Mary Lou (Yoder) Schlabach
Visitation: Friday, April 13, 2018 from 2:00 P.M.to 8:00 P.M. at Grace Christian Fellowship
Funeral: Saturday, April 14, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at Grace Christian Fellowship
Mary Lou (Yoder) Schlabach, 78, of Centreville, Michigan, went to be with the Lord early Wednesday morning, April 11, 2018, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on February 17, 1940, in Colon, Michigan, the daughter of the late Levi B. and Lulu C. (Wickey) Yoder.
Mary Lou married LaVern Edward Schlabach on October 21, 1960. The most important part of her life was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She especially looked forward to her weekly Meeting of the Minds lunch at Yoder’s Country Market with her sisters, aunt, cousins, and other friends and family.
She was a homemaker until all her children were in school. She then became a busdriver for Nottawa Community School, a short order cook at E&K Restaurant, and an assembler at Maxitrol in Colon. She retired in 2007. She was also a lifelong member of Wasepi Chapel.
She is survived by daughters, Rose (Jerry) Weaver, Sherwood; Susan (Daniel) Miller, Centreville; and sons LaVern (Ed) Jr. (Anita) Schlabach, Sturgis; Danny (Rita) Schlabach, Sturgis; Jim (Shannon) Schlabach, Canby, Oregon; Larry (Lisa) Schlabach, Centreville; 24 grandchildren, Ben, Michael, and Jacob Weaver; Cortee (Nick) Kirby, Calvin (Alexis) Schlabach, Carly (Jacob) Crone, Cameron, Cayden, Gabriella, Abigail, Caleigh Anne, Cody, and Brody Schlabach; Haley (Jeremy) Long, Nicholas, Zachariah, Noah, and Samara Schlabach; Cody and Jessica Schlabach; Kylee, Katie, and Collin Schlabach; and Emily Miller; and 7 great-grandchildren, Elliana, Anora, and Milo Schlabach; Penelope and Amabel Kirby; and Amelia and Gideon Crone; her sisters, Ida Sue Borkholder and Ruth (Moe) Troyer; a special aunt, Josie Miller; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved dog, Tippy.
She is preceded in death by her husband, LaVern, and her parents.
Mary Lou’s family will receive family and friends at Grace Christian Fellowship, 300 Timothy Drive, Sturgis, Michigan on Friday, April 13, 2018, from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The celebration of Mary Lou’s life will be on Saturday, April 14, 2018, at Grace Christian Fellowship at 10:00 AM with Pastors Doyle Miller, Randy Miller and Joel Traylor officiating. A graveside service will follow the celebration at Locust Grove Cemetery on Findley Road, Burr Oak.
The family would like to thank the workers at Borgess Medical Center and Heartland Hospice for the care and compassion they showed Mary Lou and her family.
The family suggests those wishing to make donations in Mary Lou’s honor, consider Wasepi Chapel, PO Box 246, Centreville, MI 49032.
The family was assisted by the Schipper Funeral Home Ltd in Colon.
