Ronald E. Briney

Ronald E. Briney, Sr., 76, of Benton Harbor, passed away, Monday, June 23, 2008 at his home. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Colfax & Kline Avenues, Benton Harbor. Friends may call from 6:00 until 9:00 P.M. Thursday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Michigan Lutheran High School or to Hospice at Home. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Briney was born June 22, 1932 in St. Joseph to Leo & Gertrude (Kubler) Briney. He graduated from Watervliet High School in 1950. On May 26, 1956, Ron married the former Bertha LaGrow at St. Matthew’s. He was employed at A.M. Grootendorst Bulb Farm for many years. Later, Ron was employed in shipping & receiving at Williams Bros. Box Factory, Theisen-Clemens, and most recently at Colbert Packaging in South Bend, retiring in 2000. Ron spent over thirty-five years in high school athletics as a referee & umpire for football, volleyball, boys & girls basketball, baseball & softball, retiring in April of this year. Ron was a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church & the Michigan High School Athletics Association. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and sports. Ron is survived by his wife of fifty-two years-Bertha; four sons-Ron (Lyn) Briney, Jr. of Stevensville, Mark (Peggy) Briney of Baroda, John (Roberta) Briney of Port St. Lucie, FL, Paul (Becky) Briney of Coloma; daughters-in-law-Velma Briney & Terry Cronk; fourteen grandchildren-Jacob (Marsha), Mara, Tyler, Jordan, Joshua, Zachary, Jessica, Becky, Lisa, Sarah (Tim), Amanda, Amanda Jennifer, Bradley, & Cory; three great-granchildren-Michael, Caleb, & Kylie; and a large extended family & many friends.