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LuCille Britton Lewis
BENTON HARBOR - LuCille Lewis died at home with Hospice on Oct. 8, 2009, following a diagnosis of lung cancer in mid-September.
She was born Virginia LuCille Britton on Aug. 7, 1925, in Ewing, Ill., but soon moved with her family to Benton Harbor, where she graduated from high school in 1943.
She immediately began her working life, ultimately retiring from full-time employment at the Berrien County Department of Social Services, where she served as secretary for Children's Services.
On her worst day and with a fresh manicure, she could type 110 words per minute with perfect accuracy.
Following retirement, she was well-known in St. Joe as the spunky checker at Schneck's.
LuCille married the great love of her life, Robert Lewis, on Aug. 25, 1983.
He predeceased her in 1989.
LuCille often commented that through their time together was far too brief, it was the happiest of her life.
She was a long-time member of Beta Sigma Phi and a past chapter president.
Early in her adult life, she was active in Twin City Players, where she assumed Judy Holliday's Broadway role in the local production of "Born Yesterday."
She received wide news coverage when her counterpart in a large theater company became ill and LuCille was flown to Lansing to step into the role only hours before the performance.
She will be best remembered by family and friends for her quick wit, her outrageous nosiness, her bottomless heart and her unconditional generosity.
She is survived by her brother, Robert (Margie) Britton of Endicott, N.Y.; her aunt, Ruth Nikolich of Christopher, Ill., along with nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends and the last in her long line of beloved dogs, Buffy.
She appreciated her special caregivers, Denise DeMorrow, Fay Brink and Judy Arbogast.
Per LuCille's wishes, cremation has taken place and any gifts in her memory can be sent to the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan.
A memorial gathering will be held at a later date.
Ruth Harmon
WATERVLIET - Ruth Harmon, 93, of Watervliet went home to be with her Lord peacefully on Saturday, Sept.19, 2009, at Tri City Village.
Ruth was born Nov. 26, 1915, the daughter of Harvey and Susan (Hannens) Langston, both of whom preceded her in passing.
She was also preceded in passing by her husband, Ray Harmon, in 1987; her son and daughter-in-law, Gene and Juanita Prince; a granddaughter, Nina Zvonar; a great-granddaughter, Jenny; and her loving siblings.
Ruth is survived by five grandchildren - Larry (Debbie) Prince, Richard Prince, Judy (Darryl) Lynch, Roger (Laurie) Prince and Nancy (Bruce) Meyers; eight great-grandchildren - Stacey, Shawn, Eric, Nichols, Brandy, Erica, Trish and Dana; and eight great-great-grandchildren.
The family will welcome friends from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet, where the funeral service will follow at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Ruth's memory may be made to Hospice at Home
Margaret M. Milkovich
DECATUR - Margaret M. Milkovich died Sept. 17, 2009, at Bronson Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Lawton.
Margaret's life began on June 18, 1928, in Chicago, the daughter of Michael and Helen (Kushon) Staykovich.
She was united in marriage to John M. Milkovich on Dec. 31, 1946, in Chicago.
Margaret was a homemaker and a faithful parishioner of Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church.
She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, John Milkovich of Decatur.
Her family will receive friends on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home, where Deacon Frank Wesolowski will pray the Rosary at 5 p.m.
Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Sister Lakes.
She will be laid to rest in Sacred Heart of Mary Cemetery.
Shirley C. LeStrange
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Shirley C. LeStrange of Fort Wayne, Ind., formerly of Dowagiac, passed away on Sept. 17, 2009, at 5:05 a.m. She was born June 18, 1929, in Niles to Charles and Vera Curtis.
She attended Niles Public Schools and graduated in 1949. She was united in marriage to Raymond J. LeStrange on Feb. 3, 1951.
She was employed by Standard Federal Bank in Dowagiac from 1959 to 1988.
She will be dearly missed and is survived by her children - Peter (Tonya) LeStrange of Fort Wayne, Ind.; Susan Gall of South Bend; Steven (Catherine) LeStrange of Jacksonville, Fla.; and Mary (Mike) Crocker of Jackson.
She is also survived by her four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, as well as a sister, Donna Ferrera of Hazlet, N.J.
She moved from Dowagiac to Indiana in 2004, where she resided until the time of her death.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Dowagiac since 1961 and a member of the Ossian United Methodist Church since 2005.
She was a life member of the Dowagiac Chapter No. 263, Order of Eastern Star.
Her family will gather with friends from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home, where her memorial service will be held at 2:30 Wednesday, led by Pastor John Kasper of the Dowagiac First United Methodist Church.
Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
Memorials in memory of Shirley may be directed to Family Hospice & Palliative Care, 265 W. Water St., Berne, IN 46711.
Sue Ferguson
BARODA - Sue Ferguson, 63, of Narrow Lake, Mich., formerly of Baroda, died Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009, at her home.
Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Highway, Bridgman, with the Rev. Christopher Noffke officiating.
Friends may meet with the family from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be given to Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek.
Sue was born May 12, 1946, in Benton Harbor, the daughter of Bob and Virginia Janca.
Sue retired in 2008 after 40 years of teaching, leaving behind a history of cherished memories of educating and participating in a variety of extracurricular functions.
She was an avid MSU sports fan and enjoyed attending shows at the Wharton Center.
Her favorite music to listen to included show tunes, John Denver, and songs from the '50s and '60s.
She enjoyed camping with her family, spending time with animals and gardening.
She had a great sense of humor.
Sue liked to give nicknames to people and make people laugh.
She was a member of Youth for Understanding, Friendship Connection and the Baroda Bible Church, as well as Book Club and German Club.
Survivors include her daughter, Dana Ferguson (Charles Taylor) of Novi; parents, Bob and Virginia Janca of Baroda; ex-husband, Jim Ferguson of Lansing; sisters, Roberta Janca and Linda (David) Braatz; dear friends Linda Kloppe and Sharon Belka; many wonderful, loving cousins; and her loving, special pets, Jasper, Freddy and Franny.
Richard J. Devine
ST. JOSEPH - Richard J. Devine, 91, of Punta Gorda, Fla., formerly of St. Joseph, passed away Aug. 10, 2009, in Delray Beach, Fla., at the home of his daughter Patricia Hall.
He was born April 18, 1918, in Buffalo, N.Y., the son of the late J. Bruce and Grace M. Devine.
He spent 26 years with Whirlpool Corporation in various capacities, retiring in 1981 from the corporate headquarters in Benton Harbor as a director in the international division.
Mr. Devine was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Punta Gorda, where he served as a lector and Eucharistic minister.
He was active in the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
He was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus and had been a member for 71 years.
He established the Ponce de Leon council in Punta Gorda and is a past Grand Knight.
He also served as a district deputy for the state of Florida K of C.
He enjoyed traveling the world, fishing and golf.
His wife of 51 years, Mary Patricia "Pat" Devine, passed away in 1998.
They are survived by their three daughters, Anne (David D. Jr.) Coe of Williamsville, N.Y., Patricia Hall of Delray Beach, and Sheila Devine of Oak Park, Ill., and grandchildren, David Coe III (Jessica Doinidis), Sarah Coe, Ronald Hall III, and Leslie Hall.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Aug. 15 at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church with inurnment at Charlotte Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made in his name to the Knights of Columbus, P.O. Box 510524, Punta Gorda, FL 33952
