Roberta Carroll, 73

Roberta A. Carroll, 73, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday morning, July 18, 2012, at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo.

She was born Feb. 21, 1939, in Three Rivers, a daughter of the late Robert L. and Ruth E. (Frederick) Cosner.

Roberta resided in Sturgis since 1970, coming from Wood River, Ill. Her early life was lived in Three Rivers and she was a graduate of Three Rivers High School with the class of 1957. She continued her education at Olivet Nazarene College, where she received a bachelor’s degree in music education.

Her whole working life was involved in music education in the elementary school and she retired from Sturgis Public Schools after more than 25 years of dedicated teaching.

She was a member of Sturgis Church of the Nazarene. Roberta was a ham radio operator and enjoyed assisting the Michigan Day parade for many years. Roberta had a special love for animals, especially dogs and cats, and for a time she was involved in owning and raising Tennessee Walking Horses. She, of course, had an appreciation for all types of music enjoying old-time gospel music, especially the Gaithers. Roberta also enjoyed watching sporting events and truly loved following the interests and activities of her nieces and nephews.

She is survived by two brothers, Ray (Sharon) Cosner of Clarkston and Ron (Rhonda) Cosner of South Bend, Ind.; three nieces, Christina (Scott) Bostelman of Interlochen, Kimberly (Rich) Hawke of Ortonville and Karena (Alan) Snider of Waterford; two nephews, Ryan (Sarah) Cosner of Fishers, Ind., and Ross (Sushmita Mukherjee) Cosner of Jersey City, N.J.; and several great nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday at Hackman Family Funeral Homes — Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis.

Funeral services celebrating the life of Roberta Carroll will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. The Rev. John Shoup of Sturgis Church of the Nazarene will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Riverside Cemetery in Three Rivers.

The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Roberta’s memory consider Kairos Dwelling, 2945 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49048, or the animal charity of one’s choice.

Her obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.