Anniversaries

Ray and LeAnn Herbel celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 2, 2007. To help them celebrate, they would like to hear from former students telling them of their lives since leaving the Herbels' classrooms (e-mail: theherbies@qtm.net, or write: 2484 Almaugus Dr., Niles, MI 49120). Some of the students would have known Mrs. Herbel as Miss Rodie. They have been members of the Saginaw, Gobles, and Niles (Mich.) Churches for 30 years. (Miss Rodie was a member of the Shaffer, Hutchison, Wichita [Kan.] churches.)

Ray Herbel and LeAnn Rodie were married June 2, 1957, in Abilene, Kan., by Pastor Harold Hampton. Ray has been a principal and teacher, retiring in 1995. LeAnn has been a teacher, retiring in 1997.

The Herbel family includes Kathy Herbel of Niles, Mich.; Brent and Connie Herbel of Huntsville, Mo.; and two grandchildren.

Glenn and Geraldine St. Clair celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Feb. 12, 2006, in Cabo, Mexico, with family members. They have been members of Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs, Mich., for 20 years.

Glenn St. Clair and Geraldine Bicknell were married Feb. 12, 1956, in Richmond, Ind., by Elder R.R. Patzer. Glenn has been an executive for 28 years at Cummins Diesel Engine Company's worldwide headquarters in Columbus, Ind.; hospital administrator of Masanga Leprosy Hospital and ADRA Country Director in Sierra Leone, West Africa, for eight years; and ADRA Country director in Nepal for four years. Geraldine has been a full-time homemaker; substitute teacher after graduating from Indiana University in 1984; and administrative assistant in Sierra Leone and Nepal.

The St. Clair family includes Sarai and Neal Zook of Bloomington, Ind.; Carrie and David Grellmann of Berrien Springs; Amy and Charles Looker of Goshen, Ind.; Jeffrey and Kari St. Clair of LaFollette, Ind.; Mary and Craig Moore of Berrien Springs; and 11 grandchildren.

David W. and Shirley M. Wright celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Apr. 22, 2007, by a reception with family and friends at the Scottsburg (Ind.) Seventh-day Adventist Church fellowship hall. They have been members of the Madison (Ind.) Church for three years.

David W. Wright and Shirley M. Wilms were married Feb. 24, 1957, in Baraboo, Wis., by Pastor Merlin Foll. David has been an employee of J.I. Case Company; chaplain within the Adventist Health System for 30 years; and is presently pastoring the Madison Church. Shirley has been a teacher; administrative secretary; activities director, social worker, and admissions coordinator in nursing homes; mother; and has held numerous church offices.

The Wright family includes Roger and Nannette Wright of Dayton, Ohio; Randy and Miriam Wright of Concord, Calif.; Dixie Jones of Scottsburg; Loren and Caroline Wright of San Bernardino, Calif.; and four grandchildren.

Obituaries

AHLERS, Harold L., age 91; born Jan. 26, 1916, in Appleton, Wis.; died Feb. 20, 2007, in St. Joseph, Mich. He was a member of the Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs, Mich.

Survivors include his sons, Lloyd and Floyd; stepson, Larry Crawford; daughter, Ilea McDaniel; stepdaughters, Joyce Shepherd and Bonnie McGowan; and numerous grand- and great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Kevin McDaniel, and inurnment was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Berrien Springs.

BAKER, Philo S., age 104; born Nov. 3, 1902, in Arpin, Wis.; died Feb. 22, 2007, in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. He was a member of the Moon (Wis.) and Wisconsin Rapids Churches.

Survivors include his son, Philo J.; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor David Guerrero, and interment was in Moon Cemetery.

DENNISON, Matilde (Parato), age 86; born Dec. 2, 1920, in Naples, Italy; died Jan. 27, 2007, in Fort Worth, Texas. She was a member of the Detroit (Mich.) Metropolitan Church.

Survivors include her former husband, Allen, of Keene, Texas; daughter, Irene Herr; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Bob Stauffer, and interment was in Keene Cemetery.

ELMENDORF, Lawrence P., age 93; born Nov. 16, 1913, in Rock Falls, Ill.; died Mar. 2, 2007, in Como, Ill. He was a member of the Rock Falls Church.

Survivors include his wife, Edith (Elmendorf); son, Larry Jr.; daughters, Judith Wadsworth, Aleta Melashinko, Nina Elmendorf Steele, and Laurel Henry; and eight grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastors Anthony Hunter and Don Lewis, and interment was in Riverside Cemetery, Sterling, Ill.

ERICKSEN, Mildred (Peters), age 90; born Nov. 15, 1915, in Chicago, Ill.; died Oct. 15, 2006, in Chicago. She was a member of the North Shore Church, Chicago.

Survivors include her sons, Donald and Keith; daughter, Evelyn Carrazco; 22 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Reuel Bacchus, and interment was in Irving Park Cemetery, Chicago.

GASS, Gerald C., age 74; born Sept. 10, 1932, in Lansing, Mich.; died Feb. 21, 2007, in Delta Twp., Mich. He was a member of the Grand Ledge (Mich.) Church.

Survivors include his wife, Ardela J. (Meese); son, Jeffrey C.; daughter, JoLe D. Hilton; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor Jeff Dowell, and interment was in Greenwood Cemetery, Aurelius Twp., Mich.

KENNEY, Susan B. (Breyer), age 85; born Dec. 2, 1921, in Leota, Mich.; died Jan. 22, 2007, in Prudenville, Mich. She was a member of the Houghton Lake Church, Prudenville.

Survivors include her sons, Charles O. and Arthur L.; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial and/or funeral service is to be performed in the spring of 2007.

KROHN, Erma Belle (Cornwell), age 86; born July 15, 1920, in Pine Grove Twp., Wis.; died Sept. 3, 2006, in Stevens Point, Wis. She was a member of the Almond (Wis.) Church.

Survivors include her son, Kenneth; daughter, Nancy Colon; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastor David Guerrero, and interment was in Pine Grove Cemetery, Pine Grove Twp.

O'CONNER, Ronald L., age 60; born Dec. 20, 1946, in Detroit, Mich.; died Feb. 14, 2007, in Kalamazoo, Mich. He was a member of the Gobles/Pinedale Church, Gobles, Mich.

Survivors include his wife, Judy (Kimberlin); son, Rodney; daughter, Wendy Taylor; brother, Kenneth; half brothers, David, Rex, Lonny, and Douglas Allen, and Randy Fyffe; half sisters, Betty Palmer, Linda Anderson, and Danna Rutan-Gezon; and four grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted by Pastors Don Williams and Delmer Austin, and interment was in Robinson Cemetery, Bloomingdale, Mich.