Elsie L. Ames, 85, of Coldwater, passed away on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at Maple Lawn Medical Care Facility in Coldwater.
A service will be held on Monday, February 11, 2013 at 12:00 Noon at the Rayburn Seventh Day Adventist Church on Fremont Road in Coldwater with Pastor Joel Nephew officiating. Interment will follow at Allen Cemetery in Allen, MI. Visitation will held prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 AM at the church on Monday. Arrangements are being cared for by Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.
Elsie was born October 7, 1927 in St. Clare Shores to Carrol B. and Christine B. (Dirian) Smith. She was a graduate of Coldwater High School, class of 1945, and Sherwood Music School in Chicago.
Elsie was a devout member of the Rayburn Seventh Day Adventist Church in Coldwater. She was a homemaker and a great cook, had her own Foster Care Home for 10 years and held a Real Estate license for many years as well. Elsie was a very creative soul, an accomplished pianist, musician and singer. She also enjoyed writing short stories and was a published author. She loved animals and had donated to many animal rescues and charitable organizations. She had worked at her daughter’s restaurant, the Outpost Grill, in Allen until recently. Elsie was a good friend to many, loved life and lived it to its fullest. Her children and grandchildren will miss her prayers, as she wishes we each go to heaven
Elsie is survived by her children, Bonny (Jeff) Friend of Coldwater, Christy (Richard) Bauer of Springfield, Karen VanLiere of Holland, Daniel (Linda) Ames of Texas and Michael (Tina) Ames of Holland, brother Ira (Harriett) Smith of St. Augustine, FL, grandchildren Wesley Cook, Adam Cook, Kelli Iser, Holly Kirkoff, Tim Rzepka, Tammy Swoish, Nathan McCall, Joshua, Shannon and Sarah Wickham, Amanda Kelly, Nicholas VanLiere, Missy Adams, Jennifer Spencer, Alec Ames, Robert Noblit, Jessica and Zach Ames and many great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her former husband Harry Osbourne Ames in 2003, brother George Smith and grandson Christopher Noblit.
Memorials may be directed to the Branch County Humane Society.