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Wayne 'Fred' F. Little Sr.
PAW PAW - Wayne "Fred" F. Little Sr., 63, of Paw Paw, passed away on Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, at his home.
Fred's life began on Sept. 1, 1946, in St. Joseph, the son of Earl W. and Ruby (Lucas) Little, and stepson of Orville Kessinger. He was united in marriage to the former Judy Hoyt on April 2, 1966 in Benton Harbor. Fred worked in several area factories and as a truck driver. He was a member of the New Life Christian Center in Coloma.
Fred's loving family includes his wife, Judy Little of Paw Paw; his mother, Ruby Kessinger of Eau Claire; children - Wayne Little Jr. of Paw Paw, Shelly (James) Clements-Matson of Coloma, Robert Little of Eau Claire and Lisa (Tim) Ryan of Eau Claire; eight grandchildren - Amber, Sarah, Freddy, Shauna, Jessica, Wayne, Melissa and Troy; and great-grandchildren - Adam, Kaylee, Lillian, Allison and T.J.
He is preceded in death by his father, Earl W. Little; stepfather, Orville Kessinger; and brother, Terry Little.
Fred's family will gather with friends on Tuesday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the New Life Christian Center, 6674 Paw Paw Ave., Coloma, where his funeral service will be held at 5 p.m., led by Brother Rob Cheek. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Wayne "Fred" Little Memorial at Edgewater Bank in Coloma. McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home, Dowagiac, is serving the family.
Larry G. Kinney
ST. JOSEPH - Larry G. Kinney, 66, formerly of St. Joseph passed away peacefully the morning of Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, in Scottsdale, Ariz.
A Mass celebrating his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 31, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joseph. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery in St. Joseph. The visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 30, at the Dey-Florin Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in St. Joseph, where a Rosary will be said at 5 p.m. Memorials may be made in Larry's memory to Hospice of Arizona (602) 678-1313 or the Silver Beach Carousel Society 429-6222.
Larry was born on Oct. 17, 1942, in Benton Harbor to Roy and Mary Kinney. He earned his BA from Arizona State University and his MBA from Western Michigan University. Larry was an entrepreneur whose varied and eclectic career led him from being the proprietor of Wilbur's Ice Cream Shop on Broad Street to serving as the vice president of marketing at Twin City Engraving. He was later recruited by the Crystal Etch Corporation of Janesville, Wis., to be its president. Larry ultimately chose self-employment and his business, Southwest Sportswear, enjoyed success in multiple locations from Shipshewana, Ind., to Phoenix. Larry loved the Silver Beach lifestyle, whether skiing the St. Joseph River, boating on Lake Michigan, or enjoying the Venetian Festival at his doorstep. He was often found on the deck of his Lake Street home ready with a smile and a wave for his neighbors. Larry was an avid photographer whose favorite subject was the North Pier Lighthouse at sunset. He occasionally even let his kids into the frame.
He is survived by his children: Kohree Kinney of Phoenix, Joel G. Kinney of Boston and Kari Kinney of Scottsdale, his nephew, Bryan Kinney, his niece, Lesa Kinney-Gutenkunst, and his sister, Kathy Noble.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Roy "Bud" Kinney Jr.
Helen Irene Cerny
WATERVLIET - Helen's life began March 12, 1922, in Chicago.
Helen and her husband Edward owned the Crystal Palace Roller Rink and Cerny Corner Store.
She loved caring for her family, which includes a daughter, Patricia McGee of Watervliet; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Helen died Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009, at Grace of Douglas Nursing Home in Douglas, Mich. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward, a daughter, Donna Cain, and her parents, Oliver and Dora (Chartran) Goyer.
Friends may visit with Helen's family from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29, at Hutchins Funeral Home, Watervliet. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Watervliet at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Fairview Memorial Cemetery, Watervliet. Memorials may be made to Berrien County Cancer Service.
Pearl A. Jefferis
BRIDGMAN - Pearl Anetta Jefferis, 93, formerly of Bridgman, passed away on Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, at her grandson's home in Northville, Mich.
Graveside services will be held 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Graceland Cemetery, Bridgman. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of Michigan, 26957 Northwestern, No.120, Southfield, MI 48033 or Alzheimer's Association, 20300 Civic Center Drive, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48076.
Mrs. Jefferis was born March 21, 1916, in Rogers Location, Mich., the daughter of the late Elmer and Lina (Zoll) O'Blenes. On Nov. 27, 1943, she married E. Robert Jefferis. He preceded her in death.
Survivors include four children, Kenneth R. Jefferis of Lee's Summit, Mo., Robert L. Jefferis of Berrien Springs, Jeanette P. Jefferis of Carmel, Ind., and Kathleen L. Debler of Sterling Heights; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, and one sister, Carolynn Novak of Michigan City.
Pearl was also preceded in death by a brother, Jarvis O'Blenes; and two sisters, Ruby Show and Margaret "Peggy" Majewski.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy., Bridgman.
Leonard Markstrom
SOUTH HAVEN - Leonard Frank Markstrom, 83, of South Haven died Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009, at South Haven Community Hospital.
He was born Nov. 1, 1925, in Covert to Frank Otto and Lillie Lenore (Jensen) Markstrom. Leonard served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He married Carol Mae Beckwith on Sept. 6, 1947, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Covert. Leonard worked for Myers and Hutchins Auto Parts. Leonard also worked as an insurance agent for Indianapolis Life Insurance Co. Leonard was a longtime member of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church. Leonard enjoyed garden railroads, and was a member of the Southwestern Michigan Garden Railroad Club.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Mae Markstrom of South Haven; two sons, Tom Markstrom of South Haven and Tim (Carmen) Markstrom of Northville, Mich.; two daughters, Terry Markstrom of Hereford, Ariz., and Tina (Richard) Lewis of Salem, Wis.; two grandchildren, Jessica and Erik; two brothers, Harold M. (Lori) Markstrom of Johnson City, Tenn., and Wilbur J. Markstrom of Cleveland Hts., Ohio; one sister, Evelyn (Frank) Artru of San Leandro, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church. Memorial services will begin at 12 p.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Robert Linstrom officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Peace Lutheran Church, Peace Lutheran Church Knit One Prayer Too or Peace Lutheran Church Baby Pantry. The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven.
Bernard 'Bernie' Schaner
HARTFORD - Bernard "Bernie" Leo Schaner, 78, of Umatilla, Fla., died Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, at Waterman Hospital. A memorial service will be held in his honor at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at St. Gregory's Parish in Hart, Mich.
Bernie was born on Feb. 22, 1931, in Hart, Mich., to Leo and Leona Schaner. He was married to Alica Hoffman-Schaner on Oct. 9, 2001. He served in the U.S. Navy for four years and was a veteran of the Korean War. He was also an active member of the VFW and AMVETS. He began his career with Consumers Power in 1956 at the Cobb Plant in Muskegon, from there he was promoted and transferred to Big Rock Point Nuclear Plant in Charlevoix. In 1969, he transferred to Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Covert where he was operations supervisor. He retired from Consumers Power after 32 years of dedicated service.
While in retirement Bernie treasured every day of his life and lived it to the fullest. He enjoyed gourmet cooking, woodworking, gardening, fishing, hunting and traveling with his wife, Alicia.
He is survived by his wife, Alicia Hoffman-Schaner; his 10 children, Theresa Martens, Anne (Thomas) Lefor, Kathleen Schaner, Bernadette (Rudolph) Neumeier, Gregory Schaner, Veronica Schaner, Phillip Schaner, Christine (Mark) Parker, Matthew (Cyndi) Schaner, Magdalen (William) Dygert; 19 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Marcia (Jerry) Morley; many nieces and nephews, and the mother of his children, Margaret Schaner.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Leona Schaner, brothers, Eugene and James Schaner, and a sister, Shirley Lound.
Ruth G. Chesher
BENTON HARBOR - On Aug. 24, 2009, Ruth G. Chesher passed away in Sun City West, Ariz.
She was born on April 5, 1929, to Fred and Millie Freier in Coloma. In August 1948, she married Howard (Don) Chesher at Saron Lutheran Church in St. Joseph. Together they had three children.
She leaves behind, her husband of 61 years, Don; son, Jeff of Chandler, Ariz.; daughter, Nancy O'Weger and husband John of Newbury Park, Calif.; son, Tim and wife Michele of Gilbert, Ariz.; grandsons Timmy and Scott Chesher of Gilbert; grandson, J.D. O'Weger and wife Meghann of Sicily, Italy; granddaughter, Roxanne O'Weger of Newbury Park; and newborn great-grandson, Jack O'Weger of Sicily, Italy.
She is survived by sisters Vera Freier and Susie Turner; and brothers Art, Elmer and Gene Freier.
Ruth was preceded in passing by her parents; sister, Lily Grahn; and brothers Irving and Harold Freier.
She will always be thought of as a gentle and kind woman whose smile warmed your heart. She is missed dearly by all who knew her.
