Bessie I. Small

Bessie I. Small, 84, of Berrien Center, passed away, Friday, October 11, 2013 at Berrien Specialty Hospital in Berrien Center. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 3:00 P.M. Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Rev. James Whitman officiating. Cremation will follow the service with burial at a later date at Crystal Springs Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Berrien County Cancer Service. Those wishing to sign Bessie’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Bessie was born October 28, 1928 in Sodus Township to William & Frances (Branch) Schaffer. She was employed in a bubble gum factory in the South and was a caregiver for the state of Michigan. She enjoyed playing bingo and embroidery. Bessie is survived by her grandchildren-Bessie Small, Mike Small, Mary Geer, Lisa Stoia, & Charles Litaker; eight great-grandchildren; her brother William Schaffer, her sister Alice Schaffer Jennings & her sister-in-law Louise Schaffer of Hartford, MI; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Charles Michael Small in 2002, by two brothers-Myron “Buck” Schaffer, Morton Schaffer, and three sisters-Frances “Snooky” Nunley, Millie Usher, & Marjorie Schaffer.