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Shirley DeJean Farmer
BENTON HARBOR - Shirley DeJean Farmer, 71 of Benton Harbor, passed away on Friday, June 19, 2009, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph.
A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, June 22, at the Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd, St. Joseph. Burial at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Sodus will immediately follow the service. Visitation for family and friends is Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Farmer family.
Shirley was born on June 29, 1937, in Niles, to Ellis and Millie Rogers. She married Roy F. Farmer on Nov. 22, 1984 in Benton Harbor. She spent most of her life as a homemaker, but had time to be the secretary of the Bill Anderson Fan Club and as a Sunday school teacher.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Roy and her daughter, Sherry Cripe of Berrien Springs; three granddaughters, Brittany Glupker, Ashley Roderick and Tia Cripe; a great-grandson, Thai Wittman; two brothers, Ed Rogers of Sodus and Robert Rogers of White Cloud; a sister, Sharon Reynolds of Benton Harbor; a sister-in-law, Mary Dahms; and a niece, Deb Dahms along with many other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Margaret Jackson; a brother, Walter Rogers; and a nephew, Danny Dahms.
Harold Hoffman
Harold Hoffman, 73, of Benton Harbor passed away on Friday, June 5, 2009 at his daughter's home in Kalamazoo.
Harold was born on June 24, 1935 in Benton Harbor. He and his wife, Norma, celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on May 2006, 2009. He loved to cook, listen to gospel and country music and spend time with his grandchildren, which he had many. He served his country as a Korean War veteran, was a volunteer firefighter for the Hagar Township Fire Department and a member of Forgotten Man Ministries.
Survivors include his wife Norma Hoffman; his children - Sharon Stephens of Kalamazoo, Elizabeth Knaak of Paw Paw, Patricia Hendrix of Watervliet, Mark (Tammy) Hoffman of Florida, Eleanor (Victor) of California, Michael (Dawn) Hoffman of Covert, Mich., Raymond (Darcy) Hoffman of Texas, Gaylon Hoffman of Wyoming, Mich., Michael (Theresia) Ross of Berrien Center, Melinda Ross of Benton Harbor and Joshua Hoffman of Berrien Center; step-children Thelma of California and Jim Pennington of Kalamazoo; brothers Gene (Shirley) Hoffman of Florida and James (Mary Lynn) of Hudson, Fla.; sisters Jackie Gerlach of Sister Lakes, Mich., and Marilyn (Rush) Whittacker of St. Joseph; and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a daughter Eldoa V. Hoffman; parents Bert and Gladys Hoffman; brothers John Hoffman Sr. and Richard Hoffman; and sister Nancy Johnston.
Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, June 24 at 11 a.m. at Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park, 3941 S. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo. Brother Chuck Ishmael is officiating. A celebration of Harold's life will be held on June 25 at 2026 Hatch St., Benton Harbor.
Albert "Glenn" Dusoe
EAU CLAIRE - Albert "Glenn" Dusoe, 67, of Eau Claire passed away on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at the VA Medical Center in Ann Arbor.
Glenn's life began on Oct. 8, 1941 in Berrien Center; the son of Albert L. and Roxie A. (Herbert) Dusoe. He was united in marriage to the former Linda Evans on Nov. 3, 1966 in Benton Harbor. Glenn entered the United States Navy on April 19, 1961 and served his country 31 1/2 years. Glenn retired as a radioman 1st Class on Dec. 31, 1989. He also spent 26 1/2 years working at Zenith Corporation and retired from Modineer Corporation. Glenn was a member of the Indian Lake Volunteer Fire Department for 26 1/2 years and remained an honorary firefighter after retirement. He loved the military and he was especially fond of all things historical. Glenn was an avid reader and could recount any historical event with great accuracy. He was passionate about his politics and any discussion about political events was going to be a long one. Glenn also enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family.
His loving family includes his wife of 42 years Linda of Eau Claire; his children - Dennis Dusoe of Dallas, Texas, Tammy (David) Eder of Fort Worth, Texas and Katrinea (David) Mather of Eau Claire; grandchildren - Kayla Dusoe, Briane Dusoe, Derek Eder, Madison Dusoe, Dylan Mather and Andrew Mather; sisters Carol (Jewel) Partin of Trenton, Tenn., and Donna (Ronald) Thorton of Mesa, Ariz.; and an aunt Gellita (Loy) Martin of Benton Harbor.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers Dennis and Charles Dusoe. His family will receive friends on Tuesday from 9 to 10 a.m. at McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home, 405 Center St., Dowagiac, where his funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday. The Indian Lake Volunteer Fire Department will provide final honors for Glenn at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest in Fort Custer National Cemetery with full Navy honors being rendered at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the cemetery. Memorial contributions in Glenn's name may be directed to his family in care of Linda.
Elsie (Rinas) Glossinger
ST. JOSEPH - Elsie F. (Rinas) Glossinger, 88 of St. Joseph passed away on Tuesday, June 16, 2009, at The Willows in St. Joseph.
A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 22, at Peace Lutheran Church, 3590 Lincoln Ave., St. Joseph. A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 21, 2009, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Memorial donations may be made to Peace Lutheran Church or Alzheimer's Association.
Elsie was born on Dec. 26, 1920, in Germany to Michael and Elizabeth (Gollnau) Rinas. She married Lester Arnold Glossinger on Sept. 4, 1937 in St. Joseph. She worked close to 20 years for the St. Joseph Public Schools as a food service supervisor.
Elsie is survived by her son, L. Michael Glossinger of Danville, Ill.; daughter-in-law, Sharon Glossinger and her six grandchildren - Mark Glossinger, Brian Glossinger, Kathy (Doug) Harbert, Lori White, Mary (John) Weinhart and Karen (David) Rutkowski; and three great-grandchildren - Michael Harbert, Alexander Harbert and Jack Rutkowski.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, a daughter, Elizabeth Ann "Betsy" White, a brother, Henry Rinas and two sisters, Gertrude Baldwin and Renata Sciortino.
Raymond S. Skorupa
BRIDGMAN - Raymond Stanley Skorupa, 84, of Bridgman passed away on Monday, June 15, 2009, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph.
Friends will meet with the family from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, at Lake Township Hall, 3220 Shawnee Road, Bridgman.
Mr. Skorupa was born April 18, 1925, at his home in Bridgman the son of the late Thomas and Esther (Siemon) Skorupa. He had been employed by Pearson Construction.
Survivors include two children, Larry (Brenda) McGowen of Daytona Beach, Fla., and Paulette (Frank) Renfrow of Baroda; two grandchildren, Joey McGowen and Morgan Renfrow; and three brothers, Clifford (Ellie) Skorupa of Sawyer, Matthew "Mac" (Jeanette) Skorupa of Bridgman and Donald (Phyllis) Skorupa of Sawyer.
Ray was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Margaret Renfrow, in 1997; two brothers, Thomas and Wilbur; and three sisters, Connie, Victoria and Mary.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy., Bridgman.
Howard R. DeLisle
BENTON HARBOR - Howard R. DeLisle, 94, longtime resident of Benton Harbor passed away on Tuesday, June 16, 2009, at Brentwood Assisted Living in Niles.
A Celebration of Life Service was held at 10 a.m. today, June 19, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, with the Rev. Dr. Patricia Ramsden of First Presbyterian Church in Buchanan officiating. Visitation with the family was held prior to the service today from 9 to 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial followed in Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Memorial contributions may be directed to Shriners Hospital for Children. Friends wishing to leave a message of condolence, or to sign the family guestbook, may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Howard was born on March 24, 1915, in Terre Haute, Ind., to Charles and Jenny (Houpt) DeLisle. He married Harriett (Tweedy) DeLisle on Dec. 24, 1939, in Paris, Ill. Together, they raised a daughter, Louann, and a son, Tim Eugene. Howard worked most of his life in the manufacturing sector. After retiring from New Products Corporation, where he served as a maintenance supervisor for nearly 20 years, he ran his own specialty welding business serving the Michiana tool and die industry. He served in Pearl Harbor from 1942 to 1945 as a Naval civil servant, special leadingman shipfitter.
There he was assigned to assist and manage crews repairing ships and submarines damaged in the December 7, 1941 attack.
Howard was a member of the Benton Harbor Elks Club 544 and a Shriner with F&AM Lakeshore Lodge 298 in Benton Harbor for more than 50 years. He served on the Benton Harbor School Board for 13 years, including a position as the board's first treasurer. Howard belonged to the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor YMCA for 53 years where he played handball well into his 80s. He was a lifelong Cleveland Indians fan. He had a passion for designing and creating stained glass art, for faceting gem stones and was a voracious reader.
Howard is survived by his daughter, Louann (Ned) Gardner of Buchanan; a sister, Harriett Benjamin of Terre Haute; a granddaughter, Nicole (Steve) Johnson; a great-grandson, Jacob Exum; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Harriett (Tweedy) DeLisle; his son, Timothy Eugene DeLisle; grandson, Erik Hollister Exum; parents, Charles and Jenny; sisters, Mary Helen and Martha May; and brothers, Charles Wilton, Eugene Louis, Oliver Thomas and Raymond Paul.
Lester R. Geisler
STEVENSVILLE - Lester Raymond Geisler, 84 of Stevensville passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2009, at The Willows in St. Joseph.
A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, at the Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Burial in Hickory Bluff Cemetery in Stevensville will immediately follow the service. Visitation for family and friends is Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church or to St. Joseph High School/ Terry F. Geisler Softball Scholarship Fund.
Lester was born on May 23, 1925, in Derby, Mich., to Frank and Elsie (Tiefenbach) Geisler and married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Jean Ott, on Feb. 13, 1945. He entered the navy immediately after high school and served for two years as a World War II radar combat veteran on the U.S.S. Janssen in the North Atlantic. After returning from the war, Les co-owned several businesses over the years - Harbor Ann Oil, the Welcome Inn and G and G Motor Sales in Benton Harbor. In retirement, he worked part time for Seeley Wright as a driver.
Lester's favorite recreational activities were hunting, fishing, piloting small planes, playing softball, golf and cards. He was always the loyal Tiger and Lions fan and had a special place in his heart for his two golden retrievers. For many years he also served in the Volunteer Stevensville Fire Department and held a lifetime membership to Ducks Unlimited.
Lester is survived by Shirley, his wife of 64 years, son, Lon (Tammy) Geisler of Stevensville, daughters, Nancy (Roger) Rice of Toledo, Ohio, and Betsy Senecal of Traverse City, Mich., daughter-in-law, Sharon Geisler of St. Joseph, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Luella Conklin, brother, Phillip, and son, Terry Geisler, on April 25, 2009.
Rita Marie Branick
BRIDGMAN - Rita Marie Branick, 86, of Bridgman died at 1:35 a.m. Sunday, June 14, 2009, at Jordan's Nursing Home, Bridgman of natural causes.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 19, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Sawyer with Father Don Suberlak officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Three Oaks.
Mrs. Branick was born Dec. 19, 1922, in Chicago and had lived here for the past 16-1/2 years coming from Chicago. She was a homemaker and a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church, Sawyer.
On Feb. 14, 1941, in Chicago, she married Leo Branick. He preceded her in death on March 30, 1997, after 54 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by her parents, George and Anne Hanrahan, and a son, Daniel Branick.
She is survived by three sons, Thomas Branick of Bridgman and Leo Branick Jr.; five daughters, Marianne (Denny) Healy of Burbank, Ill., Catherine Whittier of Orlando Park, Ill., Helen Pitlock of Gurnee, Ill., Eleen Cross of Winthrop Harbor, Ill., and Jeanine Kunimaura of Hinsdale, Ill.; 13 grandchildren; a brother, George Hanrahan of Elmhurst, Ill., and Catherine Hanrahan of Dubuque, Iowa.
