Eleanor Skolnik

Eleanor “Miss Ellie” Skolnik, 92, of Stevensville, passed away Friday, September 7, 2018, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, surrounded by her family. Another beautiful angel has gained her wings. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 12:00 P.M., Thursday, September 13, 2018 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel 2650 Niles Rd., St Joseph with the Rabbi Simone Schicker officiating. Burial will follow at Temple Bethel Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Friends may visit with the family from 11:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M., Thursday, at the funeral home, prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan. Those wishing to share a memory of Ellie online may do so at www.starksmenchinger.com Ellie was born June 27, 1926 in Benton Harbor, Michigan to Benjamin and Pearl (Witz) Fisch. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School, and lived in the area her entire life. She worked at Tosis Restaurant in Stevensville for close to 50 years, and earned her title as the “lady at the bar”.  She retired at the age of 90. Even after her retirement, she helped out on New Year’s Eve, making her the oldest bartender in town. Although in her 90’s, she continued to stay active and she loved living life. She was spunky, sassy, and never stopped living. She loved and lived for family time, holidays, shopping, going to Red Hats, eating Ribs at Chili’s, and adored her fur babies Garfield and Bella. With a host of friends and people who loved her, her best friend, Pat Breyen, was always there for her. They went to shows at the Mendel Center, the casino, and did many things together. Thank you, Pat for your kindness and your caring ways. A very special thanks as well to Dan McCrery Jr. and all of the “Tosi’s gang” for being her lifeline for many years. She loved all of you more than life itself. You made her life complete, and it goes without saying, that you were her second home. Ellie was loved by so many and built a lifetime of relationships. People that cannot be excluded from her obituary, Blake Sanders, Terry “TJ” Joyner, Sean Sweeney, Dave Arent and our newest addition to the family, our International student Saurabh Kulkarni. You all had a very special place in her heart. Your presence was a light in her life that will shine forever. Ellie is survived by her daughters, Pamela Skolnik, of Coloma, and Debra (Dennis) Linderman of Kalamazoo. Ellie was proceeded in death by her parents, her former husband Daniel Skolnik, her son Mark Skolnik, her brother James Fisch, and her little baby girl Bella. The family would also like to thank Bronson Methodist Hospital for the impeccable care they provided. We cannot thank you enough for everything. Your staff is nothing short of amazing and your kind gentle ways made this journey much easier to handle. Rest easy Mom. We love you, and will miss you dearly.