Established in July 2010, the Elizabeth Peckham Memorial Scholarship Fund honors the memory of Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Peckham and her love of education and community. The Fund resulted from a collaboration between Peckham’s daughters, the Sturgis Neighborhood Program (SNP), and the Foundation.

Elizabeth (Betty) Peckham was born April 16, 1913, in White Pigeon, Michigan, a daughter to the late Charles E. & Belle (Parrish) Preston. Betty resided in the Sturgis and White Pigeon area her whole life.

After graduating from White Pigeon High School, Betty continued her education at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, where she received her teaching certificate. She began her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse before she accepted a teaching position with the Sturgis Public Schools. Betty taught 1st grade at Wenzel and Fourth Street Elementary Schools for many years.

Betty was an active, dedicated member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sturgis, where she taught Sunday school for 42 years. She was also a member of the St. John’s Guild, St. Ann’s Guild, ECW, Society Daughters of American Legion and Pythian Sisters Pocahontas Temple #121

After Peckham’s death, her three daughters gifted their family home to the Sturgis Neighborhood Program for rehabilitation and sale. Upon selling the property, a percentage of the proceeds established the scholarship fund in Elizabeth’s memory.

Graduating seniors and current college students who graduated from high schools in St. Joseph County, Michigan, can apply for this and over 40 other scholarships with just one application by visiting: https://www.sturgisfoundation.org/scholarships.