Mary Jane Higbee

Mary Jane Higbee, 86, formerly of Benton Harbor, passed away Friday, June 16, 2006, at 3:43 p.m. at Bon Secour Maria Manor, St. Petersburg Campus, St. Petersburg, Fla. Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, where visitation will be held from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, one hour prior to services. Burial will be in Crystal Springs Cemetery, Benton Harbor. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Mary was born on Oct. 11, 1919, in Mount Union, Pa., and moved to Benton Harbor at the age of nine. She formerly resided in her home outside Millburg, Mich. She married Laurence E. Higbee in 1938, who passed away onJune 16, 1966. She was a homemaker for their three daughters. She was a volunteer during World War II, a member and officer for the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary for Post 299 of St. Joseph, and most recently a member of the Red Hat Society at Bon Secour. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Benton Harbor. Survivors include her daughters, Ruth Higbee of St. Petersburg and Mrs. Dan (Judy) Mc Gowan of Eau Claire. Her daughter, Mrs. Dan (Laureen/Lorie) Flaugh preceded her in 1993. She also had three brothers precede her, John, Mike and Joe Shabunia.Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Larry Flaugh, Todd Mc Gowan, Jenifer (Flaugh) Reigelsberger,Tim Higbee, Christian Flaugh, Mrs. Tim (Dawn Mc Gowan) Parks, Cory Flaugh and Mrs. Ed (Vicki Mc Gowan Milsap. She also had eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.