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Raymond Freyer Sr.
SAWYER -- Raymond Freyer, Sr., 74, of Sawyer died Aug. 26, 2004, at his home.
There will be no public services, with cremation already taking place at Mr. Freyer's wishes. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home, 2626 W. John Beers Road, Stevensville.
Mr. Freyer was born Oct. 16, 1929, in Stevensville. He was a lifetime resident and worked as a bulldozer and heavy equipment operator for George Miller and Sons and later the Southeast Berrien County Landfill. On Feb. 8, 1947, he married Mary Viola Smith in Prescott, Ark.
He is survived by a son, Raymond Freyer Jr. of New Troy, Mich.; daughters -- Mary Ann (David) Mensinger of Three Oaks, Betty (Dave) Tilly of Berrien Springs and Frances Arlene (Randy Sr.) Kirby of Hartford; and seven grandchildren -- Melanie Mensinger of Three Oaks, Mike Mensinger of Bridgman, Randy (Tracy) Kirby Jr. of Watervliet, Jeremy Tilly of Berrien Springs, Timothy Tilly of Berrien Springs, Rebecca Freyer of Benton Harbor and Renee Freyer of New Troy; and four great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Grace (Roeder) Freyer; his wife, Mary, on June 4, 2004; two brothers, Frank Freyer and Herbert Freyer; two sisters, Ruth Zandarski and Luella Stevens, and grandson, David Mensinger.
William Ferguson
COLOMA -- William Ferguson, 72, of Mount Dora, Fla., formerly of Coloma, passed away after a lengthy illness on Aug. 22, 2004, in Winter Park, Fla.
William was born on Jan. 28, 1932, in Heber Springs, Ark. He was retired from the U.S. Postal Service.
He and his wife Alma moved to Florida in 1988. He is survived by his wife Alma; a son, Marc, and his wife, Lynn; and grandchildren, Lindsey, Katie and Michael of St. Joseph, Mich., daughter, Cynthia Miney and her close friend Robert Jones of Kissimmee, Fla., and a brother, Robert (Ruth) Ferguson of Zellwood, Fla.
As per his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service was held in Orlando, Fla., on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2004. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
James Z. Byers
ST. JOSEPH -- James Z. Byers, 81, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, Aug. 26, 2004, at his home.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church, 475 Green St., Benton Harbor, with the Rev. Douglas Petersen officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Mr. Byers was born Jan. 4, 1923, in Kalamazoo to George and Huldena (Krieger) Byers. He grew up in Hartford, graduating from Hartford High School in 1940. Jim was a retired USN Lieutenant, serving his country during World War II and the Korean War. He was an avid aviator for over sixty-five years and a charter member of the EAA. Jim was a flight instructor for over twenty years at Ross Field in Benton Harbor. Jim's trumpet playing was enjoyed by area music lovers for over three decades. On April 20, 1977, he married Virginia Glupker Ozeran in Benton Harbor. Jim was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Benton Harbor, St. Joseph Elks 541, and VFW Post 1137 in Benton Harbor.
Mr. Byers is survived by his wife of twenty-seven years, Virginia; two sons, Michael (Penny) Byers of Brockton, Mass., and Scott (Alice) Byers of Lower Burrell, Pa.; five grandsons; and a great-granddaughter, Sarah Ann Byers.
He was preceded in death by his father, George Byers; and his mother and stepfather, Huldena and Edison Harley.
James E. Steele
SOUTH HAVEN -- James E. Steele, 91, of South Haven died Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004, at South Haven Community Hospital.
He was born Aug. 13, 1912, in Bedford, Ind., to Clarence and Beulah (Baker) Steele. His family moved to South Haven in 1927. He graduated from South Haven High School in 1930. On Nov. 26, 1933, he married the former Frances Niffenegger in Mahomet, Ill. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1934 with a BBA. He was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and played intramural sports. He worked as a purchasing agent/accountant at the S.E. Overton Company in South Haven from 1935 until his retirement in 1978. James and his wife also owned the South Haven Dairy Bar from 1939 to 1949. He was a member of the First Congregational Church. He served on the City Council for four years, was active in South Haven Kiwanis Club for many years and served as president for one year. He was a life member of the Elks Club. James enjoyed golf and bowling and the Wednesday men's lunch group at Cousin's Restaurant.
He is preceded in death along with his parents by one grandson, James Bodfish; son-in-law William Asche also preceded him.
He is survived by his wife, Frances Steele of South Haven; four daughters -- Barbara (John) Arends of Glenn, Mich., Janet (Cortland) Hillman of Caro, Mich., Nancy Asche of South Haven and Linda (Richard) Henry of Bangor; seven grandchildren -- Marsha (Will) Jensen-Lewis, Greg (Cindy) Bodfish, Cory Hillman, Kam Hillman, Kristen Asche, Tristan Henry and Teagan Henry; three great-grandchildren, Gregory Bodfish, Perry Bodfish, and Dustin Bodfish.
Bennie Mae Spears
BENTON HARBOR -- Ms. Bennie Mae Spears, 43, died Aug. 4, 2004, at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Robbins Brothers Funeral Home, Benton Harbor. Cremation is scheduled following the funeral service.
Bennie was born June 10, 1961, in Chicago, Ill., to the union of Roosevelt Wallace and Racheal Spears. She was formerly employed at Larks Bar Be Que, Benton Harbor, and the Fish Hut Restaurant, Benton Harbor.
She leaves to cherish her memory four children -- Sammy Spears, Mario Spears, Bernice Spears and Racheal Walls, all of Benton Harbor; five grandchildren -- Antionio Rice, Samisha Spears, Demario Newbern, Vanisha Smith and Destiny Robertson, all of Benton Harbor; a brother, David Spears; three sisters -- Ira Jean Lucas, Diane Pope and Mary Allen; brother-in-law, Micky Allen; sister-in-law, Blanche Porter, and a host of nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Racheal Spears, and sister, Rosie Lee Spears.
Shirley Louise Sapp
BERRIEN CENTER -- "God has chosen the perfect angel." Shirley Louise Sapp, 57, of Berrien Center, went to be with the Lord at 5:33 p.m. on Tuesday, August 10, 2004, at her Indian Lake home with her family at her bedside, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Visitation with family and friends will be at Bowerman Funeral Home, Eau Claire, from 5 to 8 p.m. today, Thursday, Aug. 12, and from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 13. Celebration of Life will be held at the Bright Star Tabernacle Church, Eau Claire, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 14, with Pastor Mike Fields officiating. Burial will follow in Eau Claire Cemetery. Memorials in Shirley's honor may be made to Bright Star Tabernacle Church or to Hospice at Home, 4017 Chamberlain, Buchanan, Mich. 49107.
Shirley was born Jan. 28, 1947, in Benton Harbor, to William Oscar and Helen Trail. She married her best friend, Eugene H. Sapp, on Nov. 30, 1980. They shared five children and 16 grandchildren together, all of whom were the love of her life, and cherished every minute of each and every day spent together.
Shirley and her husband were owners and operators of G & S Trucking Company, with which they spent 29 years driving together, the last 27 years for Monte Package Company (located in Riverside, Michigan) traveling across the states, mostly in Michigan and Florida.
Driving truck was not only a professional job to Shirley, but one of her many loves. She also enjoyed all the adventures of recreational camping, traveling with her husband and family. Boating, shopping, and crafts were also enjoyed. She enjoyed her summers at their Indian Lake cottage and winters in Florida, along with spending time at the Mountain Top in Queen Creek, Arizona. Shirley's life is best described by one of her many, many dear friends: "God gave me a special friend when he gave me a friend like you."
She is survived by her loving husband, Gene, of Berrien Center; daughters -- Beverly (John) Rosales of Gilbert, Ariz., Susan (Kim) Little of Mesa, Ariz., and Tonya (Mike) Tong of Irvine, Calif.; sons, Dennis (Jennifer) Moore and Tom (Beth) Sapp, all of Eau Claire; her mother, Helen (Zech) Trail of Eau Claire; sisters, Vickie (Bob) Storick of Berrien Springs and Ruthann (Jim) Modro of Coloma; brothers, William L. (Nancy) Trail, Dick (Kathy) Trail, and Henry O. Trail, all of Eau Claire; and her 16 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, William Oscar Trail, on September 25, 2003.
She will be sincerely missed by her loving family and all of her many dear friends.
Cardinal Joseph Morsaw
HARTFORD -- Cardinal Joseph Morsaw, 68, of Hartford passed suddenly from his life on earth to eternity in heaven on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004, at his home.
Joseph was born on May 26, 1936, in Hartford, the son of Joseph and Alvina (Alexis) Morsaw, both of whom preceded him in death. Joe was a member of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, where he was also a tribal genealogist. In his younger days he drove stock cars at the local tracks for a number of years. Joe loved attending and selling items at the flea markets. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be dearly missed by all.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. Friday at the Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford. A service to honor his memory will take place on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Deacon Arthur Morsaw will officiate. Burial will follow the service at Maple Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Memorials may be made to the family.
Joseph is survived by his wife, Donna, whom he married on May 31, 1954; five children -- Pamela McGlothlin, Alan (Cindy) Morsaw, Barbara (Norman) Burfield, Joseph (Charlotte) Morsaw and Gregory Morsaw, all of Hartford; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother, Deacon Arthur (Cathy) Morsaw of Hartford; two sisters, Evelyn Miller of Hartford and Josephine Griffith of Berrien Center; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Joseph was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Castanon and Barbara Morsaw; and a brother, Alex Morsaw.
Steven Emil Menser
WATERSMEET -- Steven Emil Menser, 51, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, after a courageous eight month battle with cancer, at home in Watersmeet.
Steven was born on June 13, 1953, in St. Joseph to Emil F. and Ruth C. (Gitersonke) Menser of Bridgman.
He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bridgman and graduated from Bridgman High School in 1971. Steve worked as a route driver for Coca-Cola of St. Joseph until his early retirement due to rheumatoid arthritis.
He moved to Michigan's Upper Peninsula to enjoy riding his four-wheeler, hunting and fishing.
Steven will be lovingly and sadly missed by his family including his father, Emil of Watersmeet; sister, Linda Menser of Crookston, Minn.; nieces, Kristine Stanislowski of Grand Forks, N.D., and Julie Stanislowski of Atlanta, Ga., as well as many friends; aunts; uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth C. Menser, in 1982; his maternal grandparents, Henry and Alvina Gitersonke, and paternal grandparents, Joseph Sr. and Martha Menser.
Cremation has taken place. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to Superior Home Nursing and Hospice, 210 N. Moore St., Bessemer, Mich. 49911.
The Wandersee Funeral Home in Bruce Crossing is assisting the family.
