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Herbert A. Atkinson
STEVENSVILLE - Dr. Herbert Andrew Atkinson, 78, of Stevensville passed away on Monday, July 20, 2009, at his home.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, July 22, at 1 p.m. at Woodland Shores Baptist Church, Bridgman, with the Rev. Winston Decker officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southwestern Medical Clinic Christian Support Ministries. Online condolences are accepted at www.PikeFH.com.
Dr. Atkinson was born May 27, 1931, in Miles City, Mont., and raised in Philadelphia, Pa. He attended Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., for his undergraduate degree. He went on to the University of Illinois College of Medicine and interned at the Decatur and Macom County Hospital in Decatur, Ill. Dr. Atkinson also attended Johnson City Baptist Bible Seminary.
Dr. Atkinson was certified by the American Board of Family Practice. He was a member of the Christian Medical and Dental Society and the Berrien County Medical Society. Dr. Atkinson served as chief of staff at Berrien General Hospital for three years.
Before joining Southwestern Medical Clinic, Dr. Atkinson was a missionary physician and surgeon for 15 years in Zaire, Africa. He was with the clinic since 1965.
Dr. Atkinson is survived by his wife of 55 years, Frieda; four children - David, Daniel, Ruth and Esther; and grandchildren - Ricky, Dylan, David, Jacob, Andy, Austin, Elizabeth, Nick, Jon, Aaron and Justin. He is also survived by his sister, Helen Skinner.
He joins his son, Peter Atkinson, and grandaughter, Becky Atkinson, in heaven.
H. Jane McGuire
EL DORADO, Ark. - H. Jane McGuire, 89, died Wednesday, July 15, 2009, at Life Touch Hospice in El Dorado, Ark.
She was born March 18, 1920, in Cass Lake, Minn., to William H. and Phoebe Jane (Stockwell) Palmer. She married David Vincent McGuire on Feb. 23, 1945, in Kalamazoo, Mich. They lived most of their lives in Hartford, Mich., where Jane worked for veterinarian Dr. H.J. Meacham. They had two children, Duane William McGuire and Mary (Micki) McGuire Webber. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and daughter.
She was a member of Hartford United Methodist Church and attended Asbury United Methodist Church in Magnolia, Ark.
She is survived by her son, Duane McGuire and wife, Rita, of McNeil, Ark.; four granddaughters - Theresa McGuire Byard of Lawton, Okla., Stacia McGuire Powers and husband, Rob, of Lawton, Okla., Venessa Webber Gentry and husband, Dante, of South Bend, Ind., and Crystal Webber of Niles, Mich; four great-grandchildren - Cody Byard of Abilene, Texas; Nicole Webber of Niles, Kayla and Dominic Gentry of South Bend, and Starsha Wycoff and husband, Brandon, of Fort Sill, Okla.; two great-great-grandchildren, Kenneth Hutchinson and Ethan Wycoff of Fort Sill, Okla.; and many cousins and friends.
She was cremated according to her wishes. Memorial services will be held at later date in Magnolia, Ark., and Hartford, Mich. Memorials may be made to CCAPS, P.O. Box 2003, Magnolia, AR 71754-2003; Asbury United Methodist Church, 1300 E. University, Magnolia, AR 71753; or Hartford United Methodist Church, 425 E. Main St., Hartford, MI 49057.
Arrangements were by Bailey Funeral Home of Magnolia, Arkansas.
Steven Hurst Coody
NILES - Steven Hurst Coody was born in Macon, Ga., on Aug. 17, 1951. The Lord placed him in heaven on Saturday, the 18th day of July, 2009, at the age of 57. He courageously battled peritoneal mesothelomia, which was caused by asbestos exposure.
He passed away at his daughter Kimberly's home in Niles while holding the hands of his daughters, Fallon and Kimberly. He was surrounded in love by his daughters, Kimberly and Fallon; his sister, Karen Bloodworth; and his former wife, LuAnn Vandalsen, when he passed.
Steve graduated from Vienna (Ga.) High School in 1969. He attended the University of Georgia in Athens and Georgia Southwestern College in Americus. Steve owned and operated Steve Coody Trucking from 1973 until 1985. He then started farming in Dooly, Dodge, Wilcox and Pulaski counties.
Left to treasure his life and memories are his two daughters, Kimberly (Chip) Klett of Dowagiac, and Fallon (Jason VandeZande) Coody of Niles; two grandchildren - Benjamin Kubal, 8, and McKenna Klett 3; and his mother, Mrs. Margret Coody of Vienna, Ga. He is preceded in death by his father, R.B. Coody.
Also surviving are siblings Karen (Raymond) Bloodworth of Pineview, Ga., and Mark (Cathy Sue) Coody of Hawkinsville, Ga.; nieces and nephew - Mandee Bloodworth, and Johnathan and Elizabeth Coody; and Mike Kubal, former son-in-law and friend, of Niles.
Steve's life will be celebrated Saturday, July 25, 2009, in Vienna, Ga., at the Vienna United Methodist Church, where he was a lifetime member. He was married, and his daughters were christened in this church. Steve's family will receive guests beginning at 10 a.m., followed by the service at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to LifeLink Foundation of Georgia 2875 NorthWoods Parkway Norcross, GA 30071 (800) 544-6667.
Theodore Chalus
LAWRENCE - Theodore Chalus, 92, of Lawrence, departed this earthly life on Sunday, July 19, 2009, at Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo.
Theodore was born July 28, 1916, in Chicago to James and Ethel (Tovonitski) Chalus, both of whom preceded him in passing. He was also preceded by a daughter, Barbara Shelton in January 2008; a grandson, Billy, in 2007; and two sisters, Violet and Toots.
Soon after moving to Michigan, he met Thelma Mae Guernsey, and they were united in marriage on Sept. 23, 1940. Over the next 68 years, they enjoyed each other's company. Theodore went to work for New Products Corp. and remained there for 39 years. In his spare time, he was always tinkering with broken bicycles, lawn mowers and just about anything else that need to be fixed. One of his biggest joys was to go and eat at Old Country Buffet in Kalamazoo, where he made many new friends.
Theodore is survived by his wife, Thelma; two sons, Theodore (Linda) Chalus, Jr. of Lawrence and Dennis (Dorothy) Chalus of Decatur, Ala.; eight grandchildren - Theodore III, Shane, Mark, Richard, Debbie, Barbara Lynn, Randy and Robbie; 15 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Jeanette Mitchell of Florida.
The family will welcome friends on Thursday, July 23, from noon until the time of the service to honor his memory at 1 p.m. at the Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford. Father Robert Flickinger of St. Basil Catholic Church, South Haven, will be the celebrant. Theodore will be laid to rest in Hill Cemetery, Lawrence.
Carolyn Ann Griffith
SOUTH HAVEN - Carolyn Ann Griffith, 64, of South Haven died Saturday, July 18, at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph.
She was born May 14, 1945, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Katie (Kilburn) and William Davidson. She married Kenneth Griffith on Nov. 18, 1961, in South Haven. Carol and her husband owned and operated a grape farm in the Covert area for 21 years before retiring in 2006. Carol loved to shop, especially for collectable dolls, of which she had many.
She was preceded in death, along with her parents, by her husband, Kenneth Griffith, who died in 2006, and her sister, Marilyn Wallace.
She is survived by two daughters - Laurie (Rick) Willett of South Haven and Tina (Scott) Holt of Bangor; four grandchildren - Erica (Mike) Keller, Rebecca Holt, Dylan Willett and Kaitlyn Willett; a great-granddaughter - Mikala Keller; four brothers - Gerald Yates of Hartford, Gary Yates of Pullman, and Mike Yates and Larry Yates both of Allegan; and one sister, Theresa Jackson of Florida.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 23, at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at noon at the funeral home with Pastor Anthony Kuenzli officiating. Burial will take place at Stephenson Cemetery in Casco Township. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society.
Warren R. Schwarz
ST. JOHNS - Warren Schwarz, 62, beloved husband, father, brother and friend, passed to the gates of heaven on July 11, 2009.
Funeral services were held on July 17, 2009 at St. Johns Michigan with the Reverand Hugh Banninga officiating. Burial was at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns.
Warren was born Jan. 8, 1947 to Frederick and Helena Schwarz in Watervliet. He grew up working on the family fruit and vegetable farm in Bainbridge Township and attended Lake Michigan Community College where he met Karen Larsen, the love of his life. Together they went on to study at Michigan State University and wed in March of 1969. Warren and Karen bought and restored an historic home in St. Johns, Mich. They were also blessed with three children.
Warren was a gifted and talented man. He had a vast repertoire of knowledge about everything from gardening to home projects to fixing cars and repairing farm equipment. He was a continuous source of answers to questions from his family and friends. Most important and memorable was Warren's love and dedication to his family. His happiest moments were traveling nearly every summer, tailgating at Spartan games with friends and playing with his grandchildren. His humor and quick wit will continue to bring smiles to the faces of all who loved him. Warren was dearly loved and will be missed.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Karen Schwarz; three children, Cress and husband Warner Smith of Traverse City, Mich., John and wife DeAnn Schwarz of Lansing, and Amanda Schwarz of Kalamazoo; three grandchildren, Morgan and Jonathan Schwarz and Evelyn Smith; two sisters, Donna and husband Merton Dell of Watervliet, and Denise and husband Jeffrey Costello of Fuquay-Varina, NC; and brother-in-law Gordon Dell of Kokomo, Ind. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick (1980) and Helena (1991) Schwarz, and a sister, Dianna Dell (2004).
Tina Bender Erb
HARTFORD - Tina Bender Erb, 44, of Hartford, passed away Friday, July 17, 2009, at Borgess Medical Center.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 22, at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Watervliet, 179 Lucinda Lane in Watervliet, with Father Gordon Green officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan or Gabriel Foundation (The Gabriel Foundation.org).
Tina was born March 6, 1965, in St. Joseph, to Robert and Fran (Myers) Bender. On Oct. 22, 2004, she married David Erb. Tina worked as bookkeeper at Don Young Insurance and at My Secret Garden Pet Store. Tina was an outgoing lady and avid pet and animal lover.
Tina is survived by her husband, David Erb of Hartford; parents, Fran and Don Young of Watervliet and Robert Bender and his partner, Jane Cuthbert, of Stevensville; three step-sons - Danny Erb of Grand Rapids, Jermy Erb of Dowagiac and Steve Erb of Watervliet; four step-brothers - Jeff Young, Victor Cuthbert Jr., William Cuthbert and Mark Cuthbert; and seven step-sisters - Sue Young, Kim Young, Lori Colman, Elizabeth Bush, Gayle Hofbauer and Katherine Thayer.
