Dorothy Gorham

Dorothy L. Gorham, Age 87, Of Battle Creek, Went to be with our Lord on Wednesday, July 20, 2016, at Bronson at Home Hospice Residence. Dorothy was born and raised in Dowling, MI, on December 21, 1928, the daughter of Clinton and Crystal (Card) Burpee. She attended Dowling schools until her graduation from Hastings High School in 1947. She attended Kellogg Community College in 1980 for photography. Dorothy lived in Ceresco from 1961 to 1977, and then moved to Battle Creek. She married Nelson Brisbin on September 23, 1949 which ended in divorce in 1975. Dorothy then married Royal E. Gorham who preceded her in death in 2004. She worked various local jobs until her full time employment with the Kellogg Company from April 1957 until her retirement in 1988. She was a 30 plus year member of the Christ United Methodist Church in Urbandale, 4-H Leader from 1963 to 1973, Newton Township Birthday Club, Quadrille Square Dance, Mid-Michigan Mobiles, Kellogg 25 Year Club, Kellogg Retirees, Kellogg Board Member, Kellogg Birthday Club, Kellogg Wednesday Breakfast, Charitable Union since 2005, Bronson At Home Hospice since 2005, choir, Ladies Circle and Fork Lifters. Dorothy loved to travel anywhere, from 1960’s across the U.S. to abroad. Especially camping with family. She began sewing from age 9 to now. Taught young and old her talent with pride and perfection. She was an independent “Do it yourself” person. She continued to home can fresh fruits and vegetables as each season arrived. Most of her sewing projects were made to give to charitable organizations-young and old. Surviving are her children, Michael (Betsie) Brisbin of Baroda, MI, Diana (Larry) Thorp of Ceresco, Tom(Janie) Gorham of Middleville, Ken (Cynthia) Gorham of Middleville, Jim (Wendy) Gorham of Hastings and Ann (Brian) McCarthy of Bay City; grandchildren, Daryl (Devyss) Heckman, Brian Heckman, Darren (Deb) Gorham, Darleen (Tim) Holland, William Gorham, Seage (David) DeWeese, Gabrielle Van Oosterhout, Gavin Van Oosterhout, Megan(Marko) Schubert and Amanda McCarthy; great grandchildren, Dustin Heckman, Brandon Heckman, Brayden Heckman, Emmaleigh Heckman, Brittany Gorham, Brylee Gorham, Jenelle (Cal) Twardosky-Beskosty, Samantha Holland and Ashley Holland; great great grandchildren, Ethan Brown and Journey Brown; Sister, Nora (Larry) Butcher of Fayetteville, GA, sister-in-law, Joan Brisbin of Battle Creek, brother-in-law, Russell Gorham of Battle Creek. She was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters, Kenneth Burpee, Herbert Burpee, Allie (Burpee) Smith, Betty Burpee, Donald Burpee, Harold Burpee, Merle Burpee, Gerald Burpee, Gladys (Burpee) Rodewald, Gordon Burpee, William Burpee, Elton Burpee, Welton Burpee, Infant Boy Burpee, Harold Gorham and Wretha (Gorham) Skidmore. Visitation will be held Friday from 2 to 4:00p.m. and 6 to 8:00 p.m., at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 23, 2016, at the funeral home. Entombment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Bronson at Home Hospice Residence or The American Cancer Society. Her family was most important to her and we would like everyone at Bronson at Home Hospice, family and friends to know how much we appreciate all the support and prayers. GOD BLESS YOU MOM. Rest in peace. www.henryfuneralhome.org

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