neal I. STURGIS
Neal I. STURGIS, 73, of 801 Myrtle Ave., Sturgis, died at 4:45 p.m. Sunday, Oct.
29, 1978, in the Froh Community Home. He was admitted to the home a week
ago but had been in failing health three months. His condition became
serious five weeks ago. Mr. STURGIS was born in
Allegan County, Mich., April 4, 1905, to John W. and Rose (ECHTINAU)
STURGIS. He had lived in Sturgis since moving here from the Allegan area
in 1925. On Sept. 11, 1929, Mr. STURGIS and Lois L. CARTER were married in
Sturgis. Mr. STURGIS became associated with his father in the J. W.
Sturgis and Son Distributing Co. 43 years ago, and later was the owner. He
retired in 1975. From 1926 until 1953 he also was manager of the Taylor
Produce Co. in Sturgis. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church;
a life member of the BPOE No. 1381; and was a member of Sturgis Chapter No. 574
of the Loyal Order of Moose, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Sturgis Rotary Club,
Michiana Audubon Society (six years), and from 1933 until 1936 he had served as
a Boy Scout Leader. Surviving are the widow, Lois; a daughter, Mrs. Merton
(Phyllis) NORMAN, Kalamazoo; two sons, Robert STURGIS, Kalamazoo, and James
STURGIS, Sturgis; six grandchildren; a sister Mrs. I. J. (Linnie) AYERS, Athens,
Mich., and several nieces and nephews. Visitation may be made in the
Foglesong Funeral Home from Tuesday noon until Thursday noon. Services
will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the First Presbyterian Church with
the pastor, the Rev. Wallace ROBERTSON, officiating. Interment will take
place in Oak Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4
p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. If desired, memorials
may be directed to the Michigan Heart Association, with
envelopes available at the funeral home. (No family connection to
submitter.)
DeForrest STRANG
Sturgis-DeForrest STRANG, 84, 61275 Raintree Blvd., Lake Templene, died April
14, 1987, at Sturgis Hospital. He was born May 7, 1902, in LaGrange, Ind., a son
of Aura and Minnie (NELSON) STRANG. On Nov. 21, 1970, he married Bernice
(FRIEND) TROUTFETTER in Battle Creek. He had lived most of his life in the
Sturgis area. He was employed in the sales and purchasing at the Posture Chair
Company and as general manager of Aulsbrook and Jones Furniture Company. He
retired from the Michigan State Legislature after representing the 42nd District
for 10 years. During his time in the Legislature, he sponsored the Utilities
Protective Bill, known as "Miss Dig". He had served four terms as
mayor of Sturgis and served on the city commission for 14 years. He was active
in the Republican Party. He also had served on the Sturgis Hospital Board, the
Labor Management Committee, and the Generations Activities Program Board and on
the Civil Air Patrol. He was a member of the Sturgis First Presbyterian Church,
the Sturgis Exchange Club, Elks Lodge 1381 and Saladin Temple. He was past
master of the Meridian Sun Lodge F&AM 49, life member of the Sturgis Chapter
26 R.A.M. and a life member of the Columbia Commandry 18 KT. He received
his 60-year pin from the Masonic Order in 1986. He was selected Sturgis Citizen
of the Year in 1981. Surviving are his wife; and nieces and nephews. He was
preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Roy; and one sister Hazel.
Relatives and friends may call after 6 p.m. today at the Roseberg-Schipper
Funeral Home, Sturgis, where the family will meet with friends from 6-8 p.m.
today and from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. Friday. Masonic services are at 7 p.m. Friday at
the funeral home under the auspices of Meridian Sun Lodge F&AM 49. Services
are at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Sturgis First Presbyterian Church with the Rev.
Loren M. SCRIBNER officiating. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorials
may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church or the Shrine Crippled
Children's Fund. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. (No family
connection to submitter.)
Otis S. SHEARS
Otis Stanley SHEARS, 60, 402-A Gateway Village, Sturgis, died July 9, 1979 in
Froh Community Home, where he was admitted Nov. 30, 1978. He had been in failing
health since 1972 and seriously ill since January of 1978. Mr. SHEARS was born
in Sturgis, July 16, 1918, as son of Claude and Nellie (MURTON) SHEARS, and had
been a lifelong resident. He was
married to Ruth D. ELY, Dec. 23, 1939, in LaGrange, Ind. Mr. SHEARS was employed
at Kirsch Co. 27 1/2 years, retiring in 1973 because of failing health. He was a
member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the Cedar Lake Golf Course League and Sturgis
Bowling Association, participating in the Classic, Major and Kirsch Leagues. He
was an avid sport fan. Surviving
are his wife; two sons, Roger and Robert SHEARS; five grandchildren; two
brothers, Ernest and Lee SHEARS, both of Sturgis, and several nieces and
nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mrs. Gladys BEERS,
and a brother, Carl. Friends may call at the Foglesong Funeral Home from 7-9
p.m. Tuesday and 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday. Services will
be held in Trinity Lutheran Church at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, with Rev. Douglas
THOMPSON, pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church, Burr Oak, officiating. Cremation
will follow with the cremations later interred at Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorials
may be directed to the St. Joseph County Chapter of the American Cancer Society,
Michigan Heart Association or American Heart Association. Envelopes are
available at the funeral home. (No family connection to submitter.)
Florence STEPELTON
Florence E. STEPELTON, 72, 129 S. Nottawa St., died Oct. 27, 1978 in Sturgis
Hospital, where she had been a patient two days. She was born in Sturgis Feb.
24, 1906, a daughter of Harry E. and Maud (JEWELL) SCATTERGOOD and had been a
lifelong resident of Sturgis. She was married to Glenn E. STEPELTON June 29,
1968 in Sturgis. He died Jan. 30, 1974. Mrs. STEPELTON assisted her parents in
operation of the Scattergood Jewelry Store on West Chicago Road many years,
managing the cosmetic department. Surviving are three cousins, Mrs. Vera QUIGGLE,
Long Beach, Calif., and Marjorie QUIGGLE and Catherine GUSTAVESON, California.
At the request of Mrs. STEPELTON, her body was removed to the University of
Michigan Medical School's Anatomy Department. Memorial services will be held at
1 p.m., Monday in the Foglesong Funeral Home, with the Rev. Timothy FOREMAN,
pastor of the First Church of God, officiating. (No family connection to
submitter.)
DeLial S. PORTER
DeLial S. PORTER, 82, 406 Michigan Ave., Sturgis, died Aug. 1, 1979, in Sturgis
Hospital where he had been admitted a few hours earlier. Mr. PORTER was born in
Blissfield, Mich., Dec. 16, 1896, a son of Hudson and Cora (COMSTOCK) PORTER. He
lived in Sturgis for more than 75 years. Mr. PORTER was married to Ethel M.
STOLL April 4, 1926, in Coldwater. Mr.
PORTER graduated from Ferris State College with a pharmaceutical degree in 1920.
He was a life member of the college's Alumni Association. In 1946, Mr. PORTER
and his wife, Ethel, purchased what was to become one of the best-known drug
stores in the area. Porter's Cut-Rate Drug Store changed owners in 1969 when he
and his wife retired from business. Mr.
PORTER, a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church of Sturgis, served
the community in many ways. He attended Kiwanis Club meetings regularly with
unbroken string of attendance of 34 years, serving as president in 1952. Mr.
PORTER became lieutenant governor of Michigan State Kiwanis in 1955. Mr. PORTER
was a life member of the Knights of
Phythias Phoenix Lodge. At one time he served as the lodge's Chancellor
Commander. He received the Book of Golden Deeds in 1962 from the Exchange Club.
This award is given to community leaders for outstanding civic work. Because of
his many community contributions, PORTER was presented the Governor's Award by
Gov. George ROMNEY in 1967. Mr. PORTER
was a president of the Chamber of Commerce and Junior Achievement. He also was a
member of the Junior Achievement Board of directors. Mr. PORTER served the city
as a member of the Cemetery and Park Board and also was on the board of the
Salvation Army. Mr. PORTER was a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and
Commandery of the Masonic Order: Sturgis Chapter No. 26, RAM, Meridian Sun Lodge
No. 49, F and AM, and Columbia Commandery, No. 18. PORTER joined professional
associations such as the Michigan State Pharmaceutical Association and the
American Association of Pharmacy. Surviving are his wife; a niece, Mrs. Roger
(Virginia) ZUERCHER, Sturgis; two nephews, Paul SWEET, Tekonsha, and Duane
VANORDEN, Bradenton, Fla.; and several great-nieces and nephews. Friends may
call at the Foglesong Funeral Home, where services will be held at 2 p.m.
Saturday, with the Rev. Richard W. MITCHELL officiating. Burial will take place
in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Fraternal services will be held in the funeral home Friday
at 7:30 p.m., conducted by Phoenix Lodge No. 171, Knights of Pythias. (No family
connection to submitter.)
Lucille I. HUDSON
Sturgis-Lucille I. HUDSON, 76, 403 Susan Ave., died unexpectedly at Borgess
Medical Center, Kalamazoo, Monday, Aug. 27, 1984. She was born April 13,
1908, in Mesick, a daughter of Vern and Ina (PICKERD) SHEARS. She lived
here most of her life. On Nov. 22, 1924, in Centreville, she was married
to John HUDSON. He died Nov. 23, 1981. Along with her husband, John,
they operated the Hudson Grocery on Congress Street for 32 years, before
retiring in 1969. She was an active member of Fish Lake Bible
Church. Surviving are one sister, Mrs. Lewis (Leola) BARNES, Grand Rapids;
one brother, Lewis SHEARS, Centreville; several nieces and nephews. She
was preceded in death by two brothers. Relatives and friends may call at
the Rosenberg-Schipper Funeral Home, Sturgis, beginning Wednesday afternoon from
2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., and Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Religious
services will be at the funeral home 2:30 p.m. Friday with the Rev. David POTTS,
Fish Lake Bible Church,
officiating. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery. If desired,
memorials my be directed to the Fish Lake Bible Church. (No family
connection to submitter.)
Wilber BLACKNEY
Tequesta, Fla.-Wilber F. BLACKNEY, age 75, 100 Intercoastal Place, Tequesta,
died June 18, 1979. He is survived by his wife, Hazel (ANDERSON); a son, Jack,
Miami; two daughters, Sally SCHULTE, Sarasota, Fla., and Doris ROGERS, Battle
Creek, Mich.; a brother Kenneth JORDON, Allegan, Mich.; three sisters, Delilah
DARLING, Kalamazoo, Mich.; Maxine LING, Lake Mills, Wis., and Miriam JORDON,
Vicksburg, Mich.; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Mr. BLACKNEY
was a former member of the Sturgis Elks Lodge. Funeral services will be held
Wednesday at the Village Funeral Home, Jupiter, Fla. Memorials my be
made by contributing to the charity of oneâs choice. (No family connection to
submitter.)
Grace WALKER TOOLEY
Sturgis-Grace WALKER TOOLEY, 76, 25912 W. Fawn River Road, died Nov. 23, 1986,
at her home, following an extended illness. She was born Jan. 10, 1910, in
Bakersfield, Calif., a daughter of J. Gail and Mabel (ARNOLD) KIRBY. On June 29,
1934, she married Ernest J. WALKER in Sturgis. He died April 26, 1954. On Feb.
25, 1982, she married Arthur TOOLEY in
Winter Haven, Fla. The WALKERS had a dance band for several years and played in
many cities in the area including Sturgis. After Ernest died, Grace continued
with the dance band for several years. She was employed as a bookkeeper for nine
years for Sturgis Supply Company and for seven years at Falkenstein's Florist.
She was past president of the Business and Professional Women's Club and a
member of the Sturgis United Methodist Church. Surviving are her husband; one
daughter, Janet DAVISON, Tampa, Fla.; one son Ronald E. WALKER, Portage; three
grandchildren; one brother, Ronald E. KIRBY, Santa Barbara, Calif.; and
several nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends may call at the Rosenberg-Schipper
Funeral Home, Sturgis, where the family will meet with friends from 2-4 p.m. and
7-9 p.m. today. Services are at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the
Revs. George O. HARTMANN, Sturgis First United Methodist Church, and Royce
ROBINSON, Portage United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Oak
Lawn Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to St. Joseph County Hospice Care, Inc.
Envelopes are available at the funeral home. (No family connection to
submitter.)
Paul G. UNGER
Sturgis-Paul G. UNGER, 91, 509 W. Congress Street, died Jan. 3, 1985, at Sturgis
Hospital following an lengthy illness. He was born Oct. 6, 1893 in
Henrietta, Ohio, the son of Barbara UNGER. He lived in Sturgis since 1915,
coming from Henrietta. On Dec. 23, 1916, he was married to Grace May
WINKLEPECK in Centreville. He was employed by the Sturgis Posture
Chair Company as a punch press operator until his retirement. He was a
member of Trinity Lutheran Church and was a president of the Lutheran
Fraternities of America. He is survived by his wife; one daughter, Mrs.
Arden (Donna) DAVIDSON, Colon; one son, Dr. Paul UNGER, Williamsburg, Va.; two
grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; one
half-sister, Mrs. John (Anna) WINKLER, Detroit; and several nieces and nephews
and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents. Friends and
relatives may call at the Foglesong Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Saturday.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 6-8 p.m. and Sunday from 2-4 p.m.
and 6-8 p.m. Services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church
with the Rev. Erwin A. RUHLIG and the Rev. John MUELLER officiating.
Burial will be at Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Trinity
Lutheran Church.
Envelopes are available at the funeral home. (No family connection to
submitter.)
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