Clara Etta (Rugg) Rathburn

Clara Etta (Rugg) Rathburn, 73, of Marshall and formerly of Battle Creek died at Select Specialty Hospital of Battle Creek on Friday, July 26, 2013.

Clara was born one of 18 siblings on August 28, 1939 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Ora and Katherine (Tesch) Rugg. She grew up in Nashville, Michigan and resided in Battle Creek 1985 - 2007 until moving to Marshall.

Clara was formerly married to Charles L. Rathburn (deceased). Surviving are her children, David (Gail) Rathburn, Roberta Rathburn, Rosanna Rathburn, Tammy (Frank) Hocott, Katherine (Rick) McNally, Tange (Jim) Woodin all of Battle Creek, and Todd Rathburn of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; her only living sibling, Robert Rugg of Battle Creek; her fiancé, Jim Loyd of Marshall and her precious dog, Abbey. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Christina Rathburn; her parents; 11 brothers and five sisters.

Clara enjoyed working with her hands doing crafts, ceramics, knitting and making jewelry. She had a green thumb, could revive even the most forlorn looking plants and enjoyed gardening. Clara loved music and dancing, but most of all, loved spending time with her children and "grandbabies".

Friends will be received 6:00-8:00 p.m. Monday and 12:00 noon-1:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, where funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, 2013. Interment will follow at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.