Josephyne A. Sineni

Josephyne Ann Sineni, 85, of Benton Harbor, died at Orchard Grove Extended Care Centre, on Wednesday, March 5, 2003. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, March 7, 11:00AM, at St. John?s Catholic Church, Benton Harbor, with Father Larry Kroll officiating. Entombment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Benton Harbor. Friends may call on Friday, from 9:30-10:30AM, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial contributions may be made to either St. John-St. Bernard Parish, Berrien County Cancer Service, or to the Humane Society. Those friends wishing to leave a message of condolence, or to sign the family guest book, may do so online at www.starks-menchinger-com Josephyne was born on October 11, 1917 in Benton Harbor, to Anthony and Theresa (Logalbo) Varisco. She was the last remaining member of the Varisco family. Her father and mother founded Varisco Grocery Store on Territorial Rd., in Benton Harbor, app. 84 years ago when they came to this country from Sicily. Josephyne lived in the family home, next door to the store, all those years. She worked at the family store, and on April 23, 1936 she married Paul Sineni. When her father died in 1937, Paul and Josephyne operated the store until 1952. They then bought the Grand Crossing Tavern, and operated it until there partnership dissolved in 1963. She then became the bar manager at the Snowflake Lounge. After leaving there, she managed the bar at the Stevensville American Legion Post #568, until her retirement in 1972. Josephyne was a life member of St. John Catholic Church, and was active in service oriented organizations her entire life. She was Past President and Advisor for Beta Sigma Phi Sorority; a member of the American Legion Post #568 of Stevensville; a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW Post #1137; a life member of the Moose Lodge in Benton Harbor; a member of the Lady Elks of Benton Harbor; she was very active in the Michigan License Beverage Association; she was also a notary public for many years. Her survivors include her daughter Toni, and Toni?s husband Al Ferguson; Toni?s father Paul Sineni; 4 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren ? Paul Genovese, his wife Mary, and their children, Michael and Heather; Theresa Shafer, her husband Craig, and their four sons, C.J., Paul, Jordan and Kyle; Peter Genovese, II, and his friend Rose Dolph; and Rick Timothy Jannings. A very special person in Josephyne?s life, Chuck Rennick, her companion and caregiver for the past 42 years, survives. Also surviving is a nephew Tone Mammina and Edwina Barrett, and their children, Viki, Tracy, Drew and Mark; also special friends Donnie and Laura Jo Morrow; and the entire Rennick & Sineni families. Josephyne is preceded by her parents Theresa and Anthony Varisco; Sister Tillie and brother-in-law John Mammina; brother Frank Varisco and his son Tony; and Tim?s father Rick Jannings. Josephyne loved to dance, and was a great dancer; she was an excellent cook; a bowler for many years; and had extremely perfect handwriting, such that many would ask her to write for them. She, and Chuck, could always be found in the stands watching her grandchildren playing sports; or at the St. Joseph pier, at sunrise, fishing for perch. She was loved by her family and friends, and will be greatly missed.