WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Erma Mae (Mendelsohn) Chiddister, age 103, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away Wednesday morning July 10, 2013 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.
She was born June 11, 1910 in Sturgis, Michigan only child of the late Edward and Louise (Meyers) Mendelsohn.
On May 12, 1933 she married Sidney M. Chiddister in Sturgis. He died May 29, 1980.
Erma resided her entire life in Sturgis with the exception of the years she traveled with her husband while he was serving in the U.S. Navy aboard submarines. Some of the places she lived during that time included Gales Ferry, Connecticut, San Diego, California and San Francisco, California.
She was a lifelong active member of the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sturgis where she was a member of the Ladies Mission Circle.
Erma loved to travel and had visited all of the lower 48 states. Her favorite place was Michigamme, Michigan where she spent many summers fishing and visiting friends. She was also an avid hunter and enjoyed knitting and crocheting. She created many afghans which she gave to family and friends.
She is survived by one niece: Marilyn Gray of Satsuma, Florida; one great nephew: Sidney (Laura) Gray of Richmond Hill, Georgia; first cousin: Dick Meyers of Sturgis; and second cousins: Jack (Sharon) Meyers of Sturgis, Sylvia (Fred) Reynolds of Sturgis, Father Rick (Rita) Meyers of Colorado, Julia Sabrosky of Sturgis, Kurt Sabrosky of Sturgis, Ray (Rita) Meyers of California, Randy (Terry) Meyers of Sturgis, Terry Meyers of Sturgis, Todd (Sandra) Meyers of Arizona and Penny Meyers of Indiana and a special friend: Ardis Weise of Peoria, Arizona.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and sister-in-law: Nellie Larimer.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 – 11:15 A.M., Saturday at the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1108 E. Lafayette St. in Sturgis. Funeral services celebrating the life of Erma Chiddister will begin 11:30 A.M. Saturday at the church. The Rev. Cary Grant of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Battle Creek will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-2331 is entrusted with the arrangements.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Chiddister’s memory consider the St. John’ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1108 E. Lafayette St., Sturgis, MI 49091.
