Mary J. Sturgis

Mrs. Mary J. Sturgis, age 69 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Thursday, January 13, 2011, at Capital Region Medical Center. She was born on October 10, 1941, in Hermitage, Mo., a daughter of Charles E. and Leola H. Kruger Benedict. She was married on August 20, 1960, in North Carolina, to John Randall Sturgis, who preceded her in death in 2003. Mary attended college at Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo. A resident of Jefferson City since 1969, Mary was a homemaker who was a loving mother and always enjoyed caring for her family. Mary also volunteered around her apartment complex by helping organize and deliver lunches to the residents and enjoyed spending time in her garden. She was a member of the Jefferson City congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. Survivors include: one daughter, Janice Morris and her husband John of St. Louis, Mo.; three sons, John Sturgis of Davenport, Iowa, Max Sturgis of Russellville, Mo., and Paul Sturgis and his wife Kelley of Jefferson City, Mo.; one sister, Lee Trimble and her husband Mark of Branson, Mo.; one brother, Bill Benedict and his wife Louise of Walnut Ridge, Ark.; and one grandson, Matthew Aaron Morris of St. Louis, Mo. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one daughter, Julia Sturgis, in April 2001; one sister; and two brothers. A memorial service will be conducted at 12:00 noon, Saturday, February 19, 2011, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses, 821 Magnolia Place, Jefferson City, MO 65101 with Gary Carey officiating. A visitation will be held immediately following the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com