Gertrude "Trudy" Sherman Barnard

Gertrude (Trudy) Sherman, Rawlinson, Barnard, 92, passed away peacefully at home in Charlevoix, Saturday, November 28, 2015.

Trudy was born May 18, 1923 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Jennie (De Ruyscher) Sherman and Warren Aren Sherman. She also had a sister, Madeline Sherman Dorbin. Her parents and sister preceded her in death.

She is survived by her two sons, a daughter and their spouses: William Kenneth Rawlinson and Peggy, Jon Warren Rawlinson and Cheri Van, and Helen Jean Rawlinson Donahue and John.

She has nine grandchildren: Kenneth L. Rawlinson and Judy, Laurie S. Cantrell and John, Glenn H.T. Rawlinson and Kristi, Melinda Rawlinson, Julie Gregory and Jeff, Jon Christopher Rawlinson and Ellen Groth, Tina Maxwell and Aaron, Sandy Fershee Selinger and Sandy, and Carissa Mullaney and Brian. There are 20 great-grandchildren.

Trudy was married to Kenneth Leroy Rawlinson from 1942 until his death in 1962. They had 4 children, three mentioned above and baby Kenneth who died at birth in 1962.

She was later married to Ronald E. Barnard, of Kalamazoo, from 1964 until his death in 1994. During that time they resided in Florida.

She returned to her hometown of Vicksburg, Michigan in 2000 and due to declining health she moved to her daughter’s home in Charlevoix, residing there from 2012 until her death.

Having grown up during the depression followed by World War II, she, like her contemporaries, knew how to make the most of what she had or didn’t have. If a dress was too expensive, she produced her own pattern and scrimped to buy the material to make her outfit. Her love of making things for others continued throughout her life. After she retired, she produced beautiful quilts for her grandchildren when they married.

During the war she commuted with other ladies from Vicksburg to Battle Creek working in a factory making aircraft engine valves.  She continued to work various jobs most of her adult life including  work as a sales representative and manager for Avon, a bookkeeper, and secretarial work.

Her children remember her most for her love of animals, especially dogs. Her final dog, a Chihuahua named Killer, kept a vigil at her bedside during her passing.

Trudy shared her love of cars with her sons and especially enjoyed driving her Corvette (in her 80’s) when she typically drove to Crossroads Mall to walk and visit with her friends. She also loved to attend local car shows in the Kalamazoo/Vicksburg area. At the car shows and the mall she was well known for the dozens of cookies she brought to share with her friends. She knew how to have a good time wherever she went and she always brought a smile.

Her youngest great-grandchildren had the opportunity during her last couple of years to walk with her and her dog as well as bat balloons back and forth. During this last summer she amazed her family by pitching an accurate whiffle ball to her slugger great grandson before being relieved for obvious safety reasons.

She will be greatly missed and always remembered. A memorial service at her Vicksburg home is being planned by her family to take place in January, 2016. Anyone wishing to honor her memory may make donations to Hospice of Northwest Michigan, 220 West Garfield, Charlevoix, MI 49720. Arrangements are being handled by Winchester Funeral Home in Charlevoix.