WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Maurine E. Baker, age 94, of Kalamazoo, and a longtime former resident of Sturgis, passed away Thursday morning, October 25, 2012 at Fountain View Assisted Living of Portage in Portage, Michigan
She was born October 7, 1918 in Sturgis, Michigan a daughter of the late Ralph and Leona (Cahrier) Barnell in 1926 when she was eight, her folks bought the farm at Douglass Crossing, West of Sturgis, where she grew up. She graduated from Sturgis High School with the class of 1936 and continued her education at the American Beauty College in Kalamazoo graduating in 1944.
Maurine resided in Kalamazoo since 2000. Prior to moving to Kalamazoo she lived in Sturgis her whole life.
She was first married to Charles Reed in 1936. This marriage ended in divorce in 1959. In December of 1963 she married Luther Baker in LaGrange, Indiana. He died January 13, 1983.
Maurine was a hairdresser and cosmetologist retiring from Venus Beauty Shop in Sturgis at the age of 74.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis and enjoyed arts and crafts, embroidery and needlework.
Maurine is survived by her three children: Ned J. (Bonnie) Reed of Williamsport, Maryland, Janet M. Campagnoli of Kalamazoo and Michael C, (Susan) Reed of Bloomingdale; six grandchildren: Jeff (Maria) Reed of Bloomingdale, Charlie (Jan) Reed of Hopkins, Tony (Candi) Campagnoli of Three Rivers, Kimberly (Dave) Skinner of Elkhart, Indiana, Kristin (Dave) Sheffler of Williamsport, Maryland, Cheryl (Bernard) Landa of Taylors, South Carolina; 11 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one brother: Paul Barnell.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 4:00 P.M. Sunday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-2331. Funeral services celebrating the life of Maurine Baker will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday at the funeral home. Chaplin Brendan McGroarty will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Maurine’s memory consider the American Diabetes Association.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
