Bessie Haddrill

Haddrill, Bessie M.,Age 92, Battle Creek, Bessie Mae (Johnson) Parker Haddrill, 92, of Battle Creek, MI, passed away on Friday, 22 April, 2016. She was born at Grashul, South Dakota, the daughter of Robert and Julia Johnson, and moved with the family to Battle Creek in 1933. Bess graduated from Battle Creek Central H.S. in 1940 and married Wm. E. Parker in 1942. They had three children – Gladys, Richard (Betty), and Bill (Janine) – but divorced in 1959. She married Philip H. Haddrill in 1960 and they had one son, Keith. Bess was a noted churchwoman, having held offices for Church Women United at local and state levels, and for any United Methodist Church of which she was a member. She actively campaigned against gambling casinos and human trafficking. She worked at Kellogg’s 1949-1954, became a successful real estate agent, then retired in 1985 as a Division Manager for Field Enterprises. She was a Cub Scouts den mother, an adult reading tutor, and a tour sponsor for seniors in Dearborn, MI. She loved to gather with family, to garden, to travel, and to play board games. She especially loved music, enabling music studies by her children, and helping husband Phil with his music career. In recent years, she enjoyed playing the harmonica with the Old Tyme Music group. She is survived by all 4 children, 4 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren; also by Philip’s children - Ariel, Phyllis, Karen, and David - their children and grandchildren. She is survived by her older brother Robert Johnson (Evelyn) and by 5 younger siblings: Marvin Johnson (Pat), Lyle Johnson (Marge), Lila Latham (Harold), Bonnie McMillen (Claud), and Sylvia Parmelee (Robert). She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Philip, and two siblings, LaVerne Johnson (Betty), and Larry Johnson (Joanne). Friends will be received on Friday from 6-8 PM at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, April 30th, 10:30 AM, at the funeral home with Pastor Brian Steele officiating. The family requests that memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, be sent to:  Operation Christmas Child, Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.  www.henryfuneralhome.org

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