EMILY FOSTER

 Emily Foster, 84, of Hartford and formerly of Coloma died Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Lakeland Hospital Watervliet.

Services celebrating her life where held on Wednesday, March 29, at the Grace Apostolic Church in South Haven.  Burial followed in Coloma Cemetery.  Arrangements by Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Coloma; please share memories, messages or photos at www.florin.net.

Emily was born on March 23, 1933 in Trezevant, TN to Murray and Maurine Bryant.  She married her husband, Johnny Foster Sr. and he preceded her in death in 1995.  She was employed at VM Corporation and then at Assembled Components in Coloma as a supervisor for many years.  Emily had a strong faith and was a member of the Grace Apostolic Church in South Haven.  She loved cooking, spending time with her family and going to church.  All who knew her loved her and she was the best mom ever.

Her family includes her children, Johnny (Alicia) Foster Jr. of Coloma, Melanie (Billy) Bryant of Hartford, and Roger (Cheryl) Winford of Largo, FL; her sister, Dorothy Williams of Stevensville; her brother, Joe Bryant of Benton Harbor; her grandchildren, Michael, Scott, Tyler, Emily, Nick, Andrew, Adam, and Aaron; and her great-grandchild, Malachi.

MILDRED F. (FIKES) DELACRUZ

Mildred F. (Fikes) Delacruz, 99, of Riverside, went to be with her Lord on Friday, March 24, 2017, at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville.

Services celebrating her life will be held at Riverside United Methodist Church, 4401 Fikes Road in Riverside on Saturday April 1, 2017, with visitation at 10 a.m. and services at 11 a.m. Private burial will be at a later date. Those wishing to leave a message for the family online may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com. Memorials may be made to the Riverside United Methodist Church, North Berrien Senior Center, Hanson Hospice Center or donor’s choice.

Mildred was born in Eau Claire, MI on October 22, 1917 to Grayson and Gladys LaVanway and graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1936. On June 26, 1937 she married Wilbur L. Fikes in Benton Harbor. Together they had three children. Wilbur passed away in October of 1990 after 53 years of marriage.  On November 19, 1994 she married Juanito Delacruz, soulmate, traveling and dancing partner and love of her life. Together they took many cruises and visited a multitude of foreign countries and traveled many states in their R.V. visiting relatives and friends along the way.

Mildred was a faithful, active, long-time member of the Riverside United Methodist Church. In her early years she was a 4-H leader. She was an extremely active member of the Pier School PTA while her children were in grade school. She enjoyed dancing, sewing, cooking, traveling, and was most happy when surrounded by family and her many close friends. She did not want to miss the party! She loved her church and church family. She welcomed new neighbors into the area taking them a pie.

Mildred worked for many years cleaning homes and cottages along with being the custodian of the Hagar Township Hall.   She also retired from Riverside Hagar #6 School in July of 1988 after 23 years as custodian.

Mildred is survived by her husband, Juanito; son, Darrell E. (Brenda) Fikes of Benton Harbor; daughters Lorna (Ed) McGill of Honor, Michigan and Summerdale, Alabama, Gladys (Craig) Christian of Riverside; Juan’s children, Mike (Wanda) Delacruz, Karen (Greg) Davis, both of Chicago, Illinois, and Eve (Mike) Takahashi of Springfield, Oregon; eleven grandchildren, Ray (Karen) McGill, Trish (Joe) Richard, Darrell W. (Richlie) Fikes, Wesley (Michelle) Fikes, Justin (Kelly) Voit, Andy Davis, Nina Davis, Matthew Davis, Stephanie Delacruz, Eric Delacruz and Rachel (Chris) Johnson; 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson and special friends Pat & Tony Valenti and Jackie & Danny Mitchell.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Donald LaVanway in WWII, Forest LaVanway, and sister, Dorothy Sauri.

Death Notices

Shirley J. Sumner, 89, of Stevensville died March 20, 2017 at Royalton Manor, St. Joseph. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph

Danita Smith, 56, of Eau Claire died March 23, 2017 at home. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph

Dr. Donald E. Schultz, 83, of St. Joseph died March 20, 2017 at Manatee Memorial Hospital, Bradenton, FL. A memorial service will be at future date.

Kelly Ketcham-Stoney, 40, of Grand Rapids, formerly of St. Joseph died March 24, 2017 at Spectrum Hospital, Grand Rapids. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph

Michael G. Wesner, 71, of Eau Claire died March 25, 2017 at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville. Bowerman Funeral Home, Eau Claire