June Elaine Wurtz's Obituary
Mrs. June Elaine Wurtz, age 98, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 27, 2021, at Heartwood Lodge after a six-month fight with post-COVID illness. June was born on June 16, 1923, in Shelby, MI to Roy and Ruth (Hoffman) Bearss. She graduated from Shelby High School in 1941, before moving to Muskegon and working at Brunswick Corporation as a secretary. Always a lover of big band music, June met the love of her life Barth Wurtz one night while he was playing saxophone for the Frank Lockage Band. They were married on February 14, 1946, and after 54 years of marriage together he preceded her in death on November 13, 2000.
June loved playing Bridge, watching the Detroit Tigers, attending Michigan State football/basketball games, listening to the “Truth In Jazz Orchestra” at the Watermark, traveling the world, and never passing up a good “cocktail” party. She cherished her memories of summers at the Idlewild family cottage overlooking Lake Michigan, and winter weekends at “The Farmhouse” in Glen Arbor, skiing and snowmobiling with her Idlewild cottage friends. For the past 45 years, June enjoyed spending the winter months on Hutchinson Island, Florida, including this past year. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Muskegon for over 70 years, the Women’s Division of Muskegon Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Muskegon Service League, and the Muskegon Country Club. She lived life to the fullest, and dedicated her life to her family, friends, and community.
SURVIVORS include two children, Jim (Gail) Wurtz and Cheri (Mark) Heger both of Norton Shores; two grandchildren, Christopher (Caitlyn) Garzelloni and David (Jamiann) Garzelloni; great grandson, Alden James Garzelloni; and brother-in-law Al Newgard. June was also preceded in death by her daughter, Judy Wurtz in 2014; brother, Leroy Bearss; and sister-in-law, Jeanne Newgard. The family extends a special “thank you” to the Hall’s, Sytsema’s and Fulton’s for being caring and generous neighbors. The family would also like to thank the wonderful caregivers at Heartwood Lodge for their compassionate care.
Private family services will be held. A Celebration of June’s life will be celebrated later this summer. Share memories with the family online at www.sytsemafh.com. Arrangements by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services 6291 S. Harvey St. Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231) 798-1100.
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