Frances Elizabeth Brooks Schneider

Frances Brooks Schneider, age 104 of Middleville passed away May 5, 2014 at Carveth Village in Middleville.

She was born on October 4, 1909 in Three Rivers, Michigan, the daughter of Edmund and Ethel (Hayt) Trumbull.

In 1916 her parents moved to a farm in Clinton County. Frances attended country school through the 8 ^th grade and High School in St. Johns. She took a course in secretarial work at Lansing Business University. She worked as a secretary at Estey Manufacturing Company in Owosso for 3 ½ years. She married Robert Brooks from Owosso on August 23, 1930. A son, Robert was born on August 22, 1931. In 1934 the family moved to Grand Rapids where Mr. Brooks was employed at Capital Lumber and Wreaking Company. A daughter, Carol, was born on July 30, 1937. In 1947 they came to Hastings and with partners Mickey and Bob Lambert established the East Side Lumber Company. Mr. Brooks sold his interest and retired in 1957 and for many years they enjoyed winters in Florida and traveled during summers throughout the United States. Mr. Brooks passed away on January 30, 1968 in Florida.

Mrs. Brooks continued to live in Florida and Michigan. On August 11, 1974, Frances married Harry Schneider from Stone Harbor, NJ. They lived in Key Largo, Florida. Harry Schneider passed away August 11, 1981 after a long illness. Mrs. Schneider then returned to Hastings and lived an active life. She was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church of Hastings, volunteered at Pennock Hospital Gift Shop and the Blood Bank. For many years she was an avid bowler and loved to play bridge. She loved all her family and enjoyed all the get-togethers for pizza parties, celebration of holidays and birthdays.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edmund and Ethel Trumbull, sister, Margaret Muns, son-in-law, Dean L. Stuart, grandson, Doug Brooks, stepdaughters, Ellen Irish and Jean Vennes.

She is survived by her son, Robert (Elaine) Brooks of Grand Rapids, daughter, Carol Stuart of Hastings, brother, Clarence Trumbull of Lansing, six grandchildren, Deb and Larry Winkler, Teresa and Bruce Bylsma, David and Kathy Stuart, Robert E. and Linda Brooks III and Bruce and Noella Brooks, grand-daughter-in-law, Cyndi Brooks, 14 great-grandchildren, 9 great-great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way, step-daughter, Alice Fichter, many nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to Barry Community Hospice, Carveth Village or the First United Methodist Church.

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 9, 2014 from 10 am until 11am with the funeral service to follow at 11 am at the First United Methodist Church in Hastings. Pastor Don Spachman will officiate the service. A luncheon will follow the funeral service. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery.