Marie M. Skibbe

Marie M. Skibbe, 103, formerly of Eau Claire, died at Meadowview Nursing Home, Saturday, October 25, 2003. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2003, at 10:00AM, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI, with Pastor John O. Hosler officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma, MI. Visitation will be on Monday, from 4:00-8:00PM, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Napier Parkview Baptist Church. Friends wishing to leave a message of condolence or to sign the family guest book, may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Mrs. Skibbe was born on September 5, 1900, in Cathay, North Dakota, to Christian and Rosa (Edinger) Ruff. She married Albert Skibbe on September 30, 1922, in St. Joseph, MI. He preceded her in death October 16, 1982. She and her husband were fruit and vegetable farmers in Eau Claire from 1930-1960. Mrs. Skibbe was a member of the Napier Parkview Baptist Church, a member of the Ladies Missionary Society of the church, and a member of the Farm Bureau of Berrien County. She is survived by a daughter, Helen (Charles) Prouty of Grand Rapids, MI; a son, Richard (Carole) Skibbe of Eau Claire; and three grandchildren; Darlene (Jerry) Ferrari of Benton Harbor, Steven (Sue) Skibbe of Benton Harbor, and Karen (Michael) Emerson of Berrien Springs; a great granddaughter, Melissa Skibbe; a sister, Alma Behlen; a sister-in-law, Geneveive Ruff; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are her parents; her husband, Albert; three brothers, Frank, Arthur and Irving Ruff; and five sisters, Helen Steinke, Ella Goltz, Rebecca Bluschke, Tina Bluschke, and Florence Shawcroft.