Leona M. Rose

. Leona M. Rose, 93, of St. Joseph, passed away, Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at Whitcomb Towers in St. Joseph.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 28 at First Baptist Church, 902 Broad St., St. Joseph, with Rev. Marlo Fritzke officiating.  Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Saturday at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sarett Nature Center or Hospice at Home.  Those wishing to sign Leona’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.  Leona was born January 31, 1922 in Benton Harbor to Charles H. & Lillian (Longere) Gast.  Her grandparents were August & Wilhelmina Rothenberg Gast, an original settling family in Bridgman, which provided her with 39 first cousins.  In 1940 she graduated from Benton Harbor High School.  Shortly after Leona enlisted in the US Navy, serving during WWII.  She was employed doing accounts receivable at Robinson marine, JC Penny, Potlatch, Tymshare and All-Phase Electric Company.  Leona was a former member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor.  She presently was a member of the former First Baptist Church Benton Harbor/American Baptist Church, St. Joseph where she taught an adult women’s Sunday School Class.  She was an avid reader, from which she gained a vast amount of knowledge about the Bible and American History.  Leona enjoyed herb gardening, stamp collecting, crossword puzzles & cross stitch.   Leona is survived by her son Charles (Margaret Corteville) Rose of St. Joseph; five grandchildren-Sarah (David) Bauer, Margaret (Rey)Libatique, Matthew (Asuka) Rose, Elizabeth (Jake) Davis & Brian Rose; nine great-grandchildren-Nicci & Lydia Bauer, Antonia Libatique, Alyssa Rose & Micah, Ellie, Nathaniel, Zoe & Eden Davis; son-in-law Douglas Corteville; and a brother-in-law John Harden.  She was preceded in death by her daughter Linda C. (Douglas) Corteville, and by two sisters Beatrice Ball & Doris Harden.