Mary Walgamuth

Mary Walgamuth, 95, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, Mich., surrounded by loving family. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and matriarch of a large, vibrant family that spans the country.   Born Mary Emaline Eberly to Loren and Mildred Eberly on October 21, 1924 in North Webster, Ind., she married Charles Walgamuth on May 17, 1941. They were married for 63 years, until his death on January 22, 2005. Mary and Charles are survived by their eight children: Ruth (Keith) Shearer of South Bend, Ind.; Diane Walgamuth of Apache Junction, Ariz.; Linda (John) Tague of Pompano Beach, Fla.; Charles Thomas (Cathy) Walgamuth and Neil Walgamuth, all of Lafayette, Ind.; Beth Culp (Marve Weissner) and Lisa (Kevin) McGinnis, all of Kalamazoo, and Debra (Henry) Techentin of Athens, Ga.   Mary worked for Sears for over 15 years until her retirement. Mary and Charles taught many of their descendants to fish on Gull Lake in Richland, Mich., and Rice Lake in Ontario, Canada. Mary was an active and involved member of Second Reformed Church since 1969, where she attended Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and was a BSF leader for 21 years. She taught many of her children and grandchildren to love God. She was a two-time breast cancer survivor. Mary and Charles treasured their post-retirement road trip from Michigan to Alaska with a Volvo station wagon and camper, but returned home early because they missed their grandchildren. Mary loved cooking, watching basketball, hosting big holiday celebrations, and spending time with her large family.   She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Willis Eberly, brother Glen Eberly, sister Nila Deadmond, and sister Violet Price.   Mary is also survived by her 16 grandchildren: Becky (Rich) Brown; Julie (Todd) Veldman; Liz Shearer; Stacia Tague; James Tague; Ali (Eric) Carine; Andrew Walgamuth; Kate Caward; Meg (Nate) Gustus; Mary Catherine (Adam) Kennell; Angela (David) Soderquist; Ryan (AJ) McGinnis; Mary Alisa (Matthew) Duchek; Christina (Lucas) Reynolds; Charles Daniel (Natalie) Techentin; and Ali Techentin. She was a great-grandmother to 30 more.   There will be a visitation at Redmond Funeral Home on Friday, Feb. 7 from 4-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 11 a.m. at Second Reformed Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Second Reformed Church, Rose Arbor Hospice, or the American Cancer Society. Donations can be made online on the "Memorial Donation"  link.