Josephine J. Sears Obituary (1922 - 2017)

Josephine J. Sears, age 94, of Trufant, passed away Saturday, July 8, 2017 at Spectrum Health Rehab & Nursing Center in Grand Rapids. The daughter of Waldema W. "Walter" & Mildred V. (Warner) Johnson, she was born on November 17, 1922 in Trufant. She previously had been a member of Settlement Lutheran Church in Gowen, where with her late husband, Fred, helped establish "Barrie's House"... even writing the grant that helped fund a separate building for the charity. She later transferred her membership to St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Trufant, was a member of the Danish Sisterhood Society, and a life member of the Trufant Area Chamber of Commerce. Josephine volunteered with several area organizations, and had been active with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. In her working years, she worked in a variety of secretarial, accounting, and management positions and served as the Maple Valley Township Clerk for 18 years and obtained the title of Certified Municipal Clerk from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. She also edited the book, The Trufant History, which was published in 1987 after several years assembling and editing photographs and stories. She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, Sherwood B. Schaaf and Frederick G. Sears; a son, Sherwood Mark "Markie" Schaaf; two sisters, Elizabeth Johnson and Emma May Nastaj; a brother, Robert S. Johnson; and a brother-in-law, Sidney Nastaj. Surviving are a daughter, Sonia Francis; two sisters, Arlene Blaesing and Geraldine & Darwin Smith; a brother, Walter & Janet Johnson; a granddaughter, Kacie Toffoli; two very special great grandchildren, Samantha Toffoli and Louis Toffoli; a very special nephew, Dustin Olsen; and many other loved nieces, nephews, and friends. Honoring her wishes, private committal services will be held at Trufant Cemetery. Instead of flowers, Josephine would have appreciated contributions in her memory to either Barrie's House, 1031 Johnson Road, Gowen, Michigan49326 or to the family to be used according to their wishes. Envelopes will also be available at Christiansen Cremation & Funeral Care, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville.