Sept. 10, 1944 — Feb. 11, 2019

Darlene Carol Gest, 74, of Sturgis, passed away Monday evening Feb. 11, 2019, at her home.

She was born Sept. 10, 1944, in Sturgis, daughter of the late Frederick W. and June (Blackburn) MacPherson.

Darlene resided most of her life in Sturgis with the exception of the eight years she lived in Dowagiac and nine years in Centreville.

On Oct. 1 ,1978, she married William Gest in Colon. Darlene retired in 2000 from the State of Michigan Unemployment Agency following 20 years of dedicated employment. She enjoyed genealogy and traveling to casinos and truly loved times she was surrounded by her family. The family would like to extend special thanks to Three Rivers Health Hospice, Janine, Kim, Dr. K. Patel and Lupe for the love and care that Darlene received.

Darlene is survived by her husband: William Gest; two daughters: Carla Davis, of Sturgis, and Cara (Kevin) Jensen, of Florida; three sons: Chris (Julie Wahll) Davis, of Three Rivers, Todd (Mary) Crites, of Sturgis and Jeff Gest, of Three Rivers; six grandchildren: Adam (Erin) Crites, Drew (Kristy) Crites, Anthony (Mandy) Davis, Brittni Davis, Alex (Andrea) Crites, Katelyn (Adolfo) Lopez, Ana Wahll and Elly Wahll; eight great-grandchildren: Austin Crites, Sophia Crites, Brayden Crites, Kyler Crites, Kinsley Zinsmaster, Roman Means, Paisley Davis and Paige Davis; three sisters: Jacqueline Poley-Gilhams, of Sturgis, Margo (Robert) Hooley, of Sturgis and Barbara (the Rev. Vernon) Crandall, of Vicksburg; many nieces and nephews; special friends: Rose Bohyer, Sandi Smith, Sharon Miller and Linda Sites.

She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter-in-law: Amy Gest; sister: Cheryl MacPherson; brother: John MacPherson; brothers-in-law: Neil Poley and Robert Gest Sr.; sister-in-law: Nancy Gest and special friends: Anita Bohyer, Marlene Carr McDonald, Sharlyn “Cookie” Dillen.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-2331.

Funeral services celebrating the life of Darlene C. Gest will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Shawn Marbaugh Sr. and The Rev. Rodger Moyer will officiate.

A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis. The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Darlene’s memory consider the Sturgis Salvation Army, 105 N. Fourth St., Sturgis, MI 49091 or Three Rivers Health Hospice, 633 Erie St., Three Rivers, MI 49093 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 S. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. The obituary is also at hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.