Julia Sweet Newman, 87, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, July 12, 2012. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 19, 1925 to Forest H. Sweet and Myrtle Kaiser Sweet. She went through the Battle Creek school system, graduating from Battle Creek Central H.S. and also studied at Olivet College for two years. In 1946, she married Robert J. Newman, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1958. Julia was a third generation dealer of historical documents and manuscripts, selling to museums, private collectors and other dealers. She was known in the business to be an expert in her field. She continued the business until her early eighties. Julia was very proud to serve the people of the Pennfield Charter Township as the township clerk from May of 1976 to November 1988 and later as a trustee from November 1996 to November 2008. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and belonged to the Martha Circle. For sixty years, she was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and held various offices during that time. Julia loved to travel and her father sent her along with her older siblings, in a new car and travel trailer on a trip, lasting one full year, around the U.S., Canada and Mexico. They were to send reports of their adventures and whereabouts to the local newspaper. In her later years, Julia enjoyed a couple of cruises and tour bus jaunts with her friend of 77 years, Joyce (Wagner) Flook.Julia was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved sister, Margaret Corey. She is survived by her brother Forest (Bud) Sweet Jr., of Coronado, CA and her sister Mary Jo Blake, of Hungry Horse, MT, children Robert J. Newman, Jr., Mary-Margaret Fernandez, and Stephen R. Newman. She leaves ten grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, who affectionately called her Grammie.
Visitation will be held at the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service, 375 W. Dickman Road, on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 from 11 AM to 1 PM with a memorial service at 1:00 PM in the funeral home chapel. Memorial tributes may be made to the Right to Life. Arrangements by the BAXTER FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICE. www.baxterfuneral.com

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