Ann M. Flora
July 28th, 1943 - June 4th, 2025
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Ann's Obituary
Ann Marie (Allerton) Flora was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on July 28, 1943, to
Violet (Squires) and Gary Allerton. She spent her early childhood in Battle Creek. At the age of 11 she moved to Dowagiac, Michigan, which became her hometown. Ann graduated from Dowagiac Union High School in 1961 and attended Central Michigan University. On July 5, 1963, she married Richard Flora. They made their home in Niles, Michigan. Together Ann and Richard had 3 children: Andrew, Eric (Jennifer Walker-Flora), and Susan (Christopher) Freehan. They were blessed with 4 grandchildren: Caitlin Flora (Jake Kustasz), Natalie Marie (Camden) Oslund, Andrew Freehan, and Julia Flora.
Ann earned many college degrees, an associate’s degree from Lake Michigan College, a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with an emphasis on U.S. History and Geography, and a master’s degree in education from Indiana University South Bend. She also earned certificates in Library Science. Ann worked for Niles Community Schools, Christ the King Catholic School in Roseland, Indiana, Niles District Library, and J.C. Penney in both Niles and Mishawaka, Indiana.
Ann’s first love was history and genealogy. She was the local history librarian at Niles District Library for many years. As Local History Librarian, she hosted many workshops. Ann was a member of VanBuren Regional Genealogical Society and researched her family tree. She was a direct descendant of The Mayflower, of which she was very proud. She was also a member of The Daughters of the American Revolution and Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery.
While her children were growing up, Ann was active on committees involving her children’s activities. She loved to crochet and made sure everyone had handmade stockings, Christmas tree skirts and afghans. Ann was an avid reader; her favorite genres were mysteries and historical fiction. Her favorite holiday was Halloween. She made sure that the kids always had the best costumes, even if she was up until 3 AM sewing the night before the Halloween party at school and trick-or-treat!
Above all else, family meant everything to Ann. She and Richard never missed a family gathering with extended family, and she loved to go to family reunions. Ann and Richard would travel to see the grandchildren perform in choir, musicals, dance recitals and band concerts. They attended every graduation celebration. The most important family holiday was Christmas. Ann enjoyed buying Hallmark ornaments and gifts. She was an expert at wrapping them with very intricate and beautiful bows she learned to make while an associate in the catalog department of J.C. Penney.
Ann passed away on June 4, 2025, in Niles, Michigan after a valiant battle with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, her best friend, JoAnn (Clif) Gordon, her parents, her bonus parents Ray and Ann Allerton, brother Kenneth “Ivan” Slawson, and sisters Shirley Alvord and Jerilyn Gabos. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, sister Linda Finnerty, brothers, Richard and Stephen Schofield and many nieces and nephews.
A private service will be held. A Celebration of Life for Ann and Richard Flora will be held later. Memorial contributions may be made to Autism Support of Michigan (autism-mi.org) and Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery (friendsofsilverbrook.org). Arrangements have been entrusted to Clark Chapel – Starks Family Funeral Homes, Dowagiac. To share a memory or message of condolence, please visit Ann’s personalized webpage at www.clarkch.com.
Violet (Squires) and Gary Allerton. She spent her early childhood in Battle Creek. At the age of 11 she moved to Dowagiac, Michigan, which became her hometown. Ann graduated from Dowagiac Union High School in 1961 and attended Central Michigan University. On July 5, 1963, she married Richard Flora. They made their home in Niles, Michigan. Together Ann and Richard had 3 children: Andrew, Eric (Jennifer Walker-Flora), and Susan (Christopher) Freehan. They were blessed with 4 grandchildren: Caitlin Flora (Jake Kustasz), Natalie Marie (Camden) Oslund, Andrew Freehan, and Julia Flora.
Ann earned many college degrees, an associate’s degree from Lake Michigan College, a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with an emphasis on U.S. History and Geography, and a master’s degree in education from Indiana University South Bend. She also earned certificates in Library Science. Ann worked for Niles Community Schools, Christ the King Catholic School in Roseland, Indiana, Niles District Library, and J.C. Penney in both Niles and Mishawaka, Indiana.
Ann’s first love was history and genealogy. She was the local history librarian at Niles District Library for many years. As Local History Librarian, she hosted many workshops. Ann was a member of VanBuren Regional Genealogical Society and researched her family tree. She was a direct descendant of The Mayflower, of which she was very proud. She was also a member of The Daughters of the American Revolution and Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery.
While her children were growing up, Ann was active on committees involving her children’s activities. She loved to crochet and made sure everyone had handmade stockings, Christmas tree skirts and afghans. Ann was an avid reader; her favorite genres were mysteries and historical fiction. Her favorite holiday was Halloween. She made sure that the kids always had the best costumes, even if she was up until 3 AM sewing the night before the Halloween party at school and trick-or-treat!
Above all else, family meant everything to Ann. She and Richard never missed a family gathering with extended family, and she loved to go to family reunions. Ann and Richard would travel to see the grandchildren perform in choir, musicals, dance recitals and band concerts. They attended every graduation celebration. The most important family holiday was Christmas. Ann enjoyed buying Hallmark ornaments and gifts. She was an expert at wrapping them with very intricate and beautiful bows she learned to make while an associate in the catalog department of J.C. Penney.
Ann passed away on June 4, 2025, in Niles, Michigan after a valiant battle with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, her best friend, JoAnn (Clif) Gordon, her parents, her bonus parents Ray and Ann Allerton, brother Kenneth “Ivan” Slawson, and sisters Shirley Alvord and Jerilyn Gabos. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, sister Linda Finnerty, brothers, Richard and Stephen Schofield and many nieces and nephews.
A private service will be held. A Celebration of Life for Ann and Richard Flora will be held later. Memorial contributions may be made to Autism Support of Michigan (autism-mi.org) and Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery (friendsofsilverbrook.org). Arrangements have been entrusted to Clark Chapel – Starks Family Funeral Homes, Dowagiac. To share a memory or message of condolence, please visit Ann’s personalized webpage at www.clarkch.com.
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