Connie Jean Slabaugh

Connie Jean Slabaugh, 50 years young passed suddenly Saturday June 12, at her home in Stevensville. She is survived by her mother JoAnn, father Clarence, grandmother Hattie Whitt, three brothers Mark, Mike, Jeff, her best friend and sister in-law Linda and her special friend Paulie. She has five nieces and two nephews and scores of cousins, aunts and uncles that will miss her dearly. Connie was born January 5th, 1960 in Benton Harbor MI, the first of four children. She graduated from Lakeshore High in 1978 and attended Lake Michigan College. She was a gifted vocalist and an avid movie buff with only a mild obsession with Johnny Depp. For over two years, this obsession helped give her strength to battle a multitude of debilitating illnesses and injuries. Connie derived real satisfaction from her work as a caregiver to the mentally and physically challenged at several adult foster care facilities and hoped one day to be healthy enough to return to this work. Connie found her faith in Christ later in life as a member of Zion Evangelical Church. This faith helped give some meaning to the terrible suffering she endured for so long. All friends and family are invited to celebrate the life and morn the loss of this beautiful child of God. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 15th at Starks & Menchinger family funeral home, 2650 Niles Rd., in St. Joseph from 6pm to 8pm. A service will be held Wednesday June 16th at Zion Evangelical Church 3001 Veronica Dr., in St. Joseph at 11am with Pastor Dan Smith officiating. Memorials may be made to Zion Church. Those wishing to sign the memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.