Marcia Arend, 85

Marcia Lee Arend passed peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018 after a short illness.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Earl Arend; a daughter Jeanine Lugo (Nobel) of Indianapolis; a son, David Arend (Telka) of Lansing; a granddaughter, Saige Arend, step-grandchildren Robert Lugo (Leslie) and Melissa Ervin (Bryan); step-great-grandchildren Joseph Lookabaugh, Jacob, Jarrin and Jacen Ervin, and Austin, Olivia and Carmen Lugo; and step-great-great-grandchildren Carson and Casey Lookabaugh.
She also is survived by a sister, Margo Albright (Dan); a brother, Keith Tollas; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Emil Tollas; her mother, Rose Tollas; and brother Ken Tollas and sister-in-law Nancy Tollas.
Marcia was born Aug. 6, 1933, in Benton Harbor and grew up in Baroda, which she affectionately referred to as “”God’s Country.”” She married Earl, her high school sweetheart, on June 28, 1953. She worked as a clerk/stenographer at Whirlpool Corporation, as a secretary at Coldwater State Home and a receptionist at KVP Sutherland in Sturgis. She returned to college to finish her Bachelor of Science degree and masters in the teaching of English at Western Michigan University.
Most notably, Marcia will be remembered as a teacher of English and composition for 22 years at Sturgis High School, where she had a positive influence on the lives of so many of her students. She also enjoyed writing freelance articles for the South Bend Tribune, Sturgis Journal, Michigan English Journal and other publications.
Marcia was very active in her church community, as well as the Sturgis community. She was an elder and deacon at First Presbyterian Church, serving on the banner, mission, worship and music and library committees and was noted for her “”centerfold”” interviews of church members. She very much enjoyed her years as a Picture Lady for the Great Art Program. As a 20-year survivor of breast cancer, she was active as the secretary for the Sisterhood of Survivors. Marcia also enjoyed her work with the Sturgis sister city committee.
In 2005, Marcia was honored as Sturgis Citizen of the Year and in 2006 was honored by Sturgis Exchange Club with its Book of Golden Deeds. She enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking, sewing, reading, writing, classical music, genealogy and travel. She and Earl traveled to many states and countries with Elderhostel, as well as welcoming exchange students from around the world into their home.
A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date, to be announced by Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes in Sturgis.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Marcia’s name may be directed to First Presbyterian Church of Sturgis, Susan G. Komen Foundation , Sturgis Area Community Foundation/Sturgis Neighborhood Program or Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation.
Her obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.