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Howard John Schmitt
BENTON HARBOR - Howard John Schmitt, 88, of Benton Harbor, formerly of South Bend died Saturday, May 2, 2009, at Lakeland Specialty Hospital in Berrien Center.
Howard was born April 12, 1921, in La Porte, Ind., to August and Irene (Lauber) Schmitt.
On June 29, 1946, he married Phyllis Jeanne Ehrbright of Toledo, Ohio, who preceded him in death on April 3, 1987, along with a brother, Richard Schmitt.
Surviving are his children, Philip James of Kalamazoo, Paul Joseph (Kris) of Stevensville, Deborah May of Paw Paw, and Cynthia Peachey of Stevensville; nine grandchildren: Matthew, Gary, Sara, Anna, Micah, Holly, Justin, Michelle and Timothy; and a brother, Paul (Dianne) of Saddlebrook, Ariz.
Howard graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1943 in metallurgical engineering. He was a professional engineer in Indiana and held several patents related to the steel industry. He worked for Aluminum Co. of America during World War II, then spent 23 years at (now) Leco Corp. from which he was executive vice-president before leaving in 1970 to become president of the J.C. Lauber Co. and vice president of American Fiberglass.
Traveling widely throughout the industrial world, he pioneered commercial contact with the USSR and Iron Curtain countries during the Cold War under President Johnson's Bridges to Peace initiative and traveled on several government trade missions.
Howard was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church, Benton Harbor, where he served as president of the Parish Council, was appointed to the Financial Board of Advisors, and Bishop Zaleske's ad hoc committee after Vatican II. He was on the St. Joseph Township Planning Commission for many years, the Berrien Hills Country Club Board of Directors and was a frequent speaker for the American Management Association and addressed the National Electronics Conference, University of Michigan Traverse City Management Briefing and the University of Michigan Institute of International Commerce. He was an Eagle Scout and later a member of the Fairplain Troop No. 5 Committee when his two boys became of age.
Although he never claimed to have retired from the business world, after the death of his wife he immersed himself into developing his talents as an artist, studying philosophy and history and resuming his worldwide travels.
A memorial mass will be held 10 a.m. Friday, May 29, 2009, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 226 N. Hill (Hill & LaSalle Sts), South Bend 46617.
Memorials may be made to: Birthright of St. Joseph, 2700 Niles Ave., St. Joseph, MI 49085 or Readiness Center, 630 Columbus Ave., Benton Harbor, MI 49022.
The Hickey Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 3516 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend is handling arrangements.
Geraldine Josenhans Brown
NEW BUFFALO - Geraldine "Jerri" Brown, 93, died Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, at Hospice, The Villages, Fla. She was born Oct. 9, 1915, to Maynard and Viola Sternaman. Ms. Brown graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1933, where she formed her own girls orchestra known as "Jerri and Her Co-Eds. She also worked in Chicago as director of the Paul Ash theater orchestra in 1934.
Ms. Brown moved to Florida from Detroit. She was a retired florist and esthetician. Ms. Brown was a member of the Wildwood United Methodist Church, past president of the Wildwood Woman's Club; former president of the PTA and president and treasurer of the school board in New Buffalo; past chairman of the Miss New Buffalo Beauty Contest and also a former member of the Miss Blossomtime committee; involved with the Florida Methodist Children's Home and various other church associations.
Ms. Brown owned and operated Josenhans Drug Store in New Buffalo with her husband, Karl, who preceded her in death. Ms. Brown married Earl Brown who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Marguerite Stanard and Ethel Strouts.
Survivors include her son, Kraig Josenhans, Leesburg, and daughter, Cynthia (Joseph) Fleck, Bridgman, two beloved granddaughters, Dapheny (Roy) Johnson and Jennifer (Brian) Maerz, six great-grandchildren, Hannah and Ian Covert, Trent and Samuel Johnson and Hunter and Maci Maerz.
Donald E. Mielke
BENTON HARBOR - Donald E. Mielke, 81, passed away Sunday May 3, 2009, at his residence in Benton Harbor.
A service celebrating Donald's life will be held 11 a.m. Friday, May 8, at Duffield and Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma where visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today. Cremation will take place following the service. Memorial donations may be made to the Moose Lodge 697 of South Haven or a charity of the donor's choice. Those wishing to sign the online guest book or leave a message of comfort for the family may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.
Donald was born Dec. 2, 1927, to Mathilda and August Mielke. He retired in 1994, from Whirlpool Corporation after 47 years of service as a mechanic. He was a longtime member of the National Rifle Association, Moose Lodge 697 in South Haven and American Legion Post 105.
Donald was an avid fisherman and hunter, loved Lower Michigan, the Upper Peninsula and Canada. He shared his garden with everyone and will be dearly missed by those who knew him.
Survivors include four sons, Timothy (Sandra) Mielke of South Haven, Craig Mielke of Coloma, Donald (Barb) Mielke of South Haven, Robert (Maryann) Mielke of South Haven; three daughters, Donna (Rick) Lentz of Coloma, Sandy (Rick) Jensen of South Haven, Ranee (Rick) Hill of Flushing, Mich.; and several grandchildren.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Rick and four brothers and sisters.
John Wayne Kent
BANGOR - John Wayne Kent, age 59, of Bangor passed away Monday, May 4, 2009, at South Haven Community Hospital.
The family will meet friends on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Bangor Chapel, D. L. Miller Funeral Home and following visitation at the family residence, 1213 Hastings St., Bangor. According to his wishes, cremation will take place. Memorials may be made to the family. www.dlmillerfuneralhome.com.
John was born July 6, 1949, in Jackson, Miss., the son of George W. and Edith E. (Frazier) Kent and has lived in the Bangor area for over 30 years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping.
Surviving are his wife, Eunice M. (Harris), whom he married Jan. 20, 1972; three children, Jeffery W. Kent, Jerry R. Kent, both of Bangor, Jessica "Polly" Harris of Grand Junction; five grandchildren, Taylor, Cain, Trevor James, Tiaira and Trent; four sisters, Betty (Ron) Baker, Joyce (Charles) McKie, Brenda Evans and Cindy Kent; two brothers, William J. Kent and Jimmy D. Kent; and a special cousin, Bobby Smith.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Robert Lee Kent.
Donald E. Roe
SOUTH HAVEN - Donald E. Roe, 70, of South Haven died Monday, May 4, 2009, at home.
He was born May 24, 1938, in South Haven to Ernest and Helen (Doelker) Roe. Don graduated from South Haven High School in 1956. Don played football and baseball for the Rams. Don married Julie Hinz on July 11, 1975, at the First English Lutheran Church in South Haven. Don worked as a salesman fro South Haven Rubber Company, Controlled Rubber Company and Trelleborg retiring in 2001. Don was a lifetime member and trustee of South Haven Elks Lodge BPOE 1509. He was also a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 697. Don was an avid University of Michigan fan. Don enjoyed hunting, golf, fishing and spending time up north at his cabin just south of Cadillac. Don was a member of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church. Don loved his dogs - Barron, Gunner and Haley.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Julie Roe of South Haven; one son, Brock (Beth) Roe of Kentwood, Mich.; two daughters, Lainee (Phil) Boss of South Haven and Cheryl Soard of Wayland, Mich.; nine grandchildren and one great-grandson; one sister, Nancy (Jerry) Gleason of Santa Rose, Calif.; two nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Thursday, May 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, South Haven. Funeral services will be Friday at 3 p.m. at the Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church with the Rev. Robert Linstrom officiating. Burial will take place at Lakeview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Elks Club Crippled Children's Foundation or to Peace Lutheran Church.
Roy Carl Schmidt
LAPORTE, IND. - Mr. Roy Carl Schmidt, 92, of LaPorte, Ind., died Monday, May 4, 2009, at the Beverly Living Center Fountainview Terrace in LaPorte.
He was born July 6, 1916, in La Porte, the son of Henry Schmidt and Hulda (Schlaack) Schmidt.
Roy worked as a laborer for LaPorte City Street Dept. for nine years, retiring in 1987. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Otis, Ind. Roy was a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II, and he served much of his service time in England and France helping build air fields. Roy enjoyed working in his yard and being outside.
On Oct. 15, 1952, in Westville, Ind., he married Agnes Schadler, who preceded him in death April 27, 1994.
He is survived by one brother, Russell Schmidt of La Porte and several nieces and nephews.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Agnes Schmidt and brothers, Edward, Ernest and Raymond Schmidt.
Arrangements are being handled by Haverstock Funeral Home, 602 Maple Ave., LaPorte, Ind. where the family will receive friends, Friday, May 8, from 9 to 11 am. Services will be held on Friday, May 8, at 11 a.m. at the Haverstock Funeral Home with Rev. Jason Braaten, officiating. Burial of ashes will take place at a later date in Patton Cemetery LaPorte, Ind.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Paul's Lutheran Church Otis, Ind.
