Margaret Eaton, 96

Margaret Lee Eaton, age 96, of Sturgis, Michigan entered into eternal life early Friday afternoon, September 6, 2013 at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Gregory and Trudy Grabe of Sturgis, following a lengthy decline in health.

She was born December 21, 1916 in Wolfe County, Kentucky daughter of the late John Clyde and Darcus (Montgomery) Wilson. The family later moved to Stroh, Indiana.

On June 26, 1943 she married Clarence A. Grabe in Sturgis. They owned and operated a farm. He passed away December 3, 1968. On December 5, 1979 she married Gilbert A. Eaton at the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sturgis. He passed away June 24, 2004.

Margaret worked at the Kirsch Company in Sturgis for a number of years. Her true love was time spent with her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved to cook and have them over for family meals. They will surely miss her kind and loving personality and her good cooking. She also enjoyed gardening and working in her flower beds.

She was a member of the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sturgis and was also a member of the Ladies Mission Circle.

Margaret is survived by her son and his wife: Gregory (Trudy) Grabe of Sturgis; her daughter and her husband: Diane (George) Morse of Sturgis; two grandchildren: Kevin (Michelle) Morse of Lake Orion and Kristi (David) Smith of Battle Creek; three great grandchildren: Gavin Morse, Nicholas Smith and Grady Smith; one sister: Irene (Albert) Johnsonbaugh of Fort Wayne, Indiana; one brother: Wayne (Thelma) Wilson of Sturgis; step-daughter-in-law: Linda Eaton of Orland, Indiana and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, five sisters, three brothers and step-son: Dan Eaton.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 – 1:30 P.M. Thursday at the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sturgis. Funeral services celebrating the life of Margaret L. Eaton will begin at 1:30 P.M. Thursday at the church. The Rev. Paul Stern 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. Eaton’s memory consider the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1108 E. Lafayette St., Sturgis, MI 49091.

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