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THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017

OBITUARIES Bill Crosby

1955-2017

ill Crosby, 61, of Three Oaks, formerly of South Haven, passed away peacefully, Friday, March 10, 2017, in his home in the presence of his family. Bill was born December 16, 1955 in South Haven, Michigan, the son of Robert and Clara (Pratt) Crosby. He married Donna Swain April 24, 1976 in Harbert, Michigan. Bill worked for Nylen Products in Bridgman for 20 years, at Qualitone in Sawyer for 12 years as well as several other employers over the years. Bill loved fishing with his son Todd. He enjoyed going to the casino and playing all the slots. Bill enjoyed spending time with his family especially his grandchildren. Bill enjoyed riding his bicycle all over Southwest Michigan. Bill will always be remembered for being a hard worker and always lending a hand to those in need. Bill will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his beloved wife Donna; his children: Todd Crosby and Jayme (Bobby Clemons) Crosby; his grandchildren: Jasmine, Jaylin, Ronnie; his brother Robert Crosby Jr; his sister Brenda Crosby; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Bill is preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Jessica Crosby; his brother Dale Crosby. Family and friends gathered Thursday, March 16, 2017 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Pobocik Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 106 Ash Street East, Three Oaks, Michigan. The Funeral was held on Friday, March 17, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., also at Pobicik Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 106 Ash Street East, Three Oaks, MI 49128. Bill was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Three Oaks Township, Michigan. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pobocik Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Three Oaks, Michigan 49128. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.

Shirley Fisher

1930-2017

hirley Fisher, 86, of Three Oaks, passed away peacefully, Monday, January 9, 2017, in St. Joseph, Michigan. Shirley was born June 10, 1930 in Three Oaks, Michigan, to John and Inez DeBoer. She married Lyle Fisher on March 2, 1963 at First Reformed Church in Three Oaks, Michigan. Shirley grew up in Three Oaks and graduated from Three Oaks High School in 1948. Shirley worked at the Warren Featherbone Factory and Electro-Voice. After her marriage to Lyle Fisher, they lived in Decatur, Michigan and attended the Reformed church there. In 1980 they moved to Edwardsburg, Michigan. Shirley was custodian for the post office in Granger, Indiana and custodian for the First Methodist Church of Dowagiac, Michigan. Shirley made friends wherever she went. In 1994, Shirley and Lyle moved back to Three Oaks and were members of the First Reformed Church. Shirley loved music and sang in the church choir. She always had a smile and enjoyed the Rise and Shiner group from church.

Shirley liked to clip articles out of newspapers or magazines that mentioned anything about Three Oaks or the people that lived there and put them in scrapbooks. Having no children of her own, she was always doing little things for her nieces and nephews. Shirley was a member of the Rebekah Lodge for Fifty years, and served in many of the Lodge positions. Shirley will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her two brothers-in-law: David Mason of Seelyville, Indiana and Joseph McKie of Three Oaks, Michigan; and her two sisters-in-law: Norma Conklin of Lebanon, Indiana, and Nona DeBoer; as well as many nieces and nephews. Family and friends will gather for a Memorial Service on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Pobocik Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 106 Ash Street East, Three Oaks, MI 49128. Pastor Ron Ahrens will be officiating. Shirley will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery in Chikaming Township, Michigan. The family prefers contributions be made in Shirley’s memory to one’s choice of charities. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pobocik Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Three Oaks, Michigan. Please share a memory or message online at www. wagnercares.com.

Leslie Birkholz Lee

1928-2017

eslie Birkholz Lee, 88, passed away on Saturday March 18, 2017 at the Hanson Hospice Care Facility in Stevensville Michigan. Leslie was born in Galena Township, Indiana on October 5, 1928 to the late Leonora Birkholz Ottinger and the late Eldon Lee. Leslie was also preceded in death by his son Kevin Lee and grandson David Sikorski. On July 19, 1950, he married Lucy Ann Payne, the mother of his seven children. She preceded him in death on January 25, 2014. Leslie is survived by his six children: Julie (Charles) Sittig, Karen (John) Marciniak, Eric (Dana) Lee, Laurie (Parry) Metz, Tina (Scott) Neal and Lianna (Brian) Hadden; as well as thirteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Leslie is also survived by his sisters: Charlotte (Jeff) Wandell and Priscilla Lee Hellenga and his brothers; Russell Lee and Eldon “Cap” Lee. Leslie attended Galena Elementary School in Heston, Indiana and graduated from Three Oaks High School. He attended Michigan State University where he studied music and business management and played in the Michigan State Marching Band. Leslie was a lifelong resident of Three Oaks and a fifth-generation owner of the Lee Oil Company. He was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church in Three Oaks and sang for many years in the church choir. Leslie was an accomplished musician in the community band “Old Style” and was called to play for community orchestras, taps at the cemetery and special events through most of his life. Leslie was a constant participating member to a multigenerational family’s love of music and the arts and through their businesses of the Lee “Vickers” Theatre and Lee Music Shop you could hear his trumpet playing. Leslie was also Lions Club President in 1974 and 1975 and was proud of his achievements with the Lions Club and he was always a sharp dressed man. Leslie loved the outdoors and watching Lake Michigan sunsets. He loved spending time with family at get-togethers, Sunday movie matinees, studying family genealogy, and listening to music performers. Leslie courageously fought cancer for 15 years, never letting it dampen his spirit for life. The Lee Family wishes to offer thanks to all who provided compassionate and understanding care to our father and to our family during his last months. Visitation was Monday, March 20, 2017, at Three Oaks

United Methodist Church, 2 Sycamore Street East, Three Oaks, Michigan 49128. The Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., also at Three Oaks United Methodist Church. The Reverend Sherri Swanson officiated. Leslie was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Three Oaks Township, Michigan. Memorial Contributions may be made to: The Region of Three Oaks Museum, 5 Featherbone Avenue, Three Oaks, Michigan 49128; where he was a docent. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pobocik Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Three Oaks, Michigan 49128. Please share a memory or a message online at www. wagnercares.com.

Mary Trapp

1935-2017

ary Louise Trapp, age 82, of Galien, Michigan, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, March 15, 2017, in Stevensville, Michigan, in the presence and comfort of her family. Mary was born January 19, 1935 in Three Oaks, Michigan, the daughter of George and Rose (Hebner) Reitz. She married Robert A Trapp April 1, 1953 in Glendora, Michigan. Mary worked at Featherbone Factory, and retired from Gerber Baby Wear. Mary will be remembered for having enjoyed many things in life, a few of them are, her crocheting, going to the Shipshewana Flea Market, shopping, the family Easter egg hunts, slow Sunday evening country drives, eating out, watching her westerns on TV, but most importantly, spending time with her family. Mary was a longtime member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glendora, Michigan. She participated in the Alter Guild, as well as helping to count tithe for many years. She enjoyed helping out with the annual chicken dinners. Mary will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her children: Freida (John) Keefer of Galien, Michigan, Cheryl (David) Nicely of Three Oaks; her grandchildren: Michelle Nicely, David (Vanessa) Nicely Jr, Derek Nicely, all of Three Oaks, Michigan, Taya (Lewie) Rohl of Stevensville, Michigan, Roberta (Jeremy) Lawson of Galien, Michigan, Katrina (Alex) Schneider of Mason, Michigan; her great-grandchildren: Zeke, Case, Maxwell, Morgan, David III, Paige, Brayden, Devin, Michael; her brother George (Ruby) Reitz; her sister-in-law Eleanor Reitz; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Mary is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert, her son Robert Jr, her brother Frank Reitz. Family and friends gathered on Monday, March 20, 2017 at Pobocik Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 106 Ash Street East, Three Oaks, Michigan. The Funeral was held on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1733 West Glendora Road, Buchanan, Michigan 49107. The Reverend Jonathan Liebich officiated. Mary will be laid to rest in Galien Township Cemetery, Galien Township, Michigan. The family prefers contributions be made in Mary’s memory to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1733 West Glendora Road, Buchanan, Michigan 49107. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pobocik Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Three Oaks, Michigan 49128. Please share a memory or a message online at www. wagnercares.com.