Jean Tozer, 88

After a long, wonderful life of 88 years, Jean (Cone) Tozer left to be with her Lord and Savior in Heaven on Aug. 19, 2011.

She was born March 11, 1923, in Detroit, to Chester and Augusta (Havens) Cone.

She graduated from Sturgis High School in 1940. Jean and her twin sister, June, joined the Women Marines in June 1943 and was honorably discharged in September 1945. She was a corporal having worked as an airplane mechanic on F4U Corsairs, at Quantico, Va. Air Base. It has been noted that they were the first known women twins to join the Marine Corps.

Jean married Donald W. Tozer on Aug. 4, 1945 in Sturgis at the United Methodist Church, a marriage that lasted over 65 years. They spent many years in Florida through the winter months enjoying the warm weather and fishing, which they loved to do together.

She had worked at Harter Corporation for 19 1/2 years and retired in 1986. Jean was a life member of the Women Marines Association and a life member of the American Legion, having been commander in 1976. She was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Twenty & Four which is the honor society of the women legionnaires.

Jean was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church of Sturgis and was always volunteering and helping others in need. She worked as a volunteer in the gift shop at Sturgis Hospital. She was a member of the Women of the Moose, American Legion Auxiliary, and a charter member of the Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. She enjoyed being with her family, traveling, fishing and playing her accordion.

She is survived by a son, Keith (Brenda) Tozer of Sturgis; three daughters, Dawn Tozer of Burr Oak, Connie (Bob) Couch of Sturgis, and Robin (Kurt) Everitt of Burr Oak; two sisters, June Doolittle of Waynesboro, Pa., and Lorraine Finnerman (JJ Johnson) of Sturgis; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Augusta Cone; a brother, Keith Cone; her husband, Donald Tozer; and a daughter, Jerry Lynn Tozer.

According to her wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service at Fort Custer National Veterans Cemetery will be held at 11 a.m. Sept. 2, 2011, where she will be laid to rest next to her husband, Don Tozer.

A memorial celebration of Jean Tozer’s life will be held at at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 2 at the American Legion.

Memorials may be made to Burr Oak Fire Department, 205 W. Front St., Burr Oak MI 49030.