Marjorie L. Trumbull, 89

Published 10:11 pm Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Marjorie Lucille Trumbull, 89
Jan. 26, 1923 — Feb. 25, 2012

Marjorie Lucille Trumbull, 89, of Kalamazoo, died Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012.
She was born on Jan. 26, 1923 in Dowagiac,  daughter of Leslie and Laura (Evans) Fletcher.

Marge Trumbull

She was preceded in death by three siblings, Caryl Nickert, Dorothy Ames and Marion Fletcher, all of Dowagiac.
She is remembered by her loving husband, Howard Trumbull of Kalamazoo, her sister Fern Field of Jeannette, Pa., a sister-in-law, Madelyn Fletcher of Dowagiac, and four children, David Trumbull of Chicago, Pam Chamberlin of Kalamazoo, Michael Trumbull of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Ginger Trumbull of Grand Rapids.
She is also fondly remembered by eight grandchildren and one great-grandson.
By early childhood, Marge knew she wanted to be a registered nurse.
After finishing high school in Dowagiac, she graduated from Bronson Hospital Nursing School in Kalamazoo in September 1944.
In December 1944, she married Howard Trumbull, who was serving in the Army Air Corps and accompanied him during his last year and a half of World War II service in this country.
They raised a family in St. Joseph.  From 1961 to 1971, they served two terms of missionary service in South Africa, working with Zulu people.
Marge was involved in literacy training. During their third term in Botswana, Africa, she received her midwifery degree.
After their return to America, she and a friend set up a home birth business in Grand Rapids and delivered 250 babies.  She also trained lay midwives.
Marge and Howard lived in a Mennonite Retirement Community in Goshen, Ind., for 16 years, then moved to Kalamazoo.
Marge spent the last four years of her life in the care of Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.  Both she and Howard were very grateful for their wonderful staff and services.
Marge accepted all the people who came into her life and was a joyful example of love and caring to everyone.  A memorial service will be held on March 28 at 12 p.m. at People’s Church, 1758 N 10th St., Kalamazoo.  In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, 222 N. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI  49007-3882.
Arrangements entrusted to: Whitley Memorial Funeral Home, 330 N. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo.