Dovie M. Burbach

Dovie Mae (Lawson) Burbach, 92 of Benton Harbor, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at her home. A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, at Napier Parkview Baptist Church, 245 W. Napier, Benton Harbor. Mausoleum entombment will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 16, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Dovie was born on May 14, 1917 in Henrietta, Texas to William and Lillian (Fields) Lawson. Dovie later married Fredrick Burbach, while he was stationed at Shepherds Field in Wichita Falls, TX serving our country during WWII, on June 6,1942 in Walter, Oklahoma. They made their home in Benton Harbor and started their electrical business, Burbach Electric in 1946 where she worked in the office. She also enjoyed serving people in the retail business and worked at both Sears and J. C. Penny Co. She loved to entertain; family and friends were always welcome in her home. She enjoyed golfing, traveling, sewing, and had a love for flowers, gardening, birds and the beauty of God’s creation. Dovie loved teaching Sunday school, she taught the third grade girls class for more than thirty years. She was a member of Napier Parkview Baptist Church for 62 years. She was also active in their Women’s Missionary Society, holding many offices. Dovie is survived by her husband, Fred, and their daughter, Joy (Russ) Reschke of Benton Harbor. She is survived by three grandchildren, Brent (Jenefer) Reschke of Benton Harbor, Heather (Danny) Austin of Denver, CO and Blake (Pollyanna) Reschke of Austin, TX and one great grandchild, Estella Reschke. Dovie is also survived by her sister, Lorena Thomas and her two brothers William and Isaac Lawson all residing in Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Lillian, two sisters, Mary Cloud and Frances Lawson, and five brothers, Everit, Orvil, Elmo, Arnold and Lester Lawson. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Napier Parkview Baptist Church.