Bertha Elizabeth Briney

Bertha Elizabeth Briney, 82, of Stevensville, passed away on Monday, August 28, 2017, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2017, at 11: 00 A.M. at St. Matthews Lutheran Evangelical Lutheran Church, corner of Colfax & Kline Avenues, Benton Harbor, with Pastor Jeff Bolwerk officiating. Friends may visit with the family on Friday, September 1, 2017, from 6:00 P.M until 8:00 P.M at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church or Michigan Lutheran High School. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Bertha was born on August 23, 1935, to Ervin & Katherine (Kranich) LaGrow in Big Rapids, MI. On May 26, 1956, she married Ronald Briney Sr. at St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor. For more than 20 years, Bertha worked as a secretary and administrator for Benton Harbor Reading Center. She also worked as a kindergarten teacher at St. Matthews Elementary School for over 13 years. Bertha is survived by her children, Ron (Lyn) Briney Jr. of Stevensville, Mark (Peggy) Briney of Baroda, John (Bobbi) Briney of Port St. Lucie, FL, and Paul (Sandra) Briney of Grand Haven; 16 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and 8 siblings. Bertha was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ronald; and 6 siblings.