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Dorothy (Wendt) Gast
ST. JOSEPH - Dorothy E. (Wendt) Gast, 87, of St. Joseph passed away on Tuesday, July 13, 2009, at her home in St. Joseph.
A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, at Riverview Park Christian Church, 2929 Niles Road in St. Joseph. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery. Visitation will be held today, July 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made Riverview Park Christian Church.
Dorothy was born on April 9, 1922, in St. Joseph to Adam and Melinda (Ferus) Wendt. She married Harold Myron Gast on Nov. 16, 1940, in St. Joseph.
Dorothy's family meant everything to her. She loved spending time in her flower garden and bird watching. She loved to be on the go, whether on weekend trips camping in Baldwin, visiting family and friends or going to the church mission house on Crystal Lake in Frankfort, Mich. She was a licensed daycare provider for more than 60 years and spent more 30 years as a Sunday school teacher, choir member and church financial secretary at Riverview Park Christian.
Dorothy is survived by her two daughters, Linda Rogers of St. Joseph and Clara (John) Churchill of St. Joseph, and her one son, Harold (Bonnie) Gast of Coloma. She was survived by one foster daughter, Rochelle Corder of St. Joseph, two sisters, Phyllis Wycoff of St. Joseph and Marilyn Reimer of Eau Claire. She is also survived by six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and two brothers, Clarence and Wilbur Wendt.
Emanuel von Koenig
ST. JOSEPH - Emanuel von Koenig, 82, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away on Monday, June 29, 2009, at his home in New Mexico. Manü (Manny), as he was affectionately known by his parents and sister, was born on March 16, 1927 in Munich, Germany to Ludwig and Elisubeth (Jadoul) von Koenig.
Manny immigrated to the United States in 1950 and became a U.S. citizen in 1956. He attended the University of Munich in Germany and earned a bachelor's degree in business science from the University of Minnesota. He was a World War II veteran and also served in the U.S. Army Reserves for six years. Manny had a 36 year career with Whirlpool which started in the St. Paul Division in 1953. From St. Paul he joined the International Division in 1969. After two years in Brazil as the director of manufacturing at Brastemp, he moved to the Administration Center in 1971, was promoted to manager of licensing services in 1983 and retired as the vice president of Whirlpool do Brasil in 1989.
Manny is survived and missed by his wife of 19 years Judy Von Koenig and her family; four sons from a previous marriage: Doug (Joelene) von Koenig of Stevensville, Jeff (Nancy) von Koenig of Eau Claire, Ed (Lori) von Koenig of Stevensville, and Curt (Karla) von Koenig of St. Joseph. Also surviving are grandchildren, Jonathan, Alex, Sandy, Nick (Melanie), Ben and Elise von Koenig; and great-grandson Josiah von Koenig. Preceding him in death were his parents and his sister, Dr. Wofhilde von Koenig.
Please join the family for a celebration of Manny's life which is being held at the DANK, 2651 Pipestone Road, on July 22, from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Miranda Room. Manny donated on a regular basis to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
John A. Robinson
HARTFORD - John A. Robinson, age 76, a resident of the town of Scott, Wis., died June 29, 2009, at his home. John was born on Nov. 11, 1932, in Paw Paw, to Glen and Della Robinson. He graduated from Hartford High School then served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954. He later was a successful real estate developer for many years in Southwest Michigan.
He was a past member of Elk Club 544 in Benton Harbor, as well as a member of Webb Lake American Legion Post and a proud supporter of Ducks Unlimited.
John loved being outdoors - hunting, fishing, and golfing were some of his favorite pastimes. He also spent a great deal of his "retired" years playing cards. He was an amazing family man and enjoyed life to its fullest making memories with his family and friends.
John was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Esther.
He is survived by his wife, Shara, brother, Glen (Marge) Robinson, numerous relatives and many close friends that will miss him dearly.
A celebration of John's life will be held Sunday, July 26, at Rookies Bar in Watervliet, from 1 to 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ducks Unlimited. Arrangements were entrusted to Scalzo-Taylor Family Funeral Home, Spooner, Wis.
Arlene Lauer
CROWN POINT, Ind. - Arlene Lauer, 89, of Crown Point, formerly of Michigan City, Ind., passed away July 15, 2009.
Arlene attended the Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church in St. John; she was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Michigan City, where she was an avid church worker.
She was retired from the Medical Group of Michigan City, where she ran the switchboard and worked with the doctors in patient care.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Clyde Lauer; her son, Daniel Lauer; her parents, Fred and Anna Marie Eggers; brothers, Myrel and Fred Eggers; and sisters, Mildred Pearson and Henrietta Peters.
She is survived by her daughter, Judy Perdue of Crown Point; her daughter-in-law, Marilyn Lauer of Stevensvile; four grandsons - Douglas (Sally) Perdue, Bradley (Tammy) Perdue, Christopher (Penny) Perdue and Andrew Lauer; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Alvina Korner of Michigan City and Phyllis Ross of Buffalo, N.Y.; brother-in-law, Eugene (Dorothy) Lauer of Los Alamos, N.M.; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are Monday, July 20, at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church, 9770 Keilman Street, St. John, Ind., with the Rev. Mark Vance and the Rev. Mike Zurek officiating. Services will terminate at the church. Private interment is at Greenwood Cemetery in Michigan City. Friends and relatives may visit with the family on Sunday, July 19, from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Burns Funeral Home, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point, Ind. Contributions may be made to Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church.
William E. Gilbert
NILES - William E. Gilbert, 83, of Niles, died Thursday, July 16, 2009, at his home following an extended illness.
He was born on Dec. 27, 1925, in South Bend, Ind., to Donald R. and Bernice (Finn) Gilbert. He graduated from Niles High School in 1945 and was a lifelong resident of Niles. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he earned the rank of corporal and was stationed in the South Pacific. He retired in 1987 as a design engineer from National-Standard Co. in Niles.
William was a member of the Pokagon United Methodist Church in Niles. He was a charter member of the Howard Township Fire Department, where he served many years as its treasurer. In 1968 he began serving as a reserve deputy with the Cass County Sheriff's Dept. He was active in volunteer work and was a community helper.
On May 10, 1947 in Berrien Springs, he first married Mary E. (Austin) Gilbert, who preceded him in death on March 3, 1985. He later married on June 14, 1986, in Niles, Janie (Dempsey) Vanlue Gilbert, who survives.
He is also survived by his children - Nancy (Dale) Chadderdon of Tecumseh, Mich., Linda (Dan) Gustafson of St. Joseph and Larry (Kolleen) Gilbert of Niles; grandchildren - Mary Kay (Allan) Brown of Schaumburg, Ill., Andrew Gustafson of St. Joseph and Reanna (Scott) Lennox of Niles; great-grandchildren - Nathan Allan Brown, Trevor Scott Lennox and Jordan Lennox; step-children - Linda (Steve) Kujawa of Edwardsburg, Merri (John) Bagwell of Buchanan and Daniel (Pam) Vanlue of Niles; step-grandchildren - Julie (Mark) Williams, Melissa (Mike) Cook, Laurie Barnes, Angela (Billy) Rocke, James Vanlue, Cody Kujawa, Brennden Keen, Rob Lewis and Tiffany Lewis.
He was preceded in death by his grandson, O'Rion Gilbert in 1992; step-son, Kenneth Value; step-grandson, Sam Reagan; and step-great-grandson, Parker Williams.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 20, at Pokagon United Methodist Church n Niles, with the Rev. Patricia Haas officiating. Internment will be in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, where Military Honors will be performed by the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Hallbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of William may be made to Pokagon United Methodist Church or Hospice At Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085.
Starlight June Luna
SOUTH HAVEN - Starlight June Luna, South Haven, infant daughter of Darrell and Sheena (Wilson) Luna, died Monday, July 6, 2009, at Holland Community Hospital.
She is survived, along with her parents, by her sister, Marrissa Luna, at home; grandparents - Linda Luna of Covert, James Cavanaugh of Covert, Rita Wilson of Holland, Mich., and Ben Wilson of Fennville.
Memorial services will take place on Wednesday, July 22, at 2 p.m. at Filbrandt Family Funeral Home. A visiting time will take place prior to the services beginning at 1 p.m.
The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven.
Charles Edwin Streu
COLOMA - Charles Edwin Streu, 79, of Coloma, passed away Thursday, July 16, 2009, at his residence.
Services with Military Honors will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 21, at Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma, where visitation will be Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. Cremation will take place following the service. Memorial donations may be made to the DAV Chapter 17 in Benton Harbor. Those wishing to sign the online guestbook or leave a message of comfort for the family may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.
Charles was born May 10, 1930, in Nashville, Tenn. He was adopted by Louis J. (Marie Lapa) Streu. After Marie's passing in 1938, Louis married Erna Borchardt. In 1947 he joined the United States Navy, serving aboard the USS Leyte CV32 until 1950. Charles attended Pullman Tech in Chicago, where he met his wife, Charlene Vander Wal, marrying her Nov. 4, 1950. He was in the excavating business until 1965 when he became a developer and builder of residential and commercial properties, having his own real estate broker's license. He and Charlene moved to Michigan where they finished raising there two youngest children and purchased Deer Forest in 1975 from the Potts family, who were the originators of the park. After finally retiring in 1987, he enjoyed driving his car around to observe all the changes in the area. Charles was also a member of Hope Reformed Church in South Haven.
Charles is survived by his wife, Charlene; three sons - Charles (Janet) Streu of Coloma, Kevin (Lori) Streu of Lawton, and Ross (Lisa) Streu also of Coloma; three grandchildren, Michelle, Tori and Tyler, all of Coloma; daughter-in-law, Kathy Streu of Coloma; and a cousin, Marilyn George of Warsaw, Ind.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Scott Streu.
