Velma Viola Wilber, 98, of Bronson, passed away Thursday,
September 5, 2019 at the Laurels of Coldwater.
A memorial service will be held at 12 Noon, Saturday,
September 21, 2019 at The First United Methodist Church of Bronson with Pastor Samuel
Gordy officiating. Visitation will take place from 10:00 AM – 12 Noon prior to
the memorial service at the church. Interment will follow at Bronson Cemetery.
The family is being cared for by Dutcher Funeral Home in Bronson.
Velma was born on July 31, 1921 to Ernest and Verna (Mills)
Sours in Bronson. She was a 1939 graduate of Bronson High School and went to
work for Superintendent Elwyn J. Bodley. On October 17, 1940 she married her
high school sweetheart Quenten Wilber at The First United Methodist Church in Bronson.
She worked with her husband at the Jive Hive and Bronson
Floral which they had owned. She was a secretary in the legal department at
Kellogg Cereal Company in Battle Creek, a receptionist at Douglas Manufacturing
in Bronson and a study hall supervisor at Bronson Middle School. Velma retired
from Sturgis Union Products, where she was a receptionist and secretary.
Velma was a member of The First United Methodist Church of
Bronson. She sang in their choir for 50 years, taught Sunday school, worked on
dinners and decorating the tables for all occasions. She was the Past President
of the United Methodist Women, Worship Chairman and Past President of the Altar
Guild. She was also the Past President of the Preschool Mothers Club and the
Women’s League.
She enjoyed dancing, teaching line dancing, playing cards,
decorating, doing all kinds of handiwork and her many friends as they were such
wonderful support for her. Upon retirement, they spent winters in Arizona. She
enjoyed singing and acting as Quenten and her put on many Variety Shows and
comedy acts. Velma would dress as a clown as she liked to make people laugh. At
age 70, she learned to paint. She won an award for some of her art work while
in Arizona.
Velma loved her family as they were her pride and joy. She
would make special birthday cakes for them. Velma wished to be remembered as a
fun loving person who cared deeply for God, her family , friends and others.
Velma was always so strong in her faith and knew she would be reunited in
heaven with Quenten.
She is survived by her children; Sharry (Gary) Kirtley of
Sturgis and Terry (Bea) Wilber of Bronson, her grandchildren; Gary (Rachel)
Kirtley of Vicksburg, Michael (Xandrea) Kirtley of Romeo and Jason Kirtley of
Burr Oak; her great grandchildren, Jacob, Joshua, Jennifer (Rob) Mason and
Spencer (Jessica) Kirtley.
Velma was preceded in death by her husband of 67
years Quenten, her infant son Garth Elwin Wilber, and her brother.
Memorial contributions may be directed to The First United
Methodist Church Quenten and Velma Education Fund.
A special thanks to the staff at the Laurels of Coldwater
and the nurses with Southern Care Hospice for the loving care they gave to
Velma. Rest in peace Mom, we will miss you.
