Sylvia J. Rutherford

Please join us for a Live Virtual Stream of the funeral service on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, via the link below.  The stream will begin fifteen minutes prior to the start of the service at 1:45 pm.  Please copy and paste the following link into a browser: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCAqmTzfHomGn4NHrbFmWMw?app=desktop

Sylvia J. Rutherford, of Cassopolis, died peacefully Wednesday, December 22, 2021, in the comfort of her family’s presence just six days after her eightieth birthday.

Her life began December 16, 1941, in Niles, Michigan, one of two children born to Leo and Merle Binksly. She married Thomas Alan Rutherford June 24, 1988, in Cassopolis, Michigan.

Sylvia was a wonderful wife and Thomas’s soul mate. She was a loving and kind person. 

Sylvia will be greatly missed by family and friends.  She is survived by her husband of thirty-three years, Thomas Rutherford of Cassopolis; one daughter, Sally (Steve) Schuur of Niles; one son, Hugh Lane of Cassopolis; one stepson, Drew Benton Philips of Decatur; five grandchildren; two great granddaughters; brothers and sisters, James (Patricia) Rutherford of Phillips, Wisconsin, John (Linda) Rutherford of Lakeland, Florida, Paul (Judy) Rutherford of Vandalia, Mary (Ron) Brown of Niles, Naomi (Scott) Criswell of Cassopolis, and Ruth (Steve) Nauman of Goshen, Indiana.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Judy Masterman; and her brother.

Family and friends will gather December 29, 2021, from 12 noon until time of service at 2:00 pm in Saint Paul Lutheran Church, 305 West State Street, Cassopolis with the Reverend Paul Doellinger officiating.

Mrs. Rutherford will be laid to rest in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Cassopolis.  

The family prefers contributions in memory of Sylvia be made to Saint Paul Lutheran Church, 305 West State Street, Cassopolis, Michigan 49031 or to the family to assist in defraying expenses, in care of Wagner Family Funerals, 208 North Broadway Street, Cassopolis, Michigan 49031.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sylvia J. Rutherford, please visit our floral store.