CASSOPOLIS – Bessie E. Hofmeister, 97, of Kalamazoo, formerly of Volinia, died at 4:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009, at Heartland Nursing Home, Kalamazoo, after an extended illness.

Born in Kendall July 13, 1912, to James and Mary (Harger) McCauley, she was a retired telephone operator with General Telephone.

She worked in Dowagiac and then Three Rivers during her more than 36 years employment with GTE. Bessie lived most of her life in Volinia.

On May 9, 1930, in Peru, Ind., she married Lowell Hofmeiser, who preceded her in death.

Surviving are: three children, Joyce Geary of Niles, Larry (Paula) Hofmeister of Traverse City and Geri (Gerry) Grabek of Kalamazoo.

She is also survived by: 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren; and 18 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by: a daughter, Lowellen Jones; a grandson, Bruce Geary; four brothers; and a sister.

Her funeral is today, Oct. 13, at 2 p.m. at Connelly Funeral Home.

Visitation was conducted Tuesday an hour before the service.

Burial will be in Crane Cemetery, Volinia Township.

She was a life member of Ideal Chapter 10, Order of Eastern Star, Marcellus.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.