Rose Mary Urban

Rose Mary Urban, 93, known as ‘Rose Mary’ her entire life, 93, died peacefully in her sleep on Monday June 10, 2019 at White Oaks Residence in Lawton, Michigan. Rose Mary was born July 5, 1925 in Bloomfield, Iowa the daughter of Marie and Ray Phillips. She graduated from Geneseo Township High School in Illinois in May of 1943. In August of that year she traveled to Travis, Texas to marry her fiancé Roy Urban, who was preparing for Army Air Corps service in the Pacific.

After returning to Geneseo she worked in industry during the war and joined the First Presbyterian Church of Geneseo in 1945 where she remained a member until her death. After the war she made a home for her family and her widowed mother. She was very active in her church, serving in many capacities including on the Board of Deacons and as a Sunday school teacher, much to the embarrassment of her son.

Rose Mary was very interested in crafts throughout her life. Her home was on the local Christmas Tour of Homes in 1968 to showcase her hand made Christmas decorations. She survived a serious bout with cancer and went on to care for her elderly mother and failing husband until their passing.

In later years she lived with her daughter Nancy in Pleasant Hill, Missouri and near her son Terry in Portage, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her brother Billy, her husband of 46 years Roy in 1992 and daughter Nancy in 2012. She is survived by her son Terry, grandchildren Cory Klockenga (Tamara) of Clio, MI, Michael Klockenga (Regenia) of Pleasant Hill, MO, Mackenzie and Kaley Urban of Portage, MI, great granddaughter Allie Klockenga, great grandsons Jordan, Jason, Aaron and Ryan, and several great great grandchildren.

A visitation in Portage, Michigan will be held from 5-7PM on Thursday (June 20) at Portage Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 7028 Oakland Dr., Portage, MI 49024. Funeral and Internment services will be in Geneseo, Illinois at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Presbyterian Church, 133 E North St., Geneseo, IL 61254 or the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo, MI 49009 (269) 375-2900 www.betzlerlifestory.com.