Roberta F. Utterback

UTTERBACK Roberta F. Utterback, age 91, of Greenville, Michigan, formerly of Columbus, passed away Monday evening, May 1, 2006 at the Long Term Care Unit of Spectrum Health United Memorial-United Campus, Greenville. The daughter of Bart and Emma (Maxwell) Utterback, she was born on July 29, 1914 in Brimson, Missouri. Bertie graduated from NorthWest State University in Maryville, Mo. and began a teaching career that spanned 48 years. She had taught in public schools in Missouri, Denver, Colorado, Saginaw, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, until accepting a position with the Ohio State University where she was an associate professor of education for 35 years, retiring in 1979. Bertie was a charter member of the BU chapter of PEO Sisterhood, Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, Pi Lambda Theta of Central Ohio, a life member of the Ohio State Retired Teacher's and the Ohio State University Faculty organizations, and the Alumni Association of University School. An extensive traveler, Bertie's travels took her throughout the United States, Europe, and even to Russia. She was also an avid antique collector, especially delighting in pressed glass pieces. Two years ago, she moved to Greenville and made her home with her sister Lois, until poor health necessitated a move to Green Acres Retirement Living where she spent the last four months. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister Marie Doherty and two brothers Harmon Utterback and Vernon Utterback. Surviving are two sisters, Lois U. Beal of Greenville, Mich. and Lorene F. Pederson of Hillsboro, Oregon.; two nieces, DeAnna Phillips of Hillsboro, Oregon and Karen Utterback of Chicago, Ill.; three nephews, Michael Pederson of Edmonds, Wash., Mark Pederson of LaConnor, Wash. and Victor C. Beal, Jr. of Riverdale, Md.; five grand nephews and three grand nieces; two cousins, Grace Brown of Trenton, Mo. and Minerva Brown of Gilman City, Mo.; a special friend and caregiver, Marsha Sexton of Sidney, Mich.; and several dear friends and colleagues. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 5, 2006 at the BROWN-TEMAN & CHRISTIANSEN FUNERAL HOME, 511 S. Franklin Street, Greenville, Michigan, with the Rev. Larry Pike officiating. Visitation is on Friday from 10-11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Cat Creek Cemetery near Brimson, Mo. Contributions in her memory may be directed to the NorthWest State University Scholarship Fund, Maryville, Mo. To send a message of sympathy to the family, share a favorite memory of Bertie, or sign her online guest book, please visit: www.christiansen-fh.com.