Ruth Schaeffer, 86

Ruth E. Schaeffer, age 86, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday evening, March 15, 2022 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.
She was born June 14, 1935 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Raymond F. and Martha C. (Gotsch) Pierson.
Mrs. Schaeffer was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1953.
On October 23, 1954 she married Bruce Wayne Schaeffer at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis by the Rev. Herbert M. Heidenreich. Bruce preceded her in death October 21, 1999.
She retired June 31, 2005 from the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis following 21 years of dedicated service as the church secretary. For several years she was a bus driver for Sturgis Public Schools.
She was an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church her entire life where she sang in the choir and was a member of the Altar Guild, hand bell choir and Lutheran Ladies Aid. Ruth enjoyed reading and was happiest when she was helping others.
She is survived by two sons: Norman (Karen) Schaeffer of Lincoln, Nebraska and Peter Schaeffer of Livingston, Texas; one daughter: Diana (Mark) Whittle of Newago; grandchildren: Joel (Jennifer) Schaeffer, Daniel Schaeffer, Zachary (Emily) Whittle, Micah Whittle, Claire Whittle and Gabriel Whittle; great grandchildren: Leila, Viviana, Margot, James and Evelyn; one sisters: Nanette (June I) Bent; sister-in-law: Marilyn Pierson and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; two brothers: Norman Pierson a casualty of WWII and the Rev. Marion Pierson and three sisters: Marcella Libey, Martha Holmes and Rayma O’Shaughnessy.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday at the Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St. in Sturgis and from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis where funeral services celebrating the life of Ruth E. Schaeffer will immediately follow the visitation at 11:00 A.M. The Revs. Larry Matro and Calvin Kolzow will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
In honoring Ruth’s wishes the family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation to consider the Trinity Lutheran School, 402 S. Lakeview Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091.
We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.