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Glen Ray Gardner
SAWYER - Glen Ray Gardner, 62, of Sawyer died at his home on Friday April 24, 2009.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, officiated by Dave Thompson, with burial to follow in New Troy Cemetery. Friends wishing to send a condolence my do so at the guest book at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Glen was born on June 28, 1946, in East St. Louis, Ill., to Lawrence & Joyce (Ponder) Gardner. He was the owner/operator of Easy Gas/Shop in Berrien Springs for 28 year before he retired. He enjoyed working with his hands and going fishing if it was not too wavy.
He is survived by two daughters, Terrie (Dave) Hays of Bridgman, Tanya Pillow of Sawyer; four grandchildren - Courtney Hays, Nicholas Pillow, Candice Pillow, MyKayla Hays; four bothers - William (Barbara) Gardner of Galien, James (Ann) Gardner of King City, Calf., Randy (Judy) Gardner of Oregon, David (Barbara) Gardner of Yuma, Ariz.; a sister, Patricia (Sam) Whitchlatch of Yuma; and special friend, Glenda Northrop
Josephine Naylor
SODUS - Josephine Naylor, 94, of Sodus, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2009, at Lakeland Specialty Hospital in Berrien Center.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 29, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 555 Delaware, in Benton Harbor, with Fr. William J. Jacobs officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 29, at the church. Memorial donations may be made to Lakeland Hospice or Eternal Word Television Network.
Josephine was born Nov. 10, 1914, in Chicago, Ill., to Joseph and Teresa (Cazaza) Colletti. In 1937 she married Marvin "Bud" Naylor in St. Joseph. He preceded her in death in 1957. She lived and worked on the family farm for many years in Benton Twp. Josephine worked as a bartender at Blossom Lanes. She also worked in the 1900 factory during World War II. In her spare time she enjoyed playing bingo and staying at her cottage on Thunder Lake. Faith, family and friends were her priorities.
Josephine is survived by her three daughters - Lucy (Tom) Kubash of St. Joseph, Gloria Burkhard of Sodus and JoAnn (Keith) Burgess of Berrien Springs; one step-daughter, D'jera (Jack) Mucia; 13 grandchildren - Julie Burgess, Cathy Burgess, Teresa (Tony) Phillips, Lynda (Kevin) Smith, Lisa (Jim) Bolyard, Laura (Dan) Montey, Glenn (Liz) Burkhard, Lucy Wright (and fiancé Guy Pelletire), Mary (Dave) Clark, Nick (Rori) Burkhard, Frank (Claudia) Burkhard, Emily (Dan Hutchins) Kubash, and Chris Kubash; 38 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren; niece, Jeannie Ruff; and special friend, Mark Mai.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two grandsons, Robert Burkhard and Patrick Michael Burgess; one sister, Catherine Swonko; one brother, Frank Colletti; one niece, Nanette Ellis; a nephew, William Poziwilko; and her son-in-law, Andy Burkhard.
Sally Irene Benner
ST. JOSEPH - Sally Irene Benner, 63, of St. Joseph, died at home on April 22, 2009, in the care of hospice and her family.
She was born on April 12, 1946, in St. Joseph, to Irene E. (Warskow) Marquardt and Richard W. Marquardt. Following graduation from St. Joseph High School and from Michigan State University with a degree in social work, Sally worked for Hennepin County (Minnesota) Welfare and locally as an adoption worker for the State of Michigan.
In October 1968, Sally married William E. Benner of St. Joseph. Sally and Bill moved to Minneapolis, but returned home to St. Joseph in May 1970. Following the birth of their first daughter in 1973, Sally's attention turned to raising her children, homemaking and volunteer service. She was a deliberate and disciplined worker throughout her life. As a student, wife, mother, volunteer or friend she devoted herself to the task at hand and kept the commitments she made.
Sally would rather roll up her sleeves than serve on a board or participate in a planning meeting. She had been an active member of Zion Evangelical UCC Church in St. Joseph where she was raised and married and, since 2002, she was a member of First Congregational Church in St. Joseph. Sally served as one of the first volunteers at Hospice at Home, as a Life Member of Women's Service League, Past President of P.E.O. Chapter DV and as a volunteer chaplain at Lakeland Hospital until her cancer diagnosis in December 2004. In 2000, Sally was recognized as a Samaritan of the Year by the Samaritan Counseling Center of Benton Harbor/St. Joseph.
Sally was a loyal and longtime supporter of many charitable organizations including Habitat for Humanity, the American Cancer Society, Heifer International and Hospice at Home/Lory's Place. Happiest spending time with her family, her friends, keeping a tidy home, digging or pruning in her garden, enjoying her dog, Gracie, or calling on friends and neighbors, Sally also expressed her concern and compassion for others by sending countless cards and notes over the years.
Sally is survived by her husband; her daughters, Emily E. Benner (Allen Schrott) of Ann Arbor and Aubree E. Benner and fiancé Gregory DiGennaro of Portage, Mich.; her brothers - Richard G. (Lea) Marquardt of Nashville, Tenn., James E. Marquardt of St. Joseph, and Robert C. (Norma) Marquardt of Pottsville, Pa.; father-in-law, William H. Benner, M.D. of St. Joseph; sisters-in-law, Susan R. (John Meeks) Benner of Chicago and Jennifer K. (Dale) Shaller of Stillwater, Minn.; dear cousins, a nephew, nieces, and godson Jacob Wagner.
Sally was preceded in death by her parents; her mother-in-law, Catherine E. Benner; and infant daughter, Amanda Elizabeth Benner.
Memorials to honor Sally's memory may be made to Hospice at Home, Lory's Place or a charity of the donor's choice.
Memorial Services celebrating Sally's Life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 2001 Niles Ave., St. Joseph, with the Rev. Dr. Robert Braman and the Rev. Karen Potter officiating. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, St. Joseph.
Anita Lou Hambleton
LAWRENCE - Anita Lou Hambleton, 54, of Lawrence disappeared on June 11, 2008 and was found March 28, 2009, and is with the Lord.
Anita was born July 16, 1954, in Kalamazoo, to Erwin Leslie Froman and Barbara Louise Lazell, who preceded her in death. Anita married Todd Hambleton Feb. 24, 1996. Anita enjoyed her flower garden. She loved and worked with children 28 years in the AWANA Program at Hartford Federated Church. She loved helping others. The most important things in her life were her family and faith.
In addition to her loving husband, Anita is survived by her son, Ron Burchfield; and grandson, Ronnie Burchfield; two brothers, Robert (Kathy) Froman of Kalamazoo and Grant (Barb) Froman of Pennsylvania; one sister, Peggy (Mike) Crummel of California; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, May 2, at 11 a.m., at Hartford Federated Church, with Pastor Tim Nyhuis officiating.
Osman 'O.D.' Dawkins
BENTON HARBOR - Former Shreveport, La., resident, Osman "O.D." Dawkins, 90, was born Dec. 26, 1918, in Truxno, La., to the union of Raymond and Luella Slade-Dawkins. He departed this life on Monday, April 27, 2009, at 2:45 p.m. at his home in Benton Harbor, with his wife at his side.
A celebration commemorating the life of Mr. Osman Dawkins will be held Monday, May 11, at 10 a.m. at Robbins Brothers Funeral Home, 204 South Fair Ave., Benton Harbor, with the Rev. Clinton Douglas officiating. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the start of the service.
Mr. Dawkins accepted Christ at an early age and on July 2, 2005, he married his wife, Mabel in Conway, Ark. He and his wife relocated to Benton Harbor, where he joined St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church for a short time. Mr. Dawkins later united with Church of Christ, Benton Harbor, under the leadership of the Rev. Clinton Douglas and served as a faithful member until his passing.
Osman leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Mabel; two sisters, Etta Mae Billberry, Marion, La., and Lessie Warren, East Chicago, Ind.; one brother, Obadiah Dawkins, Strongs, Ark.; two daughters, Olivia Dawkins, Dearborn Heights, Mich., and Mary Young Dawkins, Merrillville, Ind.; stepchildren, Anthony (Debbie) Williams, Wayne (Sharon) Williams, all of Benton Harbor, Eric (Mynida) Williams, Waukegan, Ill., and Akime (Patrick) Plater, Shreveport, La.; 25 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Mr. Dawkins was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Luella Dawkins; one son, Ellis James Dawkins; one stepdaughter, Yvonne Williams; three sisters, Alma, Eula and Flossie Dawkins; and two brothers, Grady and Raymond Dawkins Jr.
Robbins Brothers Funeral Home, Benton Harbor is in charge of the arrangements.
David W. Meachum
SOUTH HAVEN - David W. Meachum, 44, of Lawton, formerly of South Haven, passed away suddenly Wednesday, May 6, 2009.
David was born Feb. 5, 1965, in South Haven.
Surviving are his wife, Brenda, whom he married May 30, 1998; five children - Jamie Ford, Jessica (Robert) McCarthy, David, Garrett and Chase; and one brother, Allan (Jennifer) Meachum of Wayland.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arland and Mavis Meachum.
The family will meet friends Monday from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Bangor Chapel, D. L. Miller Funeral Home, where a funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. Cremation will follow services. Those wishing may make memorials to the family.
Doyle Merritt Cleveland
BLOOMINGDALE - Doyle Merritt Cleveland, 79, of Bloomingdale was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, April 7, 2009, surrounded by his loving family.
Doyle was born Nov. 21, 1929, in Glendale, Mich., the son of Glen and Ressie (Fisher) Cleveland. He was a graduate of Bangor High School and a lifelong resident of the area. Doyle owned and operated Cleveland Farms in Bloomingdale Township, where he was a successful fruit farmer. Loyal U-Pick customers returned year after year to enjoy some of the finest apples and sweet cherries in southwest Michigan. He was a pioneer in developing organic spray formulas and was dedicated to protecting and preserving the land. In addition to farming full time, Doyle also was a skilled tradesman and worked at the Bohn Aluminum Piston Plant in South Haven for 42 years.
Doyle frequented many area churches and considered each of them his home. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and supported the forgotten Man Ministries. He was an active member of the VanBuren County Farm Bureau; Michigan State Horticultural Society; Van Buren County Conservation District; Professional Farmers of America; the Loyal Order of Moose and Sons of the American Legion.
Doyle was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Max and Jay, and one sister, Sybil (George) Avery.
He is survived by one sister, Joyce (Dave) Corning; and two daughters, Ramona (Jim) Hale of South Haven and Linda (Paul) Kusmak of Alexandria, Minn.; three grandchildren, Shawn (Kimberly) Hale of St. Thomas, USVI, Ashley Hale of New York City, N.Y., and Hunter Kusmak of Alexandria, Minn., as well as many nieces, nephews and a lifetime of special friends.
A memorial service and Celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 15, at Glendale Baptist Church with Pastor Brian Vince of Lawrence Bible Church officiating.
The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven.
