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Jean Genevieve Lauman
SOUTH HAVEN - Jean Genevieve Lauman, 87, of South Haven died Monday, Feb. 15, 2010, at South Haven Community Hospital.
She was born Sept. 15, 1922, in South Haven to Irwin and Marjorie (Dawe) Starks. Jean worked at the Dairy Bar in South Haven while she was in high school. She married Edwin N. Lauman in January of 1944 at her parents' home. Jean also attended beauty school and had a large number clients that she took care of in their private homes. Jean enjoyed knitting, sewing, basket making, gardening and flower arranging. Although she was mainly a homemaker, she worked for Torp's House of Flowers for several years. She truly enjoyed her family and loved to make holidays special for them.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edwin Lauman, in 1991; and two brothers, Chester Starks and Leslie Starks.
She is survived by three nephews, Jim (Glenna) Dissette of South Haven, John Starks of Florida and Robert (Arlene) Starks of Maryland; four nieces, Anne (Joe) Long, Nancy (Bob) Torstenson, both of South Haven, Sandy (Wayne) Winzenz of Lansing, Mich., and Judy (Joe) Gargano of Coloma.
Visitation will be from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, South Haven. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Jeffrey S. Dick officiating. Burial will take place at Lakeview Cemetery, South Haven. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Mary Ellen 'Mellen' Roessler
DOWAGIAC - Mary Ellen, known to family and friends as Mellen or Mel, was born May 27, 1924, to Benjamin and Lydia (Schneider) Helt of South Bend. Mel was a 1942 graduate of South Bend Central High School and married her high-school sweetheart and the love of her life, James Roessler, on April 10, 1944, shortly before he shipped out as a member of the Water Division of the U.S. Army. While Jim served in the European and Pacific theaters, Mel worked at Indiana Bell. They lived in South Bend until 2003, when they moved to Dowagiac to be near their daughter, Cindy.
Mel loved life, and that was made manifest by the energy and joy and courage with which she lived it. She was a woman of true grace and class and created beauty all around her, in her home and in her gardens.
Some of her happiest moments were spent at the family cottage at Sister Lakes, where she enjoyed working outside, visiting with friends, and soaking up the summer sun. She and Jim also spent many happy times together during the winter, vacationing in Acapulco, Mexico, and Naples, Fla., but spring always called them back to the lake, where Mel could begin her annual ritual of planting and nurturing her beautiful flowers. No matter the season, mornings found her working on one of the multitude of needlepoint pillows or Christmas stockings that she made for friends and family members.
Mel's greatest sources of pride were her children - Mike, a professor at Albion College, and Cindy, an administrator for Lewis Cass Intermediate School District. She was also thrilled and proud to watch the growth of her beloved grandchild, Kate. Mel's best friend in recent years was her daughter-in-law, Mary, who adored her and for whom she was a model of everything a woman should be.
Mel's insight into human nature and generosity of spirit informed her life. She delighted in giving to others and was a true hero to her children, who were inspired and uplifted by her abiding love and support. She passed peacefully on Feb. 14, 2010, deeply grateful for her many blessings and having left the world a more beautiful place.
Mellen is survived by her husband, Jim; son, Michael (Mary); granddaughter, Kate Boynton (James); and two beautiful great-granddaughters, Lola and Ruby. Mellen was predeceased by her daughter, Cindy, who died in May of 2008.
Memorial contributions may be made to Borgess Hospice, 348 North Burdick St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Yazel & Clark Chapel, Dowagiac, is serving the family.
Angeline Mary Abbott
BENTON HARBOR - Angeline Mary Abbott, 90, of Bainbridge Township passed away early Thursday morning, Feb. 11, 2010, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 555 E. Delaware Ave., Benton Harbor, with Father Bill Jacobs officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Watervliet. Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at Fairplain Chapel of Florin Funeral Service, 1053 E. Napier Ave., Benton Harbor. The Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Bernard Catholic Church.
Angeline was born Dec. 13, 1919, in Chicago to Anthony and Mary Lombardo.
In August 1939, she married Dan Abbott, and together they had five children.
Angeline enjoyed cooking and did so for the Spinks Corner schools for many years.
She was a longtime member of both the Spinks Corner Ladies Club and St. Bernard Catholic Church.
Angeline will be remembered for her sense of humor and for being a beloved grandmother and great-grandmother.
She thoroughly enjoyed the company of others - particularly her family.
Angeline is survived by her children - Daniel (Barbara) Abbott of Benton Harbor, Victor Abbott of Watervliet, Anthony (Linda) Abbott of Benton Harbor, David (Roberta) Abbott of Eau Claire and Mary (Edward) Shults of Coloma; grandchildren - Sarah Allerton, Danny Abbott, Annette Monaghan, Kim Sanford, Kris Calderwood, David Abbott, Karri Gordon, Mario Abbott, Christina Abbott, Geoff Abbott, Traci Abbott, Stacey Abbott, Melissa Shults and Richonda Shults; and 26 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Angeline was preceded in death by her husband, Dan, of nearly 50 years in 1987; her brothers, James and Angelo Lombardo; and her half-sisters, Frances Esposito and Ida Campbell.
Kathrene M. Kissinger
ST. JOSEPH - Kathrene M. Kissinger, 63, of St. Joseph, died Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center following complications of surgery.
A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010, at St. Joseph Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1201 Maiden Lane, St. Joseph, with Pastor Roy Castlebuono officiating.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.
Memorials in Kathrene's memory may be directed to the St. Joseph SDA Building Fund.
Kathrene was born on Feb. 27, 1946, in Benton Harbor, to Roscoe and Goldie (Alan) Imler. On Aug. 24, 1962, in St. Joseph, she married Edmund Kissinger, who survives.
She was employed for 25 years at Wollin Products and in retirement had been a bus aide for Student First.
Kathrene loved her family and friends and loved working with children and various church activities.
She enjoyed card making and crocheting.
Besides her loving husband, Edmund Sr., Kathrene is survived by her mother, Goldie; one daughter, Tina (Jim) DeVeney of St. Joseph; one son, Edmund (Stacy) Jr. of Spring Hill, Fla.; three grandchildren - Crystal Bullock, Jimmy Deveney and Kelcy Kissinger; as well as several loving nieces and nephews.
Kathrene was preceded in death by her father, Roscoe and a sister, Sharon Parks.
Vivian M. Stowe
BENTON HARBOR - Vivian M. Stowe, 85, of Benton Harbor died Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, at Orchard Grove Extended Care Centre in Benton Harbor.
Family services will be held at a later date, and cremation has taken place.
Arrangements are by the Fairplain Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Benton Harbor. Memorials may be made to the family.
Vivian was born on Feb. 25, 1924, in Cottonwood Point, Mo., to Almond and Bertha Franks.
She married Jay Stowe on Feb. 7, 1942, in Blytheville, Ark., and he preceded her in death on Jan. 9, 1984. Vivian worked for 35 years as a waitress at the House of David Beer Gardens, and for 20 years she ran the snack bar at Blossom Lanes bowling alley.
She also worked as a cook at Lake Michigan College.
She was an avid bowler with her granddaughter, Kim, and enjoyed collecting dolls and gardening.
Vivian was a happy person and loved animals.
She was also a loving person toward her family and was loved very much by all who knew her.
She is survived by her son, Dennis (Robyne) Stowe of Benton Harbor; her son-in-law, Bud Pillow of Coloma; her sister, Edith Lechenet of Benton Harbor; five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Janie Pillow, in Sept. of 2007; two sisters and one brother.
Joan Mary "Dolly" Krieger
BRIDGMAN - A 16-year cancer survivor, Joan Mary "Dolly" Krieger, 75, of Snow Road, Bridgman, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph.
A Mass celebrating her life will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, her lifelong parish in Bridgman, with Father German Perez Diaz officiating.
Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery, Bridgman. Friends and family will gather at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Highway, Bridgman, on Sunday, Feb. 14, from 2 to 5 p.m. for visitation, with the Rosary recited at 5 p.m. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be given to Berrien County Cancer Service.
Dolly was born to Joseph W. And Mary B. (Rudnick) Rambo on Feb. 9, 1935, in Bridgman.
A lifelong resident of the area, Dolly was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother.
She married her childhood sweetheart, Robert L. Krieger (on leave from the 82nd Airborne) on Sept. 11, 1954.
The happy couple raised four children, who still remain in the area.
In her professional career spanning 29 years, she was the coordinator for public relations at Cook Energy Information Center, Bridgman, as well as a successful business partner with her husband, Robert, of Rambo Nursery Inc., in Bridgman.
Joan and Robert made their winter home in the Florida Keys, where she made many joyful memories with family and friends. She loved warm weather, taking rides with her husband looking for deer, gardening and fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.
She mostly loved when her family visited for spring break.
Also, she loved watching her grandchildren in a variety of sporting and other events.
Joan is survived by her devoted husband of 55 years, Robert; four children - Robert (Jan) Krieger of Stevensville, Mark (Jennifer) Krieger of Niles, Pamela Krieger of Bridgman and Cheri (Ted) Hendricks of Bridgman; three grandchildren - Todd, Natalie and Matthew; three step-grandchildren - Cheri, Tiffany and Sara; and one step-great-grandchild, Owen; three brothers in Bridgman - Dr. Joseph (Evelyn) Rambo, Verne (Marilyn) Rambo and Rene Rambo; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Anna Reed
BUCHANAN - Anna Reed, 87, of Buchanan died at 12 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, at the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, South Bend, Ind., of natural causes.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Glendora, with the Rev. Thomas Brazinski officiating.
Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Buchanan.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Glendora, of which she was a member.
Mrs. Reed was born April 20, 1922, in Baroda and was a life-long area resident.
She was a homemaker and was past president of the Buchanan American Legion Women's Auxiliary.
Anna married Henry "Hank" Reed on Jan. 12, 1946, in Glendora. He preceded her in death in 1992.
She was also preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Marie Brueck, and a son, David Reed, on Feb. 3, 1993.
She is survived by a sister, Molly (Lester) Reifschneider of Baroda.
