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Stephen J. Jones
SOUTH HAVEN - Stephen J. Jones, 65, of South Haven passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009, at home after a long battle with cancer.
Steve was born March 3, 1944, in Dowagiac, the son of Paul and Jane Jones. Steve grew up at Magician Lake near the community of Sister Lakes. He attended Northern Michigan University and later joined his father in the blueberry business in Grand Junction and eventually managed over 100 acres of berries. Farming was his life-long interest and love. In addition, he cared tenderly for his large collection of bears. Steve's other interest include John Deere tractors, airplanes and the Chicago Cubs. Steve had a warm and caring personality and a wonderful sense of humor. He had many friends who, along with his family, will miss him greatly.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Cathy of South Haven; two daughters, Chrissy and Keri at home; one step-daughter, April Burson, and grandson, Jordan, of South Haven; his brother, Thomas (Nancy) Vicksburg; eight nieces and nephews; and maternal aunt and uncle, Mary Lou and Arthur Vita of Savannah, Ga.
There will be an open house in Steve's honor at their home from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9. Memorial contributions can be made to South Haven Hospice at Home.
The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven.
Arthur L. Jesswein
ST. JOSEPH - Arthur L. Jesswein, 87, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with the Rev. Catherine Balk officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Peter's Church in St. Joseph.
Mr. Jesswein was born Dec. 17, 1921, in Berrien Springs, to Daniel and Augusta (Schadler) Jesswein. He graduated from Berrien Springs High School in 1939. Art served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.
In 1946, he married the former Ella Guske in St. Joseph. They celebrated 46 years of marriage before her passing on Sept. 13, 1992. Art was employed at Whirlpool in St. Joseph, retiring in 1987 after 22 years. He was a member of St. Peter's Church, Whirpool Old Timers, and Stevensville American Legion Post 568.
Mr. Jesswein is survived by two sons - James (Debbie) Jesswein of Holt, Mich., and Gary Jesswein of St. Joseph; and three grandchildren - Bronwen, Blair and Bryce Jesswein.
He was preceded in death by three brothers - Clarence, Albert and Daniel Jesswein Jr.; and by two sisters - Gertrude Jamerson and Viola Fletcher.
Johnnie Harris
DETROIT - Johnnie Harris, 92, of Detroit, died on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, at Providence Hospital in Detroit.
Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11 followed by a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, 5651 S. Middlebelt Rd., Westland, Mich. The Rev. Kenneth C. Pierce will be officiating. Burial will take place at Mount Hope Memorial Gardens, 17840 Middlebelt Rd., Livonia, Mich. The repast will be held at 7413 Greenfield, Ypsilanti, Mich., (734) 482-2568. The James H. Cole Funeral Home, 2624 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit are handling the arrangements.
He is survived by his children, Icie Mae (Eziekel) Guidry of Benton Harbor, Sandra Harris of Detroit, Beverly Jackson of St. Louis, Ronald Harris of Southfield, Mich., Janet LaVerne (Paul) Wilhite of Benton Harbor and John Ross Harris of Detroit.
Donald Lee Lange
STEVENSVILLE - Donald Lee Lange, 58, of Stevensville passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009, at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, due to complications from heart surgery.
A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 10, at Grace Lutheran Evangelical Church, 404 E. Glenlord Ave., St. Joseph. Burial will follow in Hickory Bluff Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, Aug. 9, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph.
Donald was born on April 18, 1951 in Benton Harbor, the son of August and Margaret (McDonel) Lange. He married Barbara Jane Mummaw on July 1, 1978, in Benton Harbor. They had two children David and Katie which were his pride and joy.
Don graduated from Berrien Springs High School in 1969. He then continued his education at Michigan State University where he earned a bachelor's degree. Later he furthered his education at MSU to earn a master's in reading and worked toward a Specialist degree in education. While at MSU he was a member of the honors college and earned his Phi Beta Kappa key for academic excellence.
After graduation he was hired as a teacher for Lakeshore Public Schools to teach history, science and geography in the middle school. After 33 years of teaching, Don retired in 2007. While at Lakeshore he was a member of the LEA and was member of the negotiation team for 20 years. He also was an active member in the LEA union holding many offices and worked on many committees. If any one had a question about the contract, Don was the person that people called for advice.
Don enjoyed reading, building car and ship models, playing bridge, watching all sports on the television and spending time with his children. Don also loved to listen to Barb play her flute and practice the piano and attending any musical event that she was participating in. Don loved to solve the world problems with his best friend Jim. Traveling was an activity that Don enjoyed the most especially the trips that were taken with his family were the most special. Don had a high level of intelligence and knowledge of history with most any subject. Most people found this fascinating and overwhelming. But most of all, Don's quick wit and warped sense of humor will be greatly missed.
Being an avid Michigan State fan, Don loved to watch and attend MSU football games.
He admired, respected and had much admiration for his grandfather, Karl H. McDonel who was vice president of finance for twenty-five years at MSU and has the dorm McDonel Hall named after him. Don always considered grandpa one of his heroes and was very proud of this legacy.
Don is survived by his wife, Barb, and his children, David and Katie, both of Stevensville. He is also survived by his father, August Lange of St. Joseph, brother, James (Jami) Lange of Denver, his in-laws, Donald "Bud" and Aneita Mummaw of Benton Harbor, brother-in-law, Timothy (Vanessa) Mummaw of Stevensville, long time friend, James (Ruth) Pomeroy of Coloma and his nieces and nephews, James Mummaw, Jill Mummaw, Jill Lange and Jason Lange. Don also dearly loved his dog Riley.
Don was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret, and grandparents, Karl and Irma McDonel.
Don has departed to heaven to be in a place that he will have a healthy body. Don will be dearly missed on this earth. He battled his heart and radiation disease with bravery and extreme courage but he is now with the Lord healthy and at peace. His family and friends will forever remember and miss him dearly.
As expressions of sympathy, memorial contributions may be directed to the Grace Lutheran Church or Southshore Concert Band.
Alma Lee Alexander
BENTON HARBOR - Alma Lee Alexander, 59, of Benton Harbor, passed away July 30, 2009, at her home. A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009, with a visiting hour at 10 a.m., at Greater Grace Temple, 660 Nickerson St., with Pastor George Dewberry officiating.
Alma was the first-born to the union of Richard Alexander and Birda (Dillon) Alexander on Feb. 10, 1950. At a young age, she accepted Christ as her savior and was baptized the name of Jesus under the leadership of Elder W.H. Hunter. Alma was employed at Bosch Automotive Services, from which she retired.
Alma was a beautiful and loving person. She loved to cook and be around her family. She was always the type to keep a smile on her face, no matter what the situation. She had a passion for children and was well accepted by everyone she ever came in contact with. Alma will be greatly missed by the many lives she touched.
She leaves to mourn her mother, Birda Alexander of Benton Harbor; three daughters - Monoca (Darrell) Alexander of South Bend, Ind., ShaRon (Milton) Alexander-Hunt of Indianapolis and Akeeya Alexander of Benton Harbor; two sons - Dwints Alexander and Anthony Alexander, both of Benton Harbor; six sisters - Regina Alexander, Birda McGee, Rose (Tim) Napier and Floretia Alexander, all of Benton Harbor, Jacqueline (John) Bailey of Kalamazoo, and Diane Alexander Richey of Memphis, Tenn.; and six brothers - Jamie Alexander, Anthony Alexander, Daniel Alexander and Lamontz Alexander, all of Benton Harbor, Kenneth Alexander of Chicago and Timothy Crenshaw of Kalamazoo. Alma also leaves to cherish her memory 10 gradnchildren, one great-grandchild, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Alexander Sr.; brothers - Richard Alexander Jr. and Johnny Bryant; a sister, Eloise (Lois Alexander) Hill; her grandmother, Flora Bowman; and a granddaughter, Tierra Alexander.
Geraldine Abbe Burandt
ST. JOSEPH - Geraldine Abbe Burandt, 87, found peace on Aug. 4, 2009, in her home in St. Joseph.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Burial will be held at a later date at Lincoln Township Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the St. Joseph Lincoln Township Senior Center or Lincoln Township Library.
Her life began in Derby, Mich., on Aug. 5, 1921. The family owned Spear's store and bought farm produce to sell in Chicago. Unfortunately she suffered from asthma and often missed school but she still graduated from Stevensville High School when she was just 16 years old. Her older brother and sister were able to continue their education and go on to live independent lives but their father, Art Spear, was quite ill and Gerry had to stay home and work in the store. She often drove produce to the Chicago Markets to help her father.
While working in the Derby store, she met Arnold Burandt and they married in 1941. They lived in Derby, took care of both mothers, and farmed while raising two children. Eventually they were able to renovate the old Burandt farm house and moved the family, along with Gerry's mother, to their first real home. Arnold and Gerry loved to travel, work in their gardens and square dance. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary before Parkinson disease made it necessary for Arnold to enter extended care. Gerry visited him almost everyday until his death. She was able to travel to every state and worked in her flower garden every summer. It was a good life.
Gerry is survived by her daughter, Leanna (Larry) Friesen of St. Joseph; son, Craig (Donna) Burandt of St. Joseph; two grandchildren. Amy Burandt of Ann Arbor and Adam Burandt of St. Joseph, and sister, Lucille Ray of St. Joseph. She will be missed by many nieces and nephews and friends who shared happy times at the Stevensville Friendship Club, Bridgman Woman's Club, and The Light House Ladies Red Hat Society.
Myrtle P. Hill
STEVENSVILLE - Myrtle P. Hill, 83, of Stevensville passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009, at her home.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, at Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, with Pastor Richard Kiser officiating. Burial will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens, Hagar Township. Visitation with the family will be prior to the start of the service from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Lakeland Health Foundation.
Myrtle was born on May 8, 1926, to David and Nann (King) Hall in Kennett, Mo. She married the love of her life, Leamon R.L. Hill on Nov. 23, 1944, in Leachville, Ark. Together, they raised a son, Larry and a daughter, Karen. Myrtle was employed at Paramount Die cast in Stevensville until retiring in 1984. She was a member of the Twelve Corners General Baptist Church for many years. Myrtle loved quilting, baking, gardening, being a homemaker and most of all, her family, who will miss her very much.
Myrtle is survived by her son and daughter, Larry (Marilyn) Hill of Benton Harbor, Karen (Stephen) Dye of Stevensville; a brother, Clyde (Ann) Hall of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Larry Hill Jr., Timothy (Dana) Dye, Carrie Milstead, Paul (Mindy) Dye and Scott Allers; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Cassy, Colin, Katie, Kylie, P.J., Colby, Stephanie, Aiden and Emma, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leamon R.L. Hill, in 1985; her parents, David and Nann; her brothers, Donald, Billy, Edgar, Melvin Louis, Everette, David; and her sisters, Beatrice, Mary Lou and Clemmie.
