Marlene J. Bryant

Marlene J. Bryant, 61, formerly of Benton Harbor & Sodus, passed away on Wednesday, December 29, 2004, at Silver Brook Nursing Home in Niles. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 1, 2005 at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Rev. Ronald Freier officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Marlene was born December 13, 1943 to Harold and Dorothy (Bennett) Elyea in Cheboygan, Michigan. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1962. Marlene was formerly employed at V-M Corporation in Benton Harbor & Pemco Die Cast in Bridgman. Most recently Marlene worked as an in home caregiver for ten years. She was a caring and giving person, who loved animals and whose family was very important to her. She enjoyed swimming, especially at Little Paw Paw Lake in Coloma. Marlene is survived by her mother Dorothy Elyea of Sodus; children-Tami (Marshall) Whitaker of St. Joseph, Robin Shoemaker of Benton Harbor, Keri (Christina) Bryant of Kalamazoo, and Chris Bryant of Benton Harbor; grandchildren- Justin, Morgan, Chase, Shelby, Dante, and Clarice; her sister Sheila (Richard) Harris; and her canine companion-Cupcake. Marlene was preceded in death by her grandparents; her father Harold; and a sister Kaye Elyea Bennett.