Florence
Florence I. Finkey
Florence passed away Friday, August 21, 2020 at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo.
She was born August 2, 1922 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Ruluf and Frances (VanGeison) Blue. Florence was a 1940 Otsego High School graduate and attended Maher’s Business School in Kalamazoo. In 1942 she joined the U.S. Naval Reserve and served her country during World War II.
She married Robert Snow in 1945 and together they traveled to California and Oregon returning to Alamo, Michigan to raise their two sons. They lived in the UP for 6 years and after Robert passed in 1985 Florence returned to Alamo. She married Berle Finkey in 1989. Together they enjoyed gardening and bus tours.
Florence’s love of local history led her to write and publish two books about Alamo Township and country life. She enjoyed volunteering at church and in her community, dancing, doing crafts, music and traveling.
Surviving are her son, Paul (Teri) Snow of Otsego, grandchildren, Nathan (Kallin) Snow, Jared (Stephanie) Snow and Caitlin (Justin) Nolan and 2 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Robert; second husband, Berle; son, Gordon Snow; granddaughter, Amanda Snow and brother, Donald.
According to her wishes cremation has taken place.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, August 29, 2020 at the First Congregational Church in Otsego with Pastor Bruce Vander Kolk officiating.
Burial of ashes will take place at Alamo Center Cemetery at a later time.
Contributions in memory of Florence may be made to the First Congregational Church of Otsego.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of Florence I. Finkey
Condolence Messages
Mrs. Jim Hewitt. (Patti Khodl)
August 22, 2020 at 1:55 pm
Wow! 98 years young! At last Florence is reunited with her loved family that have passed. I remember Florence & Berle at the Otsego Lions Club functions and meetings. Quite the comical pair! People with caring hearts and willing to give of themselves.
Reply
Post 36
August 23, 2020 at 1:09 pm
Florence,
Your service to the Nation and to your fellow veterans will never be forgotten. Thank you. Rest in Peace.
Respectfully,
Your fellow veterans at the American Legion Joseph B. Westnedge Post 36.
Reply
Sharon Sinclair
August 23, 2020 at 2:29 pm
Where do I start. I have known Florence since I was 3 years old. She was my neighbor in Alamo when I was growing up. I traveled with she Bob and the boys out west when I was around 12 years old. We camped in a 15 foot travel trailer and I have the best memories of that trip. I believe that is what instilled the beginning my love of travel. She also lead me in puppet plays, choir and the love of nature. I can still hear her singing while she worked around her house.
My most recent prized memory is of her sharing her Navy story with me and her story of growing up on the farm, My family farm was across the street from hers.
She had a wonderful since of humor and was always happy and willing to help others. Florence will be missed by many and remembered by so many more. My condolences to Paul and the rest of the family.
RIP dear friend.
Reply
Susan (Jerrett) and Tom Sawasky
August 25, 2020 at 11:06 am
I’ve known Florence since I was a small girl. She was everything to me and everyone at Alamo Congregational Church. She had unlimited energy. I remember the beautiful Christmas ornaments she made for the huge church Christmas tree. She used can lids decorated with glitter and ribbons. She always had the most unique ideas!
Her knowledge of the Alamo area was amazing. I lived in Alamo township all my life and feel so lucky to know so much about it thanks to Florence. I have a couple of her books that I treasure.
My prayers and thoughts are with you Paul and family.
Reply
Spenc-Lynn Rife
August 28, 2020 at 9:00 pm
Florence was a pillar of the Alamo community— We loved her and her wit, creativity and love of local history.
She and her husband were friends who were family for the Schau-Rife family!!
She will be deeply missed
Love Lynn Spenc and Aaron Rife
Reply
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She was born August 2, 1922 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Ruluf and Frances (VanGeison) Blue. Florence was a 1940 Otsego High School graduate and attended Maher’s Business School in Kalamazoo. In 1942 she joined the U.S. Naval Reserve and served her country during World War II.
She married Robert Snow in 1945 and together they traveled to California and Oregon returning to Alamo, Michigan to raise their two sons. They lived in the UP for 6 years and after Robert passed in 1985 Florence returned to Alamo. She married Berle Finkey in 1989. Together they enjoyed gardening and bus tours.
Florence’s love of local history led her to write and publish two books about Alamo Township and country life. She enjoyed volunteering at church and in her community, dancing, doing crafts, music and traveling.
Surviving are her son, Paul (Teri) Snow of Otsego, grandchildren, Nathan (Kallin) Snow, Jared (Stephanie) Snow and Caitlin (Justin) Nolan and 2 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Robert; second husband, Berle; son, Gordon Snow; granddaughter, Amanda Snow and brother, Donald.
According to her wishes cremation has taken place.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, August 29, 2020 at the First Congregational Church in Otsego with Pastor Bruce Vander Kolk officiating.
Burial of ashes will take place at Alamo Center Cemetery at a later time.
Contributions in memory of Florence may be made to the First Congregational Church of Otsego.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of Florence I. Finkey
Condolence Messages
Mrs. Jim Hewitt. (Patti Khodl)
August 22, 2020 at 1:55 pm
Wow! 98 years young! At last Florence is reunited with her loved family that have passed. I remember Florence & Berle at the Otsego Lions Club functions and meetings. Quite the comical pair! People with caring hearts and willing to give of themselves.
Reply
Post 36
August 23, 2020 at 1:09 pm
Florence,
Your service to the Nation and to your fellow veterans will never be forgotten. Thank you. Rest in Peace.
Respectfully,
Your fellow veterans at the American Legion Joseph B. Westnedge Post 36.
Reply
Sharon Sinclair
August 23, 2020 at 2:29 pm
Where do I start. I have known Florence since I was 3 years old. She was my neighbor in Alamo when I was growing up. I traveled with she Bob and the boys out west when I was around 12 years old. We camped in a 15 foot travel trailer and I have the best memories of that trip. I believe that is what instilled the beginning my love of travel. She also lead me in puppet plays, choir and the love of nature. I can still hear her singing while she worked around her house.
My most recent prized memory is of her sharing her Navy story with me and her story of growing up on the farm, My family farm was across the street from hers.
She had a wonderful since of humor and was always happy and willing to help others. Florence will be missed by many and remembered by so many more. My condolences to Paul and the rest of the family.
RIP dear friend.
Reply
Susan (Jerrett) and Tom Sawasky
August 25, 2020 at 11:06 am
I’ve known Florence since I was a small girl. She was everything to me and everyone at Alamo Congregational Church. She had unlimited energy. I remember the beautiful Christmas ornaments she made for the huge church Christmas tree. She used can lids decorated with glitter and ribbons. She always had the most unique ideas!
Her knowledge of the Alamo area was amazing. I lived in Alamo township all my life and feel so lucky to know so much about it thanks to Florence. I have a couple of her books that I treasure.
My prayers and thoughts are with you Paul and family.
Reply
Spenc-Lynn Rife
August 28, 2020 at 9:00 pm
Florence was a pillar of the Alamo community— We loved her and her wit, creativity and love of local history.
She and her husband were friends who were family for the Schau-Rife family!!
She will be deeply missed
Love Lynn Spenc and Aaron Rife
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
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How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
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