Margie Ernsperger

Margie Lee Ernsperger, age 81 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 1:10 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 with family gathered around at her home, ending a courageous battle against cancer.

She was born on May 19, 1937 in Niles to William C. and Vivian M. (Robbins) Ferris. She graduated from Niles High School in 1954, and attended Southwestern Michigan College. Her entire career was as a bookkeeper, and she served several area firms including the W. J. Clancy Associates.

Margie was a member of Saint Mark Catholic Church in Niles where she had also volunteered. She enjoyed reading, listing to country music, and traveling and camping with her family. She was a proficient seamstress, and knitter, and practiced other crafts including ceramics.

On August 31, 1956 at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in South Bend, Indiana she married George Charles Ernsperger with whom she celebrated a remarkable Sixty-one years of marriage in 2017. Sadly, they were preceded in death by an infant daughter, Ann Elizabeth Ernsperger in 1957, and by her parents.

Surviving family includes her husband, George Ernsperger, Sr. and their children, George (& Carolyn) Ernsperger, Jr of Niles, Susan (& Gary) Wright of South Bend, and Staci (& John) Hibbard II of Niles; and grandchildren, Jacob Ernsperger, Ian Ernsperger, and Jeremy Wright.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Margie Ernsperger will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 15, 2018 at Saint Mark Catholic Church, 3 North 19th Street, Niles by the Rev. Thomas King, C.S.C. of the parish assisted by Brother Dennis Meyers, C.S.C. Committal Rites will follow at Mission Hills.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles with recitation of The Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Contributions in memory of Margie may be made to Saint Mark Catholic Church, http://stmarkparishofniles.org; or to Caring Circle Hospice at Home, http://www.lakelandhealth.org/caring-circle/caring-circle. Online condolences may be left at: www.halbritterwickens.com