Blanche Jean Albright, 88, of Union City, passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at The Oaks at Northpointe Woods in Battle Creek, under the care of Heartland Hospice.
A graveside service will be held at Burr Oak Cemetery in Athens with Pastor Marty Burdick of the Union City Wesleyan Church officiating.
The family is being served by Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation of Union City.
Jean was born August 21, 1931 in Kalamazoo, MI to Robert and Beatrice (Burch) Horner. She attended Athens High School, graduating in 1949, and going on to complete Wright Beauty Academy in Battle Creek. Jean wed Melvin Albright in Leonidas. He survives.
While her daughters were in school, Jean operated a home-based beauty salon, but she later attended Kellogg Community College for nursing and attained an RN license in 1982. As a nurse, Jean was employed by the prison in Coldwater, Leila Hospital and Community Hospital in Battle Creek, Vicksburg Hospital, the Laurels of Coldwater and Dr. Reddy and Dr. Lake’s office in Coldwater. Jean attended the Union City Wesleyan Church and Crossroads Bible Church in Sherwood. She sang with the Coldwater Sweet Adelines and played organ and piano at church.
Survivors, in addition to Melvin, Jean’s husband of almost 60 years, include daughters, Carol (Kerry) Bates of Union City, Lori (Alan) Cross of Union City; Pam (Dennis) Burghdoff of Union City; grandchildren, Michael (Kim) Bates of Battle Creek, Mark Bates of Union City, Evan Cross of Union City, Brandan Cross of Union City and Todd (Crystal) Irwin of Union City; great-grandchildren Josh Irwin, Jayden Irwin, Austin Burghdoff and Owen Bates; sister Marge (Jerry) Selbee of Evart.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Shirley Chichester.
Memorial donations are suggested to the Union City Wesleyan Church, 202 St. Joseph Street, Union City, MI 49094.
