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James F. Joiner
DECATUR - James F. Joiner, age 56, of Decatur passed away Sunday, July 5, 2009, at Bronson Lakeview Hospital, Paw Paw.
James was born Feb. 24, 1953, in Benton Harbor. He was a former truck driver and had served in the U.S. Army. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
James married Goldie German on April 15, 1992, in Oakland, Md., and she survives. Also surviving, a son, Jason Joiner of Benton Harbor; daughter, Angelene (Joe) Clendenin of Lawrence; his parents, James and Bonnie (Dill) Joiner of Benton Harbor; nine grandchildren; a sister, Kathline Kirby of Benton Harbor; niece, Sherie Kirby and nephew, Kenneth Kirby, both of Benton Harbor.
He was preceded in death by two sons, Jared McNail and Clifton "Cliffy" Bastain III.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, at the First Church of God, Decatur with the Rev. Michael Heflin officiating. Memorials may be directed to the family. Arrangements by Newell Funeral Home, Decatur.
Judy Smith
COLOMA - Mrs. Judith Arlene Mishler Smith, 65, a resident of Summertown, Tenn., and formerly of Coloma, died Sunday, July 5, 2009, at Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia, Tenn.
A private memorial service will be held in Coloma at a later date.
Mrs. Smith, a native of Michigan, was the daughter of the late William and Mildred Stewart Mishler. She was formerly married to Jody Smith of Florida. She was a retired press operator for Modern Plastics in Coloma. Mrs. Smith enjoyed NASCAR, cooking, and was a professional grandmother.
She is survived by a daughter, Renee (Frankie) Costner of Coloma; two stepdaughters, Becky Smith and Sheila (Jimmy) Hall of Florida; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; six sisters, Diane Jackson of Covert, Dorothy Camp of Watervliet, Donna Stevens of Hartford, Doby Bush of St. Joseph, Naomi Robinson of Warsaw, Mich., Wilma Delaney of Coloma; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Rhonda Arlene Sims; three sisters, Barbara Brock, Virginia Hauch and Marion Yingling; two brothers, Charles Mishler and William Mishler.
Lawrence David Abbott Sr.
BANGOR - Lawrence David Abbott Sr., 75, of Bangor died Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at his home in Geneva Township.
He was born Sept. 25, 1933, in South Haven to William Lee and Eleanor (Adams) Abbott. Larry married Wilma Sue Rose on Jan. 15, 1955 at Simpson United Methodist Church in Bangor. Larry worked as a molder for South Haven Rubber Company for 37 1/2 years and DuWel for 4 years. Larry and Sue are the owners of Abbott's Blueberry Farm. They are a member of the Michigan Blueberry Growers Association.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his baby daughter - Sharon Abbott, who died in 1955; and brother - Jack Abbott.
He is survived by his wife - Wilma Sue Abbott of Bangor; two sons - Larry (Deborah) Abbott Jr. of Lacota and Dennis (Debbie Parrish) Abbott of Lawrence; four grandchildren - Shannon (Kevin) Brown, David (Marjorie) Abbott, Isis and Jason; two great-grandchildren - Nick and Marrissa; seven siblings - Mary Ellen Goodrode and Jane Aiuppy, both of South Haven, Dean Abbott and Buck (Carole) Abbott, both of Bangor, Joyce Abbott of South Haven, Keith (Bonnie) Abbott of Gobles and Pete (Molly) Abbott of Grand Junction; and his close friends - Paul and Lois Krugler of Bangor
Visitation will be from Thursday, July 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, South Haven. Funeral services will be Friday, July 10, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Harold F. Filbrandt officiating. Burial will take place in Monks Cemetery, Geneva Township. Friends wishing to make a memorial contribution can do so to South Haven's Hospice at Home or the American Cancer Society.
June Milnickel Deering (Taylor)
BENTON HEIGHTS - June Milnickel Deering (Taylor) was called home on July 5, 2009, at the age of 72. Her children and close friends surrounded her in her Benton Heights home.
Born Nov. 17, 1936, to Laurence M. Taylor and Neva June Bingham in Benton Harbor, June married Alfred Milnickel on Aug. 30, 1952, and together they had six children. She was a devoted and loving mother and very hard-working provider. She was employed at VM and IPC along with numerous other jobs. She was a longtime member of the Church of God of Benton Heights.
Her pastimes were enjoyed camping, listening to gospel and country music, and caring for her pets and flower gardens. She was happiest when spending time with her friends and family, especially her grandchildren.
June is survived by her husband, Albert Deering; her brother, Lawrence Taylor of Benton Harbor; her six children, Susan (Guy) Shelton of Watervliet, Lee (Tami) Milnickel of Watervliet, Sharon Milnickel of Benton Harbor, Steve (Peggy) Milnickel of Berrien Center, David (Tena) Milnickel of Coloma, John (Lawinda) Milnickel of Manila, Ark.; 18 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.
Her father, Laurence M. Taylor, mother, Neva June Wright (Bingham), brother, Jackie Taylor, daughter-in-law, Jeannie Milnickel, husband, Alfred Milnickel, and grandson, Daniel John Gunn preceded her in death.
Memorial services will be held at the Church of God, Benton Heights on Wednesday, July 8, at 11 a.m. A fellowship luncheon will immediately follow the memorial service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice at Home, St. Joseph.
Fern Brown Graber
BENTON HARBOR - Fern went to be with her Lord on the morning of July 4, 2009, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in South Bend, Ind. She was surrounded by her family.
Fern Lucille was born the only child of Elsie (Krause) Brown and Forrest Brown in Benton Harbor, on Sept. 25, 1927. Fern attended school in Baroda for two years and then moved to Fairplain south of Benton Harbor, where she attended the Fair Plain School and then Benton Harbor Junior and Senior High Schools, from which she graduated in 1945. In the fall of 1945, Fern entered Western Michigan College (now Western Michigan University) to major in homemaking. She graduated in 1949. Fern's father died in May 1949, so she moved home to Benton Harbor to live with her mother. She taught homemaking at Watervliet High School in 1949-1950. Fern later taught homemaking at Stevensville High School from 1951 to 1953 after which she substitute taught at various schools until an illness interrupted her teaching career. Fern was a Girl Scout leader during these teaching years.
On Feb. 26, 1956, Fern married the love of her life, Dr. Elmer R. Graber, in St. Joseph. After her marriage she became a wonderful homemaker to practice what she taught. Her husband survives. Also surviving is their only child, Cynthia Anne, who is married and lives with her husband John P. Schroeder Jr. in Granger, Ind. There are three grandchildren: Robert P. Schroeder, David C. Schroeder and Gwenlynn E. Schroeder.
Fern assisted Dr. Graber in establishing the Roseland Animal Hospital and the Ireland Animal Clinic in South Bend. Later they established the Cat Care Clinic in Mishawaka. In sharing her interest with her husband in the veterinary profession she supported the profession by being an active member of the local, state and national Veterinary Auxiliary organizations. Together, she and her husband developed Fernwood At Cleveland, a subdivision on Cleveland Road in Clay Township, Ind. It was named in honor of Fern, and she named the streets in the subdivision after various ferns. Fern joined Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in South Bend in 1958 and had been a faithful member since. She was active in the Dorcas Society and Women of Our Redeemer. She also helped at the church Vacation Bible School. Since her confirmation as a young lady, she has been a faithful child of God, considering Jesus Christ as her friend and Savior. While Fern's daughter was growing up, Fern was always a room mother, a PTA member and assisted with 4-H. She also was a Camp Fire assistant leader.
Fern loved people, thus she had many friends with whom she shared her joy of life and hobbies of antiques, gardening, genealogy and love of nature. Family history was always a favorite study of hers. She was a member of Schuyler Colfax Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Pilgrim Edward Fuller Chapter of the National Society of Colonial Dames XVII Century. Fern was a member of the Western Michigan University Alumni Society, a member of the Northern Indiana Historical Society, the Berrien County Historical Society, Colonial Williamsburg, the Smithsonian Institute and the Fernwood Botanical Gardens. Fern was a member of the Frances C. Coquillard No.78 Questers and a member of the former Antique Study Club, having held offices in each of them. Antiques were her joy for years, and she decorated her home and country "Sugar Shack" home with them. She presented many papers on various subjects of antiques as well as other topics of interest. Once Fern became interested in a topic, she delved into the subject with fervor and soon was called upon by other groups to share her knowledge, to which she most gracious and happily consented.
Fern was a member of the Clan MacBean and the Brown/Fisher Association. She traveled to all of the 50 states of our country and was able to travel to many foreign countries and, in the process, was able to see the countries of her various genealogical heritage.
Fern was a past member of AAUW, a past and charter member of the South Bend Genealogical Society, a past and charter member of the Southwest Michigan Genealogical Society, a former member of the Western Michigan University Alumni Sorority, a past member of the South Bend YWCA, and was a member of Psi Iota Xi Sorority until it disbanded.
Fern always loved her home, her garden and dogs, but her greatest loves of her life were her parents, her husband, her daughter, her son-in-law and her three grandchildren. Her friends meant a great deal to her also.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 9, at 10:30 a.m. in Our Redeemer Lutheran Church at the corner of 29th and Wall streets in South Bend, Ind. Anyone who wishes may attend the interment at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph at 2:30 p.m. on July 9.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, at the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend. Due to road construction please proceed from University Park Mall north on Grape Road. Turn left at Brick Road and proceed to Hickory Road. Turn left on Hickory Road and proceed approximately one mile to the entrance to the funeral home on Hickory. Friends may also call an hour before the funeral service at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Resurrection Lutheran Academy, 6840 Nimtz Parkway, South Bend, Ind. 46628.
Harold A. Meyer
BRIDGMAN - Harold Anton Meyer, 77, of Bridgman passed away on Saturday, July 4, 2009, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, July 11, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Bridgman, with Pastor Jon Bendewald officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Bridgman. Friends may meet with the family from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Highway, Bridgman. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be given to Immanuel Lutheran School.
Harold was born Oct. 1, 1931, in Keeler, Mich., the son of the late Anton J. and Ida (Skatikat) Meyer. He served in the U.S. Air Force. On June 26, 1954, he married the former Lorraine Rittamel. She preceded him in death on Feb. 7, 2004. Harold had been employed at Pemco Die Casting and Adco Die Casting before co-founding Premier Tool & Die in Berrien Springs and Shawnee Specialties in Eau Claire. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bridgman. Harold was an avid antique car and tractor collector.
Survivors include five children - Barbara (Leo) Ackerman of Bridgman, Jackie (Jeff) Rodewald of Pompano Beach, Fla., Steve (Stacey) Meyer of Sawyer, Anthony (Kimberly) Meyer of Three Oaks, and Dan (Jennifer) Meyer of Stevensville; 17 grandchildren - Jeremy, Chad and Ashley Ackerman, Jordan, Emily, Megan and Aaron Rodewald, Dustin, Chelsey and Levi Meyer, Callie, Haiden and Anna Meyer, Caleb, Mitchell, Lucas and Emma Meyer; a great-grandson, Joelan Coyer; a sister, Dorothy Ott of Bridgman; and a dear friend, Cynthia Brown.
Harold was also preceded in death by a brother, John Mayer; and a sister, Elizabeth "Betty" Tropp.
Morris E. Roth
BERRIEN SPRINGS - Morris E. Roth, 89, of North Port, Fla., formerly Berrien Springs, died Sunday, July 5, 2009, at Tidewell Hospice following an illness.
A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 10, at Legacy Family Funeral Services with the Rev. Cindy Parsons officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 9, at the funeral home and sign the guest book at www.legacyfuneral.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Berrien County Youth Fair or to Tidewell Hospice.
Morris was born June 18, 1920, in Decatur, to Perry and Bessie (Morris) Roth. He served his country during World War II in the United States Army as a supply sergeant in the European Theater of Operations from 1941 to 1945.
On June 12, 1948, he married Bernice Storick Roth, who preceded him in death on March 20, 2003. He loved fishing, working and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Morris and Bernice often wintered in Florida. He was a lifetime member of the Scottish Rite and a trusted member of the Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township Fire Department for 49 years.
Morris worked at Clark Equipment from 1948 to 1954 before beginning a 30-year career as an operating engineer and foreman with Yerington Construction. Later he worked for the Berrien County Youth Fair as a maintenance supervisor. The job he enjoyed most, though, was working at the Stover family farm, where he worked until his first stroke in 2006.
Survivors include two daughters, Lee (Sonny) Brewer of Dowagiac and Kay (Tom) Hoffman of North Port, Fla.; four grandchildren, Shane (Heidi) Brewer of Eau Claire, Brandi Brewer of Grand Rapids, Andy (Kim) Baber of Rockford, Mich., and Ben (Anna) Baber of Stevensville; and five great- grandchildren, Olivia, Garrett and Brody Brewer of Eau Claire, Sofia and Adrianna Baber of Stevensville.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Bernice, Morris was preceded in death by two sisters, Pauline Davis and Virginia Michael, and two brothers, Merle Roth, who died serving his country during World War II, and Warren Roth.
