Kathy Mohney, 80

Katherine Sue (Cunic) Mohney, age 80, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, March 16, 2023 at the Waters of LaGrange Nursing Center in Lagrange, Indiana.

She was born November 15, 1942 in Battle Creek, a daughter to the late Thomas Cunic and Hazel Marie (Belote) Kline.

Kathy grew up in the Bronson/Colon area. She attended one year at the one room school house near Sherwood,  then attended school in Colon. Her senior year was spent in the “new” high School building and her class of ’61 was the first class to graduate from the new school.

Aside from playing the clarinet in high school band, Kathy was the drum majorette for the marching band for all 4 years of high school. While other people criticized her for being short and chunky, she changed their minds. When the band played and then parted down the center, she ran down the aisle and did a double high kick that others envied. She was not a proud woman, but this achievement was a lifelong great memory.

Kathy married Don Mohney on February 3, 1961. They had 4 children: Kim Miller, Joyce (Scott) Sturgis, Mike (Shirley) Mohney, and Diane Mohney. She had a total of 6 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Kathy loved people, especially her family and all of the children. At one point in time she had several foster children. She enjoyed gathering with her extended family, both the Mohney’s up north in Michigan and at family reunions with the Belotes.

She was preceded in death by her parents and many aunts and uncles.

No one who entered her home was a stranger. And we called her an original “food pusher.” The first thing she said to people was “Come on in, are you hungry, can I get you something to eat?” She was always helping people in this way. She would never let anyone pass by in need, whether it was food or anything else, even if she was short herself. This reaching out to people resulted in many people calling her “Ma or Mom.” People of all races and economic circumstances, it didn’t matter. She would talk to all people.

Kathy worked throughout most of her life. Her first job was in high school, working at the dime store in Colon. Her first job out of high school was at the well known Lamb Knit Company, also in Colon, After having several of her children, she worked part time as a waitress at Big Boy in Sturgis. As her children were more grown, Kathy went to work full time, first at Power Magnetics, then Paramount Furniture, then Lear of Mendon (now IAC.) While working at one of the full time jobs she also worked part time at Mr. Donut in Sturgis.

Multi-faceted was one way to describe Kathy. She could throw a ball with kids, spoil her grandchildren, cook hearty homemade meals, grow and can her vegetables, and decorate cakes. She loved to read romance novels, do word search puzzles, and crocheted all of her adult life. She made many items for her children and grandchildren, from afghans and baby blankets to ponchos and hats. She rarely sat down without doing something with her hands. She even had one of her projects pictured in the paper when she donated an afghan for raffle to the Lions Club.

Perhaps her best life decision was to be baptized in the Lord’s church in the mid 90’s. She was baptized by Minister Bob Hayes of the Sturgis Church of Christ. She attended the Church of Christ in Sturgis, then the Church of Christ in Colon. Her faith was important to her and she continued to worship with her family until health prevented her from doing so.

Kathy was a loving mother and person, who loved to bring a smile to everyone she encountered. She will be greatly missed.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 4:00 to 7:00, Thursday, March 23, 2023 and from 12 noon to 1:00 on Friday at the Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 807 E. Chicago Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Katherine S. Mohney will be held at 1:00, Friday, at the funeral home with Ralph Parlin, officiating.

Her obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com where a complete obituary and messages of support may be left for the family.