Obituary
RAAB (BACKUS), MYRTLE RUTH, age 90, of Shepherd, passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at My Mid-Michigan Hospital in Midland.
Funeral Services for Myrtle will take place at Clark Family Funeral Chapel on Friday, June 2, 2023, at 2 p.m. with Bishop Eugene Colegrove officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and one hour prior to the funeral service on Friday. The interment will take place at Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Following the burial, a luncheon will take place at Reflections Reception Center. Memorial contributions may be made to HATS or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel.
Myrtle was born December 5, 1932, in St. Louis, Michigan, the daughter of John and Zenobia (Taylor) Sonley. She graduated from Shepherd High School with the class of 1952. Following graduation, Myrtle married William Backus. After 26 years of marriage, William preceded her in death in 1978. Myrtle married George Raab in 2005, and he preceded her in death in 2011. Myrtle, along with her sisters Patsy and Rheba, owned and operated Brides on Broadway for several years. She was active with the Shepherd Maple Syrup committee and was named Grand Marshall in 2012. Myrtle enjoyed volunteering whenever she could and always putting others first. She was also active with the Shepherd United Methodist Church Ladies. In her spare time, Myrtle loved to cook and feed her family. She liked playing card games, board games and traveling to many states on bus trips. Myrtle was known to be meticulous, always keeping a tidy home. She was artistic; she liked painting and calligraphy.
Myrtle is survived by her daughters, Kathy (Backus) Phelps-Moore of Holland, Linda (Backus) and Darryl Good of Hudsonville; stepdaughters Anita Nartker and family of Shepherd, Julie (Dan) Louks and family of Port Huron; grandchildren Chris (Karen) Phelps, Pamela (Ryan) Moore, Ranee (Stevan) Good-Florez, Jeremy Moore; 12 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law Judy Backus-Flint of Blanchard; brother-in-law Roger Stahlman of Shepherd; and several nieces and nephews.
Myrtle was preceded in death by her parents; husbands William Backus and George Raab; stepdaughter Diane Mihok; sisters Rheba Dedie and Patsy Stahlman; and brother Darold Sonley.
Events
05:00 PM - 08:00 PM
MOUNT PLEASANT, MI 48858
01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
MOUNT PLEASANT, MI 48858
02:00 PM
MOUNT PLEASANT, MI 48858
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858