WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Donna Lois Rumsey, age 90, of Jones, died Friday, March 7, 2008 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born in Three Rivers on Sep. 15, 1917 the daughter of Elmer and L. Lois (Kilgore) Bates. Donna was a graduate of Constantine High School, County Normal School in Dowagiac, and later attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. She taught briefly in country school until her marriage to Homer Rumsey on Oct. 18, 1939. Together they raised their family and operated a farm in Cass County for many years. They enjoyed trips to their cabin in Manton where they went mushrooming and fishing. Donna was also a bookkeeper, and worked at Montgomery Ward, The Don F. Diesch Company, and the Three Rivers Press. In her spare time she enjoyed flower gardening and spending time with her grandchildren and their families.
Donna is survived by 2 sons, H. William “Bill” Rumsey (Carol) of Jones and Dennis Rumsey (Lynn) of Vandalia; 7 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren; and 1 sister, Velma Renner of South Bend. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Homer; 1 grandson, David Mercer; and 1 brother, William Bates.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Eickhoff, Farrand, Halverson Chapel in Three Rivers. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at the Porter Baptist Church, 12032 Teasdale Lake St., Constantine with Rev. Daniel Gelatt officiating. Burial will be in Shavehead Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Porter Baptist Church, or the Cass County Council on Aging. Online register and condolences may be left at www.efhchapel.com
