Ruth Natalie Kessinger

Ruth Natalie (Smikle) Beland Kessinger, 89, of St. Joseph, passed away on Sunday, June 17, 2007, at Golden Age Manor II in Stevensville. A graveside service will be held on Friday, June 22, 2007, at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma, at 1:00 P.M. with Rev. Jonathan Kruschel officiating. Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Stevensville, MI. Friends may send the family a condolence message or sign the guest book on-line at www.starks-menchinger.com. Ruth was born in Bridgman to Adolph “Otto” and Hulda (Yanke) Smikle on March 11, 1918. Ruth enjoyed bowling and volunteering for Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. She was a member of American Legion Post # 568 in Stevensville. Ruth is survived by six grandchildren, Daniel (Kathy) Briney of Eau Claire, David Briney of Riverside, Marcia Briney of Riverside, Bernard (Natalie) Beland of St. Joseph, Rebecca (Matt) McKinnon of Jenison, MI, and Teresa (Rick) Collins of Trinity, NC; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Norma Schulz of Baroda; two brothers, Otto Smikle of Stevensville and Russel Smikle of Austra; a son-in-law, Howard Briney of TX; and one daughter-in-law, Elsie Lewis of Muskegon, MI. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Mary Ann Briney; and a son, Bernard R. Beland.