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Elsie V. Griffith
BENTON HARBOR - Elsie's life began March 19, 1925, in Berrien Springs. Her parents were John and Veronica (Hudak) Zandarski. Elsie spent her childhood growing up in Berrien Springs. She attended Hinchman Elementary School and St. Joseph High School.
In 1950, while working at Bob's Snappy Service, Elsie met James Griffith, whom she married Nov. 19, 1954, in Buchanan. Elsie loved growing peonies taking pictures, cooking for her family and daily devotions. She was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. She was a member of VFW Auxiliary of Benton Harbor Post 1137.
Her greatest love came in caring for her family, which includes her husband, James Arthur Griffith Sr., whom she was married to for 54 years; six children, James (Deborah) Griffith Jr., Jeffery (Ramona) Griffith, John (Suzanne) Griffith, Joseph (Cheryl) Griffith, Julie Ann (George) Smith, Jerry Griffith (Donetta Crawford); 11 grandchildren, Tyler, Garrett, Kristina and Kelsey Griffith, Tyraah (Shane), and Terry (Leah) Tucker, Alex and Amanda Kowerduck, Terrance Wakefield, Joseph Templeton and Sara (Mark) Coble; two great-grandchildren, Austin and Mason; three brothers, Vincent (Eleanor) Zandarski, Julius (Margo) Zandarski, and Richard (Edna) Zandarski; a sister Stella Adent; a brother-in-law Harold Backus; many nieces and nephews; and several friends including Mary Lou Reed.
Elsie died Sunday, May 24, 2009, at home. Her parents, three brothers, Alex, John and Stephen Zandarski, three sisters, Anna Rice, Ruth Toney and Nancy Backus, and a great-grandson, Jordan Vawter preceded Elsie in death.
Friends may visit with Elsie's family Thursday, May 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Hutchins Funeral Home, where Father Bill Jacobs will celebrate Elsie's life at 6 p.m. Memorials may be made in Elsie's memory to Hospice at Home or to any charity.
Harry C. Sherwood
STEVENSVILLE - Harry C. Sherwood of Stevensville passed away peacefully on early Sunday morning, May 24, 2009, at home in the care of family and Hospice.
Services will be held Friday, May 29, at 7 p.m. at the Dey-Florin Chapel, 2506 Niles Ave., St. Joseph.
Visitation will be on Friday from 5 p.m. until the time of the service. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.
Harry was born Jan. 23, 1927, in Walden, N.Y., to Charles Sherwood and Mary Sherwood. He grew up in Walden, then joined the Navy when World War II came about.
After the war was over, he met Catherine Smith of Greenpoint Brooklyn, N.Y. They dated for three years and then got married June 18, 1949. From that union, they had three children: Craig, Karen and Scott Sherwood. Harry attended college and received a degree from St. John's University in business. He worked for oil companies as a salesman.
Mr. Sherwood moved around, living in Queens, N.Y., Binghamton, N.Y., and his favorite place to live, Long Island, N.Y. After living in Long Island for many years, Harry and Kay packed up their stuff to be closer to their son Craig, in Michigan.
Harry was an avid hunter and enjoyed RV camping and sports a great deal. He was the coach of baseball teams and also a Cub Scout leader. He also gave time to the Lions Club of East Islip, N.Y., and was president for a number of years for the Lions Club.
When he moved to Southwest Michigan, he and Kay joined the Misfits singing group and did that for 10 years, singing at hospitals and the different venues around town. They sang at the Berrien County Youth Fair for many years.
Harry is survived by his wife, Catherine Sherwood; son, Craig Sherwood; daughter, Karen (Bill) Hart; son, Scott Sherwood; five grandchildren, whom he loved dearly - Aneda, Amanda, Matthew, Ian, Allison, and two great-grandchildren - Zoe and Nathan Bailey.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Daniel Thomas Mullins
BERRIEN SPRINGS - Daniel Thomas Mullins, 51, of Berrien Springs passed away Friday, May 22, 2009, at his home following a courageous battle with multiple sclerosis.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, at Pioneer Memorial Church with Pastor Dwight Nelson officiating. Friends may visit with the family an hour prior to the service. Friends may also sign the register book at www.legacyfuneral.com. Legacy Family Funeral Service - Matthew R. Purchase Chapel assisted the family with arrangements.
Dan was born on Sept. 15, 1957, at Chambley Air Base, France to Billy Kent and Elise Marthe (Gremy) Mullins. On Sept. 16, 1979, in Amarillo, Texas, he married Carol D. Merkel, who survives.
Dan was an auto mechanic and loved gardening. He also enjoyed repairing broken items, coin and model car collecting, sailing, camping and was an excellent baker. Dan was a member of Pioneer Memorial Church.
In addition to his loving wife, Dan is survived by his mother, Elise; two daughters, Shannon Mullins of South Bend, Ind., and Cherri (Tony) Jackson of Osceola, Ind.; one granddaughter, Alekxus Jackson, and four sisters, Karen, Linda, Natalie and Jodi.
Dan was preceded in death by his father.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Pioneer Memorial Church - Harbor of Hope Dinner.
Nevaeh Renate Lewis
BENTON HARBOR - Baby Girl, Nevaeh Renate Lewis went home to her Lord and Savior on Friday, May 22, 2009, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. She was the cherished daughter of Kevin Lewis and Akela Valentine of Benton Harbor.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Nevaeh is survived by her loving parents, Kevin and Akela; grandparents, Mildred Lewis of Grand Rapids, Glen Bishop of Lansing, Leon and Thelma Anderson of Benton Harbor; great-grandparents, Leotha and Maurice Bishop of Benton Harbor; four brothers, Kevin Lewis II, Malachi McNeil, Devon Bryant, Gregory Hill, and two sisters, Jasmine Lewis and Shakia Hill.
She was preceded in death by her twin sister, Heaven, on April 10, 2009.
Rev. Charles E. Lewis
BENTON HARBOR - The Rev. Charles Edward Lewis of Dearborn Heights, Mich., formerly of Benton Harbor, went home to be with his Lord and Savior May 21, 2009, after a short illness.
Charles was born Dec. 29, 1942, to the union of Joseph and Mable Lewis in New Orleans. Charles attended Benton Harbor High School and graduated in 1960. He served his country faithfully in the United States Army and was honorably discharged. He accepted the Lord as his personal savior at an early age. He accepted his call to the ministry in 1977, and united with the Hebrew Israelite Faith.
He leaves precious memories in the hearts of his brother, Joseph (Joann) Lewis, Benton Harbor, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Stella Woods; an uncle, Louis Jackson; an aunt, Mary Long; and one cousin, Mae Hunt.
Services will be Friday, May 29, at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. and service at 12 p.m. Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Harry J. Weichhand
ST. JOSEPH - Harry J. Weichhand, 81, of Grand Rapids, formerly of St. Joseph, died peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on Monday, May 25, 2009.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph with Msgr. Michael Osborn officiating. Entombment will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. with the rosary recited at 7 p.m. today, May 27, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Birthright or In House Hospice.
Harry was born March 26, 1928, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Joseph and Mary (Hoyer) Weichhand. He graduated from Purcell High School in Cincinnati in 1946. Harry served his country in the Army from 1950-1956. He then attended the University of Cincinnati, where he earned his bachelor of science degree and Western Michigan University where he earned his master's degree in business. On Nov. 27, 1954, he married Dolores Priestle in Cincinnati. He worked as a product engineer for Whirlpool Corp. for 30 years until his retirement. Harry was a member of the VFW 5315 in Baldwin, the Bata Gamma Sigma honors society, St. Joseph Baseball Association and Lake Michigan Catholic Athletics. Harry was also an active volunteer at the St. Joseph Catholic Church and Senior Center.
Harry is survived by his wife, Dolores of Grandville, Mich.; sons, Kenneth (Marilyn) Weichhand of Vicksburg, Kurt (Beth Ann) Weichhand of Homer, Alaska, Gregory (Kathy) Weichhand of Grand Rapids; daughter, Lisa (Tim) Kernosky of Grandville; 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Beth Weichhand of Stevensville; and sister, Dorothy (Bill) Adams of St. Joseph.
Harry was preceded in death by his parents; son, David Weichhand; and daughters, Pamela and Theresa Weichhand.
Linda Ann Hix
HARTFORD - Linda Ann Hix, 53, of Reston, Va., formerly of Hartford, passed away on May 22, 2009.
She is survived by her loving mother, Gertrude Louise Bernard; brother, Lawrence J. Bernard; sister, Sharon M. Wilkens; nephews, Michael and Mathew Bernard; nieces, Katharyn Foote and Kimberly Wilkens; and one great-nephew, Bryan Foote.
Family will receive friends for a memorial visitation at Adams-Green Funeral Home, 721 Elden St., Herndon, Va., today, May 27, from 6 to 7 p.m. with a memorial service following at 7 p.m. The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Capital Hospice or a charity of your choice.
