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Margaret F. Kubash
STEVENSVILLE - Margaret "Maggie" F. Kubash, 88, of Stevensville, went home to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, July 23, 2009, at her home surrounded by her family.
A private graveside service will be held at Resurrection Cemetery in St. Joseph with Deacon Mike Gallagher officiating. Memorials may be made to Lake Michigan Catholic Schools or Hospice at Home. Those wishing to send a condolence message may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Margaret was born in Stevensville to Jenny and Julius Maffei on March 3, 1921. She graduated from Stevensville High School and worked at Industrial Rubber Co. during World War II. Margaret married Edward B. Kubash on Oct. 23, 1948 in St. Joseph. Together, they raised three sons, James Edward, Thomas Edward and Douglas Edward Kubash. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Margaret was an extraordinarily devoted mother, wife and grandmother. "Gentle Woman, Peaceful Dove" Maggie will be missed by her family.
She is survived by her loving husband, Edward; sons, James Edward (Linda) Kubash, Thomas Edward (Lucy) Kubash, Douglas Edward Kubash; grandchildren, Emily (Dan), Chistopher, Aris, Anna; and sister, Jean Varney.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Jennie and Julius and a sister, Evelyn Kaatz.
Quintin 'Ken' Kennedy Best
NILES - Quintin "Ken" Kennedy Best, 33, of Niles passed away at his home on Wednesday July 22, 2009, after a two-year battle with cancer.
Ken's life began on Nov. 22, 1975, in Kalamazoo, the son of John and Donna (Garber) Best. He was a 1993 graduate of Dowagiac Union High School. Ken entered the United States Navy and served onboard the USS Tortugas and the USS Cole. He was employed as a general contractor. He was united in marriage to the former Mckenzie Carpenter on Oct. 25, 2007, in Niles. Ken's life revolved around his children and his work. He enjoyed watching movies and raising chickens.
His loving family includes his parents, John and Donna Best of Dowagiac; his wife, Mckenzie Best of Niles; his children Savanna Best, Aiden Best, Peyton Best, Wyatt Eager and Westin Eager; siblings Becky (Tom) Best of Battle Creek, Tammy (Willie) Best of Dowagiac, John (Angie) Best Jr. of Dowagiac, and Bobbie Jo (Tommy) Graham of Edwardsburg; stepsister Amanda (Marvin) Davis of Treadway, Tenn.; stepbrother Clyde Ray Ezell of Harvard, Ill.; nieces Jessica, Makayla, Ava, Melody, Kaydi and Cheyenne; nephews Sam, Travis, Brandon, Dustin, James, Cody and Derrick; brother-in-law, Donnie Carpenter of Florida; in-laws Don and Debra Carpenter of Niles; aunts and uncles George (Darlene) Best, M.D. of Scottsdale, Ariz., Ron (Gail) Best of Frankfort, Mich., Howard (Valerie) Best of Middlebury, Mich., Samuel (Penny) Garber, Leta Bradley and Ellen Garber, all of Rogersville, Tenn., and Charles (Kathy) Inzer and Lisa Inzer, both of Kendallville, Ind.; his former spouse, Stephanie Best of South Bend; and several other relatives and friends.
The family wishes to acknowledge the oncology and radiation staff at the University of Michigan and Hospice at Home for their outstanding efforts. His family will gather with friends from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday at McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home, 405 Center St., Dowagiac where his funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday led by Pastor Lonnie Carpenter. Ken will be laid to rest in Sumnerville Cemetery following the service. Memorial contributions in his name may be directed to his family in care of John Best.
Ila Janet Casselberry
SOUTH HAVEN - Ila Janet (Horton) Casselberry, 98, of South Haven, formerly of Alpena, Mich., went to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 23, at the home of her daughter Yvonne Rusin.
Ila was born in Lansing on May 8, 1911, to Janet and Charles Horton. Ila married Carl Casselberry on Aug. 4, 1928 in Detroit. Ila and Carl owned Alpena Heating and Air Conditioning Co. in Alpena, where she was the bookkeeper for more than 30 years. They were involved in the First Presbyterian Church in Alpena, where she was the secretary/treasurer for many years. They retired and moved to Florida in 1975. After many years in Florida, Ila moved to South Haven in May of 1998 and lived at the River Terrace Apartments for several years and enjoyed the friends she met there. The Detroit Tigers, playing cards, bowling, golfing and knitting were a few of her many passions in life. She loved her family and always had a smile on her face.
She was preceded in death along with her parents by her husband, Carl, of 59 years; her son, Gary Casselberry; two brothers, Donald and Robert; two sisters, Orpha and Donna; and one granddaughter, Karen Skiba.
She is survived by her daughter, Yvonne (Casselberry) Rusin; a sister, Jean Wesley; sister-in-law, Anna Keebler; daughter-in-law, Marlene Casselberry-Sutton; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a Celebration of Life service at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug., 2 at the First Baptist Church of South Haven with Pastor Jerry Koller officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to South Haven Hospice at Home or the First Baptist Church. Share your memories on the family's online guest book at www.FilbrandtFFH.com. The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, 1076 S. Bailey Ave., South Haven.
Jean G. Murphy
SOUTH HAVEN - Mrs. Jean G. Murphy, 75, of South Haven, died July 22, 2009, at her residence.
Jean was born July 27, 1933, in Lorado, W.Va., the eldest of twins to Ester and Luella Stanley. She was united in marriage to Mr. Robert L. Graham and to this union four children were born. Later she met and married Mr. Will E. Murphy and to this union one child was born.
Mother Murphy was a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Chicago, where she served faithfully on the first aid board until her move to Michigan. She later joined Trinity Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Noble Sanders and served there until the illness of her sister. Most recently Mother Murphy served and worshiped the Lord as a member of Second Baptist Church. She worked as a nurse for over 40 years; always caring for others.
She was preceded into death by her daughter Fabian Rivers. She is survived by her daughters, Sheila Long of South Haven and Jacqueline Graham-Syvestal (Brian) of Chicago; sons, Robert L Graham III (Anna) of San Marcos, Calif. and Will T. Murphy (Denise) of South Haven; son-in-law, Oscar Rivers Jr. of Charleston, S.C.; sisters, Myrtle Martin of Chicago and Joan Lewis of South Haven; brothers, Ester L. Stanley of St Louis and Maurice C. Stanley of Gary, Ind., 12 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
A wake will be held noon to 1 p.m. Friday, July 31 at Second Baptist Church in South Haven. Funeral services will be begin at 1 p.m. with Pastor Dureya Gibson officiating. Burial will take place at Covert Cemetery in Covert Township. Kindly share your memories on the family's online guest book at www.filbrandtFFH.com.
The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, 1076 S. Bailey Ave., South Haven.
Crystal A. Newton
HARTFORD - Crystal A. Newton, 91, of Hartford, formerly of Benton Township, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at his residence, following an illness.
He was born on March 24, 1918 in Cardwell, Missouri to the late Alonzo and Serena (Millon) Newton. On Feb. 19, 1940, Crystal married Willie Maxine (McCloud). He served his country proudly in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war he worked as a laborer most of his life, including Whirlpool and Paramount Die Cast, from where he retired. His hobby included spending time outdoors and with his Dachshund "Bubbie Dog, " and he was devoted to his faith. He was a member of the Church of God of Prophecy in Benton Harbor.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, seven brothers and two sisters. Crystal is survived by two sons, Herman (Imogene) Newton of Tiplersville, Miss., Jack Newton of Hartford; two daughters, Judy (Donald) Jackson of Middleton, Tenn. and Yvonne Newton of Benton Harbor; and eight grandchildren and a hosts of great-grandchildren.
A time of visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday July 23, 2009 at the Church of God of Prophecy, 2636 Gregory Street, Benton Harbor. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 24th at the church with a committal following at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Memorial contributions can be made in Crystal's memory to Make a Wish Foundation 3550 North Central Avenue, Suite 300, Phoenix, Arizona 85012-2127.
Condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the family at www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, 521 E. Main St., Niles.
Craig Allan Pompey
Craig Allan Pompey, 45, of Hartford, passed away suddenly Monday, July 20, 2009 at his home.
Craig was born October 2, 1963 in Watervliet, the son of Keith and Grace (Williamson) Pompey. He was a 1982 graduate of Hartford High School and a former manager with Crystal Flash, serving in both Holland and Paw Paw. Craig was the youngest store manager in company history and was honored by the company with the President's Award in 1986. He was formerly employed with Lane Automotive as a truck driver.
Outside of the workplace, Craig had a keen sense of nature and the outdoors, where he was an avid fisher and hunter. He had a heart of gold and a compassion for all whom he came in contact with. But his biggest joy was spending time with his family, especially his two grandchildren.
Craig is survived by a daughter, Sabrina Pompey of Grand Rapids; a son, Keith A. Pompey of Hartford; two granddaughters, Destini Pompey of Grand Rapids and Grace Pompey of Hartford; his mother, Grace (William) Rushing of Decatur; his father, Keith (Cheryl Anderson) Pompey of Lawrence; a brother, Kenneth Pompey of Hartford; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Craig was preceded in passing by grandparents, James and Louella Williamson and Kenneth and Gladys Pompey.
The family will welcome friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 26 at the Calvin Funeral Home, 8 E. Main St., Hartford. The service to honor Craig's memory will commence at 1 1 p.m. Monday, July 27 at the funeral home. Pastor Richard Kaiser of the Red Arrow General Baptist Church, Twelve Corners, will serve as officiant. Burial will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery, Hartford Township. Memorial donations in Craig's name may be made to the family.
Elaine Lijewski
NEW BUFFALO - Elaine Lijewski, 82, of New Buffalo, died Thursday, July 23, 2009 in Buchanan. Arrangements have been entrusted with Sommerfeld-Smith Family Funeral Home, 15 N. Barton St., New Buffalo.
Elaine was born Jan. 28, 1927 in Manistee, Mich., to Red and Margaret (Dolinski) Sytek. She married Edward Anthony Lijewski on Aug. 27, 1949 in Manistee. They moved to New Buffalo in 1957 and have lived there since.
Elaine was employed at the New Buffalo Area Schools as transportation secretary, retiring in 1993. She was a member of St. Mary of the Lake Church, New Buffalo. Both Ed and Elaine were founding members of the New
Buffalo Bison Boosters. They were at countless sporting events, supporting not only their children, but also their grandchildren.
Elaine is survived by her five children, Pamela (Jack) Comer of Edwardsburg, Mary Ann (Brent) Hurst of Colwich, Kansas, Edward (Nancy) Lijewski of New Buffalo, Roger (Alison) Lijewski of New Buffalo and Brian (Lisa)
Lijewski of South Bend; 12 grandchildren; and six great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Edward in August of 2006.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 27 at St. Mary of the Lake Church, New Buffalo with Rev. James Morris officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, New Buffalo.
Visitation will be held 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday with a Rosary to take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Sommerfeld-Smith Family Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Pet Refuge, 2300 W. 6th St., Mishawaka, IN, 46545.
