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Melvin 'Mel' Bookout
NILES - Melvin G. Bookout, age 71 years, of Niles died at 11:35 p.m. Saturday, April 18, 2009, at Lakeland Specialty Hospital, Berrien Center, following an extended illness.
Mel was born on Dec. 1, 1937, in Marion, Ind., to Melvin Leonard and Caroline Lucinda (Smith) Bookout. He graduated from Fort Wayne (Indiana) North High School and Hanover (Indiana) College. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves at Fort Leonard Wood.
Mel was employed in human resources for several national firms before coming to Niles in 1966, to help his uncles, Bob and Ray Bookout manage Bookout Furniture. He became an agent for Metropolitan Life Insurance in 1978, and an agent for State Farm in 1981. He enjoyed being a "good neighbor, " winning many awards, and was still keeping office hours through his final illness.
He was always active in his community as a member of several professional, service, and social organizations. He was elected Second Ward representative to the Niles City Council for 13 years; and he and his wife were honored by the Niles Chamber of Commerce with the 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Service.
Mel also enjoyed old cars and history, especially the local history of each place he visited, and music, the theater, and dancing. He supported the arts, and was a patron of several area theaters. He enjoyed travel, especially cruise ships; and was a Kentucky Colonel.
The funeral service for Mel Bookout will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2009, at Michiana Christian Embassy with the Rev. Lloyd Phillips officiating, and will conclude with the Veteran's Flag Presentation and Taps.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Mel may be made to the local history department of the Niles District Library or to the donor's choice.
Cornilus Marion Handley
COVERT - Cornilus Marion Handley, 77, of Covert, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph.
Marion, as he went by, was born Sept. 22, 1931, in Hardin, Tenn., the son of Edward and Nennie (King) Handley, both of whom preceded him in passing. He was also preceded by a son, Max Handley; and three sisters, Mae Barnett, Varley Sandusky and Franey Smith. Marion was also preceded by a loving and caring companion of 18 years, Irene Brown.
After earning his electrician's license, he went to work for the city of South Haven and retired from there after 34 years of faithful service. Marion was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be truly missed by family and friends alike.
Marion is survived by a daughter, Connie (Jim) Kandlstorfer of Cassopolis; a son, Randy Handley of Florida; two grandchildren - Carrie (Bob) Freeman and Danielle Kandlstorfer, both of Elkhart, Ind.; three great-grandchildren, Ava, Tessa and Logan; and a sister, Rena Lynn of Republic, Mo.
The family welcomed friends on Monday, April 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Calvin Funeral Home in Hartford. The service to honor his memory will commence at 11 a.m. today, April 21, at the funeral home. Marion will be laid to rest in Thomas Cemetery.
Sophie Mary Militello
SOUTH HAVEN - Sophie Mary Militello, 92, of South Haven died Sunday, April 19, 2009, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.
She was born April 21, 1916, in Menominee, Mich., to Thomas and Katherine (Nahirniak) Shek. Sophie married George Militello on May 8, 1938. She worked for Everett Piano Company for more than 20 years. Sophie enjoyed crocheting, hooking rugs and most crafts. She was always there as a helper for her relatives, friends and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George Militello, who died in 1979; three brothers, Alex, Joe and Thomas Shek.
She is survived by one son, Thomas (Doris) Militello of South Haven; one daughter, Frances Beatty of St. Petersburg, Fla.; four grandchildren, David and Susan Militello and Jamie and Jason Beatty; four great-grandchildren, Sophie, Hayden, Michael and Isaac; two sisters, Tillie Klien of Lake Zurich, Ill., and Catherine (John) Sandona of Chicago; and two brothers, Paul Shek of Bloomingdale and Walter Shek of Chicago.
Visitation will be Thursday, April 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, South Haven. Funeral services will be Friday at St. Basil Catholic Church at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Father Robert Flickinger officiating. Burial will take place in Lakeview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Basil Educational Endowment Fund.
Rachel Ellen Shagonaby
HARTFORD - Rachel Ellen Shagonaby, 85, of Hartford went to be with her Lord Saturday, April 18, 2009, at Kairos Dwelling, Kalamazoo.
Rachel was born Sept. 18, 1923, in Hartford, the daughter of Francis and Ruth (Jones) Gowens, both of whom preceded her in passing. Also preceding her in passing were a brother, Francis Gowens, and two sisters, Edith LaTour and Mildred Wesaw.
Rachel worked for Adams Electronics, the Hartford Speedway and Salutos, from which she retired. She was a loyal member of the Hartford Federated Church, where she spent much of her adult life serving as a Sunday school teacher and sung in the choir.
Rachel is survived by three daughters, Theresa (Earl) McFall of South Haven, Jacqueline (Tom) Trux of Hartford and Pamela (Michael) Gardner of Hawaii. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
The family will greet friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, at the Hartford Federated Church, where the service to honor her memory will take place at 1 p.m. Pastor Timothy Nyhuis will officiate. Burial will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery, Hartford. The family asks memorial donations in Rachel's name be made to Kairos Dwelling. The family has entrusted the Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford, with handling the arrangements.
Freda Mae Boone
COVERT - Freda Mae Boone, 73, of Covert passed away Sunday, April 19, 2009, at South Haven Community Hospital.
Freda was born April 25, 1935, in Senath, Mo., the daughter of Frank and Rosa (Mayberry) Corzine, both of whom preceded her in passing. She was also preceded in passing by two sons, William and Charles.
She was a florist at heart, who loved all kinds of flowers, especially carnations. She was formerly employed at Hilltop Foods, where she was a loyal worker for 10 years. She loved collecting angels and other knick-knacks.
Freda is survived by her husband, Roland; four grandchildren, William Burrows of Benton Harbor, Christopher Burrows of Lawrence, Cynthia (Brian) Turner of Buchanan and Henry (Cara) Burrows of Watervliet; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Faye (Ralph) Kartheu of Battle Creek.
As per Freda's wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will take place at a later date. The family has entrusted the Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford, with handling the arrangements.
Clifton 'Cliffy' Bastian III
DOWAGIAC - Clifton 'Cliffy' Bastian III, age 33, of Dowagiac, formerly of Decatur, passed away Sunday, April 19, 2009, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Keeler Township.
Cliffy was born Jan. 16, 1976, in Fort Hood, Texas. He formerly was employed as a die caster for ICG in Dowagiac for 15 years.
Survivors include two daughters, Amber and Blake, and a son, Justin and their mother, Heather Perry of Decatur; a daughter, Madison Simon of St. Joseph; mother and stepfather, Goldie and James Joiner of Decatur; father, Clifton Bastian Jr. of Lawton; sister, Angelene Bastian Clendenin of Lawrence; stepbrother, Jason Joiner of Benton Harbor; grandparents, Bonnie and Jim Joiner of Benton Harbor and Irene Bastian of Lawton; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Newell Funeral Home, Decatur, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday with the Rev. Michael Heflin officiating. Burial in Lakeside Cemetery, Decatur. Memorials may be made to the family.
Susan M. Henwood
ST. JOSEPH - Susan M. Henwood, age 47, of St. Joseph passed away April 18, 2009, from recently diagnosed leukemia. She was preceded in death by her brother, Steven J. Henwood.
Surviving are her parents, James and Iris Henwood, niece Ashley and her mother Sandra, uncle Jack and aunt Joan Calvin of Traverse City and cousins.
A memorial service will be held sometime in May. The family is being served by Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Service, Grand Rapids.
Lawrence Kelly Ewell
BENTON HARBOR - Mr. Lawrence Kelly Ewell was born on Dec. 23, 1964, to Lawrence Chester Ewell and Barbara Ewell in Benton Harbor. He was the oldest of four sons. He was baptized at the age of seven at Second Baptist Church of Benton Harbor by The Rev. Donald Atkins. There he served as president of the Usher Board as a teenager and managed the church owned grocery ... until they thought that he was going to mop floors.
Lawrence started his first entrepreneurial venture at the age of ten called “The Gym.” It was located in the basement of his grandmother’s home where he charged a $1 daily membership fee to his peers. Lawrence graduated from Benton Harbor High School, where he was the marching band drum major, on the junior varsity basketball team, in the SOAR Program for gifted and talented students and recognized in Who’s Who Among American High School Students.
After graduating in the top ten percent of his high school class, he attended the University of Michigan majoring in sociology with a minor in philosophy. Shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the United States Army National Guard. Afterwards, he resumed his college career at Eastern Michigan University where he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. However the most significant event that occurred at Eastern Michigan is when he met a young lady by the name of Vonyea Carter who was a student that he tutored and later befriended.
After entering the pharmaceutical industry he proved to exhibit great potential, a winning attitude, and a driven work ethic. Although he was on the fast track for success, he knew that his life would not be complete without Vonyea. So he proposed and they were joined in holy matrimony in Houston, Texas, on June 3, 1995. Lawrence and Vonyea enjoyed a full life of love and happiness. However they could not imagine the miracle that would embrace their lives when Lauren Kelly Ewell, their only child, was born on Feb. 16, 2002. She surrounded their hearts with love and filled their home with joy. Lauren wrapped her Daddy around her tiny little fingers the first time he laid eyes on her and he was smitten by her. He even expressed in a meeting at his job that his goal in life was to be a full time dad.
Lawrence was a man who possessed wisdom beyond his years. He was admired by his colleagues, sought after in his field, valued by his employers and respected by all. He made sure that everyone understood that his family was first. Many times he defined work life balance by insisting that he be able to attend all of Lauren’s school and extra curricular events. He also loved to have fun with his friends and family. On many occasions he exhibited his competitive spirit in fun games such as billiards, poker, and video games. He would often remind his competitors after winning any game that he was “number one” and “the champ.”
Lawrence worked as Vice President, Account Director for Saatchi & Saatchi Healthcare Innovations. His former employers included Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Organon USA and Janssen Pharmaceutica. Lawrence made his home in Warrington, Pa., for the past eight years where he enjoyed life and loved his family dearly. He always said that he wasn’t lucky but that he was blessed.
Mr. Lawrence Kelly Ewell passed away on Monday, April 27, 2009, among family and friends at Saint Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, Pa. He was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Chester Ewell, his grandmother, Geneva McGee, and his grandfather, Kelly McGee.
He is survived by his loving wife, Vonyea Ewell, daughter, Lauren Ewell, mother, Barbara Ewell, brother Jeffery Ewell, brother, Gail Mitchell, brother Lenell Ewell, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He will be greatly missed by all.
Services wee held on Saturday, May 2. Contributions may be made to LKE Memorial Fund, c/o Ameriprise Financial, 8 Tower Bridge, Suite 1300, 161 Washington St., Conshohocken, Pa. 19428. Attn: Marlene Burns.
