Local obituaries for Berrien Springs, MI and surrounding areas
Myrtie Jane Symonds
Aug 1, 2023
Myrtie Jane Samples was born in Clear Lake, Wisc. on Oct. 23, 1930 to Henry Clay and Jessie Samples. They lived on the family dairy farm until moving to Berrien Springs when Myrtie was still a child.
While attending the academy at Emmanuel Missionary College, now Andrews University, Myrtie met a returning war veteran with snappy brown eyes who won her...
Marian J. Mendel
Jul 26, 2023
Marian Mendel, of Berrien Springs, entered into rest in the Lord on July 26, 2023, at Caretel Inns in St. Joseph, Michigan, at the age of 92, two months shy of her 93rd birthday.
She was born September 24, 1930, to Rupert A. and Mae Louise Spohr of Western Springs, Illinois. Marian attended the SDA school at Hinsdale, and later Broadview...
Norma M. Kechkaylo
Jul 23, 2023
Norma Kechkaylo, 91, of Niles, formerly of Berrien Springs, passed away on Sunday, July 23, 2023, at Brentwood of Niles.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 26, at Allred Funeral Home in Berrien Springs, with Pastor Ross Tarantino officiating. Burial will follow at Crystal Springs Cemetery in Benton Harbor at 12:45 p.m. Friends may...
Sandra L. Seltzer
Jul 21, 2023
Sandra Seltzer, 64, of Niles, passed away July 21, 2023 after a long fight with cancer.
Sandy was born the second of three children on February 1, 1959 in Elko, Nevada, where her father was a pastor. She completed high school at Enterprise Academy in Kansas and one year of college at Andrews University. She returned to Kansas to work.
In 1980...
Sandra Kay Porter
Jul 20, 2023
Sandra Kay Porter of Berrien Springs passed away on July 20, 2023 after an illness.
Sandy was born on February 6, 1956 to Elias and Wanda (Keck) Salas in Seymour, Indiana. She moved to Berrien Springs in 1970 and graduated from Berrien Springs High School in 1974. She married Robert “Bob” Porter in 1976. They spent 46 wonderful years together raising...
Robert J. Francis
Jul 13, 2023
Robert J. Francis, 73, died peacefully at home on July 13, 2023 with his partner and wife of 48 years Kay, and his two surviving children John and Katie, from a short but fierce battle with lung cancer.
Bob was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on February 11, 1950. Bob's life was full of experiences and roles that left him with...
Ruby Pearl Kessinger
Jul 5, 2023
Ruby Pearl Kessinger, 96, of Sodus, died July 5, 2023 at her home.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, July 8, at Bowerman Funeral Home in Eau Claire. The funeral will follow at 11 a.m., with Pastor Mike Fields of Bright Star Tabernacle officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Plymouth, Indiana.
Messages and...
Louise Eleanor Prillwitz
Jun 27, 2023
Louise Eleanor Prillwitz, 94, of Eau Claire, passed away June 27, 2023 with family by her side.
She was born March 11, 1929 in Sodus, to Lydia (Steinke) and Albert Sempert. On Oct. 23, 1948, she married Frank Prillwitz.
Louise and Frank raised their three beloved children on their family farm which they operated for over 60 years.
Louise was dedicated to her...
Daniel John Boal
Jun 13, 2023
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, Daniel John Boal, a loving brother, uncle, friend to many, passed away unexpectedly, at the age of 63.
Born to John and Shirley Boal, he graduated from Ferris State University and went on to work in Arizona on electronics. He had a variety of jobs from construction, roofing, factory worker, and even self-sufficient homesteader for a...
Terry Lynn Bowen
Jun 9, 2023
Terry Lynn Bowen, 54, of Berrien Springs died June 9, 2023, in his home surrounded by family after fighting a three month battle with Burkitt lymphoma.
Terry was born December 10, 1968 in South Bend to Larry Max, Sr. and Shirley (Black) Bowen. On June 19, 1993, he married Michele D. Stover, who survives. Through the years, Terry worked as a...
Marjan Markovich
May 29, 2023
Marjan Markovich, 82, of Berrien Springs died Monday, May 29, 2023 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville.
Funeral services will be on Saturday, June 3, at Allred Funeral Home, Berrien Springs, where friends are invited to visit with the family from 3-5 p.m. The funeral will follow at 5 p.m. Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday, June 5, at Rose...
Marlene June Gillette
May 24, 2023
Marlene June Gillette, 87, quietly entered the presence of her Lord on May 24, 2023 from her home in Berrien Center, Michigan.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 31, at Berrien Center Bible Church, where she was a member. Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the funeral will follow at 1 p.m. with Pastor Bill Zebell officiating. Burial...
Cleavon Ramsey
May 15, 2023
Mr. Cleavon Ramsey was born October 15, 1955 in Electric Mills, Mississippi, to Minor C. Ramsey, Sr. and Lottie Patterson Ramsey. He was the seventh of their eight children.
The family later relocated to Hammond, Louisiana. After graduating high school and studying culinary in Louisiana, Cleavon relocated to Berrien Springs, Michigan, where he spent his adult life. He was known for...
Janet Ann Shafer
May 15, 2023
Janet Ann Shafer, 85, of Berrien Springs, passed away May 15, 2023 at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph.
She was born Jan. 21, 1938 in St. Joseph, the daughter of Gennevieve and Carl Bixby. She graduated from Berrien Springs High School in 1956, while being chosen Miss Berrien Springs and a little later, Michigan Apple Queen.
She married George Shafer...
Otis Mckinley "Bud" Wheeler Jr.
May 14, 2023
Otis McKinley Wheeler Jr. “Bud”, 98, of Sodus, passed away Sunday, May 14, 2023, surrounded by his loving family at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph.
Otis was born in Bald Knob, Ark. on Nov. 21, 1924, to Otis Sr. and Delia Wheeler.
Otis served in the Army during World War II from 1943 to 1945 as a PFC Rifleman 745, receiving...
Shirley Ann Mcgough
May 5, 2023
Shirley Ann McGough, 78, of Niles (formerly of Berrien Springs), passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Friday, May 5, 2023.
Ann was born in Baroda, Michigan on August 24, 1944 to Brown and Cora Baker. She comes from a big family of 10 siblings, whom she cherished very much.
On December 28, 1970, Ann was united in marriage to...
Stephen Lynn Reed
May 4, 2023
Stephen L. Reed, 70, of Eau Claire, passed away May 4, 2023 at University of Chicago Medical Center. Steve was born July 10, 1952, in Benton Harbor to Leonard and Audrey (Williams) Reed.
Visitation will be from 6–8 p.m. Thursday, May 11, at Bowerman Funeral Home, Eau Claire, and messages may be shared at www.bowermanfuneral.com. Cremation has taken place. Donations may...
Donald Lee Schmeichel
Apr 15, 2023
Donald Lee Schmeichel, age 71, of Niles, Michigan, passed away Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Riveridge Rehabilitation Center in Niles.
Don was born in Benton Harbor on May 29, 1951, to Carl and Helen (née Schmidt) Schmeichel.
Don is survived by his brother, Robert (Roberta Sue) Schmeichel of Berrien Springs; two nephews: Keith (Donna) Schmeichel of Niles and Adam (Revae) Schmeichel of...
Cindy Lou Thornton
Apr 8, 2023
Cindy Lou Thornton, 62, of Niles, died Saturday, April 8, 2023, at Corewell Health Niles Hospital, Niles, Michigan.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at Bowerman Funeral Home in Eau Claire, with Reverend Robert Duehlmeyer officiating. Messages and memories may be shared online at www.bowermanfuneral.com. Donations in Cindy’s name may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran...
Starley Eugene Baker
Apr 7, 2023
This world lost a legend on April 7, 2023 at 6:13 p.m. as Starley Eugene Baker, surrounded by his loved ones, left this earth, and was greeted into the beautiful gates of his heavenly home by God, and his daughter (Corlen) and loved ones passed.
Starley was born March 22, 1951 and lived his life as an example of God’s love...
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