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David Lester 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 celebrating his life will be held at a later time. Cremation has taken place. Friends may sign the register book at www.legacyfuneral.com. Legacy Family Funeral Service - Matthew R. Purchase Chapel assisted the family with arrangements.
David was born on Feb. 17, 1940, in Keeler, Mich., 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 in David's memory may be directed to Hospice at Home, 4017 Chamberlain Road, Buchanan, Mich. 49107 or to Eau Claire Cherry Festival Horseshoe Tournament, 6507 E. Main St., Eau Claire, Mich. 49111.
James A. Champ Siler
BENTON HARBOR - James A. Champ Siler, age 39, of Heber Springs, Ark., passed away Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at Baptist Health Medical Center. Born in Benton Harbor on March 5, 1970, he was the son of Barbara Barton Siler and the late James Anson Siler.
James was a veteran of the United States Navy and the Army National Guard, and he was a member of the VFW.
He was preceded in death by one son, Douglas Mason Siler, on Oct. 30, 1999.
James is survived by his wife, Sabrina (Bradley) Siler of Heber Springs; one son, James Robert Siler III of Heber Springs; one daughter, Margarete Elizabeth Ann Siler of Heber Springs; three stepdaughters, Jamie Louise Forrest of Quitman, Ark., Peggy Ann Forrest of Senatobia, Miss., and Kara Ashley Sorce of Heber Springs; his mother and stepfather, Barbara and Bill Barnes of Benton Harbor; one brother, Alex Baltizar; one sister, Bobbie Sue Baltizar; and four grandchildren, Brandon James Shorty, Jakylen O'Brian Russell, Jasmine Shyanne Shorty and Justus La Sean Shorty.
James is also survived by other relatives and his many friends. Visitation was held Saturday, June 13, at the Olmstead Chapel at 12 p.m. with funeral services beginning at 2 p.m. Arrangements were by Olmstead Funeral Home, Heber Springs.
Mary D. Minasian
NILES - Mary D. Minasian, age 76 years, of Niles died at 5:30 a.m. Saturday, June 13, 2009, at her home, following an extended illness.
She was born on Aug. 4, 1932, in San Gabriel, Calif., to Joseph S. and Martha (Jones) Thompson. She lived in Niles since 1991 coming from New Jersey.
Mary was a member of the Niles Westside Seventh-day Adventist Church, where she was a deaconess and volunteered in the Cradle Roll Room. She was a very active volunteer at Polly's Place in Niles. She volunteered and was very active for 50 years with Pathfinders Clubs in California, New Jersey and Niles. She enjoyed puzzles, needlework, coloring, hiking and camping. She enjoyed donating to help the youth.
On April 29, 1954, in Pasadena, Calif., she married N. George Minasian, who preceded her in death on July 4, 1992.
Mrs. Minasian is survived by her sister, Peggy Cain of Niles; brother, Joe Thompson of Rogue River, Ore.; several brothers-in-laws, nieces and nephews.
The funeral service for Mary D. Minasian will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at Niles Westside SDA Church, with Pastor Isaiah Santos of Edwardsburg SDA Church and Pastor Bill Dudgeon of Niles Westside SDA Church officiating. Internment will be in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church beginning one hour prior to the service. Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Mary may be made to Polly's Place or Niles Westside SDA Pathfinders Club.
Avery Keeney
LANSING - Avery Keeney, 84, of Lansing, Mich., passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2009, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, June 19, at The University Seventh-day Adventist Church, 504 Ann St., East Lansing, Mich. 48823. Memorials may be made to MSU Breslin Cancer Center, 401 W. Greenlawn, Lansing, Mich. 48912.
Mr. Keeney was born March 8, 1925, in Lansing to Eber and Vesta (Avery) Keeney. He served his country during World War II in the United States Army Air Corps. Avery was a self-employed building contractor in the Lansing area for many years before his retirement. He enjoyed antique cars, playing golf, and attending real estate and antique auctions. He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.
Mr. Keeney is survived by his children, Linda (Cecil) Derringer of St. Joseph, David (Helen) Keeney of Lansing, Ann Keeney-Miles of Culver City, Calif.; two stepchildren, William Pearce of Lansing, Priscilla Pearce of Illinois; three grandchildren, Andra Lambrecht, Gregory Derringer, Kathleen (William) Collins; three great-grandchildren, Kirsten and Allyn Collins, and Kylee Lambrecht; his sister, Cereda McConnell of Lansing; his brother, James (Joan) Keeney of Haslett, Mich.; and a large extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son-in-law, Greg Miles, and a brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Ida Keeney, and a brother-in-law, Chester McConnell.
Eugene Meister
BENTON HARBOR - Eugene Meister, 83, of Benton Harbor passed away Saturday, April 25, 2009, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home with Fr. Bill Jacobs officiating. Burial will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens with military rites conducted by Coloma American Legion Post 362, VFW Post 1137 Benton Harbor and VFW Post 6802 Watervliet. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Masonic Rites will be conducted at 8 p.m. Wednesday by F&AM Lakeshore Lodge 298 Benton Harbor. Memorials may be made to F&AM Lakeshore Lodge 298 or St. John-St. Bernard Parish.
Mr. Meister was born Jan. 15, 1926, in Benton Harbor to Arthur and Luella (King) Meister. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1944. Gene served his country in the US Navy during World War II. On Aug. 7, 1948, he married the former Lorraine Ruff in Benton Harbor. He was employed as a tool and die maker at Ross Carriers in Benton Harbor, Mastro Corp. in Stevensville, and retired in 1988 from Gast Manufacturing in Benton Harbor. Gene served as Commander of the Berrien County Sherriff Department Reserve Officers and as a volunteer firefighter for Benton Township Fire Department. He was a member of the DANK in Benton Harbor, St. Joseph Elks 541 and VFW Post 1137, a life member of FOP Lodge 96 in St. Joseph and a 32nd Degree Mason with F&AM Lakeshore Lodge 298, where he was awarded the Windsor Award. In his free time, Gene enjoyed polka dancing, officiating races at Hartford Motor Speedway, hunting, and spending time with family and friends.
Gene is survived by his children, Dan (Carol) Meister of St. Joseph, Ron Meister of Anderson, Ind., Joanne (Dave) Lewis of Benton Harbor, John (Pat Provost) Meister of Pullman; his long-time loving companion Marjorie Polfus of St. Joseph; nine grandchildren, Terry "TJ" Meister, Scott Murphy, Lori (Bryan) Young, Randy (Beth) Meister, Kathy Meister, Jordan Meister, Patty (Lee) Westfall, Brian Lewis, Brett Lewis; eight great-grandchildren; two brothers-in-law, Frank Adcock and Orville Ruff; a sister-in-law, Jeanne Ruff; and a life time of friends and acquaintances.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine, on May 15, 1993, by two brothers, George and Burt Meister, and by two sisters, Myrtle Littke and Ruth Retz.
Robert 'Bob' W. Sonnenberg
SAWYER - A Memorial Service will be held for Robert "Bob" W. Sonnenberg at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2009, at The Chapel, 4250 Washington Ave., St. Joseph.
Robert passed away on March 25, 2009, in Tampa, Fla.
Family and friends will gather to celebrate his life. Memorials may be made to The Chapel or Berrien County Youth Fair.
Patricia Ann Kublick
COLOMA - Patricia Ann Kublick, 67, of Coloma died Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009, at the South Haven Community Hospital.
Services celebrating her life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 17, at the Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Coloma. Burial will follow in the Coloma Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives beginning at 1 p.m. on Friday at the Davidson Chapel.
Pat was born Nov. 22, 1941, in Chicago, to Harvey and Marguerite Krolzick. She married her husband, Leonard Kublick, on Feb. 22, 1964, in Benton Harbor and together they have celebrated 45 years of marriage. She was a homemaker who enjoyed gardening with her flowers. Pat was a homebody who loved to cook and being a loving grandmother to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Leonard; her sister, Marion Gast of Coloma; her brother, Fred Krolzick, of South Bend, Ind.; her three grandchildren, Dana Krolzick, Nicole Bozarth and Jeannie Bozarth, and her two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Rhonda Bozarth, in 2001, and two brothers, Richard and James Wagner.
Agnes Dewey Cozzolino
COLOMA - Agnes Dewey Cozzolino, 87, of Coloma died Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009, at the South Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
A Mass celebrating her life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 16, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Watervliet. Burial will follow in Crystal Springs Cemetery in Benton Harbor. The visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Coloma where a Prayer Service will be held at 7 p.m. Memorials may be made to North Berrien Senior Center or St. Joseph Catholic Parish.
Agnes was born on Feb. 24, 1922, in Gaylord, Mich., to Michael and Anna Mikowski. Her first husband, Ralph Dewey preceded her in death in 1962, her second husband, William Harmon, in 1978, and her third husband, Charles Cozzolino, in 1980.
She was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Watervliet. She was a retired sales clerk and last worked at Zales Jewelry Store for 10 years. She traveled extensively. She also enjoyed being socially active with her friends by going out to lunch and then playing cards with them. Agnes first joy was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Ralph "Chuck" (Sharon) Dewey of Coloma and James "Jim" (Sharon) Dewey of Saugatuck; her sisters, Mary Baker of Coloma and Kathryn Davis of Coloma; her six grandchildren and her six great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Margaret in 1943, her sisters, Sophie Puttman, Helen Chandler, Martha Kadrovach, and Cecilia Smallridge; her brothers, Martin Mikowski and Robert Mikowski.
