Hartford City - Cholis Sue Michael, 91, of Hartford City, IN, passed away on November 30, 2010 at Heritage Pointe, Warren, IN. She was born November 7, 1919 in Oakville, Delaware Co., IN, the daughter of John C. and Gencie (Niccum) Rinker. She was married June 29, 1943 to Richard Wayne Michael of rural Upland, IN, at Union Chapel Methodist Church in Blackford Co.
Cholis Sue was a Registered Nurse, graduating from Indianapolis Methodist School of Nursing Education. She engaged in nursing over a period of thirty years, serving as Night Supervisor of Witham Memorial Hospital, Lebanon, IN; Obstetrical Supervisor at Blackford Co. Hospital, Hartford City, IN; and Health Center Nurse at Taylor University, Upland, IN. She also volunteered as a nurse at church youth camps and numerous community service programs, and took continuing nursing education courses at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, IN.
Cholis Sue was also Past President of several organizations including Church Women United, and a Past Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star.
She became a Christian at seven and dedicated her life to Christ at fifteen. During her twenty-nine year membership at Trinity United Methodist Church in Hartford City she taught Sunday school (sixteen years), served on the Administrative Board, Pastor Parish Relations Committee, Ecumenical Chairperson, Youth Director (with her husband), church camp counselor, and delegate to the annual church conference at Purdue University.
During her thirty year membership at Hartford City Wesleyan Church she was Fellowship Chairperson, Communion Steward, Missionary Delegate, Outreach Director, prayer leader, and "prayer warrior." She always felt blessed because all of her family were Christians.
Cholis Sue is preceded in death by Richard, her loving husband of 53 years, her parents, her brother Garland Rinker and a sister Dora Dean Lumpkin, both of Hagerstown, IN. She is survived by: two sons - John Warren (wife Jan) Michael of Brownsburg, IN and Gregory Wayne (wife Jane) Michael of Menasha, WI; three grandchildren - Julia Elizabeth (Michael) Reed of Lawrence, IN, Jennifer Ann (husband Christopher "Kit") Williams of Brownsburg, IN, and Jon-Adam (wife Catherine) Michael of Indianapolis, IN; eight great grandchildren and three nieces. The family is very grateful to all who contributed to Cholis Sue's well-being over the past several months, including the ministers and her dear friends from the Hartford City Wesleyan Church and those from the community, her good neighbors, and especially Dr. Helen Borgenheimer and the care staff of Blackford Community Hospital; the wonderful staff of Blackford County and Ft. Wayne Hospice; and the constant caring of the staff at Heritage Pointe's Palliative Care wing in Warren, IN. All of you became expressions of God's constant and tender care for Cholis Sue and the family.
Those who wish to greet the family may do so in the Narthex of the Hartford City Wesleyan Church, 221 North Cherry Street, Hartford City, IN 47348, on Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 10:00 a.m., prior to the 11:00 a.m. memorial service celebrating Cholis Sue's life. Pastor Tom Parson's will officiate. A private committal service will be held at the Garden's of Memory Cemetery. Memorial donations may be offered to the Hartford City Wesleyan Church.