Joantha Sieber

Joantha Sieber, 87, of Three Oaks, passed away, July 8, 2017.  She passed peacefully with her family at her side. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 A.M.Wednesday, July 12 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph.  Burial & graveside services will take place at Sparta Cemetery in Kimmell, Indiana, 3:30 P.M. Wednesday.  Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, July 11  at the funeral home.  Memorial donations may be made to Caring Circle Hospice.  Those wishing to sign Joantha’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Joantha was born February 2, 1930 in Ligonier, Indiana to Zacharias “Charles” & Harriet (Kimmell) Andrews. She graduated from Ligonier High School with Honors in 1947.  While in Ligonier, her family owned & operated the Philadelphia Café in Ligonier.  Following their move to Benton Harbor in 1948, her parents opened and operated the Candyland Restaurant on Main Street, downtown Benton Harbor.  The Candyland was noted for their homemade candies, treats, and ice cream soda fountain. Joantha started working in the Benton Harbor municipal system in 1948, at age 18.  After completing a 12 month business course at the Gregg College of Business in Chicago, she took the 2 hour train ride from Chicago to Benton Harbor and by 2pm that day she was filing traffic tickets and collecting fines at the Benton Harbor Municipal Court.  That began a long and successful career in local government.  Joantha worked there for five years before leaving for sixteen years to raise her children. When she decided to return to work she started out in the school system, but was soon called back to the Municipal Court. She stayed with them until the court became the Fifth District Court. She was a supervisor for the Fifth District Court for 18 years.  In 1988, she was recommended by a judge and appointed by the Berrien County Board of Commissioners as a Magistrate.  Joantha felt that she had more to give, learn and do as a Magistrate.  She gladly accepted that position and worked in the Three Oaks office until her retirement in 1995.   One of the privileges that came with that job was the authority to perform marriage ceremonies. She would perform about 20 marriages each year. She would always tell the family whenever she did that and how much she enjoyed it.  She loved her fellow employees, many of which have kept in touch with her through her recent journey. Joantha always had a soft spot in her heart for a police officer in uniform. After Joantha retired she enjoyed traveling to Georgia, Florida, and Nebraska to visit her daughter’s and sister’s families. She also took trips to Michigan’s UP to visit her grand-daughter while attending college. Her grandchildren meant the world to her and she took every chance she could get to spend time with them from their infant years and into their adult lives. During her retirement she volunteered for many years at Jordan’s Nursing Home in Bridgman MI, spreading her joy and care to many.  Joantha was an amazing cook who loved to prepare traditional Greek dishes.   She also enjoyed crafts, crocheting, knitting, taking photographs of her family, and reading & cheering on the Chicago Cubs & Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Joantha is survived by her children-Linda (Jimmy) Williams of Perry, GA, Ron (Anna Russo) Sieber of Stevensville, Laura (Rick Mendanall) Sieber of Benton Harbor; three grandchildren-Matt (Kaitlin) Sieber Juliana (Shane) Enders, Lisa Williams; four great-grandchildren-Ethan & Emma Enders, Lydia & Eleanor “Elli” Sieber; her sister Helen  Willmeng of Lincoln, NE; and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Thomas, and her former husband-Joseph Sieber. Joantha will be deeply missed by everyone that was near to her. On behalf of Joantha the family expresses their sincere gratitude and appreciation for the very special care she was given by the staffs at the Pine Ridge Rehabilitation Facility and the Whitcomb Retirement Home.