Harriet VanPelt, 93

Harriet L. VanPelt, age 93, of Colon, passed away Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at Skaggs Assisted Living in Burr Oak.
She was born May 1, 1924, in Bronson, a daughter of the late Harry and Flossie (Crapo) Prestidge.
Harriet had resided in Colon since 1985. Prior to moving to Colon, she lived in Bronson, Sturgis and Fort Wayne, Ind.
On April 3, 1954, she married Donald E. VanPelt in Sturgis. He died May 20, 1973.
In 1950, Harriet’s sister Grace was working through the University of Michigan clinic program at the office of Dr. John Mancini in Sturgis. Grace decided to leave the program to attend college, at which time Harriet assumed the open position and continued to work for Dr. Mancini for several years. Harriet later attended and graduated from Fort Wayne Beauty School in Fort Wayne, Ind. Upon graduation, she began a long career as a hairdresser, working for Midge Parker and eventually owning and operating her own beauty shop.
She was a member of Sturgis Women’s Club and the Sturgis Hospital Auxiliary Guild. Harriet was very artistic and enjoyed crafts, traveling and fishing.
She is survived by a daughter, Cynthia (Rob) Lutz of White Pigeon; a son, John VanPelt of Colon; two granddaughters, Michelle (Ben Grosshans) Lutz of Grand Ledge and Nicole (Aaron McCrary) Lutz of Garland, Texas; two great-grandchildren, Todd Grosshans and Royce McCrary; a sister, Grace Kasdorf of Sturgis; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and three sisters, Bea Gieger, Louella Houghtaling and Shirley Hendricks.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. Private burial of the ashes will take place at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
The Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, is assisting the family with arrangements.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. VanPelt’s memory consider Sturgis Hospital Auxiliary Guild, 916 Myrtle Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091.
Her obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.