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Gertrude L. “Betsy” Avery, age 101, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday morning, April 15, 2010, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.
She was born Aug. 25, 1908, in Wabash County, Ind., a daughter of the late Edward U. and E. Blanch (Keel) Wetters.
Mrs. Avery had resided in Sturgis since 1944, coming from Bippus, Ind., where she graduated from Bippus High School with the class of 1926.
On July 30, 1944, she married Harvey G. Avery in Sturgis. He died Sept. 8, 1991.
Mrs. Avery had been employed by the U.S. Postal Service until moving to Sturgis. Following her marriage she assisted her husband in the Avery Studio and Camera Shop in Sturgis. She was a member and past president of the Business and Professional Woman’s Club. She was a life member of the Professional Photographers of Michigan and Sigma Phi Gama-Beta Chapter of Huntington, Ind., and an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis.
She is survived a daughter; Pamela Sue Gearhart of White Pigeon; a stepson, Russell Avery of Vicksburg; a daughter-in-law, Helen Jean Avery of Colon; 11 grandchildren, Phillip Avery of Sturgis, Brian (Laura) Avery of Vicksburg, Terry Ann (Bob) Millard of Piedmont, S.C., Cheri (Tom) Rose of Augusta, Michelle Williams of White Pigeon, Jo Ann (Steve) Herman of Ringgold, Ga., Sandra (David) Sweet of Wakefield, R.I., D.J. (Rocky) Goodson of Sherwood, Katie Lynn Bussard of White Pigeon, Kurt Kuenzel of Kalamazoo and Karl (Cheryl) Kuenzel of Kalamazoo; 20 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband; a daughter, Jo Ann S. (Crago) Kuenzel Smith; a stepson, Donald Avery; and a brother, Donald G. Wetters.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will received friends from 2-2:45 p.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis, where the memorial service celebrating the life of Gertrude “Betsy” Avery began at 3 p.m.
Private burial of the ashes will take place at the Fairview Cemetery in Wabash County, Ind., at a later date.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, is handling the arrangements.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Avery’s memory consider the First United Methodist Church, 200 Pleasant Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091 or Thurston Woods Village, 307 N. Franks Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091.
