Maxine Ropp, 100

Maxine Irma Ropp, age 100, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday evening January 19, 2019 at her home at Thurston Woods Villa in Sturgis.
She was born February 26, 1918 daughter of the late Elmer C. and Neva (Nelson) Clark in the same house her father was born in west of Constantine. She was the last surviving member of the Constantine High School graduating class of 1935.
Maxine married Harold D. Ropp and moved to Sturgis in 1951. She had been employed by Freeman Manufacturing and then went to work with Harold in his cabinet making business. They were active campers and established Ropp’s Fleet Wings Camper Club in 1963.
Maxine was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis, the American Legion Auxiliary, Sturgis Hospital Gift Shop Guild, and Chairman of the Sherman Township Cancer Drive. She enjoyed gardening and tending to her flowers.
In 2001 Maxine wrote a book and had it published. The book is entitled “I Remember Well” about her early life on the farm and ends when her father passes away in 1930.
She is survived by: her children: Dale (Jane) Ropp of Marysville, MI, Jean Ann (Dean) Barber of Hickory Corners, MI and Phyllis McBride of LaGrange; 12 Grandchildren:Jeff (Margaret) Ropp of West Bloomfield, MI, Christopher “Topher” (Beverly) Ropp of Kalamazoo, Patrick (Jill) Ropp of Boring, OR, Victoria Swinehart of LaGrange, Randy McBride of LaGrange, Dave (Tracey) McBride of Smartt, TN, Rick (Jennifer) McBride of Howe, Gary (Lisa) McBride of LaGrange, Douglas (Catherine) McBride of Detroit, Steven Ware of LeRoy, MI, Gerald (Julie) Barber of Parchment, MI and Margo (Michael) Malcheski of Akron, OH; many Great Grandchildren, and Great Great Grandchildren, and Nieces and Nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter: Evelyn Ware; two granddaughters: Kellie Barber and Patricia Ware; two sisters: Dorothy Kramb and Lillian Hofmeister and two brothers: Francis Clark and Cleyon Clark.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 – to 7:00 P.M. Thursday and 3:00 to 7:00 PM. Friday at the Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 807 E. Chicago Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-3284. Funeral services celebrating the life of Maxine Irma Ropp will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Jan.26 at the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis. The Rev. Jeanne Garza will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
In lieu of flowers Maxine’s wishes were for memorial donations to be directed to the First United Methodist Church, 200 Pleasant Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.