WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Lorraine (Lori) E. Thurston, age 52, of Colon, passed away Saturday, May 7, 2011, at her home.
Lori was born Dec. 11, 1958, in Sturgis, a daughter to Edward J. & Maxine E. (Dowty) Wertz.
Lori graduated from Constantine High School with the Class of 1977. She furthered her education at Glenn Oaks Community College receiving her L.P.N. license in 1980.
On Oct. 3, 1998, she married Rick Thurston in Sturgis.
Lori had lived at her present address in Colon for the past 12 years, coming from Mottville. She had been employed as a L.P.N. at Sturgis Hospital for over 20 years.
Lori was a member of the Colon Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Rick Thurston of Colon; children, pastor Bryan (Michelle) Vercler of Van Wert, Ohio, Katie (Steve) Bir of Colon, Angela Vercler of Sturgis, Karen (Nate) Mellinger of Narvon, Pa.; stepson, Eric Thurston of Sturgis; stepdaughter, Nicole Thurston of Sturgis; nine grandchildren; mother, Maxine Wertz of Colon; two brothers, Pastor Jim (Roberta) Wertz of Millington and Mike (Patsy) Wertz of Constantine; three sisters, Kathy Wertz of Colon, Virginia (Butch) Stump of Sturgis and Carol Lusk of White Pigeon; and several nieces and nephews.
Lori was preceded in death by her father, Edward Wertz.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Schipper Funeral Home LTD in Colon. Funeral services celebrating the life of Lori E. Thurston will be Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 11 a.m. from the Colon Baptist Church with Pastor Robert Baxter, Pastor Bryan Vercler and Mr. David J. Farrell officiating. A committal service and burial follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Colon.
If desired the family suggest memorials be made in memory of Lori to the West Michigan Cancer Center. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
