WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Judith Ann Gross, age 67, of Sturgis, passed away peacefully after a year-long courageous battle with cancer Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at home.
She was born April 3, 1945, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Ertis J. and Clara A. (Reading) Poorman.
On Feb. 21, 1976, she married Donald F. Gross in Sturgis. He preceded her in death March 9, 1999.
Judith retired in Nov. 2011 from Freeman Manufacturing in Sturgis after 10 years of employment. She also had worked at Aztec Wire and the Glabman-Paramount Company. She was a member of Sturgis Church of the Nazarene and the Sisterhood for Breast Cancer.
She enjoyed cooking, dancing, garage sales and especially time spent with her grandchildren.
Surviving are a daughter, Jody (James) Bell of Sturgis; two sons, Kirk Mesler of Sturgis and Steve Mesler of Burr Oak; a special person who was like a daughter, Donna Marie Stiles; grandchildren Jordan and Hunter Bell, Kaitlyn and Alleena Mesler, and Josh, Andy and Jessica Stiles; several great-grandchildren; sisters Leah Marie Bloom and Edith Arlene Harter; a brother, William Dennis Poorman; and a special thanks to Tasha Smith, Hospice of Sturgis, and oncology.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; sisters Violet May Persing and Betty Lou Lego; and a brother, Robert Lee Poorman.
The family will receive friends and relatives from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Friday at Hackman Family Funeral Home — Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Road.
Services celebrating the life of Judy Gross will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. John Shoup of Sturgis Church of the Nazarene officiating.
Memorial donations may be directed to the family to help with expenses. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Her obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
