WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Wilma Ruth Bordner, age 91, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday afternoon, May 20, 2009 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.
Wilma was born March 29, 1918 in St. Joseph County, Michigan a daughter to the late Frederick George and Cora Velle (Foust) Cook.
She had resided in Sturgis for the past 21 years. Most of her life was lived in the Mendon and Parkville, Michigan area.
She was first married to Joseph Garman, he died in 1985. On April 23, 1988 she married Earl Bordner in Mendon.
For over 20 years she had been employed as a secretary for the St. Joseph County Grange Fair Association. In her early life she had worked for Sears Roebuck Company.
Mrs. Bordner was a member of the Burr Oak United Methodist Church and for over seven decades she was a member of the Grange Organization, both in Mendon and Burr Oak. She volunteered her time with the Sturgis Hospital Gift Shop Guild and knitted many hats and blankets for the O.B. department of the hospital. For many years she served as a 4-H leader and she enjoyed knitting, needlepoint and crossword puzzles.
She is survived by her husband, Children; Thomas (Kola) Garman of Sturgis, Bruce (Beth) Bordner of Ortonville, Benjamin Bordner of Sturgis, Michael (Tonya) Bordner of Sturgis, Laura (John) Klinger of Sturgis, Monte (Robin) Bordner of Sturgis and Jean Bordner of Florida, 12 Grandchildren including Tom’s daughters; Taya and Maria, 16 Great Grandchildren; Special Niece; Linda Bowerman of Vicksburg and Dear Friend, Mary Ann Smith of Sturgis.
Her parents, first husband, son: Gordon Garman and Grandsons: Marcus Mead and Michael Mead preceded her in death.
The family will receive friends and relatives from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091. Funeral services celebrating the life of Wilma Ruth Bordner will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at the Burr Oak United Methodist Church in Burr Oak. The Rev. Robert Graham will officiate. Cremation will follow the service. Private burial of the ashes will take place at the Mendon Cemetery in Mendon.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Bordner’s memory consider the Burr Oak United Methodist Church, 206 W. Main St., Box 91, Burr Oak, MI 49030 or the MSU Extension, 612 E. Main St., Centreville, MI 49032. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
