Carolyn M. Greening

Former small business owner and local entrepreneur Carolyn M. Greening, 85, of St. Joseph, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011, at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. Born on Aug. 14, 1925, in Lansing, Mich., to Thomas and Elizabeth (Yoder) Blevins, Carolyn graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism. She moved to St. Joseph with her late husband, Daniel DeRidder, and their three children in 1957 after purchasing the Uptown Drug store. Carolyn took over the small family pharmacy in 1961 after Daniel passed away. On Nov. 20, 1970, Carolyn married Elmer Greening, a St. Joseph native, pharmacist and an Army veteran. The couple would remain lovingly together for the next 40 years. A small business owner in Southwest Michigan for more than 30 years, Carolyn expanded Uptown Drug in 1968 to open Midway Pharmacy. Two years later she launched another venture with Expressions Unlimited, a card and gift shop in downtown St. Joseph that also served as a her creative outlet. Carolyn's creativity – especially her love and talent for floral arrangements was in conjunction with another company she operated, the Jackie Lee Bow Creations Co, which she ran from the basement of the family pharmacy. Carolyn was a dedicated and committed member of her community. She served as a volunteer at the Krasl Art Center, Heritage Center, St. Joseph Senior Center and was very active in her church; Trinity Lutheran in St Joseph. She was also the secretary for the Ladies Aid Society for more than fifteen years. In her spare time, Carolyn enjoyed cooking – including publishing many of her recipes over the years in the Herald-Palladium and other local cookbooks – traveling, writing, playing cards, golfing and spending time at her family's historic cottage overlooking Fife Lake in Northwest Michigan. Through her many ventures – both in business and in life – Carolyn touched many lives and developed countless relationships. And still, she always found the time to be a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Carolyn is survived by her husband Elmer Greening of St. Joseph; son Doug (Catherine) DeRidder of St. Joseph; daughter Deborah (Michael Welbourne) DeRidder of Las Vegas, daughter-in-law Bonnie DeRidder of Marshall MI; six grandchildren Melissa (DeRidder) Swan, Elizabeth (DeRidder) Raubolt, Christopher DeRidder, Nicola (Coger) Dimarco, Douglas Coger Jr., and Darrick (Colette) DeRidder; seven great grandchildren; and brother Thomas Blevins. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents; son Daniel DeRidder; brother Ronald Blevins; and her life long best friend Esther Erwood. A Celebration of Life Service for Carolyn will be held at 11 a.m. this Monday, Feb. 7, at St. Joseph's Trinity Lutheran Church located at 619 Market St., with Pastor Thomas Batsky officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Lunch will be provided at the Trinity Center following the burial. Friends may also visit Sunday, Feb. 6, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road in St. Joseph. Memorials can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or to the St. Joseph Senior Center. Those wishing to share a memory online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.