08-15-2019 Tri-City Area Obituaries

EDWARD E. VOLLRATH Edward Emil Vollrath (Chicken Ed) passed away August 12, 2019 (seven days shy of his 97th birthday) at Friendship Village, his home for the past four years. Ed was born August 19, 1922 in Minneapolis, MN to Albert Edward Vollrath and Mayme Severson Vollrath. In 1925, Ed moved with his parents and older brother Harley to Coloma. His father established Ed’s Cafe at that time and Ed would spend the majority of his life connected to the family restaurant. As a child, he helped out plucking chickens and peeling potatoes and many other restaurant related chores. Free time was spent on Paw Paw Lake, swimming, fishing and skating in the winter.

He was a graduate of Coloma High School where he excelled in baseball and that love of baseball continued as a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs. He proudly served in the Navy during World War II, spending time in the Pacific and land duty in Hawaii. He was discharged in February 1946 and came home to marry his sweetheart Janice Cottier on April 20, 1946. They had 62 loving years together. In 1952 he purchased Ed’s Cafe from his father and he and Jan would triple the size of it over the next 30 years. In retirement, he and Jan spent winters in Florida visiting friends and relatives. Time was spent on the golf courses, casinos and fun gatherings. They also finally had time to watch their grandchildren in their many sporting events. In his later years, Ed spent time tinkering in his garden, garage workshop and golfing. Ed will be remembered for his loving and kind ways, his special sense of humor and most of all, for being the wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Ed was preceded in death by his wife Jan, son Mark, grandson Jason, daughter-in-law Paula and others. Survivors include his daughters, Randee (Rich) Kurth, Deb (Bob) LaGrow and Tammy Vollrath. He is also survived by his grandchildren Dr. Ian (Jen) Kurth, Casey (Jill) Kurth, Adam (Megan) Kurth, Justin (Cari) LaGrow, Emilie (Ron) Sarratore and Mark Vollrath. Great-grandchildren include Allison, Sophia, Caroline, Andrew, Tyler, Cameron, Abigail, Owen and Emerson Kurth; Jacob, Amanda, Justin and Jarrett LaGrow and Grace and Bella Sarratore. A Celebration of Life luncheon will be held beginning at noon at the Coloma United Methodist Church on Saturday, Aug. 17. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southwest Michigan, Alzheimer’s Association and the Nevis Foundation. Those wishing to leave a message or share a memory with the family online may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com. We would like to thank all those at Friendship Village, and the angels from Hospice for taking such loving care of Dad.

ELDEN A. JANKE Elden A. Janke, 85, of Bainbridge Twp. passed away Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, Aug. 16, 2019 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 3713 Naomi Rd., Sodus with Rev. Robert Duehlmeyer officiating. Burial will take place at Crystal Springs Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Friends may visit from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial contributions may be made to Berrien County Youth Fair-Craft Barn or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Those wishing to leave a message of condolence for the family may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Elden was born on July 23, 1934 in South Bend, IN to Reinhold & Lydia (Skibbe) Janke. He was a graduate of Eau Claire High School Class of 1953. Elden proudly served his country in the United States National Guard for nine years. On April 16, 1960 he wed Helen ‘Kay’ Kaiser at St. Paul’s Lutheran in Sodus. Elden worked as a chemical lab analyst for Whirlpool for 42 years before retiring. He was a member and former elder at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, past member of the Van Buren Flywheelers, the Tri-State Gas Engine & Tractor Association, the FFA and a volunteer for many years at the Berrien County Youth Fair. In his spare time he enjoyed restoring antique International harvesters and Farmall tractors, instructing woodworking in 4-H and spending time gardening and farming. Elden was Mr. Fix It and always was helping others. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years Kay; daughters Suzanne (John) Griffith of Benton Harbor and Sheryl Janke of Kalamazoo; grandchildren Kristina (Travis) Wiltzius and Kelsey Griffith; sister Evelyn (Andrew) Robinson; brother Neal Janke; nieces Lynne (Chris) Markiewicz and Laura (Robert) Kramek. He was preceded in death by his parents.

WILMA E. WILLIAMS Wilma E. Williams, 96, of Bainbridge Township, went to see the Lord on Sunday, August 11, 2019 at her home. Services celebrating her life will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 19, at the Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Coloma. Burial will follow in Coloma Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives beginning at 1 p.m. on Monday at the Davidson Chapel. Memorials may be made to the North Berrien Senior Center. Please share messages, memories or photos at www.florin.net.

Wilma was born on Nov. 15, 1922 in Benton Harbor to Howard and Lydia Slenker. She married her husband, Warren Williams, in 1947 and he preceded her in death in 2009. Together they celebrated 62 years of marriage. She was a farm wife and also worked at several other stores in the area. Before she retired, Wilma worked as a hostess at the St. Julian Winery in Paw Paw for 23 years. Wilma enjoyed knitting, reading and doing crossword puzzles. She never complained and was a happy person who loved her family and Jesus. Her love of Jesus was a very important part of her life. Wilma was also the “Best Mother in the World”. Her family includes her children, Mary (James) Gioiosa of Watervliet, Diane Meyers of Bainbridge Township and Carol (Steve) Tacy of Watervliet, her five grandchildren and her eight great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her son, David, in 2017 and her brother, Stanley.

MELVA LORRAINE SALINE-MEACHUM Melva Lorraine Saline-Meachum was born April 21, 1948 in Benton Harbor. She was born to Harold and Glenna (Reed) Sanders. Melva passed away at her home in Hartford on Monday, July 29, 2019. Melva was united in marriage with Dwight Meachum on May 9, 2006. She was a stay at home wife and mother, who loved raising Bassett Hounds and Yorkshire Terriers, and really loved each and every one of them. Melva is survived by her husband, Dwight; a son, Eric Saline of Nampa, Idaho; a sister, Deborah Bonczkowski of South Haven; and other family members and friends.

Her first husband, Gary Saline, precedes her in passing, as did her parents and a sister, Pamela Williamson. As to Melva’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of life gathering will take place on Sunday, August 18 starting at 5 p.m., at the Van Buren Sportsman Club in Hartford. If you can, please bring a dish to pass. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice in Melva’s name. Memorial condolences for the family can be left at www.calvin-leonardfh.com.

ALPHONSE JOSEPH CALABRESE Alphonse Joseph Calabrese was born on June 2, 1943 in South Haven, the son of Ralph and Irma (Simoni) Calabrese. Alphonse passed away suddenly on Sunday, August 4, 2019 at his sister Irma’s home in Hartford. He was also preceded in passing by a sister, Geraldine Calabrese. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22 at The Bible Church in Hartford, where at 2 p.m. a memorial celebration of life service will be held to honor Alphonse’s memory. As to Alphonse’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Pastor Benjamin Williamson will officiate. The Calvin Funeral Home in Hartford is helping the family with arrangements. Memorial condolences for the family can be left at www.calvin-leonardfh.com. Alphonse was a self employed carpenter, who did construction work in California for over 40 years. His passion for woodworking was his calling, especially for making cabinets and he was very good at what he did. Alphonse leaves behind to cherish his memory, a son, Andrew Calabrese of California; three sisters, Irma Gregory of Hartford, Carmela Harris of North Carolina, Jeanette Newell of South Haven; a brother, Genaro Calabrese of California; several nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends.

WILBERT “BILL” SMITH Wilbert “Bill” Smith, 88, of Benton Harbor died Saturday, August 10, 2019 at the Hanson Hospice Center in Lincoln Township. Services celebrating his life will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15 at the Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Coloma. Burial will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends and relatives beginning at Noon on Thursday at the Davidson Chapel. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society. Please share messages, memories or photos at www.florin.net.

Bill was born on Jan. 22, 1931 in Benton Harbor to Everett and Florence Smith. He was a veteran of the Korean War where he served in the U.S. Army. He was a retired Heating and Air Conditioning Technician. He was a resident of Florida for 33 years before five years ago when he moved back to Michigan. His favorite things to do were bowling, golfing and auto body repair. Bill was a loving and caring individual who was funny and an all around nice guy. His family includes his daughter, Kathy Trulove of Benton Harbor; his sister, Ramona Nybro of Watervliet; his brother, Thomas Smith of Bridgeport, MI; his two grandchildren, Pandora and Jackie and his four great-grandchildren, Alex, Brad, Kenyon and Greyson. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Reuben and Raymond.

ROSIE PEARL HENDERSON Rosie Pearl “Rose” Henderson, 78, of Lawrence, passed away Thursday, August 8, 2019 at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo. Rose was born November 8, 1940 in Braggadocio, MO, the daughter of Ernest and Lorene (James) Robbins, both of whom precede her in passing. Also preceding her in passing were her husband, Loyd; two brothers: Cletis Robbins and Clifton Robbins, a sister, Dollie Jackson and several nieces.

Rose was faithfully employed with Coloma Community Schools and Hartford Public Schools, where she taught for a total of 32 years. Rose is survived by three children: James (Darlene) Henderson of Hartford, Sharon (Greg) Staffen and Richard “Rich” (Julie) Henderson, both of Lawrence; grandchildren: Jason Staffen, Brad Henderson, Justin (Arika) Staffen, Josh Staffen, Skylar Closson and Allison Henderson and two great-granddaughters: Brookelynn and Kaylee. She is also survived by a sister, Velva Landi and a brother, Mack (Phyllis) Robbins. The family welcomed friends on Monday, Aug. 13 at the Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford, where the service to honor her memory commenced on Tuesday, Aug. 14, with Pastor Jeremiah Johnson of the Bangor Church of Christ officiating. Burial followed in Hill Cemetery, Lawrence. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.calvin-leonardfh.com.

Death Notices Burleen E. Sexton, 95, of St. Joseph died Aug. 6, 2019 at Royalton Manor, St. Joseph. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph Margaret A. “Peg” Williamson, 82, of Benton Harbor died Aug. 7, 2019 at home. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph William “Bill” Kintup, 86, of Benton Harbor died Aug. 7, 2019 at home. Hutchins Funeral Home, Watervliet Richard L. Kimball, 84, of Sister Lakes died Aug. 13, 2019 at The Willows Assisted Living, Royalton Township. Fairplain Chapel – Florin Funeral Service, Benton Harbor