Mary Boughton, 68

Mary Ruth Boughton, age 68, of Sturgis, passed away early Monday morning, Aug. 13, 2012, at her home surrounded by her family, following a long courageous battle with breast cancer.

She was born July 16, 1944, in Muncie, Ind., a daughter of the late Rufus and Olive (Beck) Alley.

Mary retired from the Dometic Corporation in LaGrange, Ind., following 10 years of dedicated employment. Prior to joining Dometic, she worked for 30 years in the credit department at Kirsch Company in Sturgis. Following her retirement, she had been working for the past three years at GT Independence in Sturgis.

On March 22, 1969, she married Jack Boughton in Kokomo, Ind. Mary met Jack through his cousin Donal and wrote many letters to Jack while he was serving his country with the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam.

Mary was an active member of First Baptist Church in Sturgis, where she was currently the church organist and pianist. She also sang in the church choir and directed the children’s choir. She enjoyed sewing and was a member of a quilting group. Mary taught piano to many young students in St. Joseph County.

She leaves behind her loving and dedicated husband of 43 years, Jack; a son, Bryan (Krysti) Boughton of Sturgis; a daughter, Amy (Steve) Allan of Sturgis; her grandchildren, Paige (Shawn) Hayes, Peyton Boughton, Max Boughton, Jacquelynn Allan and Maddison Allan, all of Sturgis; a brother, G. Edward (Susan) Alley of Indianapolis; two sisters, Nancy (Tom) Heller of Carmel, Ind., and Wanda (Richard) Kreuzfeldt of Pennsylvania; several nieces and nephews; and also was survived by her church family and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and an infant sister, Janene Alley.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at Hackman Family Funeral Homes— Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis.

Funeral services celebrating the life of Mary Ruth Boughton will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Sturgis. The Rev. James Bender will officiate.

In accordance with her wishes, cremation will follow the service. Burial of the ashes will take place at a later date at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donation be directed to Fist Baptist Church, 28090 Fawn River Road, Sturgis, MI 49091; or Hospice of Sturgis, P.O. Box 126, Sturgis, MI 49091.

Her obituary is also available at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.