WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Butz, age 88, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday evening, Jan. 19, 2013, at Sturgis Hospital in Sturgis.
She was born Oct. 22, 1924, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late JG and Hazel (Strang) Pickels.
Betty resided in Colon for 20 years, and the rest of her life was lived in Sturgis. She was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1942.
On July 19, 1942, she married Spencer Sheldon Butz in Coldwater. He died Sept. 30, 1999.
She retired from Sturgis Carton in Sturgis following 19½ years of dedicated employment. She also had worked at Kirsch Co., Transogram Co. and Montgomery Ward, all in Sturgis.
Betty was a member of First United Methodist Church in Sturgis and she enjoyed crocheting and crossword Puzzles.
She is survived by three daughters, Vicky (James) Carpenter of Bronson, Pamela Hudson of Sturgis and Ann Humphries of Sturgis; three sons, Spencer George (Alice) Butz of Centreville, Stephen M. Butz of Sturgis and Frank L. Butz of Sturgis; 15 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Ruth Ann Slagg of Sturgis; a brother-in-law, Don Masnick of Charleston, S.C.; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, George Pickels and Samuel Pickels; two sisters:, Marilyn Austin and Rae Rita Masnick; and a nephew, Daniel Masnick.
The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. today at Hackman Family Funeral Homes — Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis.
Funeral services celebrating Betty’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Pastor Robert Keim will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial donations be directed to the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674 or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718 Oklahoma City, OK 73123.
Her obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
