WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Gertrude Jane “Trudy” Dury, age 77, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away early Sunday morning, Jan. 31, 2010, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis following a five-month illness.
She was born Nov. 13, 1932, in Detroit, Mich., a daughter to the late Charles and Lucille (Baer) Richards.
Trudy had resided in Sturgis since 1953. Her early life was spent in Montpelier, Ohio and she had also lived briefly in San Antonio, Texas and Fort Wayne, Ind.
On Feb. 11, 1951, she married William Dury in Bryan, Ohio.
She and her husband founded, owned and operated Dury Oil Company in Sturgis and she was a dedicated wife and mother. She received her associate degree from the International Business School in Fort Wayne, Ind., where she graduated number one in her class. She was a past president of the Business and Professional Women’s Club and was involved in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Trudy was always actively involved in her children’s lives. She was a Girl Scout leader and for many years she was a ballet assistant. She enjoyed singing, photography, arts and crafts including jewelry making and rock collecting. In the more recent years advanced stages of Multiple Sclerosis limited her involvement in community functions.
She is survived by her loving and dedicated husband of 58 years, William “Bill” Dury; two daughters, Kendra (Troy) King of Leonidas and Kim (Vince) Little of Sturgis; one son, Kyle (Christina) Dury of Vicksburg; 10 grandchildren, McLaine Dury, Shelby Dury, Nathaniel Dury, Natasha Bowman, Cameron Bowman, Craig Bowman, Nick King, Katie King, Grant Little and Blake Little; and several nieces and nephews.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, (269) 651-2331 where a memorial service celebrating the life of Trudy Dury will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday. The Rev. Floyd Kunce will officiate.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial donations would be appreciated to the National MS Society, Michigan Chapter 21311 Civic Center Dr., Southfield, MI 48076.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
