Dolores Elkins, 68

Dolores Elkins, age 68 of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday morning September 27, 2011 at the Sturgis Hospital.
     She was born October 20, 1942 in Kalamazoo, Michigan a daughter of the late Frank and Marie Weitenauer.
     Dolores had resided in Sturgis since 1966 coming from Vicksburg where she was a graduate of Vicksburg High School with the class of 960.
     On September 3, 1966 she married Russell Elkins at the Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis.  He died April 3, 1972.
     For the past 13 years she had been employed as a sewer for Freeman Manufacturing in Sturgis.
     Dolores was a talented and gifted seamstress and was sewing nearly all of her working life from alteration work for Kalamazoo department stores as a young lady to making wedding dresses, prom dresses or medical devices.  She loved sewing, machine embroidery and her monthly “Breakfast Club” with fellow Vicksburg class of 1960 graduates.
     She is survived by her three sons, Russell Elkins of Burr Oak, James Elkins of Sturgis and Rodney (Kristin) Elkins of Edwardsburg, seven grandchildren, Emily, Xavier, Brenna, Kaleb, Tyler, Elaenor and Addison Elkins, one great granddaughter, Madileigh Elkins, one brother, Otto (Nancy) Decker of Vicksburg, one sister, Joanne Wales of Texas and many nieces and nephews.
     The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 P.M. Friday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-2331. Funeral services celebrating the life of Dolores W. Elkins will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday at the funeral home.  Mr. Larry Wallman will officiate.  A graveside committal will follow the service at the White Pigeon Township Cemetery in White Pigeon.
     The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Elkins memory consider the American Cancer Society, 1400 W. Milham, Kalamazoo, MI 49024.
     The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.