Olive Gushwa, 91

Olive Dorthea Gushwa, age 91, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday, June 22, 2010, at Thurston Woods Village.

She was born in Three Rivers, on July 31, 1918, a daughter of the late Edward Hugh and Elmira (Parsons) Baker.

Olive had been a resident of Sturgis and the Three Rivers area all of her life. She graduated from Three Rivers High School with the class of 1936 and was a good athlete excelling in all sports.

On March 4, 1942, in Bryan, Ohio, she married Fredric L. Gushwa. He preceded her in death on April 22, 1968.

She was a homemaker and a beautician working at Cramer’s Beauty Shop in Three Rivers. She then worked and retired from the Kirsch Company in Sturgis after many years of service.

Olive was a member of the Lima United Methodist Church, Mintdale Women’s Club, and enjoyed being outdoors, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Surviving are two sons, James (Kristine) Gushwa of Jones, and Gary (Gail) Gushwa of Sturgis; six grandchildren, Fred Gushwa of Sturgis, Heidi Sorkoram of Kalamazoo, Karen Marie (David) Yearick of Raleigh, N.C., David Gushwa, Stacie (Cary) Cookson, and Steven (Holly) Gushwa all of Sturgis; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sisters, Ruth Schug and Arlene Nole; and two daughters-in-law, Mary Gushwa and Janet Gushwa.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 2–4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Hackman Family Funeral Home Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis.

A service celebrating the life of Olive Dorthea Gushwa will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Lima United Methodist Church, which is on corner of 700 N-450 W, Howe, Ind., with Pastor Jeff Stedge officiating.

Interment and graveside services will follow in White Pigeon Cemetery. The family suggests memorial donations be directed to the Lima Unied Methodist Church. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.