Elizabeth Lucille Allkins

Elizabeth Lucille “Betty” Allkins, 89, of Benton Harbor, MI passed away on Tuesday, October 4, 2016, at Hanson Hospice. A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Saturday, October 8, 2016, at 11:00 A.M. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Wade Panse officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may visit with the family on Saturday at 10:00 A.M. until time of service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home or the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Betty was born on August 7, 1927 in Appleton, WI. She attended Kaukauna High School and graduated there in 1945. On May 18, 1946, she married Virgil H. Bennett in Highland Park, MI. On February 10, 1973 Betty married Claude (Red) Allkins at the Methodist Peace Temple in Benton Harbor, MI. Betty enjoyed reading and crocheting. She is survived by her sister, Marjorie Renwick, of Appleton, WI., and a half brother, Donald Phillips, of Little Chute, WI.  Betty is also survived by her five children:  Lynn Eloise Lombardo, Benton Harbor;  Gregory James Bennett (Marybeth), Lawrenceville, GA; Allen Charles Bennett (Judy), Greenbush, MI; Phillip Hayden Bennett, Watervliet, MI; Kimberly Ann Hunt (Joe), Mattawan, MI; three step children:  Linda Lieberg (Bernie), St. Joseph, MI; Michael Allkins (Linda), Stuart, FL; Patrick Allkins (Jan), Kalamazoo, MI; ten grandchildren:  Michelle Lombardo, Alpharetta, GA; Deanna Roy (Tom), Draper, UT; Jason Lombardo, Sodus, MI; Matthew Bennett (Christy), Cumming, GA; Aaron Bennett (Linda), Decatur, GA; Tricia Standley (Andrew), Ortonville, MI; Kevin Rogalski (Shannon), Lakeland, FL; Cory Bennett (Ashley), Oscoda, MI; Jon Vliet, St. Joseph, MI; and Heather Vliet, Ann Arbor,  MI;  six step granchildren:  Gretchen (Cory) Peek; Brian Lieberg; Kyle (Alisa) Allkins; Erik (Rachel Lahti) Allkins; Cody (Brandon) Allkins Jeannot; Chris Allkins; twelve great grandchildren:  Steven Roy (27); Nathaniel Roy (23); Joshua Roy (22); Dillon Lombardo (16); Audrey Bennett (10); Hudson Bennett (6); Michael Bennett (1); Meagen Standley (12); Jacob Standley (9); Kyle Rogalski (9);  Korbin Rogalski (6); Ava Marie Bennett (3); six step great grandchildren:  Colin Peek (6); Cecilia Peek (5); Ashlyn Lieberg (19); Austin Lieberg (17); Elsa Allkins (2); Murry Jeannot (2). Betty was preceded in death by both husbands and her brother, James A. Phillips of Aurora, CO.