Death of Marjorie L. Trumbull
Marjorie L. Trumbull
Marjorie L. Trumbull
1923 – 2012
Global Ministries is saddened to learn of the death of Marjorie (Marge) Lucille Trumbull, former missionary to Africa. Marge, 89, of Kalamazoo, MI died Saturday, February 25, 2012. She was born on January 26, 1923 in Dowagiac, MI, the daughter of Leslie and Laura (Evans) Fletcher. She was preceded in death by three siblings, Caryl Nickert, Dorothy Ames and Marion Fletcher, all of Dowagiac, MI. She is remembered by her loving husband, Howard Trumbull of Kalamazoo, MI, her sister Fern Field of Jeannette, PA, a sister-in-law, Madelyn Fletcher of Dowagiac, MI and four children, David Trumbull of Chicago, IL, Pam Chamberlin of Kalamazoo, MI, Michael Trumbull of Colorado Springs, CO and Ginger Trumbull of Grand Rapids, MI. She is also fondly remembered by eight grandchildren and one great grandson.
By early childhood, Marge knew she wanted to be a registered nurse. After finishing high school in Dowagiac, MI, she graduated from Bronson Hospital Nursing School in Kalamazoo in September 1944. In December 1944, she married Howard Trumbull, who was serving in the Army Air Corps, and accompanied him during his last year and a half of WW II service in this country. They raised a family in St. Joseph, MI. From 1961 to 1971, they served two terms of missionary service in South Africa, working with Zulu people. Marge was involved in literacy training. During their third term of missionary service in Botswana, Africa, she received her midwifery degree. After their return to the United States, she and a friend set up a home birth business in Grand Rapids, MI and delivered 250 babies. She also trained lay midwives.
Marge and Howard lived in a Mennonite retirement community in Goshen, IN for 16 years, then moved to Kalamazoo, MI. Marge spent the last four years of her life in the care of Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Both she and Howard were very grateful for their wonderful staff and services.
Marge accepted all the people who came into her life and was a joyful example of love and caring to everyone.
Memorial donations in Marge’s name can be sent to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, 222 N. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI 49007-3882, www.hospiceswmi.org, or to Global Ministries, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland OH 44115-1100..
Messages of condolence may be sent to Mr. Howard Trumbull, 5749 Stadium Drive, Apt. 320, Kalamazoo, MI 49009.