WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Dorris Elaine Garbine, age 84, of Elkhart, Ind., and former longtime Sturgis resident, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, Feb. 8, 2012, at Hoosier Home Care in Elkhart.
She was born May 26, 1927, in Fawn River Township, a daughter of the late Harold J. and Dorothy M. (Domer) Hines.
Mrs. Garbine resided in Elkhart for the past three years. Prior to moving to Elkhart she had lived in Sturgis since 1950. Her early life was lived in Shipshewana, Ind., and she was a graduate of Shipshewana High School with the class of 1945.
On Aug. 27, 1950, she married Robert J. Garbine in Howe, Ind. He died March 11, 2001.
Mrs. Garbine had been employed by Transogram Company and Freeman Manufacturing, both in Sturgis, and she also did babysitting in her home.
She was an active member of Sturgis Evangelical Church, where she served as the church organist, sang in the church choir and taught Bible School. She enjoyed sewing, embroidery, gardening and canning. Mrs. Garbine had many interests and hobbies, but what made her truly happy was time spent with her family and her ability to be very involved in her church serving her savior, Jesus Christ.
She is survived by three daughters, Karel Elaine (Larry) Hilton of Florida, Karen (Tim Hardt) Hughes of Lincoln, Neb., and Cynthia (Allen) Elsbury of Iowa; a son, Fredrick (Judith) Garbine of Granger, Ind.; eight grandchildren, Sherri (Jamie) Crites of Sturgis; Scott (Lea) Garbine of Palm Springs, Calif., Eric Hughes of Burr Oak, Tim (Erin) Garbine of Sturgis, Melissa (Javier) Leija of Eagle, Neb., Phillip (Mindi) Hughes of Crete, Neb., Amber Hughes of Lincoln and Adam Hughes-Hardt of Lincoln; four step-grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; a sister, Phyllis McBride of LaGrange, Ind.; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; an infant daughter, Roberta Jayne Garbine; and a sister, Harriett Wilson.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Friday at Hackman Family Funeral Homes — Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis.
Funeral services celebrating the life of Dorris Garbine will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Sturgis Evangelical Church, 29201 E. Fawn River Road, Sturgis. The Rev. Rodger Moyer will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Trayer Cemetery in Branch County.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Garbine’s memory consider Hoosier Home Care, 54489 County Road 1, Elkhart, IN 46514.
Her obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
