Mariana Kirkeby

Mariana (Aviles) Kirkeby, 87, of St. Joseph, MI passed away at The Willows in St. Joseph on Wednesday, April 30, 2014. Arrangements have been entrusted with Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI.   Mariana was born on March 5, 1927 in Benton Harbor, MI to Fernando and Genevieve (Holtz) Aviles. On January 26, 1956 in Sodus, MI she married Joseph Kirkeby; he preceded her in death on Sept. 12, 1989. Mariana was a life long member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, she loved to dance and take walks from downtown St. Joseph to Stevensville, loved life and most of all her family.   Mariana is survived by two daughters – Mary Head of St. Joseph and Donna (Randy) Dienes of St. Joseph; four grandchildren – James III, Michael and Jason Moshier, and Andrea Dienes; and two sisters – Helen Crane of Benton Harbor and Margaret (James) Gillette of St. Joseph. Preceding her in death are her parents-Fernando and Genevieve, her husband-Joseph, and three sisters and five brothers.   A Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, May 5, 11:30am, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord Rd., St. Joseph, MI, with Pastor Noah Headrick officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma, MI. Visitation is on Sunday, May 4, from 3:00-5:00pm at Starks & Menchinger Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. Friends wishing to sign the family guestbook or to leave a message of condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com