Mary E. Gitberg

Mary E. Gitberg 73, of Battle Creek died Friday, April 12, 2013 at Good Samaritans Hospice Residence surround by her family. She was born March 5, 1940, in Battle Creek, the daughter of Alfred and Nina (Wagoner) Fox. Mary graduated in 1958 from Battle Creek Central High School. She worked as a teacher's aid for special education in the Harper Creek School System for five years. She also worked 14 years at K-Mart in Marshall and for many years at "Our World for Children" at St. Mark Lutheran Church. Even more importantly, she was a homemaker, raising her four children.
Mary E. (Fox) Bays married Donald Gitberg on September 27, 1980 in Battle Creek, MI. The couple loved being together and going to their grandchildren's sporting events. Mary and Don also enjoyed traveling about the country, especially their 25th Anniversary cruise to Hawaii. Mary took great care of her garden and enjoyed working on crafts. She was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church and Burnham Brook.
Mary is survived by her loving husband, Don; one daughter, Sabrina (Tom) Rhinehart, of Harrison, MI.; three sons, Roger (Linda) Bays, Jeff (Lori) Bays, and Brian (Terri) Bays, all of Battle Creek; thirteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren, a sister, Candy Pluff of Blanchard and a brother, John (Dee) Fox, of Battle Creek,.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Shirley Swafford, a brother, Henry Fox.
The family will receive friends from 2- 4 & 6-8 pm Monday, April 15, 2013 at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, 105 Capital Ave, N.E. Battle Creek. A funeral to celebrate her life will be held at 10:30 am, Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 114 Minges Rd E, Battle Creek, MI 49015-405, with the Pastor Bradley Hubbard officiating. Interment will follow at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Friends who wish may make memorial contribution to the church or American Diabetes Association.