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Sam Rivers
BENTON HARBOR - Sam Rivers, 81, of Benton Harbor died Sunday, July 26, 2009, at his home.
Wake and family hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Robbins Brothers (Chapel) Funeral Home, Benton Harbor. A Celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 3, at Brotherhood Church of God in Christ. Burial will be in North Shore Memory Gardens, Hagar Shores. Funeral arrangements are by Robbins Brothers Funeral Home Inc., Benton Harbor.
He was born March 5, 1928, in Clarksville, Ark. He was a retired school bus driver, and longtime employee of Auto Specialties. He received an honorable discharge from the United States Navy after serving in World War II. He served as minister in the community for more than 35 years.
Survivors include his wife, Rosie M. Rivers of Benton Harbor; three sons, Freddie Rivers, Spencer Rivers and Eddie Rivers, all of Benton Harbor; daughter, Audranell Barker of Holt, Mich.; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Vaughn 'Jerry' Atwater
PAW PAW - Jerry passed away Wednesday afternoon, July 29, 2009, at Bronson Rehab Center in Lawton. Jerry was born Aug. 26, 1933, in Lawton, the son of the late Vern and Gladys (Brown) Atwater. Jerry served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. After the war, he was employed by Eaton's in Lawton, John Reid in Lawton, Harvey Ford in Paw Paw and then became co-owner of Chuck's Standard service and later owned and operated Tea Pot Dome by Jerry's Wrecker Service in Paw Paw.
Jerry was a member of the American Legion, McGowan-Johnson Post 68, Paw Paw, Paw Paw Lawton Lodge 25 F&AM, the Kalamazoo Shriners Club (Saladin Clown), and the Paw Paw Volunteer Fire Department.
On Dec. 19, 1953, in Paw Paw, Jerry was united in marriage to Virginia "Ginnie" Stimac, who survives. Also surviving are four daughters, Barb (Jim) Alden of Paw Paw, Patty (Tim) Barnes of Lawton, Nancy (Pat Laskovy) Atwater of Lawton and Liz Atwater of Paw Paw; five grandchildren; one great-grandson; mother-in-law, Alice Stimac of Paw Paw; two brothers-in-law, Joe Stimac and Clarence (Linda) Stimac of Paw Paw, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by two daughters, Mary K. Marr and Judy A. Atwater; three brothers, Clifford, Vern and Maurice Atwater.
Family will receive friends Sunday 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Adams Funeral Home, Paw Paw, where a Masonic memorial service will be held at 7:30 p.m. under the auspices of the Paw Paw-Lawton Chapter 25 F&AM. Funeral services will be held Monday 11 a.m. with the Rev. Patti Haas officiating. Military honor will be rendered under the auspices of the American Legion following the service. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.
Betty M. Markham
GRABILL, IND. - Betty Martha Markham, 77, of Grabill, Ind., died Wednesday morning, July 29, 2009, at her home. She was born on Jan.16, 1932, in Star City, Ark., to the late Billy and Allie (Wimberly) Carrington.
Surviving are a daughter, Deborah (David) Markham Clements, Grabill; son, Tim Markham, Benton Harbor; grandchildren, Jarod Toffelmire, Matthew Clements, Amie Markham; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Toffelmire, Cody Toffelmire, Derrick Toffelmire, Chase Tilburt; brother, Calvin Carrington, Kiln, Miss.; sisters, Margaret Carrington, Prescott, Ark., and Carol Carrington, Star City, Ark.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Jerry and Quinton Carrington, and three sisters, Gladys Ferguson, Fern Ratteree and Coy Lay.
Betty retired in 1996 from LECO Corporation in St. Joseph. She was a member of Blackhawk Ministries in Fort Wayne, Ind., for several years but recently joined Crossview Church in Grabill.
Calling will be held today from 6 to 8 p.m. at Crossview Church, 13313 Indiana Street, Grabill, Ind. Services will be at 1 p.m. on Friday at the church with Pastor Keith Moore officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, St. Joe, Ind.
Memorials to Blackhawk Ministries or Crossview Church.
Arrangements by Carnahan-Baidinger & Walter Funeral Home, Spencerville, Ind.
Jack Thomas Niles
SOUTH HAVEN - Jack Thomas Niles, 79, of South Haven, died on July 28, 2009 at home. He was born on Dec. 18, 1929, to Lucius and Alice (Zeedyk) Niles in South Haven. Jack graduated from South Haven High School in 1949. Jack served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. Jack married Wanda Anderson on March 2, 1954, in Fort Polk, La. Jack owned and operated Zeedyk's Flower Shop in South Haven for 20 years. Jack also drove Bus No. 11 and No.17 for South Haven Public Schools. Jack also worked at Michigan Shore Lumber until it burned down, Don's Linoleum and Wolverine Hardware for 30 years. He enjoyed golfing, bowling and laying in the sun. Jack spent much time at the baseball fields where he coached little league for many years. Jack was also an avid Detroit Tiger's fan.
He was preceded in death by his parents; by two sisters, Helen Morehead and Marge Powers; and one brother, Richard "Lou" Niles.
Jack is survived by his wife, Wanda Niles of South Haven; two sons, Michael Jack Niles and Zane Thomas Niles, both of South Haven, and one daughter, Nona Ann (Donald) Borah of Holland. Two grandchildren, Samantha Tara Lynn Niles and Airron Lee Reese Hiatt also survive.
Visitation will take place on Friday, July 31, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in South Haven. Funeral services will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the Rev. Harold F. Filbrandt officiating. Burial will take place in Lakeview Cemetery in South Haven. Memorials may be made to South Haven's Hospice at Home or the First United Methodist Church.
The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, South Haven.
Pauline Margaret Deckert
HARTFORD - Pauline Margaret Deckert, 81, of Hartford passed away Friday, July 24, 2009, at her home.
"Bunny, " as she was known by her family, was born Sept. 6, 1927, in Custer, S.D., the daughter of Brose and Ruth (Mecker) Scott, both of whom preceded her in passing. She was also preceded in passing by a daughter, Susan Marie Deckert, and a brother, Jerome Scott.
Pauline had a great love for music. She loved playing the Hawaiian guitar. She also loved dancing, especially the polka, waltz and ballroom dancing.
Pauline married Elmer Arthur Deckert on June 6, 1943. He survives, along with two sons, Ronald (Bonnie) Deckert of Marion, Ky., and David Deckert of Hartford. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Connie, Samantha, Rhonda and Britt, and seven great-grandchildren.
As per Pauline's wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service to honor her memory will commence at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, at the Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hartford. The family has entrusted the Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford, with handling the arrangements.
Louise A. LaMantia
ST. JOSEPH - Louise A. LaMantia, 72, of St. Joseph passed away suddenly on Sunday, July 26, 2009, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 30, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 555 Delaware St., Benton Harbor, with Fr. William Jacobs officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Watervliet. Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday, July 29, from 5 to 8 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to St. John & St. Bernard's Catholic Parish.
Louise was born on April 2, 1937, to Anthony and Lillian (Sorce) Mammina in Benton Harbor. She married John LaMantia on April 12, 1958, at St. John's Catholic Church in Benton Harbor. A lifelong resident of Benton Harbor, she raised four children, Lori, Debbie, Anthony and Angela. Louise loved her family and her friends including those at St. John and Bernard Parish. She was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother and will be missed by all those she touched.
Louise is survived by her husband, John; her daughters, Lori (Don) DeWitt of Holland, Mich., Debbie (Pat) Curtis and Angela (Ben) Donaldson, both of St. Joseph; and her son, Anthony LaMantia of St. Joseph; grandchildren - Kyle, Brittany, Joe P., Michael, Tyler and Joe D.; brothers, Ben (Grace) Mammina of St. Joseph and Isadore (Mary Ellen) Mammina of Benton Harbor; sister-in-law, Annette (John) Falkner of St. Joseph; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Anthony and Lillian Mammina.
Bertha Lee Belin
SOUTH HAVEN - Bertha Lee Belin, 46, of South Haven died July 24, 2009, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born on Feb. 5, 1963, to Chester and Beatrice (Jones) Belin in Chicago. Bertha worked as a housekeeper for many years.
She was preceded in death by her father, Chester Belin.
Bertha is survived by her husband, James Porter of South Haven; her children, Jeremy Belin of Bangor, Jason Belin of Holland, Mich., and Jerry Belin and Berline Belin, both of Arizona; her mother, Beatrice Belin of Bangor; and her sisters and brothers - Josephine Ward of Holland, Betty Long of South Haven, Harrattie Belin, Carolyn Belin, Joseph Belin, Jamp Belin, Otis Belin and Lizzie Long Belin.
Wake will take place on Thursday, July 30, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, South Haven, with funeral services beginning at 1 p.m.
Randall 'Randy' Hanners
BANGOR - Randall F. "Randy" Hanners, age 52, of Bangor passed away unexpectedly Saturday, July 25, 2009, at his home.
The family will meet friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug.1, 2009, at the Bangor Chapel, D.L. Miller Funeral Home, where a memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. with Mike Hanners officiating. According to his wishes, cremation has taken place.
Randy was born Sept. 3, 1956, in Rochelle, Ill., the son of Frank and Norma (Curtis) Hanners, and at an early age moved to Michigan, where he attended Bangor Schools and lived the rest of his life. He had an associate's degree in electronics from Southwestern Michigan College, held various factory positions locally and was employed by the Michigan Department of Corrections for 10 years. He was a loving father, son, brother and good friend to many others. He enjoyed sports, being out doors, and spending time with friends and family.
Surviving are his daughter, Nicole Hanners of Bangor; two sons, Dustin (Jenny) Hanners of Bangor and Dalton Hanners of Kalamazoo; his loving former spouse, Marsha Hanners of Bangor; mother, Norma Hanners of Bangor; four brothers, Terry of Cottage Grove, Ore., Mike of Debary, Fla., Mark (Angie) of Hartford and Danny of Bangor; two sisters, Carma (John Schwanekamp) Hanners of Bangor and Dyann Moore of Dallas; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Frank, in 2008, and a sister-in-law, Tammy, in 2005.
