Julia A. Townsend

Julia A. Townsend, born October 27, 1926 in South Bend, Ind., of Bellevue, Mich. died peacefully at home on March 25, 2021, surrounded by her children.
Julia and her husband, Harold, came to Bellevue in 1945 where they enjoyed lifelong friends and built and operated the Main Street Cafe. They later moved their business to Charlotte, and operated the Charlotte Cafe and later the Townsend’s Restaurant & Lounge.
Julia bought her Harley Davidson motorcycle at 18 and was the first female member of the Kalamazoo Bike Club. Julia loved her family, biking, reading, mushroom hunting, the beach, gambling, and traveling, which she did a lot with Harold after retiring from the restaurant business. Their love and kindness and sense of fun drew many kids in the community to them for guidance. She was hard working, smart, and had incredible wit. She was a devoted wife and friend to many, including her children and grandchildren, and first pick for a euchre partner right until the end.
Survivors include her five children and their spouses, Michael Townsend (Carol) of Towanda, Ill., Patricia Townsend of Bellevue, Mich., Barbara Burkett (David) of Bellevue, Mich., Mary White (Mark) of Bellevue, Mich., and Martha Limauro (Michael) of Charlotte, Mich.; grandchildren, Steven Townsend (Lynnsey), Samantha Fritzen (Tyler), Garry Burkett (Joanne), Rebecca Crum (Brian), Kristina Hine (Denver), Courtney Levigne (Joe), Robert Limauro, Jacob Bloomhuff (Taylor), Chloe Byington (Brent), and Lucas T. Limauro; and 12 great-grandchildren, Carley, Presley, Owen, Bryce, Logan, Julia, Sophia, Hudson, Finley, Aisley, Giavanna and Bronson.
Julia A. Townsend, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt will be missed. Private family funeral to be held at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to the Bellevue Fire Department, 115 East Jackson Street, Bellevue, MI 49021.