Birthdays

Ethan Barrett celebrated his 100th birthday on Sept. 17 by a big family get-together on Sept. 2, 2006, combined with he and his wife's 75th wedding anniversary, at the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Central Church. He has been a member of the Grand Rapids Central Church for 65 years.

Ethan is married to Irene (Curtis).

Ethan has been a teacher for ten years, then worked 30 years at the American Feeding Co., retiring at age 63.

Ethan has two children: Eldean and Anita Barrett of Phoenix, Ariz.; Merrill Barrett of Grand Rapids; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Anniversaries

Ethan and Irene Barrett celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary on Sept. 2, 2006, by a big family get-together at the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Central Church. They have been members of the Grand Rapids Central Church for 65 years.

Ethan Barrett and Irene Curtis were married Aug. 16, 1931, in Edmore, Mich., by Elder Lanson. Ethan has been a teacher for ten years, then worked 30 years at the American Feeding Co., retiring at age 63. Irene has been a teacher, mother, and homemaker.

The Barrett family includes Eldean and Anita Barrett of Phoenix, Ariz.; Merrill Barrett of Grand Rapids; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Ben and Erma Breen celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Aug. 12, 2006, by a card shower from their friends and family, receiving more than 110 cards and letters, at Cedar Lake, Mich. They have been members of the Riverdale (Mich.) Church for many years.

Ben Breen and Erma Root were married Aug. 12, 1941, in Coopersville, Mich., by Elder Hankins. Ben has been a farmer, bee keeper, and wholesale dealer. Erma has been a homemaker and mother.

The Breen family includes Wavajean and Marvin Watkins of Cedar Lake, Mich.; Sylvia and Terry Boves of North Star, Mich.; Cynthia and Dean Voss and Miriam and Ken Henson of Cedar Lake, Mich.; the late Emily Bendler; ten grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren; and two step-great-great-grandchildren.

L. Eugene and Ruth Merkel celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 10, 2006, by a trip with their daughters and families to Oak Haven Resort in Sevierville, Tenn. They have been members of the Pioneer Memorial (Mich.) Church for many years.

Gene Merkel and Ruth Vitrano were married June 10, 1956, in Milton Junction, Wis., by Dr. Floyd O. Rittenhouse. Gene has been a certified public accountant for over 40 years. Ruth has been a homemaker for many years and also worked as an administrative assistant to four different presidents of Emmanuel Missionary College and Andrews University. She recently authored a series of children's books entitled Hannah's Girls.

The Merkel family includes Elaine and Dann Hotelling of Lebanon, Ohio; Marcia and Ben Irwin of Zelienople, Pa.; and three grandchildren.

Obituaries

BISHOP, Robert S., age 86; born May 1, 1920, in Kalamazoo, Mich.; died July 15, 2006, in Eau Claire, Mich. He was a member of the Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs, Mich.

Survivors include his wife, Jeanne (Seleske); son, Terry; daughter, Marcia Bishop; sister, Cheni Wise; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Michael Wise, and interment was in Cedar Lake (Mich.) Cemetery.

CLARK, M. Margaret (Wilson), age 90; born Mar. 25, 1916, in White Cty., Ind.; died Sept. 19, 2006, in Monticello, Ind. She was a member of the Monticello Church.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Blake Hall, and interment was in Bedford Cemetery, Monticello.

COLE, Estelle P. (McReynolds), age 87; born Nov. 24, 1918, in Gibson Cty., Ind.; died Aug. 30, 2006, in Lafayette, Ind. She was a member of the Lafayette Church, West Lafayette.

Survivors include her sons, Dennis, Daniel, Donald, and David; daughters, Deanne Collins, Debbie Johnson, and Dorothy Keiser; sisters, Mary Thompson and Ruth Reinhart; 14 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Elder Arthur Collins, and interment was in Dayton (Ind.) Cemetery.

EMELANDER, Hazel (Rhoby), age 83; born Nov. 19, 1922, in Stanwood, Mich.; died June 25, 2006, in Hasting, Mich. She was a member of the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Central Church.

Survivors include her son, Philip Rhoby; and two grandchildren.

Memorial services were conducted by Pastor Mark Howard, with private interment.

FIKE, Blanche (Hynek), age 93; born Apr. 2, 1913, in Hillsboro, Wis.; died Sept. 17, 2006, in Wyocena, Wis. She was a member of the Portage (Wis.) Church.

Survivors include her sons, Gordon M. and Richard L.; daugthers, Dorothy Russell, Mary Maier, Betty Jean Wicks, and Bonnie J. Sanford; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Charles Byrd, and interment was in Oak Grove Cemetery, Portage.

HELM, Herbert W., age 83; born Mar. 11, 1923, in Gary, Ind.; died Sept. 26, 2006, in Niles, Mich. He was a member of the Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs, Mich.

Survivors include his wife, Doris D. (Covert); sons, Herbert W. Jr., Michael R., and Steven K.; daughter, Nancy L. Church; and ten grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Don Inglish, and interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Berrien Springs.

KOUDELE, Mary E. "Betty" (Brooke), age 81; born Apr. 18, 1925, in Dalworth Park, Texas; died Sept. 8, 2006, in Kalamazoo, Mich. She was a member of the Dowagiac (Mich.) Church.

Survivors include her daughters, Katherine A. Koudele and Elizabeth J. Perkins; four grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor William Dudgeon and Terry Perkins, and interment was in Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac.

MWINGA, Exilda, age 39; born Aug. 16, 1966, in Mumbwa, Zambia; died July 21, 2006, in Berrien Springs, Mich. She was a member of the Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs.

Survivors include her father, Job Mwinga; brothers, Maybin, Larry, Crawford, Marvin, and Kennedy Mwinga; and sister, Beatrice Majele.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor M. Harris, and interment was in Sinanda Farm Cemetery, Lusaka, Zambia.

OLIVER, Benoni B., age 65; born Oct. 10, 1940, in Acre, Brazil, S. Amer.; died Sept. 22, 2006, in Berrien Springs, Mich. He was a member of the Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs.

Survivors include his wife, Suzanne Y. (Wilk); sons, Isaac and Benjamin; daughters, Agador Miboa, Ava Kprdamoa, and Ana Queila; and six grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Dwight K. Nelson, and interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Berrien Springs.

PHILLIPS, Austa May (Whitlow), age 93; born Dec. 26, 1912, in Wichita, Kan.; died Aug. 30, 2006, in Williamston, Mich. She was a member of the Lansing (Mich.) Church.

Survivors include her sons, Monty P., Max G., and Marshal A.; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Inurnment was in Maple Grove Cemetery, Wichita.

SLOAN, Dolores G. (Owens), age 75; born Feb. 5, 1931, in Belgrade, Minn.; died Aug. 30, 2006, in Columbus, Wis. She was a member of the Wisconsin Academy Church, Columbus.

Survivors include her sons, Larry and Joshua; daughters, Nancy Stronach, Susan Reed, and Teena George; brothers, Wayne and Warren Owens; sisters, Marjorie Hoffman and Shirley Cenkush; 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Steve Aust, and interment was in Fall River (Wis.) Cemetery.

THOMAS, Helen E. (Capener) Roedsens, age 82; born Sept. 7, 1923, in Baraboo, Wis.; died June 21, 2006, in Grand Rapids, Mich. She was a member of the Wyoming Church, Grand Rapids.

Survivors include her husband, Elmer H.; stepsons, Darrell, Tim, and Larry; daughters, Jo Ellen Mortenson, Kathy Ann Nelson, and Bobbi Kay Bishop; stepdaughter, Cheryl Smith; nine grandchildren; ten step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and ten step-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Philip Colburn, and interment was in Oakwood Cemetery, Grand Ledge, Mich.

WILCOX, Patrick D., age 75; born Mar. 9, 1931, in Mich.; died Sept. 22, 2006, in Green Bay, Wis. He was a member of the Green Bay Church.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara (Bishop); son, Robert; daughters, Bonnie Neshek, Kris Birkholz, and Karolyn Wied; seven grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Delmar Austin, and interment was in Elm Lawn Cemetery, Twp. of Lessor, Wis.