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Walter Lawson
UNION PIER -- Walter Lawson, 47, of Knox, Ind., formerly of Union Pier, Mich., passed away at Indiana University Hospital, Indianapolis, Ind., on Thursday, June 10, 2004.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, June 14, 11 a.m., at the Sommerfeld-Smith Family Funeral Home, 15 N. Barton St., New Buffalo. Burial will follow in Lakeside Cemetery, Lakeside, Mich. Visitation will be on Sunday, June 13, from 2 to 5 p.m., at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Walter was born on July 4, 1956, in Gary, Ind., to Albert and Rebecca (Barrett) Lawson. He was a veteran of the United States Marines. He worked in the construction industry, and was a "jack-of-all-trades."
His survivors include his parents father, Albert of Nashville, Tenn.; and mother, Rebecca of Niles; two sons, Keith Lawson of Joliet, Ill., and Pony Lawson of Mill Creek, Ind.; two daughters, Angel Lawson of Mill Creek, Ind., and Mary Jo Bowmar of New Buffalo; three brothers -- Ray Lawson and Dwayne Lawson both of New Buffalo, and Scott Lawson of Arkansas; six sisters -- Linda Lawson of Bridgman, Lucy Holt of New Troy, Mich., Treva Lawson of Three Oaks, Lonnie Rogers of New Troy, Gail Ireland of Florence, Ky., and Wanda Lawson of Dayton Lake, Mich.; one grandchild, Alexa Lawson; his significant other, Debbie Budka; and numerous other relatives and many friends.
Preceding him in death are a daughter, Rachel Stone, and a sister, Lisa Lawson.
Alice S. Hafer
BENTON HARBOR -- Alice S. Hafer of Colon, formerly of Benton Harbor died Friday, June 11, 2004, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.
Alice was born Nov. 17, 1922, in Chicago, a daughter to the late Thomas and Julia (Suchon) Wotowis. Alice graduated from Hartford High. She married Raymond W. Hafer on Nov. 4, 1940, in Bainbridge and he preceded her in death on May 29, 2003. Alice made her home in Colon on Sturgeon Lake since 1988, coming from Benton Harbor where she had worked as a clerk for Woolworth's for several years. She was a member of the Colon United Methodist Church and was a former member of the Sweet Adeline singing group in Benton Harbor, she also enjoyed sewing and reading.
Alice is survived by one daughter, Nancy (Charles) Pfauth of Baroda; one grandson, Charles Pfauth Jr. of Three Oaks; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.
There will be no visitation or funeral service, cremation has taken place. Private burial of cremains will take place at a later date at Zion Church Cemetery in Pipestone Township.
Jacquline F. Closson
ST. JOSEPH -- Jacquline F. Closson, 66, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at her home.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph with the Rev. Paul A. Koehneke officiating. Burial will follow in Crystal Springs Memorial Park, Benton Harbor. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home or Berrien County Cancer Service. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Mrs. Closson was born July 26, 1937, in St. Joseph to Paul and Dorothy (Doneruse) Saurbier. On Aug. 21, 1976, she married Douglas Closson, Sr. in Stevensville. Jackie had a great love for animals. She leaves behind her dog, Trixie, and her cats, Itty-Bit and Tiger.
Mrs. Closson is survived by her children -- Allan Nelson of Naples, Fla., Sharon (Mike) Senecal of St. Joseph, David Nelson of Hartford, Diane (Rick) Odom of Osceola, Ind., Tami Lester of Bridgman, Tonda (Al) Smith of Bridgman, Douglas (Shannon) Closson Jr. of Bainbridge Township., Chris Closson of St. Joseph, Teresa (John) Kugel of Berrien Springs, Brian Closson of Benton Harbor, Dennis (Dawn) Closson of Benton Harbor, Clayton (Deeann) Closson of St. Joseph; nineteen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a brother, Woodrow "Mike" Hopkins of St. Petersburg, Fla.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Douglas Sr. on Dec. 9, 2000; and her grandson, Deacon Bennett on Nov. 14, 2002.
Stephen J. McQuillan
COLOMA -- Stephen J. McQuillan, 19, of Coloma died suddenly as a result of an automobile accident Tuesday, June 1, 2004.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 5, at Davidson Chapel, Florin Funeral Service, Coloma, where visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday. Burial will be in Coloma Cemetery.
Stephen was born Aug. 24, 1984, in Coloma, to Susan (Cochran) and Sean McQuillan. He graduated from Coloma High School, Class of 2002. Stephen was currently employed at Wal-Mart in Benton Harbor.
Survivors include: his parents, Sean and Susan McQuillan; grandparents, Creston and Patricia Hauch of Eau Claire, William and Kathleen Cochran of Bangor; three brothers -- Drew (Lindsay) McQuillan of Benton Harbor, Jared and Jason, both of Coloma; two sisters -- Rebecca and Amanda, both of Coloma; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Debra Joyce Simpson
COLOMA -- Debra Joyce Simpson, 50, of Coloma died Friday, May 21, 2004, as a result of a car accident on Friday Road in Coloma.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Services in Coloma. Burial will follow the service in Coloma Cemetery. The visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday at the Davidson Chapel. Memorials may be made to Animal Aid of Southwest Michigan.
Debra was born Oct. 26, 1953, in St. Joseph to Art and Shirley Kramer. She was a housewife and loved gardening and flowers. Debra had what everyone calls the "green thumb, " and whatever flower was blooming was her favorite. Along with her flowers Debra had a deep concern for rescuing abused animals and loved them dearly.
She is survived by her husband, Don; her parents, Art and Shirley Kramer of Coloma; one daughter, Shawn Sisson of Lansing; one grandparent, Laura Archer of South Haven; two brothers, William Kramer of Iron Mountain, Mich., and Jerry Kramer of Rockford; and two sisters, Barbara Voss of Ann Arbor and Rhonda Souder of Bridgman.
Jessica Ann Barnett
SOUTH HAVEN -- Jessica Ann Barnett, 24, of Wauchula, Fla., formerly of South Haven, passed away Friday, May 7, 2004, in the Florida Hospital-Heartland, Sebring, Fla.
The family will meet friends after 3 p.m. Thursday at the Bangor Chapel, D.L. Miller Funeral Home, where funeral services will be at 4 p.m. Following the services, cremation will take place.
Jessica was born Aug. 24, 1979, in South Haven, where she lived most of her life before moving to Florida four months ago. She loved to watch TV, talk on the phone, and play computer games; but most of all she loved to make people happy.
Surviving are her mother, Brenda Barnett of Wauchula; her father, Jerry Barnett of Wasola, Mo.; one brother, Jason Lee Barnett of Grand Junction; maternal grandmother, Eva Sewell of Bangor; several aunts and uncles; and many cousins.
Shirley Joan Merrill
DOWAGIAC -- Shirley Joan Merrill, 70, of Dowagiac, passed away Friday, May 7, 2004, at her residence.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 11, at 1:30 p.m. at the McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home with Pastor David Cummings officiating. Interment will follow at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 10. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dowagiac Ambulance, Leader Dogs for the Blind or donor's choice.
She was born Jan. 13, 1934, in Keeler Township, to Harry and Carrie (Secor) Richcreek. Shirley married Robert C. "Chub" Merrill on Dec. 16, 1950, in Dowagiac. During her life, she worked as a cashier at the Buy-Low Grocery Store in Dowagiac, One Hour Martinizing and the Dowsett Spring Co. until her retirement in 1994. She was a member of the Red Hat Ladies, enjoyed sewing and was a seamstress. Her family was most important in her life, as she was a loving and caring wife, mother, and grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her husband on Aug. 17, 1968; her parents; and one brother, Dale Richcreek.
She is survived by two sons, Andy (Debbie) Merrill, and Randy (Cathy) Merrill both of Dowagiac; three grandchildren -- Erin Merrill, Lindsey Merrill and Jason Merrill, all of Dowagiac; two great-grandchildren, Drew and Carly; two brothers, Donald Richcreek and Gordon Richcreek of Dowagiac.
Stephen Edward Lindenfeld
ST. JOSEPH -- Stephen Edward Lindenfeld, 38, of Benton Harbor passed away on Friday, April 30, 2004, at Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 6, at Dey-Florin Chapel, Florin Funeral Service, St. Joseph. Cremation has taken place. A private burial of ashes will take place at a later date. A gathering of friends and family will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. today, May 5, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Victoria Lindenfeld Education Fund, c/o Grace Lutheran School.
Stephen was born in Niles on June 15, 1965, the son of Bela and Jean (Withers) Lindenfeld. Steve's journey was filled with learning -- from his school days in Benton Harbor he learned compassion and spontaneity, a rich background to carry with him to the University of Michigan, where he studied art, music and the humanities, along with his electrical engineering. He learned to laugh and be silly from his sister, Mari, and learned the complexities of life and religion with her at U-M. He kept close touch with his schoolmates and cousins after he graduated in 1988. He learned through his different jobs that he could contribute in many positive ways to the lives of those around him. He always had some kind of joke to share, especially when he knew that people needed a lift. He learned the greatest gift of all from his beautiful wife, Patricia Davis, whose total love for him wove its way through each day of their married life, and when the joy of his life, Victoria, was born, he learned from her how miraculous his life as a father could be. He learned to love family with his own relatives, Ryan Fasshauer and beautiful Maisy and those of Patricia -- Barney and Peggy in particular, and so many other aunts, uncles, cousins. He loved God and learned that our lives have great meaning and purpose.
What we learned from him is his legacy to us all. He taught us to appreciate beauty in simple things. He taught us to face problems with an understanding heart, to be kind and take the time to listen. He taught us to fix our own computers. He taught his wife and daughter that love never dies and that it will always be in their lives. He taught us to value Uncle Larry and Aunt Noonie, Dorothy and Edwina, Ben and Lisa, who always held a special love for him in their hearts. And I hope he taught you, dear friends, that we will all be together again in joy forever.
Stephen is survived by his wife, Patricia (Davis) Lindenfeld; his daughter, Victoria Lindenfeld, both of Benton Harbor; his parents, Bela and Jean Lindenfeld of Benton Harbor; his in-laws, Barney and Peggy Davis of Benton Harbor; his grandmother, Virginia Withers of Irving, Texas; his sister, Christine Marie "Mari" (Ryan) Fasshauer of Batavia, Ill.; his niece, Madeline Grace Fasshauer of Batavia; Uncle Larry and Aunt Noonie Kowalski of Ortonville, Mich.; and his special friends, Ben and Lisa Shoemaker of Baroda.
