Mary Lou Schlabach, 78

Mary Lou (Yoder) Schlabach, age 78, of Centreville, went to be with the Lord early Wednesday morning, April 11, 2018, at her home, surrounded by her family.
She was born Feb. 17, 1940, in Colon, a daughter of the late Levi B. and Lulu C. (Wickey) Yoder.
On Oct. 21, 1960, Mary Lou married LaVern Edward Schlabach. The most important part of her life was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She especially looked forward to her weekly “Meeting of the Minds” lunch at Yoder’s Country Market with her sisters, aunt, cousins and other friends and family.
She was a homemaker until all her children were in school. She then became a bus driver for Nottawa Community School, a short-order cook at E&K Restaurant and an assembler at Maxitrol in Colon. She retired in 2007. She also was a lifelong member of Wasepi Chapel.
She is survived by daughters Rose (Jerry) Weaver of Sherwood and Susan (Daniel) Miller of Centreville; sons LaVern (Ed) Jr. (Anita) Schlabach of Sturgis, Danny (Rita) Schlabach of Sturgis, Jim (Shannon) Schlabach, Canby, Oregon; Larry (Lisa) Schlabach of, Centreville; 24 grandchildren, Ben, Michael and Jacob Weaver; Cortee (Nick) Kirby, Calvin (Alexis) Schlabach, Carly (Jacob) Crone, Cameron, Cayden, Gabriella, Abigail, Caleigh Anne, Cody, and Brody Schlabach; Haley (Jeremy) Long, Nicholas, Zachariah, Noah, and Samara Schlabach; Cody and Jessica Schlabach; Kylee, Katie, and Collin Schlabach; and Emily Miller; and seven great-grandchildren, Elliana, Anora and Milo Schlabach, Penelope and Amabel Kirby, and Amelia and Gideon Crone; her sisters, Ida Sue Borkholder and Ruth (Moe) Troyer; a special aunt, Josie Miller; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved dog, Tippy.
She is preceded in death by her husband, LaVern; and her parents.
Mary Lou’s family will receive family and friends from 2 to 8 p.m., Friday, April 13, 2018, at Grace Christian Fellowship, 300 Timothy Drive, Sturgis. The celebration of Mary Lou’s life will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 14, 2018, at Grace Christian Fellowship, with Pastors Doyle Miller, Randy Miller and Joel Traylor officiating. A graveside service will follow the celebration at Locust Grove Cemetery on Findley Road, Burr Oak.
The family would like to thank the workers at Borgess Medical Center and Heartland Hospice for the care and compassion they showed Mary Lou and her family.
The family suggests those wishing to make donations in Mary Lou’s honor consider Wasepi Chapel, PO Box 246, Centreville, MI 49032.
The family was assisted by Schipper Funeral Home in Colon.