07-27-2017 Tri-City Area Obituaries

BETTY SUE RUTHERFORD SIRK

Betty Sue Rutherford Sirk, 91, of Coloma died Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at the Hanson Hospice Center in Lincoln Township.

Services celebrating her life were held Saturday, July 22 at the Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Coloma.  Burial followed in Fish Cemetery in Covert Township.  Please share messages, memories or photo at www.florin.net.

Betty was born on April 18, 1926 in Big Shoal, Kentucky to William Oscar and Sebra Dyer Smith.  She married her husband, Paul “Vern” Sirk on February 13, 1961 and he preceded her in death in 2001.  Together they shared 40 years of marriage.  Betty was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Hagar Shores.  She enjoyed gardening, fishing and cooking.  She loved to sew and make quilts which she did for all her family.

Her family includes her children; Randal (Judy) Rutherford of Watervliet, Carolyn Johnson of Coloma, Daniel (Brenda) Rutherford of Covert, LaJuonna Sirk of Glen, MI, Beth (Charles) Wildt of Covert, Michael (May) Rutherford of Coloma, Cindy (Jimmy) White of Oil Trough, AR, and Dusty (Lisa) Sirk of Mesa, AZ; her 30 grandchildren, her many great-grandchildren and her several great-great-grandchildren.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, her daughter, Linda Schott, and her six brothers and eight sisters.

BRANDON L. BROWN

Brandon L. Brown, 32, of Watervliet died Sunday, July 23, 2017 at the Lakeland Community Hospital in Watervliet.

Mass celebrating his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 28, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church.  Burial of the ashes will be at Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor.  Friends and relatives are invited to meet with the family beginning at 10 a.m. at St. Bernard’s.  Memorials may be made to the SS John & Bernard Parish.  Arrangements are by the Fairplain Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Benton Township.  Please share memories, messages or photos at www.florin.net.

Brandon was born on April 4, 1985 in St. Joseph to David Brown and Karen Bishop.  He was a machinist and had been employed at various jobs since then.  He enjoys fishing, golfing and was an avid Cub Fan. He was a loving and caring individual always helping his family and friends.  Brandon cared about other people and spent a lot of his time helping others.

His family includes his parents, David (Cindy Fannin) Brown of St. Joseph and Karen Bishop of Watervliet, his grandmothers, Lorraine Brown of Benton Harbor and Laura McCoy of Watervliet; his sister, Catelyn Brown.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Justin, in 2010.

JEAN CAROL WESSENDORF

Jean Carol Wessendorf was born March 23, 1945 in Benton Harbor. She passed away at the age of 72, on July 21, 2017 at her home in Keeler. She was the daughter of Albert and Virgil (Shire) Wessendorf, both of whom precede her in passing. Also preceding her in passing is a brother, Chaplain Forrest Wessendorf.

In her early years, Jean was employed with TWA Airlines as a ticket agent. Later on she was employed by AAA of Benton Harbor, was the secretary of the Hartford Library, a member of Chemosabies Support Group and started a Post Polio Support Group. She was also a member of the Hartford Federated Church.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 27 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Hartford Federated Church, where immediately following will be a celebration of life service to honor Jean’s memory. Jean will be laid to rest with a private burial at North Shore Memory Gardens in Hagar Township.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the church. The Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford is assisting the family. Those wishing to leave condolences for the family may do so at http://www.calvin-leonard.com.

Jean is survived by her children, Erick “Rick” Richcreek of Hartford, Lesa Martin of Pass Christian, Mississippi, Tammy Barnwell of the Detroit area and Jennifer Fields of Union City, Indiana; eleven grandchildren; two brothers, David (Rose) Wessendorf and William Wessendorf; a sister, Shirley Wessendorf-Strawbridge and an aunt, Carolyn Martin.

Death Notices

Harold Preston Smith of Benton, Arkansas formerly of Benton Harbor died June 30, 2017 in Colorado. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph

Royce Ralph Britenfeld, 72, of Benton Harbor died July 20, 2017 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph

Leo Wynn Cummins, 96, of South Haven died July 24, 2017 at the Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville. Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, South Haven