Margaret Luella Renbarger, formerly of Niles

Published 9:28 am Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Oct. 2, 1919 — Jan. 3, 2016

Margaret Luella Renbarger, 96, formerly of Bluff Street in Niles, Michigan died with her family at her side at 1:59 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, at Cass County Medical Care Facility following a brief illness.

She was born on Oct. 2, 1919, in Galien, Michigan to Ward and Golda (Potter) Doughten. She graduated from Galien High School, and moved from Buchanan, Michigan to Niles in 1968. She was well-known as a seamstress, and often helped relatives and friends with their tailoring needs.

Margaret was a member of the Clark Equipment Retiree’s Club, and the AARP. Her greatest interest was caring for her family, and a close group of friends.

On Dec. 24, 1937, in Galien she married Floyd L. Renbarger with whom she celebrated the remarkable 65th anniversary prior to his death on May 3, 2003. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Norma Lee Payne who died on April 20, 2007, a grandson, Thomas Floyd Payne who died on May 24, 2012, and a brother, Ward Everett Doughten who died on Feb. 3, 1972.

Surviving family includes a daughter, Jean Ann (Bill) Phelps of Cassopolis, Michigan, a son-in-law, Thomas J. Payne, grandchildren, Raymond (Sherri) Payne, Jon (Donna) Payne, Michelle Marie Roseboom, Michael “Scott” (Becca) Phelps, and Daniel Justus (Desi) Phelps; great-grandchildren, Sierra, Christina, Raymond, Randy, Ashlee, Alexis, Drake, Morgan, Madison, Tanner, Autumn, and Danni-Lynn; great-great-grandchildren, Robert, Liam, and Fiona; and Margaret’s sister, Emma Morley of Galien and brother Howard (Elsie) Doughten of Buchanan, and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Margaret L. Renbarger will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016 at Community Baptist Church, 28647 U.S. 12 West, Edwardsburg, Michigan, with Pastor Dan Thomas of the church officiating. Committal will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Margaret may be made to Community Baptist Church, P.O. Box 598, Edwardsburg, Michigan 49112.

www.halbritterfunerals.com