Ruth C. Milnickel

Ruth Catherine Milnickel, 86 of Benton Harbor, went to her heavenly home on Saturday, June 20, 2009, at the home of her daughter Shirley Grabowski where she had lived for the past few years. A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at the Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Burial at North Shore Memory Gardens will immediately follow the service. Visitation for family and friends is Tuesday, June 23, 2009 from 5 to 7 p.m. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the DAV. Ruth was born on January 6, 1923, in South Bend, Indiana to Samuel & Doris (Burgoyne) Casper. She married Vernon John Mensinger on May 21, 1938 in Michigan City, IN. They lovingly raised four daughters in the Benton Heights neighborhood where they enjoyed 53 years together until his death on May 26, 1991. She met Alfred Milnickel at Benton Heights Church of God and they were married there on September 14, 1992. They shared seven years together until his death on April 9, 1999. She worked at the V-M Corporation in Benton Harbor for over 20 years. She also worked at Univex in Benton Harbor and Saluto Foods in Coloma. She was a member of Benton Heights Church of God. She was a wonderful and devoted mother, grandmother and sister. Her greatest joy was her family and spending time with them. She will be deeply missed by all who loved her. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Shirley (Charles) Grabowski of Benton Harbor, Vernette (Marvin) Chaney of Benton Harbor, Connie (David) Menefee of Millburg and Beverly Cook of Stevensville. Four brothers, Bud (Phyllis) Casper, Donald (Jeri) Casper, Harley (Betty) Casper and Joe (Lois) Casper. Five sisters, Lauretta Grezsiak, Laura Neal, Dorothy Daniels, Jean (Vincent) Maggio and Carol Casper. Eight grandchildren, Kevin Eberhardt, Ricky Sellers, Tina (Joe) Martin, Chris Sellers, Patrick (Jill) Kennedy, Jeffrey Kennedy, Brian Chaney and Jennifer (Chad) Kodiak. 12 great grandchildren, 3 great great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, George Henry Casper, a granddaughter, Kellie Lynn Kennedy and most recently a grandson, Keith Alan Eberhardt on October 5, 2008 and two son-in-laws Charles Robertson and Red Deerfield Cook.