Edith Harter, 96

Edith Arlene Harter, age 96, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday morning, June 24, 2017 at her home.
She was born Dec. 28, 1920 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Raymond Dewey and Clara Adele (Reading) Robison.
Edith was a lifelong Sturgis resident. On June 9, 1940 she married Lester F. Harter at the Sturgis Church of the Nazarene in Sturgis.
She retired from Grumman Olson in Sturgis following many years of dedicated employment. She had also been employed by Ivers Lee in Shipshewana, Ind. and Tony’ Sweet Shop in Sturgis.
Edith was a member of the Sturgis Salvation Army and volunteered many hours at the Thrift Store. She was a Life member of Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW Auxiliary. Edith enjoyed gardening, crossword and word search puzzles, crocheting and embroidering and loved time spent with her family.
She is survived by two daughters: Janet (Jerry) Stahl of Sturgis and Jackie (Gordon) Smittendorf of Three Rivers; five grandchildren: Mark Harter, Lance Harter, Douglas (Chris) Krugh, Danielle (Chris) Hartner and Cody (Nikki) Stahl; five great grandchildren; 11 great great grandchildren; four brothers: Bill Poorman, Dale Robison, Raymond Robison and Ronnie Robison; four sisters: Marie Bloom, Nila Robison, Carol and Carolyn and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, step-father: Ertis Poorman; one son: Lester Eugene Harter; five sisters: Nina Howk, Betty Lego, Violet Persing, Judy Gross and Linda Blough and one brother: Robert Poorman.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 – 11 a.m. Friday at the Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, (269) 651-3284 where funeral services celebrating the life of Edith Harter will begin at 11 a.m. Friday. The Rev. Kathy Shuen of the First Congregational Church UCC in Constantine 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 Mrs. Harter’s memory consider Hospice of Sturgis, P.O. Box 126, Sturgis, MI 49091 or the Sturgis Salvation Army, 105 S. Fourth St., Sturgis, MI 49091.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.