Lillie F. Reynolds
Jan. 29, 1934 - Dec. 13, 2001
Lillie F. Reynolds, 67, of Oakside Avenue in Mishawaka, Ind., passed away of natural causes at 11 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13, in Saint Joseph Com-munity Hospital in Mishawaka. Mrs. Rey-nolds was Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. Mrs. Reynolds worked for several years at Nyloncraft in Mishawaka. She also served her family as a homemaker for many years. Mrs. Reynolds enjoyed planting flowers in her garden and bird-watching as hobbies. She will be greatly missed.

Eugene E. Ring
Oct. 10, 1928 - Dec. 13, 2001
Services for Eugene E. Ring, 73, Indianapolis, Ind., a retired athletics director at Broad Ripple High School, will be at 11 a.m. Dec. 17 in Christ the King Catholic Church, where he was a member. Calling will be from 2 to 7 p.m. today in Leppert & Hensley Mortuary, Nora Chapel. Burial will be at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, Fishers. Mr. Ring was the athletics director of 22 years for Broad Ripple High School, retiring in 1991. Previously, he was a basketball coach seven years for Broad Ripple High School. Prior to that, he was an assistant basketball and baseball coach for Indiana University and a coach at South Bend Riley High School. Mr. Ring played basketball and baseball for Indiana University, of which he was a graduate, winning all Big Ten honors in both sports. He received the L.G. Balfour award during his senior year. Mr. Ring was captain of the basketball, baseball and football teams at South Bend Central High School, where he played for Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame coaches John Wooden and Bob Primmer. Mr. Ring was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984. He played professional baseball for the Indianapolis Indians, batting .400 in 1954. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of the I Man and the Knights of Columbus. Memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, 1 Hall of Fame Court, New Castle, IN 47362, or to the American Cancer Society. Survivors include wife, Marilyn Crouch Ring; children, J. Steve, Robert E., Susan M. Ring, Cheryl R. Corey; a brother, James Ring; a sister, Adeline Hack; and two grandchildren.

Rick Scarberry
March 4, 1943 - Dec. 14, 2001
Rick Scarberry went home to be with his Lord Friday, Dec. 14, 2001. Rev. Scarberry was the pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church, located at 3050 Edison, South Bend, Ind. There he pastored since its organization in 1997. Lovingly and consistently sharing the word of God with his congregation and anyone he met, he loved to preach, whether behind the pulpit, at a restaurant or in the gym. Prior to his calling to South Bend, Rick, with his wife Martha, resided in Peoria, Ill., where he was executive vice president of Fellowship Baptist College for three years, and continued as an evangelist for three years. His pastoral ministry began in 1970 when he traveled from Oklahoma to Superior, Wis., with his wife, two small sons and a small rental truck, which carried all his earthly possessions. There in Superior, he organized Twin Ports Baptist Church where he lovingly pastored for 21 years. He and his wife raised their four children there. As he served his Lord through shepherding his flock, establishing a K-12 Christian school, discipling children and adults, and impacting the community through evangelism and service. He was proud of his status in El P aso, Texas, as Hillcrest Baptist Church's "First Preacher Boy," where he served under "HIS" Preacher, Rev. Bob Stewart. He remained straight and true through countless generations. His legacy can be seen through the preachers and missionaries around the world who surrendered under his direction and influence. He enjoyed meeting and ministering to people in every community he lived in from Wisconsin to Texas. Every social activity he took part in from participating in community events to playing basketball at the YMCA. He was an impartial friend and loved everyone who knew him. He is survived by his wife Martha of 36 years; his mother, Jewell Scarberry of Ardmore, Okla.; his brother, Darwin "Brother" and his family; and his younger brother Garland and his family. His oldest son David, with his wife, Britteny; their children, Brad, Brooke and Blake; his middle son Daniel, with his wife Andrea; their children, Louis, Levi and Lucas; his third son, Derick, with his wife Michelle; his youngest child, Deborah Jewell Ann, "his baby girl". He is also survived by countless loving people who comprised his church family. He was preceded in death by his father, Louis Dickerson Scarberry. Thus, this ends Rick's earthly life. Having been a vessel of honor fit for his M asters use! All of his accomplishments he attributed to God's grace and for his Father's glory in whose arms he now abides eternally. Services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Lighthouse Baptist Church, 3050 Edison Road,. South Bend, where friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, and one hour before services on Wednesday. Interment will be at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend. Memorials may be sent to "The Rick Scarberry Memorial Fund," c/o Lighthouse Baptist Church, 3050 Edison Road,. South Bend, IN 46615.

William E. Smith
March 14, 1921 - Dec. 13, 2001
William E. Smith, 80, of Milton Street in South Bend, Ind., passed away of natural causes on Thursday, Dec. 13, in Hospice House of St. Joseph County. Mr. Smith was died following a lengthy illness at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, in Your Home Assisted Care, South Bend. Mrs. Snyder was died of kidney cancer Friday afternoon, Dec. 14, in Hospice House of St. Joseph County. Donald was applications engineer with C& E Sales of Dayton, Ohio. He was died at 6:55 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, in the IU Medical Cen-ter, Indiana-polis, Ind., where she had been taken earlier in the day after a sudden illness. She was born Oct. 28, 1933, in Conecett County, Ala., to Oakley and Willie Mae Walker. He was preceded in death by his mother, Willie Mae; father, Oakley; two sisters, OraLee and Ann; and by a special friend, Joe Fennessee. In 1991 he married Ernestine Burdette. He has three daughters and two sons from previous marriages. James was a respectful person, and was loved by many people. James retired from the St. Joe County Highway Dept. He also enjoyed working construction. He was a beloved husband, father, brother and uncle. James will be greatly missed by those who knew him. He leaves to cherish his wonderful memory his wife, Ernestine Burdette of South Bend, Ind.; three daughters, Tina (Nelson) Cotton and Tracy Walker, both of South Bend, and Janay Walker of Dayton, Ohio; two sons, James Wesley Walker II and Atlantis Walker, both of South Bend; one stepdaughter, Bridgette Burdette of South Bend; and two stepsons, Maurice Burdette of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Angelo (Patricia) Burdette of Memphis, Tenn.; two sisters, Aline Berrard of East Orange, N.J., and Dorothy Harris of Marietta, Ga.; four nieces and nephews; 17 grandchildren; special friends, Cary Batteast, Charles Trotter and Alberta "Mama Bert"; along with a host of other relatives and friends. Services for James W. Walker will be held Tuesday, Dec. 18, in the Greater St. John M.B. Church, 101 N. Adams Street, South Bend. Visitation will be at 11 a.m. and funeral services will be at noon. Burial will follow funeral service at Highland Cemetery, South Bend. The Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home has been entrusted with services.

Michael J. White
March 21, 1955 - Dec. 13, 2001
Michael J. White, 46, of South Bend, Ind., born March 21, 1955, in South Bend, to Ann Lippincott and the late Honorable William S. White. He is survived by his wife, Alnetta Levy, to whom he was married Aug. 22, 1998; three stepchildren and seven stepgrandchildren; a sister, Mary Staurt White of Brighton, Mich.; brothers, Stuart Woodward White of Lansing, Mich., and Stanley Lippincott White of Indianapolis, Ind.; and by nieces, Kristen, Kathleen and Samantha. Michael worked as a juvenile officer for the Berrien County juvenile center as a youth specialist for the past 14 years. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy and attended Hillsdale College and Western Michigan University. Michael was a founding member and captain of the "Walloonie Pirate Association." He was a devoted family man, and a respected model for the area's troubled youth. He was loved by family who will miss him. A memorial celebration of Michael's life will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec.17, in the Welsheimer Funeral Home, 521 N. William St. There will be no visitation, and cremation will take place. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Diabetes Association of St. Joseph County.

Ann Blissenbach Wray
March 10, 1910 - Dec. 13, 2001
She was born Oct. 21, 1938, in LaPorte County, Ind., as the son of Robert Earl and Gennevia G. (Mann) Bettcher, and was a lifelong resident of this community. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by a brother, Terry Bettcher. Dennie Bettcher was a loving grandpa, dad and husband. He cared deeply for his family, friends and those who surrounded him. He gave so much to the community by devoting his time to the Lakeville Volunteer Fire Department and the Lakeville Little League, and helping with extracurricular activities at school. His love and devotion for children was so great that he spent 15 years of life driving the school bus for Union North United School Corporation, not only for his regular route but for extra school functions. Dennie graduated in 1957 from North Liberty Township High School. He was the owner/operator of Bettcher's Repair, was a school bus driver, and was a self-employed farmer. He enjoyed woodworking, was a member of the Lakeville Volunteer Fire Department, a member and past president of the Lakeville Business C ommerce Association, and was a member of the Lakeville Lions Club. On Oct. 18, 1958, in Mishawaka, Ind., he married Karen F. Basham, who survives. He is also survived by two daughters, Tonya (Charles) Stanley and Dawn (Sid) Myrick, both of Lakeville; four sons, Dennis (Sue) Bettcher, Mike (Patty) Bettcher, Rodney (Cindy) Bettcher and James Bettcher, all of Lakeville; 16 grandchildren, Chad Stanley, Tara Stanley, Kendra Stanley, Charla Stanley, Becka Stanley, Dana Stanley, Dennis Bettcher, Brandon Bettcher, Kelsey Bettcher, Katie Bettcher, Rachael Bettcher, Michael Bettcher, Aaron Bettcher, Rodney Bettcher, Ryan Bettcher and Michaela Bettcher; a great-grandson, Auston Stanley-Horvath; and by a brother, William R. Bettcher of South Bend, Ind. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, in the First Community Church of God, LaPaz, Ind. Rev. Steven D. Cox, pastor of Cornerstone Community Fellowship, will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow at Fair Cemetery, North Liberty, Ind. The family will receive friends from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday in the Palmer Funeral Home, 314 South Michigan Street, Lakeville, and one hour prior to services on Saturday in the church. Contributions in memory of Dennis Earl Bettcher may be made to Lutheran Hospital, c/o the Heart Transplant Unit, 7950 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46804.

Mary A. Colburn
Jan. 21, 1910 - Dec. 12, 2001
Mary A. Colburn, 91, of the Ironwood Health and Rehabilitation Center, born on Jan. 21, 1910, in South Bend, Ind., to the late Myrtle (Fulkerson) and Charles Worthen. On June 18, 1929, in South Bend, she married Myron R. Colburn, who preceded her in death in 1974. Mrs. Colburn was also preceded in death by a son, Burton Colburn. Mrs. Colburn is survived by a son, John Colburn of South Bend. Mrs. Colburn retired in 1989 as a salesperson for Van Goey Jewelers and the Milady Shop. She was a member of St. Andrew's United Church of Christ, Mishawaka, Ind., and was a former member of the Order of E astern Star. Services for Mrs. Colburn will be at 1 p.m. Friday in the mausoleum chapel of St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, Ind. Rev. Dale Speckman of St. Andrew's United Church of Christ will conduct the services. There will be no visitation. Burial will be at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park. The Welsheimer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Amanda L. Cole
July 30, 1910 - Dec. 5, 2001
Mrs. Amanda L. Cole, 91, precious loved one, who resided on South Walnut Street, South B end, Ind., departed from this life on Wednes-day, Dec. 5, in her residence. Amanda was Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. Alford's Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements.

Areonna Elizabeth Hesiben
Dec. 15, 2000 - Dec. 10, 2001
Areonna Elizabeth Hesiben, "Aree," our precious eleven-month- old daughter, was taken from our midst after a sudden illness at 2 a.m. Monday, Dec. 10, in Riley C hildren's Hospital, Indianapolis, Ind. Aree was Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. Friends may call one hour before the services at Alford's Mortuary , which has been entrusted with arrangements.

Alfred G. Hughes Sr.
Feb. 21, 1929 - Dec. 10, 2001
Alfred Gaylord Hughes Sr., 62, was born in Bono, Ark., to James Suggs Sr. and Sylvia Rogers Suggs on May 12, 1943, and departed this life on Sunday, Dec. 9, in Elkhart, Ind. She was united in holy matrimony to George F. Reese in 1968. Beatrice had lived in Elkhart since 1959, coming from Vandalia, Mich. She served faithfully on the board of directors at the James Suggs Underground Railroad Museum, Vandalia, at the time of her death. "B" as we know her, worshiped three years at the Calvary Baptist Church in Elkhart under the leadership of P astor Tim Hewitt. She leaves to mourn her husband, George F. Reese; mother, Sylvia Rogers Suggs; daughter, Marian Edwards James of Elkhart; son, Jerry Lee Edwards of Coldwater, Mich.; sisters, Myrtle Suggs of Grand Rapids, Mich., Martha Suggs Spencer of Niles, Mich., Ethel Suggs Bradley of Grand Rapids, Toka S uggs Saunders of S outh Bend, Ind., Mary Suggs Ward of South Bend, Oddie Suggs Blackman of E lkhart and Trudy S uggs Mc C lellan of E lkhart. She was preceded in death by her father, James Suggs Sr.; a sister, Delartic Suggs; brothers, Tommie Suggs, James Suggs Jr., Isiah "Wink" Suggs and Allen D. Suggs; grandmother, Francis Henry; her great-grandmother, Esbella Contrell; grandmother, Mary Esters; and by grandfathers, Lonnie Rogers and Lee Rogers. Services for Mrs. Beatrice Suggs Reese will be at noon Friday, Dec. 14, in the Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home, 1032 W. Washington Street, South Bend. Visitation will be at 11 a.m. Burial will follow funeral service at Highland Cemetery. The Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Bertha Mae Tyler
Aug. 3, 1933 - Dec. 9, 2001
Mrs. Bertha Mae Tyler, 68, dear mother, grandmother and sister, who resided on Lulu Street, Kalamazoo, Mich., formerly of South Bend, Ind., passed away after a three-week illness at 3:15 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, in the Tender Care Westwood Nursing Home, Kalamazoo. Bertha Mae, daughter of the late James and Bessie (Sanders) Williams, was born to the union of the late Oncin and Artisha (Moore) Butler. In 1951, in Jackson, she and Nathaniel Williams were married. That same year, Nathaniel and Allie Lee moved to South Bend. They joined St. Paul Bethel Baptist Church where she served as a deaconess. Loving family members who survive include two daughters, Allie Johnson and Viola (Hezikah) Petty; one son, Nathaniel Williams Jr., all of South Bend; 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; along with many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Nathaniel, who Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. Alford's Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements.

Ruth A. Anderson
Oct. 1, 1917 - Nov. 21, 2001
Ruth A. Anderson, 84, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 21, in Memorial Hospital. Ruth was born on Oct. 16, 1980, to Roy Mayes Sr. and Minnie Chester. She had lived here all her life, and in school she was an honor student. She is survived by her two children, Josiah Mayes and Ja R yah Barnes; her parents, Roy Mayes Sr. and Minnie, and stepfather, William Howell-Bey Sr.; maternal grandparents, Fred and Ruth Chester; three brothers, Roy Mayes Jr., Jeremy Mayes and William Howell-Bey; and by three sisters, Dominique Anderson, Gemini Howell-Bey and Queen Xiaoli Mayes, all of South Bend. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, in the Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home, 1032 W. Washington S treet, South Bend. Burial will follow funeral service at Highland Cemetery. Friends may call one hour before services. The Clark-O'Neal Funeral H ome has been entrusted with funeral services.

Helen E. Van Wynsberghe
Nov. 21, 1910 - Nov. 29, 2001
Helen E. Van Wynsberghe, 91, of the Elkhart Rehabilitation Center, formerly of Long Island, N.Y., South Bend, Ind., and Sun City, Ariz., passed away Thursday, Nov. 29, in the nursing home. Helen was born Aug. 9, 1956, to Frank C. and Betty (Govor-ko) Willekens in Mishawaka. On April 8, 1998, Louis married Mariane Fox in Mishawaka. She survives. Those left to cherish his memories include his parents, Frank C. and Betty Willekens of Mishawaka; a son, Louis Willekens of Mishawaka; a stepson, Timothy McCaige; two stepdaughters, Christina Brogdon and her husband, Chad, and Lisa McCaige and her fiancé, Shannon Balentine, all residing in Mishawaka; two brothers, F rank S. Willekens of Bristol, Ind., and Marc Willekens and his wife, Heather of South Bend, Ind.; four sisters, Linda Willekens and Lydia Willekens, both of South Bend, Marie Gildner and her husband, Greg of Mishawaka, and Michaela Newcomer and her husband, Ron of Elkhart, Ind.; two grandchildren, Blaine Brogdon and Austin Balentine; and six nieces and seven nephews. Mr. Willekens was a 1974 graduate of Mishawaka High School. He was employed as a transmission technician in the automotive industry in Mishawaka for over 20 years. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Nov. 30, in the C hapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola, Ind. Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, in the Chapel Hill Funeral Home, followed by interment at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. Louis and Mariane, there is no relationship which is stronger, yet more delicate than this union to which you have committed yourselves. The vows you took that day will last for life. There will be days of adjustments and periods of change and growth, but the love that binds you will bring joy far surpassing any problems you may encounter in your lives together.

Genevieve Bender
June 24, 1908 - Nov. 7, 2001
Genevieve Bender, musician and association director, one of the most energetic forces in the South Bend musical and art world for more that 40 years, born June 24, 1908, at Templeton, Pa., the youngest child of six. Her musical talents were honed at the Ithaca Conservatory of Music. Her instrument was her dramatic soprano voice. It was at Ithaca, New York, that she met her future husband, Wesley Charles Bender, who at the time was studying at Cornell University. As a young lady, she tutored pupils and continued her music studies at Pittsburgh and appeared in various operatic productions. In 1933 she married Mr. Bender, and moved to South Bend when he was appointed to the Notre Dame faculty. In South Bend she became soloist at St. James Episcopal Cathedral. Mr. Bender died in 1995, a professor emeritus at Notre Dame. She was a longtime member of the Ladies of Notre Dame and the Hoosier Art Patrons Association. Her last philanthropic support went to the charitable foundation Preservation America. She was a founding contributor to this charity. The preservation of historic architecture was another aspect of her artistic interests. Her two daughters, Marilyn Bender Meyers of New York City and Alane Bender Singleton of Grand Haven, Mich., survive Mrs. Bender. A memorial service was held Monday, Nov. 12, in St. James Episcopal Cathedral, South Bend. Tax-deductible memorial contributions may be made to Preservation America, c/o the Hickey Funeral Home, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN 46635.