Dorothy B. (Murphy) Rose

Dorothy B. Rose, 88, of Battle Creek passed peacefully on Saturday, May 16, 2020, at Senior Care Partners PACE (Covid Unit) in Portage.

Dorothy was born on September 7, 1931, in Elkhart Indiana, to George P. and Lillian Mae (Eichelberger) Murphy. She graduated from Battle Creek Central High School.  She met her husband-to-be, French E. Rose, while he was stationed at the Percy Jones Army Hospital.  It was love at first sight and they entered into holy matrimony on July 24, 1948, in Battle Creek at the First Congressional Church. He preceded her in death on October 13, 2013.

Dorothy worked for the Michigan Educational Association, St.  Mary's Lake, Battle Creek, for 30 years.  She started working at the MEA Center in the kitchen/dining room and worked her way up, through the years, retiring as Assistant Director.  Dorothy also worked, prior to the MEA, at Oliver Equipment in Battle Creek.  She was a former member of the Urbandale Baptist Church.  Dorothy enjoyed cooking, knitting crocheting, and gardening.  She also enjoyed arts and crafts. She served many years as a Camp Fire Girls’ Leader, and a long-time Volunteer at the Marian E. Burch Adult Day Care Center.  Dorothy and her husband, French, enjoyed going up North to their Cabin in Wellston fishing, hunting and spending time with friends and family.  They also enjoyed going to French's Destroyer Escort Navy Reunions across the Country.  Dorothy was a big fan of the Wizard of Oz, collecting memorabilia and attending annual Wizard of Oz Festivals.  She became good friends with many of the Munchkins and those that made the Story come to life. Dorothy was a member of the Urbandale Area Homecoming Committee for many years and she and her Husband were honored as Grand Marshals of the Homecoming Parade in 2012. Dorothy was a Member of the Charter Chapter of the American Business Women Association and served a term as their President, attending Conferences at various locations across the Country.   She loved more than anything spending time with her family and especially time with her Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren.  She made it a point to try and attend every event they participated in.  Dorothy has been a part of the Senior Care Partners PACE Program in Battle Creek for approximately one and half years and so enjoyed the kind-hearted people that took remarkable care of her.

She is survived by her Daughter, Deborah Owens, of Battle Creek; Grandchildren, Christopher Owens of Battle Creek, and Loni Owens of Westfield, Indiana; two beautiful Great Grandchildren, Peyton Kent, and Marlo Kent; a brother Kenneth Murphy of Battle Creek; and many beloved nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her Father; Mother and Step-Father, Raymond Griggs; and Sisters, Marlene Brownell and Sharon Mayo.

Visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., on Friday, May 22, 2020, at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 2838 Capital Ave S.W., Battle Creek, MI 49015. **Due to COVID-19 there will be marked entrances and exits and State guidelines will be monitored** A private family Funeral Service will take place at 1:00 p.m., at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 2838 Capital Ave S.W., Battle Creek, MI 49015.  A private Interment will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery.  Memorial contributions are requested to Senior Care Partners PACE, 200 West Michigan Avenue, Suite 103, Battle Creek, MI 49017, or they can be mailed to the Kempf Family Funeral Home P.O., Box 519 Marshall, MI 49068.  Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at http://www.kempffuneralhome.com