Virginia "Ginnie" Ruth (Harpster) Sootsman

Virginia “Ginnie” Ruth (Harpster) Sootsman passed away on June 5, 2025. She was born on November 21, 1933 to Floyd Jennings Harpster and Ruth Adele (Berry) Harpster. Virginia attended a one-room country school, WK Kellogg Junior High School, and graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1951. She then attended Western Michigan University until she married her high school sweetheart, K.D. Sootsman in 1953.

Ginnie and Kay had three children: Ronald (Linda) Sootsman, Julie (Robert Campbell dec., David Paul dec.) Paul, and Amy (Richard) Czuchlewski. She was known and loved as “GG” by her four grandchildren and six great grandchildren. In 2012, she entered into a loving covenant with J. Clarke Whinery. Virginia was preceded in death by both Kay and Clarke, and is survived by her sister, Elaine Boyd.

Virginia worked for Michigan Bell during high school and college, and while raising her family she was active in PTA and Band Boosters. She then worked part time for Battle Creek Equipment Company and the Battle Creek Public Schools, but always prided herself on being at home when her kids got home from school.

Virginia was known for her musical talent – she played piano in church, sang in the church choir and accompanied solo and ensemble groups in Battle Creek. She loved to travel, read, play bridge, cheer for the Wolverines and spend time with family. She will always be remembered for her delicious raspberry pies!

A memorial service will be held at Farley Estes Dowdle at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, June 13th. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Battle Creek. Personal messages for Virginia’s family may be shared at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.