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Munson Ulysses Robinson
STEVENSVILLE -- Munson Ulysses Robinson, 82, of Stevensville passed away peacefully on June 25, 2004, at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph.
He was born Aug. 10, 1921, in Hartford, to Ulysses and Nell Robinson. Munson was a graduate of Valparaiso Technical College, where he studied radio engineering. After working in radio for two years in Charleston, W.Va., he joined the FBI and was assigned to Havana, Cuba. There he met and married Ivelise Boynton and returned with her to Hartford.
In 1944, Munson enlisted in the Merchant Marine and served as a radio operator. After the war, he helped build and run WHFB as the Chief Radio Engineer, where he worked for 15 years. In the '60s he owned and operated Background Music Company. Shortly before retirement, he married Florence Burns, who preceded him in death in January of this year.
Munson was a lifetime member of the Benton Harbor Elks Club, the American Legion, and the U.S. Navy Armed Guard. He enjoyed travel, golf, electronics, woodworking and working on his computer.
Munson is survived by two daughters -- Sandra Robinson of Kalamazoo and Janice Robinson of Berrien Springs; two grand-daughters -- Ryann Goergen and Cara Farnsworth; and a niece and nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Ruth Harper.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 3, with the Rev. Randy Doyle officiating. A committal service will be held at the Hartford Maple Hill Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service.
Phyllis Jean 'P.J.' Carley
ST. JOSEPH -- Phyllis Jean "P.J." Carley, 80, of St. Joseph went home with the Lord to be with her mother on Sunday, June 20, 2004, after a short illness, at Lakeland Continuing Care Center, St. Joseph.
There will be a Celebration of Life Service at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 22, at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, with the Rev. Marlo Fritzke officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. There will be a visitation one hour before the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Guests are invited to sign the guestbook online at www.starks-menchinger.com.
P.J. was born to Marion "Rehm" and Barbara (Lucker) Carley on July 25, 1923, in Benton Harbor. P.J. was a resident at Lakeland Continuing Care Center, St. Joseph for 18 years. P.J. also was a member of First Baptist Church, St. Joseph. She liked to collect various things.
P.J. is survived by her brother, James (Joan) Carley of Stevensville; her aunt, Helen Berndt; her two uncles -- Alan Lucker of St. Joseph and Ted Lucker of Stevensville; and many cousins.
P.J. was preceded in death by her parents.
She will be missed by her many friends at Lakeland Continuing Care Center, St. Joseph.
Gerald A. Sprague
BENTON HARBOR -- Gerald Arthur Sprague, 81, of Benton Harbor passed away on Thursday, June 17, 2004, at his home.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 23, at Dey-Florin Chapel, Florin Funeral Service, St. Joseph. A gathering of friends and family will take place on Tuesday, June 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Cremation has taken place. A burial of ashes will take place at North Shore Memory Gardens, Hagar Shores, at a later date.
Gerald was born on Jan. 30, 1923, in Coloma to Arthur and Marie (Pinyard) Sprague. He married Mildred Soper on Sept. 27, 1942, in Watervliet. He was a life-long area resident who worked for many years at the Berendsen Candy Company. After retiring, he worked part time for Wightman & Associates. He was an active member of the Elks Club and was Exalted Ruler of the BPOE Lodge 541 from 1981 to 1982.
Survivors include his wife, Mildred Sprague of Benton Harbor; two sons -- Mark Sprague of Bangor and Steve (Margaret) Sprague of Arlington, Texas; a brother, Earl "Whitey" Sprague of Harlingen, Texas; two sisters-in-law, Celia Sprague of Harlingen, and Lorraine Huffman of Mesa, Ariz.; six grandchildren -- Justin, Jennifer, Matthew, Mark Jr., Michael and Ryan; five great-grandchildren -- Kyle, Abby, Devon, Kayla and Adriana; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by three brothers, Bob, Rex and Jack.
Consuelo 'Connie' Ziemke
BERRIEN SPRINGS -- Consuelo "Connie" Ziemke, 75, of Berrien Springs, died at home on Thursday, June 17, 2004, following a battle with cancer.
Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, June 21, at the Berrien Springs United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Dominic Tommy officiating.
Inurnment will be in North Shore Memory Gardens, Hagar Shores. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home, or to the Berrien Springs Community Library.
Allred Funeral Home, Berrien Springs, is serving the family.
Connie was born July 4, 1928, in Bowling Green, Ky., the daughter of Fred and Onas (Stovall) Dennison.
She married Richard E. Ziemke on Oct. 17, 1959, and they had lived in the community since 1968, when they moved from Benton Harbor. Connie worked in the Medical Records Department of Berrien General Hospital (now Lakeland Specialty Hospital), retiring in 1994 after 22 years of service.
She was a member of the Berrien Town and Country Quilters, and the Berrien Springs Library Quilters. An avid reader, Connie also enjoyed her perennial garden.
She is survived by her husband, Richard; daughter, Sarah J. (Tony) Carrington of Berrien Springs; stepdaughter, Joanne (Paul) Gregorio of Denver, Colo.; son, Andrew J. Ziemke of Berrien Springs; stepsons, Charles R. Ziemke of Phoenix, Ariz., and Joseph A. Ziemke of Omaha, Neb.; her mother, Onas Reed of Austin, Texas; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one stepgreat-grandchild; and her sister, Joy Wilson of Covington, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her father; a daughter, Carla J. Ziemke; a sister, Willadene Wickliffe; and two brothers, Patrick Kubinski and Fred Dennison.
Lucille E. Ziemer
ST. JOSEPH -- Lucille E. Ziemer, 88, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, June 18, 2004, at her home.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Crystal Springs Church of God, 1465 Pipestone Road, Benton Harbor.
Burial will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma.
Friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to Crystal Springs Church of God. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Mrs. Ziemer was born July 12, 1915, in St. Joseph to Albert and Therese (Dorow) Bittner.
On June 13, 1937, she married Arnold Ziemer in St. Joseph. Together they operated a fruit and vegetable farm in Millburg for many years.
She was a member of Crystal Springs Church of God.
Mrs. Ziemer is survived by four sisters -- Marie Brado, Clara Brown, and Viola (Stanley) Vanderbeck, of St. Joseph; Elaine Brouwer of Kalamazoo; a brother, Richard Bittner of St. Joseph; a sister-in-law, Doloris Bittner of St. Joseph; and her best friend, Olga Gerdel of Benton Harbor.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arnold in 1993; her son, John Ziemer in 1976; two brothers, Alvin and Allen Bittner, and a sister, Ella Ball.
Adeline A. Brown
ST. JOSEPH -- Adeline A. Brown, 86, of St. Joseph, formerly of Berrien Springs, died Friday, June 18, 2004, at Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph, following an illness.
A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 21, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Berrien Springs. Burial will follow in Salem Cemetery at Oronoko Township. Friends are invited to visit with the family one hour prior to the service and sign the guest book at www.legacyfuneral.com. Memorials in her memory may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, of which she was a member for over 50 years.
Adeline was born Oct. 12, 1917, in Bridgman, Mich., to Jaluf and Julia Pastryk. She was a graduate of Bridgman High School. Adeline enjoyed playing cards with her friends and family, reading, and playing Scrabble with her grandchildren. Although she was unable play, she enjoyed watching golf on television. In her younger years, she also volunteered as a 4-H leader. On Nov. 1, 1935, she married Leeland V. Brown, who preceded her in death in 1995. The couple operated their family farm on Scottdale Road in Oronoko Township for many years before their retirement. She also worked for a time at Michigan Bell Telephone Company. They also spent 18 years wintering in Ocala, Fla.
Survivors include a son, Blaine (Marie) G. Brown of Sun City Center, Fla.; two daughters, Bonnie (Don) L. Pica of Twin Falls, Idaho, and Sally (Roy) J. Forraht of Berrien Springs, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a brother, Rhinehold J. (Margaret) Pastryk of Naples, Fla.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Judith A. Kolberg Storm, who died in 1990.
The family is being served by Legacy Family Funeral Services - Matthew R. Purchase Chapel, Berrien Springs.
Pauletta M. McMillian
SOUTH HAVEN -- Pauletta M. McMillian, 56, of South Haven went to be with her Lord on June 12, 2004, at the Metron Nursing Home of Allegan.
Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, June 17, at Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, South Haven, with the Rev. Joe Wilkins officiating. A wake will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, South Haven.
Pauletta was born to the late Horse Yates and Lillian Clark, nee Gibson, of South Haven, who survives. Her significant other of 21 years, Archie Turner of South Haven, also survives.
Also surviving are her daughters, Kimberly Yates of Bangor and Clarrissa Turner of St. Joseph; and her son, Archie Turner Jr. of Kalamazoo; three grandchildren, Jasmine, Antonishia and Moniqui will also miss their grandmother.
Other survivors include Pauletta's two brothers, Ken (Wilma) Yates of Benton Harbor and Keith Yates of St. Paul, Minn.; three sisters -- Patricia (Jim) Wilkins of Canton, Mich., Jane (Odis) Allison of Syracuse, N.Y., and Dawn Clark of Kalamazoo; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and friends.
She enjoyed shopping, working puzzles, playing with her grandchildren, and going to the flea market.
