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Camille 'Connie' Mosier
DOWAGIAC - Camille "Connie" Mosier passed away on May 14, 2009, at Willows Assisted Living in St. Joseph. She was born Nov. 18, 1924, to Lumear and Libusha (Smith) Chrastil on the family farm in Hallam, Neb. Connie was the youngest of three children, Lambert and Dorothy being older than her. She spent much of her youth working on the farm with her father and brother and as an active member of the Czechoslovakian community in Nebraska. During her teenage years, she worked at a Smoke Shop, where she met James Mosier. They eloped in Marysville, Kan., on Sept. 2, 1942, and did quite a bit of traveling while James was in the Army Air Corps. Together they had three children, Camille Constance (1943-1983), a stillborn son (1944), and James Jr. in 1947.
While making their home in Dowagiac, Connie worked at the County Normal School in Jones, and then began a career at the Dowagiac Public Library that lasted for 33 years. Connie's hobbies included spending time with her family, friends, traveling, donating her time to E. Root Fitch Camp, and she was active in bridge clubs.
Connie is survived by her son, James Jr. (Carolyn); a grandson, William C. (Allison) Braden; granddaughter, Jennifer L. (Steve) Staid; granddaughter, Carey A. Mosier; and grandson, Steven C. Mosier; great-grandchildren, Camille and Emma Staid, Shane Mosier and Josie Braden.
Surviving extended family include Laura Chrastil and family of Colorado, Lyn Black stock and family in Alabama, Martha Burkett and sons in Texas, Mary Ball and family in Michigan as well as the Tom, Dave and John Mosier families.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, June 6, at 9:30 a.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Dowagiac. The family is being served by McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association, online at www.alz.org or mailed to Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Fl. 17, Chicago, Ill. 60601-7633.
Geraldine M. Jurak
SAWYER - Geraldine "Gerry" Marie Jurak, 69, of Sawyer passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2009, at her home.
Funeral services will be held 12 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Highway, Bridgman. Entombment will be in Swan Lake Memorial Gardens, Michigan City, Ind. Friends may meet with the family on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be given to Hospice at Home.
Gerry was born Feb. 15, 1940, in Chicago, the daughter of the late Lindy and Elsie (Ruda) Linduska. On June 29, 1965, she married William J. Jurak. She was a manager with H&R Block. She enjoyed her flower garden, crocheting and bowling.
Survivors include her husband of 43 years, William; two sons - William J. Jurak Jr. and Danny C. Jurak, both of Three Oaks; five grandchildren - Amanda, Sara, Kristin, Kevin and Keith; four great-grandchildren, Tynia, Kyana, Andre and Meciya; two brothers - Junior (Rosemary) Linduska of Chicago and George (Diane) Ciz of California.
Gerry was also preceded in death by two brothers - Pete Linduska and Richie Ciz.
Lottie MaKay
DOWAGIAC - Lottie's family will gather with friends on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home, Dowagiac, where Father Leo Taubitz will lead a Rosary service at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10 a.m. led by Father Taubitz at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church. Lottie will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery.
Catherine R. Hover
PAW PAW - Catherine passed away Friday afternoon, May 15, 2009, at Bronson LakeView Hospital, Paw Paw.
She was born June 8, 1925, in Paw Paw, the daughter of the late Alfred M. and Frances A. (Broderick) Calay Sr. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Paw Paw, and loved gardening and cooking. On Oct. 30, 1946, in Paw Paw, Catherine was united in marriage to Lyle E. Hover, who preceded her in death on April 14, 1993. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Alfred Calay Jr. and Edward Calay; and two sisters, Jane Menzies and Helen Curran.
Surviving are six children, Greg (Karen) Hover of Mason, Edward Hover of Lawrenceville, Ga., Phillip (Patricia) Hover of Paw Paw, Steven (Patricia) Hover of Plainwell, Charles (Deborah) Hover of Stevensville, and Cheryl (Tim) Smith of Watervliet; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Frances Thompson of Kalamazoo, sister-in-law, Lucille Calay of Paw Paw; and many nieces and nephews.
Family will receive friends Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Adams Funeral Home, Paw Paw, where a vigil service will be held at 7:30 p.m. A memorial Mass will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Paw Paw, with Rev. Fr. Robert F. Creagan and Rev. Fr. Stanley Witek officiating. Interment will be in Hill Cemetery, Lawrence. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Grace D. Dechert
STEVENSVILLE - Grace D. Dechert, 74, of Stevensville passed away Sunday, May 24, 2009, at Royalton Manor in St. Joseph.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 4071 Naomi Road, Sodus, officiated by the Rev. Jim Dibbet. Burial will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home or American Cancer Society. Friends wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so www.starks-menchinger.com.
Grace was born April 16, 1935, in Como, Mo., to Everett and Maudie (Crafton) Howard. On July 31, 1954, she married Earl J. Dechert in Benton Harbor.
Grace was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School in 1953. She worked for Whirlpool for 30 years, retiring in 1997. She enjoyed reading, jigsaw puzzles, word search, and she was a member of North Berrien County Senior Center in Coloma.
She is survived by two daughters, Pamela Harrison of Coldwater, Mich., and Susan Dechert of Watervliet; a son, Randy Dechert of Baroda; three grandchildren, Jennifer (Greg) Williams, Kyle Easley and Stephanie Harrison; three great-grandchildren, Bailey, Tayler and Paige Williams; a brother, Wilson (Patricia) Howard of Wellington, Fla.; and a sister, Darlene (Kevin) Fields of Coloma.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl, on March 22, 2005; and a daughter-in-law, Nancy Klug Dechert, on Aug. 24, 2008.
RoseMary McNeill
ST. JOSEPH - RoseMary McNeill, 88, of St. Joseph passed away Saturday, May 23, 2009, at Lakeland Hospital.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 27, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., in St. Joseph, with Msgr. Michael Osborn officiating. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m., with the rosary recited at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Sisters of Reparation or to St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Mrs. McNeill was born Dec. 2, 1920, in Lansing, Mich., to Frank and Dorthea (Fandel) Finnis. Mrs. McNeill married Raymond McNeill on May 24, 1941, in Lansing. RoseMary worked as the Credit Manager at Sears in Benton Harbor. RoseMary was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marian Guild, and Cursillo Movement. She was a team member of the Marriage Encounters and also involved in T.E.C. She also was active in the Lianas Club of Benton Harbor and Hammond Organ Society. RoseMary loved the Lord, and her unselfish love of her children and grandchildren will forever be cherished. She touched the lives of everyone she met. No one was too young or too old to be her friend.
Mrs. McNeill is survived by her daughter, Robin Wilson of St. Joseph; three sons, Ronald (Kathi) McNeill of Lansing, Rodney (Sharon) McNeill of Minnesota, Richard (Stacy) McNeill of Greenville, Mich.; six grandchildren, Lindsey Wilson, Jeff, Jason, Todd, Brady and Graham McNeill; and one sister, Janet Phillips of Lansing.
RoseMary was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, Russell McNeill, two brothers, and four sisters.
Fostina 'Maxine' Wenman
BARODA - Fostina "Maxine" Wenman, 81, of Baroda, died Wednesday, May 20, 2009.
Maxine was born Nov. 23, 1927, in Elkhart, Ind., to Lawrence and Beatrice (Rohm) Barrick. She grew up in Elkhart and attended Elkhart Central High School. She worked at many different jobs in Elkhart and South Bend, including Hooks, Excell, Penn Electric, the Spanish View, China Inn, The Pastime and Colburn Sales and Service. It was while working at The Pastime that she met Forrest William Wenman, whom she married on Aug. 5, 1950. They lived in Mishawaka and moved to Farmersburg, Ind., in 1959. In 1971 they moved to Baroda.
Maxine was a charter member of the F.O.E. Auxiliary, Aerie 2083 in Mishawaka. She served in several offices and committees, including president of that auxiliary and Chaplain at the district level. She enjoyed traveling to conventions and events with the Eagles. She also loved playing the Lotto, going to casinos, Betty Boop memorabilia and spending time with her husband, family and friends.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Forrest; a daughter, Susan D. (Lynn) Ivy of Farmersburg; two sons, Forrest W. (Ingrid) Wenman of Toledo, Ohio, and Ira A. (Kay) Holderman of Mishawaka; nine grandchildren; numerous great- and great-great grandchildren; and one brother, Doyle E. (Marie) Barger of Esopus, N.Y.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence Barrick and Beatrice Knepper; two brothers, Royal E. Barrick and Eldon A. (Lily) Barrick; a sister, Ruby (Rollie) Colburn; and two great-grandchildren.
She will be missed by all.
Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Monday at Bubb Funeral Chapel, where friends will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Burial will follow the services on Monday at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Ronald 'Ron' Ray Sheets
LAWTON - Ron Sheets, age 54, of South Carolina, formerly of Lawton, died May 20, 2009, in Greenville, S.C.
He was born Jan. 15, 1955, in Benton Harbor, the son of Clarence and Iris (Duncan) Sheets. Learn more about Ron, view his Life Story film, and share in some refreshments with his family and friends on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler & Thompson-Paw Paw, 60900 M-40, where services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, followed by a luncheon at Big T's. He worked at Fabri-Kal for 31 years.
Ron was preceded in death by his mother, Iris Sheets; and by his nephew, Blake Warren.
Surviving are two children - Lisa (Aaron) Treadway and Ronnie Sheets; three grandchildren - Zackary, Devin and Jacob; his father, Clarence Sheets; two siblings - Burr John (Judy Ann) Smith and Rebecca (Rick) Clark; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Please visit Ron's personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can read his Life Story, archive a memory or photo, sign his memory book before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial contribution to his grandchildren's college education fund c/o Consumers Credit Union.
