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Bergliot 'Babe' Zollar
BENTON HARBOR - Bergliot "Babe" Zollar, 87, of Benton Harbor-St. Joseph, passed away peacefully Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center surrounded by her family.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. The Rev. Joan Oleson will officiate. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Visitation with the family will be held today from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan or Animal Aid. Those wishing to send the family a message of condolence may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Babe was born April 23, 1922, in Dell Rapids, S.D., to Arthur and Etta Thompson. She graduated from Dell Rapids High School and subsequently received her cosmetology license. In true Babe fashion, she proceeded to buy a beauty shop in Huron, S.D., becoming a business owner. There she met the love of her life, Charles Zollar. He was stationed in Huron as a naval instrument flight instructor during World War II. After marriage, they purchased a farm in Benton Township, where she resided the rest of her life. Babe was a strong woman of many talents. Together she and Charles developed many businesses. Babe was a farmer, nursery owner and antique dealer. There was nothing she couldn't do if she set her mind to it. She supported Charles in his political endeavors as an avid campaigner and was committed to democracy.
Babe was a gourmet cook, loved reading cookbooks, going to estate sales and was constantly learning about antiques. She attended Saron Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school for many years. Babe Zollar was a woman of impeccable taste, a can-do philosophy, a lover of animals and a deep abiding faith.
Babe is survived by and was a wonderful mother to her two daughters, Robin Zollar of St. Joseph and Michele (Brad) Jarvis of Grand Ledge, Mich. She was a terrific grandma to Charles Jarvis of Lansing, Mich., Emily Jarvis of Grand Ledge and Carrie Smietanka of St. Joseph.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Robert Thompson; and her husband, Charles.
Floyd Ray Pierce
COVERT - Floyd Ray Pierce, 59, of Covert, passed away Aug. 1, 2009, at Community Hospital, Watervliet.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma, where visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Harris Cemetery.
Floyd was born Dec. 26, 1949, in Imboden, Ark., to Henry and Patsy (White) Pierce. He worked at Hanson Cold Storage and for five years he worked at M & M Die Cast. Floyd enjoyed spending time with family, gardening, hunting, fishing, antiquing and going to local auctions. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Coloma.
Survivors include his wife, Viola (Dooty), whom he married on April 4, 1997; two daughters, Cindy (Steve) Martinez of Edwardsburg and Tina (Joey) Garcia of Milford, Ind.; grandchildren - Steven, Patrick, Ricky, Zach, Ian and Jacob; three sisters - Judy (Paul) Turner of Ellsinore, Mo., Sandra (Ron) Kramer of Fort Collins, Colo., and Rebecca Trout of Missouri; a brother, Billy (Deborah) Pierce of Covert; a half-brother, Howard (Jackie) Payne of Malden, Mo.; a stepsister, Fran Jolly of California; two stepbrothers, James Straub of Missouri and Richard Sexton of California; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Floyd was preceded in death by his mother, Patsy (White) Straub in 2003; father, Henry Pierce in 2002; stepmother, "Josie" Pierce in 2000; stepfather, Carl Straub in 1991; mother-in-law, Virginia Dooty in 2005; brother, James "Carl" Pierce in 2001; and sister-in-law Joanne Pierce in 1997.
Todd Michael Findlay
SODUS - Todd Michael Findlay, 38, of Sodus passed away Friday evening, July 31, 2009, in Riverside.
Visitation services honoring his life will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at the Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service, 249 E. Center St. Burial will be private at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to his family.
Todd was born Oct. 12, 1970, in St. Joseph to Scott and Cathy Findlay. He was a 1989 graduate of St. Joseph High School. Todd worked at the Cook Nuclear Plant in Bridgman. In his leisure time, Todd enjoyed boating, going to the casino and traveling. An avid sports fan, he was particularly fond of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He also loved caring for his dogs. Todd was very much loved by his family and will be dearly missed.
Todd is survived by his father, Scott Findlay of Riverside; mother, Cathy (Steve) Bond of Boulder, Mont.; sister, Shawanna (Mike) Wood of Arizona; grandmother, Trudy Ingram; nieces and nephews, Mandy, Miranda, Brett, Rachelle and Mikey; aunts and uncles - Dennis (Pauline) Monte, Sandy (Larry) Barker and Terry Schmaltz; and by his cousins - Brian (Jamie) Monte and their children, Porsche and Brian Dennis, Jennifer (Michael) Schuhknecht and their children, Mihaela and Maya and by Michael Findlay and his children, Cheyenne, Shelby and Austin.
Todd was preceded in death by his grandfather, Bennie Ingram, and his uncle, Cary Lee Findlay.
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.
Donna R. Putman
SOUTH HAVEN - Donna Rosemary Putman, age 84, of South Haven died Aug. 1, 2009 at home.
Always a sweetheart, Donna was born Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1925, in Columbia City, Ind., to Earl and Nellie Chapman. Donna had many fond memories of growing up on the family farm with her six sisters and one brother. She graduated from Columbia City Beauty College before marrying Robert Putman Sept. 20, 1946. Donna and Bob relocated to South Haven in 1967 where they co-owned (with George and Elizabeth Boardman) and operated Wolverine Hardware for many years.
Many remember Donna for the Christmas candies she and Bob made and gave away at the hardware store every holiday season, her addictive chocolate chip cookies and unparalleled scratch-made pies. A great wife, Donna displayed her great love and resolve during the seven years she cared for Bob after his diagnosis with ALS. A wonderful mother and grandmother, Donna instilled in her children a love of children, reading, games and crafts. Donna leaves this world a champion, having never, ever lost a footrace to any of her children.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; first child, Michael; sisters, Ethel and Hazel; and brother, William.
She is survived by one daughter - Kathy (Rob) Bennett of South Haven; three sons - Dennis (Claire) of Peoria, Ill., David (Joanne) of South Haven and Timothy (Ana) of Grand Rapids; nine grandchildren - Jason (Nicole) Putman, Jessica (Shannon) Snow, Jamie (Karen) Putman, Emily (Dave) Davich, Cal Bennett, Matt Bennett, Lauren Bennett, Stellaluna Putman and Paloma Putman; three stepgrandchildren - Chris (Megan) Horan, Jill (Srdan) Selimbegovic and Brandy Horan; four sisters - Carol Schinbeckler of Greenfield, Ind., Helen Orcutt of Fort Wayne, Ind., Hilda Diffendorfer of Fort Wayne and Jeanette Meyer of Columbia City, Ind.
Memorials may be made to South Haven's Hospice at Home or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, South Haven.
Bergliot 'Babe' Zollar
BENTON HARBOR - Bergliot "Babe" Zollar, 87, of Benton Harbor-St. Joseph, passed away peacefully Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center surrounded by her family.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. The Rev. Joan Oleson will officiate. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan or Animal Aid. Those wishing to send the family a message of condolence may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Babe was born April 23, 1922, in Dell Rapids, S.D., to Arthur and Etta Thompson. She graduated from Dell Rapids High School and subsequently received her cosmetology license. In true Babe fashion, she proceeded to buy a beauty shop in Huron, S.D., becoming a business owner. There she met the love of her life, Charles Zollar. He was stationed in Huron as a naval instrument flight instructor during World War II. After marriage, they purchased a farm in Benton Township, where she resided the rest of her life. Babe was a strong woman of many talents. Together she and Charles developed many businesses. Babe was a farmer, nursery owner and antique dealer. There was nothing she couldn't do if she set her mind to it. She supported Charles in his political endeavors as an avid campaigner and was committed to democracy.
Babe was a gourmet cook, loved reading cookbooks, going to estate sales and was constantly learning about antiques. She attended Saron Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school for many years. Babe Zollar was a woman of impeccable taste, a can-do philosophy, a lover of animals and a deep abiding faith.
Babe is survived by and was a wonderful mother to her two daughters, Robin Zollar of St. Joseph and Michele (Brad) Jarvis of Grand Ledge, Mich. She was a terrific grandma to Charles Jarvis of Lansing, Mich., Emily Jarvis of Grand Ledge and Carrie Smietanka of St. Joseph.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Robert Thompson; and her husband, Charles.
L. Marie Slavens
SAWYER - Lois Marie Slavens, 80, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, at her home in the care of her family.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 10 a.m. at First Apostolic Church in Bridgman with the Rev. David Coban Jr. officiating. Friends may meet with the family from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Highway, Bridgman. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be given to Hospice at Home.
Marie was born Sept. 4, 1928, in Lexington, Tenn., the daughter of the late Lois Chalk Howard. She had lived in this area since 1966 and worked for Rambo Inc. for more than 30 years. On Jan. 22, 1947, she married Alfred T. Slavens. He preceded her in death on Nov. 15, 1993.
Survivors include 10 children - Jerry (Paula) Faulkner of St. Joseph, George (Betty) Cummings of Georgia, Tim (Connie) Slavens of Three Oaks, Jimmy (Julie) Slavens of St. Charles, Ill., Allen (Cathy) Slavens and Katherine (Don) Kiel, both of Bridgman, Norman (Debbie) Slavens of Phoenix, Lois (Ken) Freehling of Buchanan, Dianne (Kris) Mell of New Carlisle and Teresa (Rick) Blair of Sawyer; 20 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; three sisters, - Louise (Harold) Duke, Barbara Armstrong and Shirley (George) Woods; seven brothers - Sheryl Faulkner, Paul (Melba) Faulkner, Raymond (Molly) Faulkner, Fearl (Peggy) Faulkner, Billy (Joyce) Faulkner, Dan (Nancy) Faulkner and Vernon (Joan) Faulkner.
Marie was also preceded in death by her stepfather, Claude Howard; and a brother, Don Howard.
