Frieda Miller

Benton Harbor, MI – Frieda Miller, 89, of Benton Harbor, passed away on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at her home. A Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. at Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI. A visitation will be held one hour prior from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Frieda was born on February 8, 1921 in Benton Harbor, MI to Albert and Amalie (Steinke) Miller. She attended Sorter School, St. Matthew's Lutheran School, graduating from Benton Harbor High School in 1938. She was employed at Williams Brothers Box Factory in St. Joseph for several years before enrolling at Cass County Normal, graduating from there in 1954. From 1954 until 1961 she was enrolled at Western Michigan University taking classes on campus, in outlying areas, and by correspondence courses, graduating in 1961. She started her teaching career in 1954. She taught lower grades at Bainbridge Center School for two years. Then moved on to Johnson School in the Benton Harbor district where she taught until her retirement in 1983. She was a lifelong member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, a member of the Berrien County Chapter of Retired School Personnel and a member of the American Historical Society of Gronans from Russia. She is survived by a sister, Helen Long of St. Joseph. Preceding her in death were her parents, sister, Gertrude, brother, Henry, who was killed in a tractor accident on his farm and brother-in-law, William Long. Also surviving are many nephews, nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews. The family has requested that all memorial contributions be made to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.