Florence I. Strong

Florence I. Strong, 91, of Buchanan, passed away on January 21, 2011 at Oak Crest AFC Home in Niles.Florence was born April 1, 1919 to Charles F. and Myrle (Miles) French at their farm in Bertrand Township (Berrien County), Michigan. She and her younger sister Barbara (Carl) Ward were raised by their grandmother, Nora (Dempsey) Miles after their mother passed away when Florence was 9 years old. She graduated Buchanan High School in 1937 and South Bend Business College whereupon she began work at Tyler Refrigeration. During this time she was active in the Junior Farm Bureau where she met her future husband, Wesley Strong. Florence and Wes were married April 15, 1944, raising three children – James E Strong and Elaine K Cole both of Buchanan, Michigan and Nancy S (Thomas) Meyer of Niles, Michigan. These survive along with grandchildren James (Karla) Cole, Becky (Alban) Camille-McLeod and Sean Meyer. She is also survived by four great grandchildren, her sister Barbara, cousins Gene Beck and Virginia Sloane and several nieces and nephews. Husband Wesley preceded her in death on December 30, 1983.Mom was an amazing woman, quietly doing the things God has given her to do and remaining faithful to Him. She was active in her church, Faith United Methodist of Buchanan, serving thru the years in many capacities including Youth Leader, Sunday School Teacher, Superintendent of Education and in several leadership positions in the United Methodist Women. She was very youth focused both within the church and without. She served as a leader of the Cloverleaf 4-H club for over 30 years, teaching sewing, flower arranging and flower gardening. She was a foster grandparent and a reading tutor in the local literacy council where she enjoyed mentoring young people. She has sponsored several young people thru Compassion International and (along with Dad) informally adopted a young couple from India when they arrived in the US.The family would like to give special thanks to God for allowing us almost 92 years with Mom, to Pastor Chris Kruchkow of Faith United Methodist Church, to Jan and Ted Oles for the great care of Mom at Oak Crest AFC, to the Berrien County Cancer Service, Lakeland Homecare, Lakeland Hospice, Lakeland Hospital – Niles, and to Drs. Rosa Johnson, Daniel Brash and several other physicians. Visitation for Florence Strong will be held from 4 to 8 pm Monday, January 24 at the Swem Funeral Home in Buchanan (301 W. Front). A celebration of her life will be held 11 AM on Tuesday, January 25 at Faith United Methodist Church located at 728 North Detroit St in Buchanan 49107 with interment at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Memorials may be made in her memory to the church or to Compassion International, Colorado Springs, CO 80997.