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Sharon Denise Brown Butler
BENTON HARBOR - Sharon Denise Brown Butler was born Jan. 15, 1954, in Benton Harbor to the union of Charles A. and Annie Mae Northern Brown.
She crossed over into glory Thursday, June 11, 2009, at St. Vincent Medical Center in Elwood, Ind.
She attended Benton Harbor public schools, and received Christ at an early age. Sharon will be remembered for her fun loving spirit and her ability to make those around laugh.
The memories of her life are cherished by two sisters, Barbara A. Morgan (Hollis) of Baton Rouge, La., and Charlotte Childs of Benton Harbor, two brothers, Malcolm Butler of Benton Harbor and Kevin Hunter of Indianapolis; a devoted niece and caregiver, Sonya Brown McElfresh of Elwood; a host of nieces nephews, other relatives and special friends.
Services will be Thursday at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, visitation at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Cleo Bettison
BENTON HARBOR - Cleo Bettison, 81, of Benton Harbor, precious father, grandfather and great-grandfather went to be with the Lord and Savior on Monday, June 15, 2009.
He was born Aug. 30, 1927, in Monroe, La., and was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Sarah Bettison, his loving son, Dwyane Bettison, brothers, Reo, Leo and William Bettison, and his loving wife, Evelyn Bettison.
Cleo is survived by his loving children - Thomas Bettison of Benton Harbor, Joyce Bettison-Moore of Detroit, Elaine Bettison-Watson of Benton Harbor and Kathy McMillan of Texas; brothers, David Bettison of Benton Harbor and Roy Bettison of Ohio; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Cleo was a great care-taker and a phenomenal individual. He will be missed greatly and his presence will never be forgotten.
Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial at Robbins Brothers Funeral Home, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2009. Cremation was provided by Robbins Brothers Funeral Home.
Lucille G. Loshbough
LAWTON - Lucille's life began Dec. 17, 1920, in Audubon, Iowa. Lucille worked for 19 years as a cashier and in the meat department at Coloma Hardings. She also had worked for Rexal Drug Store, Leverton's Grocery, IGA, and Hutchins Drug Store.
Outside of work Lucille enjoyed her loving family which includes her children, Larry (Joan) Williamson of Seabring, Fla., Marilyn Timmons of Paw Paw and Phyllis (Fitz) Brotherton of Roscommon, Mich.; 13 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; two great-great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Lois Pardee of Audubon, Iowa.
Lucille died Monday, June 15, 2009, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Oral Williamson and William Loshbough; a son, Joe Williamson; and her parents. Ernest and Marie (Madsen) McKibbin.
Friends may visit with Lucille's family today, June 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet where her life will be celebrated on Thursday, June 18, at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens in Hagar Shores.
Harry Snyder
THREE OAKS - Harry Snyder, 83, of Three Oaks died Monday, June 15, 2009, at Lakeland Specialty Hospital, Berrien Center.
Harry was born April 15, 1926, in Michigan City, Ind., to Fredrick and Ethel (Ellenwine) Snyder. He graduated from Three Oaks High School in 1944. Harry served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II, stationed in the Philippines and Japan. On Oct. 28, 1950, he married Phyllis Hellenga. They were married 51 years when she preceded him in death on Nov. 23, 2001. Harry owned and operated Three Oaks Machine Shop. He loved a round of golf and was a member of the Chikaming Country Club, Lakeside, Mich. He was also a member of the Lions Club, Elk Lodge, and the Randall Couchman American Legion Post 204, Three Oaks. Harry enjoyed hunting, fishing, sports, and bowling with his friends.
Survivors include his sister, Nadine Hinshaw of Michigan City, and his many friends. His sister, Mabel Hoagland preceded him in death.
Celebration of Life services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, at Pobocik Funeral Home, Three Oaks with Mr. Charles McKelvy as celebrant. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery with military honors presented by the Randall Couchman American Legion Post 204. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Randall Couchman American Legion Post 204, P.O. Box 141, Three Oaks, Mich. 49128, or to Hospice at Home, 4025 Healthpark Lane, St. Joseph, Mich. 49085.
Willie Halliburton
BENTON HARBOR - Willie Halliburton was born June 6, 1918, to James and Luecendia Halliburton in Dumas, Ark. He departed this life on June 17, 2009, at Lakeland Continuing Care Center, St. Joseph. Willie is the fourth child of six siblings.
On Nov. 17, 1937, Willie married Martha Lene (Dobbs) Halliburton, and to this union, 14 children were born.
In 1960, Willie accepted Christ as his personal Savior. Willie moved to Benton Harbor in 1977 and was employed by Hilltop Corporation as a custodian. On March 18, 1998, his wife Martha was called from labor to reward.
Willie later married Early Mae (Cooper) and were enjoying their golden years together. He was called from labor to reward June 17, 2009.
His memories will be cherished by his wife, Early Mae Halliburton of Benton Harbor; five daughters, Luecendia (Willie) Pratcher of Benton Harbor, Murriel (Lee Troy) Brown, Martha Jean (Fred) Avery, Betty (Elvin) Rhone, all of Kansas City, Kan., Jeanetta (Harry) Roscoe of Dallas, Texas; three sons, Don Edward (LaTuessa) Halliburton of Kansas City, Kan., Cleo (Shirley) Halliburton, Dwight Halliburton and one stepson, James (June) Hightower, all of Benton Harbor; 45 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; 50 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Martha Halliburton, one son Willie Halliburton Jr., one daughter, Marzell Wade, one sister, Mamie Robertson, four brothers, Clarence, Lynne, Roy and Cleo.
Services will be Friday, June 26, at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church. Visitation at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. Family Funeral Home is in charge.
Jeanette Potts
ST. JOSEPH - Jeanette Potts, 86, of St. Joseph passed away on April 25, 2009, in Largo, Fla.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Friday, June 26, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joseph, officiated by Rev. Msgr. Michael A. Osborn.
Following the mass, a gathering will be held at the Rose Center, where a luncheon will be served. Memorials may be made to Berrien County Youth Fair. Arrangements entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, St. Joseph.
Mildred Marie Smith
HARTFORD - Mildred Marie Smith, 90, of Hartford departed this earthly life on Sunday, June 21, 2009, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph.
Mildred was born on Jan. 26, 1919, in Chicago, the daughter of Paul and Ruth (Thomas) Voight, both of whom preceded her in passing.
On July 16, 1938, Mildred married Donald Ellsworth Smith. Over the next 47 years, they enjoyed each others company until Donald's passing on Nov. 14, 1985. Mildred lost two brothers, Paul Voight during the Korean War and Jack Voight of Gobles. Mildred lost her sister, Betty Mashak in October 2008. Their oldest son, Donald E. Smith, passed away in May of 2006.
Mildred is survived by six children, Joanne (Frank) Monaghen of Twin Lakes, Wis., Tom Smith of Stevensville, Robert (Janis) Smith of Fort Pierce, Fla., Debra (Bill Strunk) Smith of Perris, Calif., Michael (Denelle Duncombe) Smith of Houston, Texas and Laurie Smith of Mesa, Ariz. Mildred is also survived by 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Pauline Betzner of Otsego, Bonnie (Ed) Schaknies of California and Mary Seymour of St. Joseph.
Mildred was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Hartford where she was past president of the Altar Society. She owned and operated Mildred's Beauty Salon for more than 25 years and from 1981 to 1992 was a volunteer at Community Hospital in Watervliet.
The family will welcome friends on Wednesday, June 24, from 1 p.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial Service at 2 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hartford. Father Robert Flickinger of St. Basil Catholic Church of South Haven and Father Fabio Garzon of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church will be the celebrants. Mildred will be laid to rest next to her husband in Maple Hill Cemetery in Hartford Township. In lieu of flowers, blood or monetary donations in Mildred's name may be made to the Michigan Community Blood Center by calling (269) 408-1540 or the Alzheimer's Association. The family has entrusted the Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford, with handling the arrangements.
Cora Mae Moore
COVERT - Cora Mae Moore died Friday, June 19, 2009. She was born July 25, 1913, in Maywood, Ill., to Moses and Bessie Mae Dryden. She was brought up in a Christian home, and with her parents she attended Second Baptist of Maywood, where she joined at the age of 12 and was baptized. She played the piano for the Sunday school and later played for the senior choir for many years. She graduated from Washington Elementary School and Proviso High School in Maywood. She attended Cortez Peters Business College for two years.
In January of 1943, Cora was united in holy matrimony to Dr. Alonzo Moore. They lived in Chicago and joined Olivet Baptist Church, under the leadership of the Rev. Jackson. They lived in Chicago for eight years and Cora worked for the Internal Revenue Service as a billing machine operator. She and her husband moved to Covert in December of 1950, where they built their home and also built and operated a motel, "Moore's Exclusive Motel."
In 1965, Consumers Power Company purchased the Moore's property for the right of way in the building of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant. This caused the Moore's to relocate and build their new home on what is now known as County Road 378 West, which they finished and moved into in June of 1968. Cora and her husband also built several other homes in the same area.
Cora joined Covert Community Church in October 1979, under the leadership of the Rev. Terrie Mahone. She became a member of the ladies auxiliary, a member of the steward board, and a member of the senior choir. She was always ready and willing to play the piano for the senior choir in the absence of the regular pianist.
Cora was preceded in death by her parents, Moses and Bessie Mae Dryden, her brother, Charles Dryden in 1939, her husband, Dr. Moore in May of 1979, and her sister, Dorothy Moore, in March of 2002.
She leaves to mourn a few cousins, Izetta Jackson of Chicago, Jennifer Anderson of Covert, and a few other cousins in various places. She also leaves a loyal and faithful church family, dear friends The Laderdale Family, Deacon Bill and Gladys Bennett, and Rev. Terrie and Ann Mahone, and a host of wonderful friends from all over.
A wake will be held Wednesday, June 24, from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Covert Community Church. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Terrie Mahone officiating. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family's online guest book at www.FilbrandFFH.com.
The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven.
