Elizabeth Ballew

Elizabeth Margaret Rose Ballew, 91, was called home on September 4th, 2014 at 4:30am. Born in Hartford Michigan during strawberry season, Liz was the middle child of Eva Mae Battice and Lyle Rose. Being orphaned at the age of two, Elizabeth’s grandmother Eliza Quigno cared for her, her sister Virginia (Roberts) and her brother John Rose until Elizabeth was 5. Liz was then sent to Mt. Pleasant, MI to the Indian Industrial Boarding School until the age of 11, where she was then placed in a foster home with the Kennel family of Benton Harbor, MI. Elizabeth attended Benton Harbor High School and graduated Valedictorian. She earned a full scholarship to Western Michigan University and later married Jefferson Raymond Ballew Jr. Elizabeth then went on to raise 12 children. Liz is preceded in death by Jeffereson Ballew, her sister Virginia Roberts, her brother John Rose and her loving son, Christopher Ballew. Elizabeth is survived by her children, son Jeff Ballew III (Jessica) grandchildren Jefferson Ballew, Zachariah Gibbons-Ballew, Peter Gibbons-Ballew, Jessie, Cisco and David Varga, son Gregory Ballew (Renda) grandchildren Dawn, Penny, Dee Dee and Gregg Marie, (Stephanie), Grandchildren Kristie Johnson, Dobb and Jesse Ballew, son Randy Ballew (Susan) grandchildren, Matthew Ballew, Luke Ballew, Jacob Vanvleet and Elizabeth Ballew, daughter Kathy Crouch (Jim), grandchildren, Randy Vernier, Rick Vernier, Tammy Paquette, Tim Crouch and Tom Crouch, daughter Lynn Ballew, daughter Karen Hinegardner (Skip) grandchildren, Doug Hinegardner and Ann Kimes, son Gary Ballew, son Rick Ballew (Monica), grandchildren Zada Ballew and Eva Ballew, son James Ballew (Barbara Ann) grandchildren Mary, Chrissy, T.C, Matt, Dave, Nicole, and Bridgett, son Doug Ballew, grandchildren Jonathan Ballew, Katie Ballew, Megan Ballew and Scott Ballew, daughter Laura Sharkey (David) grandchildren, Doonie Elizabeth, Michael Sharkey, Tyler Sharkey, A.J. Sharkey, Maddie Sharkey, Brooke Sharkey and Karlee Sharkey. Elizabeth will be remembered by her children as strong, nurturing, classy, intelligent, protective, funny, she unconditionally loved, loving lover of life, unforgettable and an amazing improviser. A Celebration of Life for Elizabeth will be held at 12:00 noon on Monday, September 8, 2014 at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Sister Lakes, MI with Father Kevin Covert officiating. Following the Celebration of Life service a gathering will be held at the Pokagon Community Building on Daily Road. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm with a Rosary at 7:00pm from the Clark Chapel. Memorial donations may be made to Sacred Heart of Mary. Those wishing to leave a condolence and sign Elizabeth’s Memory Book online may do so at www.clarkch.com