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David L. Bailey
BERRIEN CENTER - David L. Bailey, 69, of Berrien Center passed away Saturday, June 13, 2009, at home following a long, courageous battle with melanoma.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 29, at 1 p.m. at Friends in Faith Community Church, 6550 Keigley Street, Eau Claire, MI 49111.
David was born on Feb. 17, 1940, in Keeler to Lester and Mildred (Leach) Bailey. David served his country in the U.S. Army. He was a lifelong mechanic, repairing small engines to large industrial machinery. He was last employed at Ferguson Michiana Inc. in Eau Claire, and after retirement, worked for the Emma Teichman Farm. On June 5, 1982, David married Judy (Strong) Fisher, who survives. David loved the game of horseshoes and visiting with friends and family.
In addition to his loving wife, David is survived by one daughter, Deborah West of St. Joseph; one son, Randolph (Diane) of Bangor; one special stepdaughter, Debora (Mike) Conley of Indianapolis; three sisters, Marian Strand of Watervliet, Linda (Jerry) Curtis of Dowagiac and Sandy (Doug) Rouse of Benton Harbor; two brothers, Don (Pat) and Dennis, both of Decatur; one grandson, Duncan (Lauren) Fisher of Berrien Center and many loving nieces and nephews.
David was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother-in-law; Jim Strand.
Memorials may be directed to Hospice at Home, 4017 Chamberlain Road, Buchanan, Mich. 49107, Eau Claire Cherry Festival Horseshoe Tournament, 6507 E. Main St., Eau Claire, MI 49111 or to Friends in Faith Community Church, 6550 Keigley Street Eau Claire, MI 49111.
Leatha B. Barnes-Triblett
BENTON HARBOR - Leatha B. Barnes-Triblett, 79, of Benton Harbor passed away Aug. 16, 2009 at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.
Leatha was born on Jan. 1, 1930, to her proud parents Acie and Lottie Barnes in Marianna, Ark. She married the love of her life in 1977, Preist (P.W.) Triblett. They relocated to Benton Harbor, where they were blessed to raise their children, Andrew and Catherine. Leatha had a great love for her family and would help anyone she could. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Leatha leaves to cherish her memories one daughter, Catherine Hadley of Benton Harbor; one sister, Minister Dorothy Williams of Cave City, Ark.; two brothers Eddie B. Barnes Sr. of St. Louis and Acie Barnes Jr. of Detroit; sister-in-law, Janie (Acie) Barnes of Benton Harbor; and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24, with services following at 11 a.m. at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 1105 East Main St., Benton Harbor. Family Funeral Home, 1102 E. Main St., Benton Harbor is in charge of arrangements.
Virginia Mae Graber
BENTON HARBOR - Virginia Mae Graber (nee Balow), 82, of Benton Harbor, went home to her Lord and Savior on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009, at her home.
A Celebration of Life Eternal Service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Aug. 24, 2009 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2673 W. John Beers Road, Stevensville. Burial will follow at Ruggles Cemetery, Baroda. Friends may visit with the family from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials may be made to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2673 W. John Beers Road, Stevensville, 49127; New Life Lutheran Church, 3725 Hammock Road, Sebring, Fla, 33872; or Hospice at Home, 4017 Chamberlain Road, Buchanan, 49107. Those wishing to send condolences online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Virginia was born on Jan. 20, 1927, in Benton Harbor. Her mother was Katherine (nee Brant) Leerskov; and father was Harold Balow. Virginia graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1945 and married her high school sweetheart, George Graber, on Dec. 15, 1945, in Albuquerque, N.M. They lived in Santa Fe, N.M., while George was in the Army and stationed in Las Alamos until 1946.
After returning to Benton Harbor, Virginia and her husband worked the family fruit farm until 1957, when they converted the farm into the first nine of Blossom Trails Golf Course. Virginia managed the clubhouse while her husband took care of the golf course maintenance. They built the second nine in 1960, and the par-three course, "Little Bud, " in 1963.
Virginia and George spent winters in Sebring, Fla., since 1976. Virginia enjoyed playing cards and also was active in the Southwest Michigan Depression Glass Club, serving as chairman for several years. She also collected House of David artwork. She loved her flower garden and made beautiful floral arrangements for her home and for church. Virginia was a devout Christian and served on the altar committee at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor for several years. She and her husband were charter members of New Life Lutheran Church in Sebring, Fla., where they spent 33 winters.
She leaves behind her husband of 63 years George Graber; two daughters, Fern (Phil) Gaddie, and Connie Graber of Berrien Springs; three stepbrothers, Ron (Anita) Balow and Bruce Balow of Florida and Bill (Carol) Balow of Niles; brother-in-law Dr. Elmer (Fern) Graber of South Bend; a very special niece, Cynthia Schroeder, her husband, John, and children Robert, David and Gwenlynn of Granger, Ind.; and our nurse Sarah.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Harold Balow and Katherine (nee Brant) Leerskov.
Mark Brandon Bishop
HARTFORD - Mark Brandon Bishop, 34, of Hartford, died Monday, Aug. 17, 2009 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center after a sudden illness.
A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 23, at Legacy Family Funeral Services, Matthew R. Purchase Chapel, 8747 US-31 N., Berrien Springs, with Pastor Starley Baker officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family one hour prior to the service at the funeral home and sign the guest book at www.legacyfuneral.com.
Mark was born on April 18, 1975, in St. Joseph to the late Ronald and Darlene (Bishop) Grubb. Mark was a roofer and worked in the construction trade. He was a gifted person, everyone's friend who was loved by all and will be deeply missed.
Survivors include his fiance', Nicole Freeman; one loving daughter, Sadie Marie Belin of Berrien Springs; his mother, Darlene Grubb; one sister, Lindsey Grubb of Coloma; one brother Ronald Grubb Jr. of Coloma; and his paternal grandmother, Catherine Musick of Berrien Springs. He was preceded in death by his father, Ronald Grubb Sr. on Nov. 12, 2007.
Berniece M. Miller
BARODA - Berniece Mary Ann Miller, 83, of Baroda passed away on Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, at Cartel Inn of Royalton in the care of her family.
Mrs. Miller was born March 15, 1926, in St. Joseph the daughter of the late Charles and Louise (Leas) Schiebel. On March 29, 1947, she married Ronald Miller. She was a member of Baroda Bible Church. Berniece worked alongside her husband at Miller Lock and Key in Baroda.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23, at Baroda Bible Church with Dr. Clare Cardy officiating. Burial will be in Ruggles Cemetery, Baroda. Friends may meet with the family from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Highway, Bridgman. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be given to Baroda Bible Church or Hospice at Home. Online condolences will be accepted at www.PikeFH.com.
Surviving loved ones are her husband of 62 years, Ron; three daughters - Linda Keefer of St. Joseph, Diana (Don) Kamp of Stevensville, and Barbara (Randy) Arnt of Texas; five grandchildren - Matthew (Allison) Keefer, Ryan (Gretchen) Arnt, Justin (Jordan) Arnt, Katherine Kamp and Molly (fiancé John Weinlader) Kamp; one great-grandson, Logan Arnt; one sister, Ruth (Nathan) Arent of Benton Harbor; and dear friend, Jean Ott of Baroda.
Berniece was preceded in death by a sister, Leona Steinke, in 2008; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Margie and Elmer Jannert, in 2007; and a son-in-law, James Keefer, in 2004.
Berniece enjoyed a wonderful life filled with the endearing friendship of her two sisters, her very special "Baroda" friends, travel, wintering in Florida, and most of all, her beloved husband, Ron, and three daughters. She was a devoted, supportive and proud grandmother, who eagerly attended her grandchildren's many school and sporting events. The Miller family is grateful for the extraordinary care Berniece and the family received from the compassionate staff of Cartel Inn. She will be lovingly remembered and cherished always.
Angelo W. Distefano
BANGOR - Angelo W. Distefano, 70, of Bangor went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo.
The family will meet friends on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., with a rosary at 7:30 p.m. at the Bangor Chapel, D. L. Miller Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Monday at Sacred Heart Church, Bangor with Fr. John Peter Celebrant. Interment will follow in Arlington Hill Cemetery, Bangor.
Mr. Distefano was born April 16, 1939, in South Haven the son of John and Virginia (Faberski) Distefano, and graduated from Bangor High School in 1957. He owned and operated Distefano's Auto service for more than 40 years and was presently a salesman for Barber Packaging. He was active in the Bangor Community including, Jaycees, EDC and Sacred Heart Church. His hobbies included remote controlled model airplanes, slot car racing, toy trains and auctioneering.
Surviving are his wife, Patricia (Troesch), whom he married July 16, 1960; three children, John (Mechele) Distefano of South Haven, Angela (Bruce) Mitchell of South Haven, Anthony Distefano of Bangor; four grandchildren, Nikki, Jake, Madysen, Sophia; his mother, Virginia Petrone of Bangor; two sisters, Marietta (Bill) McGue of Kalamazoo, Therese (Jerry) Warnke of Florida, and a brother, Andrew (Donna Cox) Distefano of South Haven.
He was preceded in death by his father, John; sister, Barbara Molloy, and grandson, Pete Mitchell.
Myrtle C. Hanshaw
BENTON HARBOR - Myrtle C. Hanshaw, 87, formerly of Benton Harbor, passed into eternity, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009, at Royalton Manor in St. Joseph.
A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at First Church of the Nazarene, 3351 Niles Road, St. Joseph, with the Rev. Dean Pickett officiating. Burial will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may call from 12 to 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at the church. Memorials may be made to the church or Lakeland Hospice.
Mrs. Hanshaw was born Nov. 27, 1921, in Savannah, Tenn., to Henry and Mamie (Handley) Russell. On March 16, 1940, she married Oscar K. Hanshaw in Lepanto, Ark. After moving to Benton Harbor, Myrtle was employed at V-M Corp. for several years, then later at Schiman's Bakery in Benton Harbor. She was a member of First Church of the Nazarene, where she was involved with many activities when her health permitted.
Myrtle and Oscar enjoyed traveling across the country with their travel trailer. They were members of the Holiday Rambler Travel Trailer Club. She cherished the time spent with her family, and in her spare time she enjoyed reading.
Myrtle is survived by her daughter, Glenda (Michael) Krieger of St. Joseph; five grandchildren, April (Roland) Longacre, Kevin (Pam) Krieger, Beth Hoard, Brian (Jennie) Ertman and Randy Ertman; seven great-grandchildren, Aaron Krieger, Kara Longacre, Crystal Dickey, Alexa Hoard, Benjamin, Daniel and James Ertman; her sister, Belle Diggs of West Plains, Mo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar, on April 26, 1996; by her daughter, Debra Ertman, on March 25, 2008; by her son-in-law, Kenneth Ertman, on Dec. 25, 2006; her great-grandson, Collin Longacre, in 1991; her brother, William Hinton; and her sister, Nell Barker.
