Jennie Maystead Dies in Sturgis; Rites Set Tuesday

Burr Oak-Mrs. Jennie Maystead, 85l, of 127 E. Front St., died at the Sherwood Hall Nursing Home, in Sturgis, at 8:15 a.m., Saturday. She had been a patient at the nursing home for the last two weeks, and had been in ill health for about one year.

She was born in Schenectady, N. Y., on May 20, 1885, the daughter of Howard and Ella (Decker) Hawkins. Mrs. Maystead lived in Burr Oak Township a number of years before making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Jack Mills, in Burr Oak, eight years ago.

In 1905, her marriage to Frank Maystead was solemnized at Burr Oak. Mr. Maystead died on AApr. 7, 1955.

Mrs. Maystead was a member of the Burr Oak Methodist Church, and belonged to its WSCS organization. Surviving are her two daughters, Mrs.

Jack (Beryl) Mills, of Burr Oak, and Mrs. Francis (Bertha) Saums, of Battle Creek; three granddaughters, Mrs. Harold (Delores) Lee, of Wichita, Kans., Mrs.

Fred (Judith) Hagadorn, of Sturgis, and Miss Jilll

Saums, of Battle Creek; and two great-grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Burr Oak Funeral Home beginning Sunday afternoon. Final rites will be held at the funeral home Tuesday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Everett Love, Pastor of the Methodist Church, in Burr Oak, officiating.

Burial will take place at the Burr Oak cemetery.

August 27, 1960

Mrs. Anna (Maude) McCLOUD, 85, 210 N. Jacob St., Sturgis, died Jan. 17, 1979 in Sturgis Hospital where she had been a patient since Tuesday.  She was born June 20, 1893, in Kalamazoo, a daughter of George and Anna WINKLEBLACK.  She was married to William Otis McCLOUD Feb. 20, 1912, in Burr Oak.  He preceded her in death.  Mrs. McCLOUD was a homemaker.  Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Roy (Wanetta) PENN and Mrs. Glen (Beatrice) HARKER, both of Sturgis, four grandchildren:  Charles (Don) BRYIE, Mrs. Ronald (Janice) HOPKINS and Mrs. Tom (Judy) ROBERTS, all of Sturgis, and Gregory HARKER, Bronson; five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.  She also was preceded in death by a
daughter, Mrs. Henry (Devona) SPRISTER.  Relatives and friends may call at the Rosenberg-Schipper Funeral Home in Sturgis where services will be held Friday at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Ronald MILES of First Baptist Church of Sturgis officiating.  Burial will take place in Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Submitted by: Cheryl Arver

Otto A. MEAD, 75, 204 E. Hatch St., died July 5, 1986, at the Sturgis Hospital, where he was admitted July 2.  He had been ill for a short time.  He was born Oct. 3, 1910, in Mesick, a son of Birt and Anna MEAD.  On April 12, 1936, he married Geneva (Jean) D. WILTROUT, in Sturgis.  He was a Sturgis resident since 1919.  He owned and operated MEAD Machine and Tool, Sturgis.  Before that, he was employed as a toolmaker at Scoville Manufacturing for 20 years, and at Formed Tubes for 20 years.  He was a lifetime member of the Sturgis Bible Chapel.  He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy.  Surviving are his wife; and five nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers.   Relatives and friends may call after 2 p.m., today at the Foglesong Funeral Home, Sturgis, where the family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., today.  Services are at 11 a.m., Tuesday a the funeral home with the Rev. Larry WALLMAN, Sturgis Bible Chapel, officiating.  Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorials may be directed to the Sturgis Bible Chapel.  Envelopes are available at the funeral home.  Submitted by: Cheryl Arver

Perle MESTA, the one the Washington set called the "hostest with the mostest", will be buried by the side of her husband. A spokesman said no time had been set as yet for the private funeral for Mrs. MESTA, who died Sunday night, but that it will be later this week.  Burial will be in Pittsburgh, Pa. Mrs. MESTA, 85, had been an invalid since she broke her hip in a fall at her Washington D. C., home in July 1973 and a family spokesman said she had been in intense pain constantly for the last 18 months. She returned quietly to Oklahoma City last year to a residence established by her brother, an oilman, who was at her side holding her hand as she died. Born Pearl REID SKIRVIN in Sturgis, Mich., Oct. 12, 1889, she changed the spelling of her name to Perle when she changed her political affiliation from Republican to Democratic in the early 1940s. She moved to Oklahoma City after her father made his fortune in the Oklahoma and Texas oilfields. At his death his fortune went to his daughter. In 1907, she moved to Washington and married George MESTA, founder of MESTA Machine Co., of Pittsburgh. At his death in 1925, she inherited his fortune. Mrs. MESTA was the social leader in Washington during the administration of seven presidents. Although she was known widely for her parties, she preferred to be remembered for her works for women's rights and social welfare programs. President Harry S. TRUMAN named her minister to Luxembourg, a post she held for five years.  Her exploits in the diplomatic field formed the basis for the hit musical, "Call Me Madam".  When she left Luxembourg she became the first woman to be awarded that country's highest honor, the Grand Cross of the Crown of Oak.  Submitted by: Cheryl Arver

Albert Miller was born November 29, 1839 and died January 26, 1916. He was united in marriage to Arvilla (i.e. Arrillia) Pitsenburger, March 29, 1865 and to this union ten children were born, four of whom died in infancy.

There remain to mourn his departure three sons, Stephen A. of Grand Rapids, Willie J. of Linsdad, Colorado, and Andrew E. of Hysham, Montana, three daughters, Mrs. M.D. Eberhard, Mrs. W.M. Taylor and Mrs. Enos Wagner of Union City, two sisters (*), Mrs. Whitman and Mrs. Chamberlain of Boyne City; thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Mr. Miller was a quiet unassuming man, respected by those who knew him and he will be missed by his friends and neighbors. The funeral services were conducted by Reverend Arthur Trott, and burial made in Lakeside Cemetery.

CARD OF THANKS
We wish to thank those who so kindly assisted us during the sickness and burial of our husband, father and brother, to the minister for his words of comfort, also the choir and to those who furnished the beautiful flowers.
Signed- Mrs. Arvilla Miller, Mr. and Mrs. S.A. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. M.D. Eberhard, Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Wagner and Mrs. Addie Chamberlain.

{*Note: This should actually read, "two nieces." Mary Jane Wells Whitman and Addie Wells Chamberlain were both the daughters of Jane Miller Wells. Jane Miller Wells was an elder sister to Albert Miller. She is also the only known sister that Albert Miller had- his other siblings being all brothers who had apparently died prior to his own death.]

Extracted from: The Colon Express, Thursday, February 3, 1916, Page 5 Column 4
Submitted by: Patrick McCleary

ARRILLIA PITSENBURGER Was born in Indiana April 1, 1847 and died September 21 1920. At the age of twenty she was united in marriage to Albert Miller. Mr. Miller passed away January 26, 1916.

To this union ten children were born, four who died in infancy. She leaves to mourn Mrs. M.D. Eberhard and Mrs. W.M. Taylor of Union City, Mrs. Enos Wagner of Detroit, S.A. Miller of Grand Rapids, W.J. Miller of Trinidad, Colorado, and A.W. Miller of Hyshan, Montana, one sister, Mrs. H.L. Williams of Primghar, Iowa and three brothers, E. Pitsenberger of Shevlin, Minnesota; G.P. Pitsenberger of Boscobel, Ben Pitsenberger of Wauzeka, Wisconsin. She also leaves thirteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

She was converted in early life and for a number of years a member of the Methodist church. She was a resident of Colon for forty-five years.

The funeral service was held at her home in Colon, Saturday, September 25th, Reverend Gay of Union City officiating. Burial was made in Lakeside Cemetery.
_____
We wish to thank the neighbors and friends for their kindness during the illness and death of our mother and sister; also the lady Macabees for the beautiful floral offerings.

Mrs. M.D. Eberhard
Mrs. W.M. Taylor
Mrs. E.A. Wagner
Mrs. S.A. Miller
Mrs. W.I. Miller
Mrs. A.W. Miller
Mrs. H.L. Williams
_____


Among the relatives who attended the funeral of Mrs. Albert Miller Saturday were Mrs. Effie Williams o Pringham, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. S.A. Miller of Grand Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Enos Wagner and Mr. and Mrs. Vance Eberhard of Detroit, Deyo Eberhard of Battle Creek.

Extracted from: The Colon Express, Thursday, September 30, 1920, Page 4 Column 2-3
Submitted by: Patrick McCleary

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.)

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.)

Funeral services for Mrs. John P. (Rita J.) MYERS, 74, were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Holy Angels Catholic Church with the Rev. William G. LIMBERT serving as the officiant.  The committal service was observed in Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Casket bearers were Richard WENZEL, Larry HARKER, Robert FERREL; Bernard WOOD, Donald LANG and David FERREL.  The Rosary was recited at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Foglesong Funeral Home with Father LIMBERT also officiating.  Mrs. MYERS, retired Sturgis Newport employe, died unexpectedly in her home, 114 Wenzel Ave., at 9:45 p.m. Saturday.  She had lived in Sturgis practically all her life.  Relatives attending from out of the city were from Chicago and Mundelein, Ill.; Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Newark, Calif.; and Lansing.  Mrs. MYERS retired from her employment 12 years ago. (Feb. 12, 1970) (No family connection to submitter.)