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1912
Mary
2013
Mary Elizabeth Colles
October 5, 1912 — August 8, 2013
Mary Elizabeth Colles, 100, of Battle Creek passed away on Thursday, August 8, 2013.
She was born on October 5,1912 in Battle Creek, the youngest child of James S. and Mary Elizabeth (Brinkert) Rowden. She grew up primarily in Bedford Township on farms located on Uldricks Drive and Hamilton Road. She attended the Hamilton School and Battle Creek Central High School.
Following her schooling, she worked at Sears Roebuck in downtown Battle Creek and later retired from Post Cereals after 32 years.
Her first marriage was to Douglas R. Harrison in 1935 and they had one daughter, Nancy Harrison Jones. The marriage ended in divorce and he predeceased her.
She married Philip McKinley Colles in 1945 and they moved to Ceresco where they resided until 1954. He predeceased her in 1963. A daughter, Mary Beth Colles Brandli was born to this marriage. Her life evolved around her family. Following her retirement, she wintered in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She also worked with her daughters in their fabric shop, Country Girl Fabrics, in Bellevue. She was known for her independent spirit, her ability as a homemaker and her expertise at crocheting.
She is survived by her two daughters, Nancy Harrison Jones of Bellevue and Mary Beth Colles (Terry) Brandli of Delton; grandchildren, Debra McDaniel of Florida, Donna Postma of South Carolina, Alan Lee (Lisa) Jones of Kansas, Gregory (Karen) Yeomans of Florida and Thor (Jessica) Brandli of Florida. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren and two nieces. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Harold Rowden, her sister Ruth (Marion) Anderson, her granddaughter Denise Jones Ratliff, two nephews, and her stepson Gordon Colles.
Friends will be received at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home 6:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday, August 11, 2013. Graveside funeral services will be held at Bedford Cemetery 1:30 p.m. Monday, August 12, 2013.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Charitable Union, 85 Calhoun St., Battle Creek, MI 49017. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.
She was born on October 5,1912 in Battle Creek, the youngest child of James S. and Mary Elizabeth (Brinkert) Rowden. She grew up primarily in Bedford Township on farms located on Uldricks Drive and Hamilton Road. She attended the Hamilton School and Battle Creek Central High School.
Following her schooling, she worked at Sears Roebuck in downtown Battle Creek and later retired from Post Cereals after 32 years.
Her first marriage was to Douglas R. Harrison in 1935 and they had one daughter, Nancy Harrison Jones. The marriage ended in divorce and he predeceased her.
She married Philip McKinley Colles in 1945 and they moved to Ceresco where they resided until 1954. He predeceased her in 1963. A daughter, Mary Beth Colles Brandli was born to this marriage. Her life evolved around her family. Following her retirement, she wintered in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She also worked with her daughters in their fabric shop, Country Girl Fabrics, in Bellevue. She was known for her independent spirit, her ability as a homemaker and her expertise at crocheting.
She is survived by her two daughters, Nancy Harrison Jones of Bellevue and Mary Beth Colles (Terry) Brandli of Delton; grandchildren, Debra McDaniel of Florida, Donna Postma of South Carolina, Alan Lee (Lisa) Jones of Kansas, Gregory (Karen) Yeomans of Florida and Thor (Jessica) Brandli of Florida. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren and two nieces. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Harold Rowden, her sister Ruth (Marion) Anderson, her granddaughter Denise Jones Ratliff, two nephews, and her stepson Gordon Colles.
Friends will be received at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home 6:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday, August 11, 2013. Graveside funeral services will be held at Bedford Cemetery 1:30 p.m. Monday, August 12, 2013.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Charitable Union, 85 Calhoun St., Battle Creek, MI 49017. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Sunday, August 11, 2013
6:00 - 8:00 pm (Eastern time)
Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home
Guestbook
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