Obit from Sturgis Journal:
Willodean Hope Beckwith age 80 of Sturgis, Michigan was called home by her Lord and Savior Friday afternoon January 1, 2016 at her home.
She was born September 9, 1935 in Sturgis, Michigan daughter of the late Richard and Margaret (Gest) Zollman.
Mrs. Beckwith resided her entire life in Sturgis and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1953. She continued her education at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Education. She later received her Master's Degree in Education from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.
On December 9, 1976 she married Walter W. Beckwith in Sturgis. He died November 23, 1989.
Mrs. Beckwith retired from Sturgis Public Schools in 2000 following over 40 years of dedicated teaching. Her teaching career began in the one room schoolhouse in Fawn River. She taught at the Sturgis Middle School for many years and was teaching at the Eastwood School at the time of her retirement.
Willie was always willing to share her time and talents whenever she could. Some of her many involvements included membership in the Sturgis Eastside Kiwanis Club where she served as club treasurer, charter member of the Sturgis Wind Symphony where she played the clarinet, Sturgis TOPS serving as treasurer, the Sturgis Hospital Gift Shop Guild and for many years she served as junior girls camp director and former board member of the Bair Lake Bible Camp in Jones. She was a longtime active member and church organist and Sunday school teacher at the Sturgis Bible Chapel and was recently attending the Sturgis Wesleyan Church.
She enjoyed gardening, traveling, walking at the Doyle Community Center and loved Bible study. She also loved bowling and participated in several leagues over the years including the Thursday Early Bird League and the Tuesday Night Ladies League.
She is survived by one daughter: Wendy (James) Alexander of Warsaw, Indiana; two step-sons: Dale (Connie) Beckwith of Howe, Indiana and Randy (Pat) Beckwith of Arvada, Colorado; two granddaughters: Amelia and Alayna Alexander; two step-grandchildren: Meegan Bragg of Howe, Indiana and Danielle Berry of Monroe, Indiana; four step-great grandchildren: Malakai, Patience, Kelsee and Zacharee; one sister: Lillian Aitken of Goshen, Indiana and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; step-son: George Beckwith and sister: Juanita Bunce.
Funeral services celebrating the life of Willodean Beckwith will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday at the funeral home. Mrs. Beckwith's nephew: Nathan Bunce will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
Willodean Hope Beckwith age 80 of Sturgis, Michigan was called home by her Lord and Savior Friday afternoon January 1, 2016 at her home.
She was born September 9, 1935 in Sturgis, Michigan daughter of the late Richard and Margaret (Gest) Zollman.
Mrs. Beckwith resided her entire life in Sturgis and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1953. She continued her education at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Education. She later received her Master's Degree in Education from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.
On December 9, 1976 she married Walter W. Beckwith in Sturgis. He died November 23, 1989.
Mrs. Beckwith retired from Sturgis Public Schools in 2000 following over 40 years of dedicated teaching. Her teaching career began in the one room schoolhouse in Fawn River. She taught at the Sturgis Middle School for many years and was teaching at the Eastwood School at the time of her retirement.
Willie was always willing to share her time and talents whenever she could. Some of her many involvements included membership in the Sturgis Eastside Kiwanis Club where she served as club treasurer, charter member of the Sturgis Wind Symphony where she played the clarinet, Sturgis TOPS serving as treasurer, the Sturgis Hospital Gift Shop Guild and for many years she served as junior girls camp director and former board member of the Bair Lake Bible Camp in Jones. She was a longtime active member and church organist and Sunday school teacher at the Sturgis Bible Chapel and was recently attending the Sturgis Wesleyan Church.
She enjoyed gardening, traveling, walking at the Doyle Community Center and loved Bible study. She also loved bowling and participated in several leagues over the years including the Thursday Early Bird League and the Tuesday Night Ladies League.
She is survived by one daughter: Wendy (James) Alexander of Warsaw, Indiana; two step-sons: Dale (Connie) Beckwith of Howe, Indiana and Randy (Pat) Beckwith of Arvada, Colorado; two granddaughters: Amelia and Alayna Alexander; two step-grandchildren: Meegan Bragg of Howe, Indiana and Danielle Berry of Monroe, Indiana; four step-great grandchildren: Malakai, Patience, Kelsee and Zacharee; one sister: Lillian Aitken of Goshen, Indiana and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; step-son: George Beckwith and sister: Juanita Bunce.
Funeral services celebrating the life of Willodean Beckwith will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday at the funeral home. Mrs. Beckwith's nephew: Nathan Bunce will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
Obit from Sturgis Journal:
Willodean Hope Beckwith age 80 of Sturgis, Michigan was called home by her Lord and Savior Friday afternoon January 1, 2016 at her home.
She was born September 9, 1935 in Sturgis, Michigan daughter of the late Richard and Margaret (Gest) Zollman.
Mrs. Beckwith resided her entire life in Sturgis and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1953. She continued her education at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Education. She later received her Master's Degree in Education from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.
On December 9, 1976 she married Walter W. Beckwith in Sturgis. He died November 23, 1989.
Mrs. Beckwith retired from Sturgis Public Schools in 2000 following over 40 years of dedicated teaching. Her teaching career began in the one room schoolhouse in Fawn River. She taught at the Sturgis Middle School for many years and was teaching at the Eastwood School at the time of her retirement.
Willie was always willing to share her time and talents whenever she could. Some of her many involvements included membership in the Sturgis Eastside Kiwanis Club where she served as club treasurer, charter member of the Sturgis Wind Symphony where she played the clarinet, Sturgis TOPS serving as treasurer, the Sturgis Hospital Gift Shop Guild and for many years she served as junior girls camp director and former board member of the Bair Lake Bible Camp in Jones. She was a longtime active member and church organist and Sunday school teacher at the Sturgis Bible Chapel and was recently attending the Sturgis Wesleyan Church.
She enjoyed gardening, traveling, walking at the Doyle Community Center and loved Bible study. She also loved bowling and participated in several leagues over the years including the Thursday Early Bird League and the Tuesday Night Ladies League.
She is survived by one daughter: Wendy (James) Alexander of Warsaw, Indiana; two step-sons: Dale (Connie) Beckwith of Howe, Indiana and Randy (Pat) Beckwith of Arvada, Colorado; two granddaughters: Amelia and Alayna Alexander; two step-grandchildren: Meegan Bragg of Howe, Indiana and Danielle Berry of Monroe, Indiana; four step-great grandchildren: Malakai, Patience, Kelsee and Zacharee; one sister: Lillian Aitken of Goshen, Indiana and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; step-son: George Beckwith and sister: Juanita Bunce.
Funeral services celebrating the life of Willodean Beckwith will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday at the funeral home. Mrs. Beckwith's nephew: Nathan Bunce will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
Willodean Hope Beckwith age 80 of Sturgis, Michigan was called home by her Lord and Savior Friday afternoon January 1, 2016 at her home.
She was born September 9, 1935 in Sturgis, Michigan daughter of the late Richard and Margaret (Gest) Zollman.
Mrs. Beckwith resided her entire life in Sturgis and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1953. She continued her education at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Education. She later received her Master's Degree in Education from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.
On December 9, 1976 she married Walter W. Beckwith in Sturgis. He died November 23, 1989.
Mrs. Beckwith retired from Sturgis Public Schools in 2000 following over 40 years of dedicated teaching. Her teaching career began in the one room schoolhouse in Fawn River. She taught at the Sturgis Middle School for many years and was teaching at the Eastwood School at the time of her retirement.
Willie was always willing to share her time and talents whenever she could. Some of her many involvements included membership in the Sturgis Eastside Kiwanis Club where she served as club treasurer, charter member of the Sturgis Wind Symphony where she played the clarinet, Sturgis TOPS serving as treasurer, the Sturgis Hospital Gift Shop Guild and for many years she served as junior girls camp director and former board member of the Bair Lake Bible Camp in Jones. She was a longtime active member and church organist and Sunday school teacher at the Sturgis Bible Chapel and was recently attending the Sturgis Wesleyan Church.
She enjoyed gardening, traveling, walking at the Doyle Community Center and loved Bible study. She also loved bowling and participated in several leagues over the years including the Thursday Early Bird League and the Tuesday Night Ladies League.
She is survived by one daughter: Wendy (James) Alexander of Warsaw, Indiana; two step-sons: Dale (Connie) Beckwith of Howe, Indiana and Randy (Pat) Beckwith of Arvada, Colorado; two granddaughters: Amelia and Alayna Alexander; two step-grandchildren: Meegan Bragg of Howe, Indiana and Danielle Berry of Monroe, Indiana; four step-great grandchildren: Malakai, Patience, Kelsee and Zacharee; one sister: Lillian Aitken of Goshen, Indiana and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; step-son: George Beckwith and sister: Juanita Bunce.
Funeral services celebrating the life of Willodean Beckwith will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday at the funeral home. Mrs. Beckwith's nephew: Nathan Bunce will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
