Obituaries

Local obituaries for Berrien Springs, MI and surrounding areas

Roland  Christl

Roland Christl

Sep 23, 2023

Roland Christl, 98, a longtime resident of Berrien Springs, passed away Saturday,

September 23 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, MI. Roland was born in

Berrien Springs on October 29, 1924, to the late Anton and Hedwig Christl.

Roland grew up on the family farm that his parents purchased in 1920. He attended

Berrien Springs schools and participated in varsity basketball in his youth....

Pearl  Herzog

Pearl Herzog

Sep 12, 2023

Pearl Herzog was the first child of five born to Mary & David Quering in Clarkboro, Saskatchewan, Canada on July 16, 1932.

She leaves behind her 2 brothers, Harvey (Hazel) & Edward (Myrna) Quering, Sister-in-laws, Glenda Quiring & Janice Quering,

2 daughters, Barbara (Bill) McMaster & Darlene (Stephen) Grooms, and grandchildren, Crystal (Mike) Gaither, Matthew (Maggie) Grooms, and Marc Grooms, Lindsay DeLong,...

Joanne Marie Gordon

Joanne Marie Gordon

Aug 30, 2023

Joanne Marie Gordon, 82, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023.

Joanne was born in Dowagiac on June 20, 1941, to the late Maynard Stover and Erma Sheldon.

Along with her parents, Joanne was preceded in death by her loving husband, David Gordon; and sister, Marilyn Liarley. Left to cherish the memory of Joanne are her sons: Randy Gordon, and Michael...

Robert A. Maxwell

Robert A. Maxwell

Aug 17, 2023

Robert “Bob” Ayers Maxwell was born June 27, 1943 to Anne and Martin Maxwell in Philadelphia and lived almost his entire life in Pennsylvania.

He attended Adventist elementary church schools, followed by Blue Mountain Academy in Hamburg, PA, graduating in 1961. He then attended Columbia Union College for four years.

Bob spent most of his life driving truck and serving his church...

Calvin Eugene Hardin Jr.

Calvin Eugene Hardin Jr.

Aug 14, 2023

Calvin E. Hardin Jr., 55, of Berrien Springs, Michigan passed away peacefully on August 14, 2023, surrounded by loved ones.

Calvin grew up in Berrien Springs, a town he loved and never left. He worked hard as an auto mechanic his whole life. He had a passion for auto mechanics from a very early age, which led to his great love...

Gladys Mae Engelkemier

Gladys Mae Engelkemier

Aug 7, 2023

GLADYS ENGELKEMIER

August 9, 1931 to August 7, 2023

Gladys Mae VanScyoc was born in Ellsworth, Kans. on Aug. 9, 1931 to Donald Dean and Clara VanScyoc. While living on a family farm, she nurtured animals and learned how to garden.

During her middle school years, her family lived in Wichita, Kans. where she enjoyed PE and singing in school groups. In 10th...

Myrtie Jane Symonds

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

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

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

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

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

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...

Daniel John Boal

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

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

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

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

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

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...

Shirley Ann Mcgough

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...

Donald Lee Schmeichel

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...