WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Lucile Southwick, 98, of Midland, died Saturday, July 30, 2011, at her residence.
She was born on Oct. 30, 1912, in Toledo, Ohio, daughter of the late Fred & Edith (Loy) Nishumura.
She was a graduate of White Pigeon High School and received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1954, her master’s degree in elementary education in 1959, a master’s degree in psychology and a specialist degree in child psychology all from Western Michigan University.
Lucile moved to Midland in 1969 from Portage, where she was a school diagnostician, to become a school psychologist.
On Aug. 21, 1980, Lucile married Lawrence Southwick in Midland. He died on April 17, 2005. Lucile was a member of AARP, serving as vice president for the Midland Chapter, a member of the 20th Century Club, an associate member of the Midland Garden Club, a member of the Antique Society of Midland, a member of the American Association of University Women and she had served as president of the Michigan Education Association Region 5 in Portage.
She is survived by one sister, Virginia Sears of Midland; one brother, Vigil Westdale of Grand Rapids; two grandchildren, Brian (Karyn) Strawser of Buchanan and Carla (Damon) Rosenthal of Macomb and by five great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, Lawrence, Lucile was predeceased by two sons, Ronald Strawser in 1966 and Gordon Strawser in 1990; one sister, Elinore Hoyle and one brother, Leonard Westdale.
Funeral services for Lucile will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011, from the Memorial Presbyterian Church. Rev. Cathy Chang will officiate with a Friday burial in White Pigeon Cemetery, St. Joseph County, Mich.
Lucile’s family will receive friends at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 West Wheeler Street, today from 3-8 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until time of service.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Memorial Presbyterian Church, Chippewa Nature Center or the American Diabetes Association.
