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Rein Rudlaff
BERRIEN SPRINGS - Rein Rudlaff, decorated World War II veteran of the Battle of the Bulge, went to Heaven on Aug. 3, 2009, at Gilead Elder Care in Berrien Springs.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, and also one hour prior to services. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Berrien Springs with the Rev. Bassett officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Berrien Springs. Friends may also sign the guestbook at www.legacyfuneral.com. Legacy Family Funeral Services - Matthew R. Purchase Chapel assisted the family with arrangements. Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church or Disabled American Veterans.
Rein was born May 8, 1922, at the family farm in Berrien Springs to Herman and Otillia Rudlaff. He had 15 brothers and sisters.
He was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1943 and joined the 8th Armored Division in 1944. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and earned three Bronze Stars. Rein was very proud of his service to his country. For many years, he attended the 8th Armored Division reunions.
In 1950, Rein married Dorothy Jeschke. Together they engaged in farming and raised five children, Susan VanGoeye (Ronald) of Montana, Phillip of Buchanan, Thomas (Nancy) of North Carolina, Phyllis (Tom) of St. Joseph, and Brian (Teri) of South Bend, Ind. Rein and Dorothy also enjoyed their three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Jesse Becker (Steve), Cody Rudlaff, Ryan Van Goeye, Sierra Becker and Brycen Rudlaff.
Rein was also employed at Clark Equipment Corporation for many years and enjoyed participating in numerous activities with the retirees of Clark. He and Dorothy traveled to Arizona many winters, where they formed many friendships and memories.
Rein is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers and four sisters, Louie (Dowagiac), Paul (Niles), Helen Strefling (Galien), Emma Brenner (Plymouth, Michigan), Eleanor Hoge (Baroda), and Dorothy Vance (California). He also loved many nieces and nephews; his large extended family gave him much joy. Each year he looked forward to "The Great Rudlaff Reunion."
Although Rudy's last few years were impaired by Alzheimer's Disease, he said many times that "the Lord had been good to him" and he was ready to "go to Heaven."
Rein was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Berrien Springs and had served on many boards.
Carolyn Couturier Morris
SOUTH HAVEN - Carolyn Couturier Morris, 67, of South Haven died Aug. 4, 2009, at her home.
She was born Oct. 19, 1941, to Leonard Wright and Ellen Louise (Cole) Dameron. She first married Jerry Couturier, and then Carl Morris. Carolyn worked for many years at Bezzle Restaurant as a waitress until it closed.
She was preceded in death by her parents; by her first husband, Jerry Couturier, in 1999; and one brother, Larry Demeron.
Carolyn is survived by her husband, Carl Morris of South Haven; four sons - Gerald (Ruth) Couturier of South Haven, Tony (Deb) Couturier of South Haven, William Couturier of Washington state and Paul Couturier of South Haven; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Maryann Sechrest of Hot Point, N.C., and Peggy Benge of Winston Salem, N.C.
Visitation will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, South Haven. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Harold F. Filbrandt officiating. Burial will take place in Lakeview Cemetery in South Haven. Memorials may be made to South Haven Area Hospice.
Gregory Meeks
BENTON HARBOR - Gregory Meeks was born on April 18, 1957, to John Edward Meeks Sr. and Ida B. Meeks. The spirit of Gregory Meeks left this earthly dwelling place on July 30, 2009, at his residence in Benton Harbor. Gregory fought a good fight throughout his life and does not have to suffer anymore.
Gregory, or "Gregory Peck" as he was better known by his family and close friends, was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School Class of 1975.
Gregory enjoyed fishing, cooking, music, and loved his family and friends. Gregory accepted Christ at an early age, where he was baptized at Second Baptist Church.
Gregory is survived by his four sons (or "boys" as he affectionately referred) - Sherron (Chonda) Rimpson, Gregory Rimpson, Santrail "Pooh" Weatherspoon and Kalyn Meeks, all of Benton Harbor; eight grandchildren - Roneasha, Darnell, Zaria, Zyquan, Jayshawn, Santrail Jr., Jonathan and granddaughter; his dedicated and caring mother, Ida B. Meeks; seven loving siblings - John Edward (Belinda) Meeks Jr. of Plymouth, Wis., Donnie (Barbara) Meeks of St. Joseph, Dwight (Lillie) Meeks of Fort Valley, Ga., Bernard Meeks of Berrien Springs, and Cora V. Robinson, Michelle (Clifton) Cross-Scales and Antwan (Shunteka) Osby, all of Benton Harbor; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends who all loved him very much.
Gregory was preceded in death by his father, John Edward Meeks Sr.; his paternal grandparents, Georgia, Virginia, and John Meeks; his maternal grandparents, Estella and Ernest Hester; brother, Wendell Meeks, and brother-in-law, Melvin Robinson.
A celebration of Gregory's life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Second Baptist Church, Benton Harbor. Visitation will be at 9 a.m. Friday at the church. Internment will be in Crystal Springs Cemetery, Benton Harbor. Final arrangements are entrusted to Robbins Brothers Funeral Home, Benton Harbor.
Deborah White
WATERVLIET - Debbie's life began May 11, 1969, in Show Low, Ariz. She spent her childhood growing up in Show Low. On Oct. 15, 1995, she married Scott White, and eventually they moved to Watervliet to be closer to Scott's family. Debbie worked out of her home as a medical transcriptionist. She enjoyed filling her time with family and friends.
Her loving family includes her husband, Scott; her daughter, Teddie White of Watervliet; her son, Curtis White of Watervliet; a stepdaughter, Jessica White of Arizona; her parents, LeRoy and Pat (Herman) Reidhead of Show Low; a sister, Colleen (RH) Bryant of Arizona; a brother, Kevin (Michelle) Reidhead of Arizona; and many nieces and nephews.
Debbie died Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009.
Friends may visit with Debbie's family from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet, where her life will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7, with Pastor Brian E. Hall officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Watervliet. Memorials may be made to Debbie's family.
Frederick J. Gregory Jr.
BRIDGMAN - Frederick J. Gregory Jr., 78, of Bridgman died Monday afternoon, Aug. 3, 2009.
Fred was born Sept. 6, 1930, in Chicago to Frederick and Marie (Repasi) Gregory Sr. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star and the United Nations Service Medal. He also served in the U.S. Marines.
On Feb. 13, 1954, he married Mary Flick in New Buffalo. Fred was employed at Oselka Marina in New Buffalo for 34 years. He was a member of the Randall Couchman American Legion Post 204, Three Oaks; the Sawyer Lions Club; and was a fireman with the Lakeside Fire Department for 30 years, serving as assistant fire chief. Fred enjoyed playing cards, painting and watching the Chicago Cubs.
Survivors include Mary, his wife of 54 years; children - Rickey (Sharon) Flick of Three Oaks, David (Elizabeth) Flick of New Buffalo, Mary Ann (Mike) Rublein of Hudsonville, Mich., James (Cathy) Gregory of Bridgman and Pamela (Jeff) Busse of Harbert; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Marie "Peggy" Stromer of Pinelles Park, Fla.
Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at St. Agnes Church in Sawyer, where visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Lakeside Cemetery with graveside military honors. Memorials may be made to Jordans Life Care Center's activity fund or to Hospice at Home. Pobocik Funeral Home, Three Oaks, is serving the family.
Mick 'Lynn' Dillavou
GALIEN - Mick "Lynn" Murray Dillavou, 69, of Galien died at 11:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009, at LaPorte Regional Hospital, LaPorte, Ind., of natural causes.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, with Father Kevin Bauman officiating. Burial will be in Galien Cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to American Legion Post 0344 of Galien.
Mr. Dillavou was born July 21, 1940, in Buchanan and was a lifelong area resident. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving from 1959-1962. He was a mechanic. In 1970, he opened his own gas station and garage in Galien. In 1983, he built Micks Auto Pro and worked there until his retirement. He loved his family and friends and working on old cars, especially his 1931 REO Speedwagen Fire Truck. He was a member of American Legion Post 0344 and The REO Club.
On April 25, 1970, he married June L. (Marley) Dillavou in Niles. She preceded him in death on June 24, 1994. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Ruth Dillavou; two brothers, Dick Dillavou and Dennis Dillavou; and a sister, Diane Schultz.
Survivors include a daughter, Orla (Alan) Mileski of Benton Harbor; grandsons - Scott (Jen) Mileski of Kalamazoo, Adam (Anne) Mileski of Dallas, and Joseph Mileski and Matt Mileski, both of Benton Harbor; great-granddaughters Sammie June Mileski and Abbi Rose Mileski; brothers - Galen (Audry) Matlock and John (Alice) Matlock, both of Niles, and Ray Matlock of Jackson, Mich.; and a brother-in-law, Rudy Schultz.
Clell D. Harper
BERRIEN SPRINGS - Clell D. Harper, 80, of Berrien Springs died Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at the Allred Funeral Home in Berrien Springs. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at the funeral home, and to leave online messages at www.allredfuneralhome.com. Memorial contributions in Clell's name may be made to Lakeland Hospice.
Clell Duane Harper was born Nov. 23, 1928, to Therlow and Zoraida (Navarro) Harper in Berrien Springs. The family was later taken back to his mother's home town in Cuba, where Clell spent most of his growing years. He later met the love of his life, Lirida "Lela" Tamayo. They wed on June 24, 1952, in Cuba and were married for 55 years. After the birth of their twin sons, they returned to the states, finally settling in Berrien Springs, his hometown. Their family grew by two more daughters.
Clell worked as an electronic engineer in research with Heath Company, Scott Aviation, then later with Pro-Tech Respirators, from where he retired. He was an avid ham radio operator. He helped with the electrical wiring during the construction of Pioneer Memorial Church in 1959 and was its "sound man" for many years. He will be remembered for his commitment, compassion and love to his family.
Survivors include two daughters, Licette (Rene) Church of Eau Claire and Betsy (Rick) Stone of Stevensville; two sons, Clell J. Harper of Berrien Springs and Duane (Sylvia) Harper of Oceanside, Calif.; six grandchildren - Eric and Lisa Brinley, Lanae and Nathan Harper, and Gregory and David Church; two sisters, Kareen Villanueva and Zoraida Cardona of California; two brothers, Dr. Gilbert B. (Cerrie) Harper of California and Nildo (Alicia) Harper of Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, "Lela, " on Oct. 11, 2007; his parents; a brother, Therlow Harper; and two brothers-in-law, Raul Villanueva and Fernando Cardona.
