Obituary of Sonja Charlotte Heffelbower

Heffelbower, Sonja C.

Bay City, MI

Sonja Charlotte Heffelbower, age 84, passed away Friday, February 2, 2024.  She was born November 16, 1939 in Flint Michigan.  She grew up in Fenton and graduated from Fenton High School in 1957.  She married Donald Heffelbower in 1958, then spent some time in Milwaukee Wisconsin before moving to Bay City where they raised their family.  She was a Mary Kay Consultant for many years, having also worked for a time in the Bay City School System’s Pre-School.  Although she enjoyed taking trips up north, her greatest joy was when she could spend time with her family. 

She is survived by three daughters, Tonya L. (Peter) Makrinski of Aurora IL, Teena L. (Virgil) Kowalski of Whitmore Lake MI, and Teesha L. (Brian) Turmell of Jenison MI; grandchildren, Sarah (Caleb) Rainey, Jonathan (fiancé, Jensen) Kowalski, Timothy Kowalski, Nathan (Brooke) Turmell, Brianna (Kent) Martin, and Justin (Amanda) Turmell; two great-grandchildren, Mabel Josephine Turmell and Jaxon James Turmell; sister, Pat (Jack) Whitehouse; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.  She was predeceased by her mother, Charlotte; father, Joseph Wise; and husband, Donald Glenn Heffelbower in 2009.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM, Thursday, February 8, 2024, at the Hyatt Ewald Funeral Home, 700 N. Monroe St., Bay City, Michigan.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service from 9:30 AM – 11 AM. Pastor Bob Tibbits will officiate. A private interment will take place at Elm Lawn Cemetery, where she will be placed next to her husband Don.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, or the charity of the donor’s choice.  To sign online guestbook, visit www.hyattewald.com  Arrangements made with the Hyatt Ewald Funeral Home.