Anniversaries

George and Shirley Baptist celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 4, 2005, by a dinner with family and friends, hosted by their son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Barbara Baptist, at Grand Mere Inn, Stevensville, Mich. They have been members of the Berrien Springs (Mich.) Village Church for 45 years.

George Baptist and Shirley McClung were married Jan. 4, 1955, in Washington, D.C., by a judge. George has been a school teacher in Niles, Mich., and for 23 years at the Berrien Springs Village Elementary School, retiring in 1982. Since retiring he has been working with his son, Robert, in rentals and construction. Shirley has been a childcare provider until 1986 and a homemaker.

The Baptist family includes Michael Baptist of Minneapolis, Minn.; Robert and Barbara Baptist of Benton Harbor, Mich.; Richard and Vickie Baptist of Memphis, Tenn.; and ten grandchildren.

Melvin and Shirley Smith celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Nov. 16, 2004, by an open house at the Urbandale Church fellowship hall. They have been members of the Urbandale (Mich.) Church for three years.

Melvin Smith and Shirley Field were married Nov. 16, 1944, in Denver, Colo., by an army chaplain. Melvin has been a salesman for Loma Linda Foods in the Lake Union then transferred to Ohio. Shirley has been a secretary and bookkeeper, and worked in the Andrews University bindery before moving to Ohio.

The Smith family includes Melvin Smith Jr.; Steve and Marti Smith; Barclay Smith, all of Battle Creek, Mich.; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Weddings

Janelle V. Nay and Jamison R. Bennett were married July 25, 2004, in Augusta, Mich. The ceremony was performed by Pastor Peter Braman.

Janelle is the daughter of John and Judy Nay of Vienna, Va., and Jamison is the son of Gary and Connie Bennett of Bayfield, Colo., and Deborah and John Berecz of Buchanan, Mich.

The Bennetts are making their home in Muncie, Ind.

Marlene A. Seitze and Ronald L. Herzhaft were married Aug. 18, 2004, in Muskegon, Mich. The ceremony was performed by Pastor Ryan Counsell.

Marlene is the daughter of Joe and Laura Seitze of Muskegon, and Ronald is the son of the late Martin and the late Viola Herzhaft of Muskegon.

The Herzhafts are making their home in Muskegon.

Cindy K. Dean and Howard L. Jones were married Dec. 25, 2004, in Edenville, Mich. The ceremony was performed by Pastor Michael Wise.

Cindy is the daughter of Dorothy and the late Floyd "Pete" Searfoss of Gladwin, Mich., and Howard is the son of the late Howard and the late Lois Jones of Houghton Lake, Mich.

The Joneses are making their home in Alger, Mich.

Sheila A. Ritter and James A. Kowalski were married Mar. 21, 2004, in Muskegon, Mich. The ceremony was performed by Pastor Ryan Counsell.

Sheila is the daughter of Jerry and Connie Ward of Apopka, Fla., and Janet McGowin of Apopka, and James is the son of Joseph and Rose Kowalski of Freesoil, Mich.

The Kowalskis are making their home in Norton Shores, Mich.

Obituaries

BAERG, Ida M. (Wentworth), age 82; born Dec. 11, 1922, in Stites, Iowa; died Dec. 22, 2004, in Berrien Center, Mich. She was a member of the Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs, Mich.

Survivors include her son, Willard; daughter, Coral Bernneise; and six grandchildren.

Memorial services were conducted by Elder Russell Staples, and inurnment was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Berrien Springs.

BAUN, William L., age 73; born Mar. 4, 1931, in Akron, Ohio; died Dec. 12, 2004, in Marshfield, Wis. He was a member of the Bethel Church, Arpin, Wis.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley (Stephen); son, R. Terry; daughter, Kathy Zalabak; sisters, Carlene Christopher and Becky Beardsley; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastors Armando Camacho and Wendell Springer, and interment was in Bethel Cemetery, Arpin.

HANNAH, Harry W., age 91; born May 27, 1913, in St. Johns, Newfoundland; died June 6, 2004, in Culver City, Calif. He was a member of the Charlotte (Mich.) Church.

Survivors include his wife, Gertrude (Gouch); son, Ralph; daughter, Barbara Atherton; sister, Bonnie Jean Hannah; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Calvin Thompson, and interment was in Montecito Memorial Park Cemetery, Loma Linda, Calif.

INGLEBY, June (Porrecca), age 95; born Apr. 7, 1908, in Abruzzi, Italy; died Dec. 26, 2003, in Gaylord, Mich. She was a member of the Gaylord Church.

Survivors include her daughter, Lena Fought; stepdaughters, Donna Buhr, Shirley Gallandt, and Kathi Ingleby; sisters, Norine Ansuini and Rose Johnston; one grandchild; one great-grandchild; six step-grandchildren; and seven step-great-grandchildren.

Memorial services were conducted by Pastor George Dronen, and inurnment was in Otsego Lake Twp. Cemetery, Gaylord.

LEAVITT Sr., Arthur E., age 83; born May 29, 1921, in Mt. Forest Twp., Mich.; died Jan. 14, 2005, in Bentley Twp., Mich. He was a member of the Estey Church, Rhodes, Mich.

Survivors include his wife, Evelyn M. (McPherson); sons, Arthur Jr., Bruce, and Dennis; stepson, Larry McPherson; daughter, Doris Reeves; brother, Curtis; sister, Betty Ehler; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Michael McPherson and Gregory Leavitt, and interment was in Rhodes Cemetery.

MCCLAIN, James, age 82; born Feb. 21, 1922, in Memphis, Tenn.; died July 18, 2004, in Cassopolis, Mich. He was a member of the Philadelphia Church, Niles, Mich.

Survivors include his wife, Myrna B. (Lawrence); son, Ronald; daughter, Dowan Joness; and five grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Donald Bedney, and interment was in Niles Cemetery.

NUTT, Charles O., age 59; born Feb. 2, 1945, in Rochester, Ind.; died Nov. 25, 2004, in Detroit, Mich. He was a member of the Niles (Mich.) Westside Church.

Survivors include his wife, Susan I. (Wagner); stepsons, Steven and Michael Minks; daughter, Laurie Thelen; mother, Bonnie (Burbon); brothers, Elroy Hunt, Bruce and Robert Nutt; sisters, Bonnie Pollett and Tana Dutton; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Memorial services were conducted by Pastor John Abbott.

PACKARD, Mary C. (Ervin), age 100; born Feb. 10, 1904, in Marion, Ind.; died Nov. 27, 2004, in Riverside, Calif. She was a member of the Marion Church.

Survivors include her daughter, Marilyn Trenchard; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Conrad Reichert, and interment was in Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Huntington, Ind.

PELTON, Daniel L., age 57; born Dec. 30, 1946, in Viroqua, Wis.; died Dec. 19, 2004, in St. Joseph, Mich. He was a member of the Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs, Mich.

Survivors include his wife, Sauzette (Vargus); sons, Daniel, Kris, and Geoff; brother, Dean; sisters, Dawn Conard and Tamara Lewis; and one grandchild.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Dwight Nelson and Elder David Sanner, and interment was in Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, Mich.

SHAVER, Blenford, age 99; born Nov. 1, 1905, in Caro, Mich.; died Nov. 18, 2004, in Ithaca, Mich. He was a member of the Ithaca Church.

Survivors include his daughters, Virginia Pfeifle and Betty Johnson; brother Fred; sister, Maxine Prime; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Rodney Davis, and interment was in Ithaca Cemetery.

SNOW, Earl W., age 81; born Mar. 3, 1923, in Belding, Mich.; died Nov. 19, 2004, in Hendersonville, N.C. He was a member of the Houghton (Mich.) Church.

Survivors include his wife, Violet E. (Burns); sons, Dennis, Stephen, and Timothy; brothers, Sidney and Norman; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Charles Ferguson and Stephen Snow, and interment was in Western Carolina Veterans Cemetery, Black Mountain, N.C.

STOUGHTON, Ruth J. (Hines), age 68; born Mar. 13, 1936, in Gratiot Cty., Mich.; died Jan. 18, 2005, in Carson City, Mich. She was a member of the Twin Cities Church, Alma, Mich.

Survivors include her daughters, Susie and Patricia; sisters, Gladys Thompson, Opal Brunner, and Linda Osborn; and four grandchildren.

Cremation committal services were conducted by Pastor Jeff Freeman, and inurnment was in Ridgelawn Cemetery, Breckenridge, Mich.

VAN WICKLE, Max A., age 82; born Dec. 22, 1922, in Hesperia, Mich.; died Nov. 29, 2004, in Berrien Springs, Mich. He was a member of the Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs.

Survivors include his daughters, Ritha Kalka and Joyce Trail; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Elder Dean Heisey, and interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Berrien Springs.