Susan M. Kowal

ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN- Susan M. Kowal of St. Joseph, died from breast cancer on January 4, 2009, at her home, surrounded by her family. She was 55 years old. She was originally diagnosed on Thanksgiving Day 2000. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Wednesday_ at Starks and Menchinger Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday the 8th at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Benton Harbor, with Fr. “Bill” Jacobs officiating. Memorials may be made to Berrien County Cancer Service; 7301 Red Arrow Hwy, Stevensville, MI 49127 or The Friends of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm Inc. PO Box 337, Micanopopy, Fl. 32667-0337 www.marjoriekinnanrawlings.com. Friends wishing send a condolences may do so at the guest book at www.starks-menchinger.com Susan was born on December 11, 1953, in Highland, IL. She married Craig M. Kowal in Miami, FL, on November 30, 1974. They moved to St. Joseph in 1978. Susan and Craig most recently spent their winters revisiting Gainesville, FL, discovering Old Florida, The Horse Country and east to the Ocklawaha River, and a place called Lake Weir. Susan was owner of Burns Promotions Plus in St. Joseph from 2000 until her retirement in 2006. She is survived by her husband Craig, of St. Joseph; son, Michael (Jenny) Kowal of Chicago; her granddaughter, Olivia Kowal of Chicago; daughter, Morgan Kowal and fiance Joe Teichert of Jacksonville, FL. She is also survived by her mother, Marian Wakeland of Owosso, MI, sisters Barbara Berry of _Owosso, MI; Shelley McLaren of Owosso, MI; brother, David Wakeland of Okemos, MI; nieces Megan Scarlett, Molly Berry, Paige Wakeland, Erin Wakeland and nephews Matthew McLaren and Grant Wakeland. Susan was preceded in death by her father, F. Ray Wakeland.