Florence M. Diederich

Florence M. Diederich, 93, of Stevensville passed away March 23, 2014, at her home where she had lived for 70 years, surrounded by her family.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, March 27, 2014, at 10:00 A.M. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, with Father James Morris officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may visit from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home. Those wishing to sign Florence’s guestbook on line may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.  Florence was born May 6, 1920 to William (Witold) & Antonina (Blistrub) Bielinski. She was born in Chicago and then the family moved to Michigan in the 1930’s. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1939 and attended their 70th class reunion in 2009. On August 17, 1940 Florence married Donald J. Diederich, Sr. Together they farmed until he passed away on September 24, 1957. She then went to work at V-M Corporation until they closed, and then worked at Modern Plastics in Benton Harbor until her retirement in 1985; all while she and her children continued to farm. After retirement she renamed her farm “Lazy Acres” and enjoyed traveling with family and senior group trips until her health slowed her down.  Florence was strong-willed and very independent. She loved her children and grandchildren very much. She also loved to garden, walk barefoot outside, and work on her flowers. She enjoyed sitting on her swing as the sun went down. At one time she also enjoyed hula-dancing and working with ceramics. She was a member of the former “Nut Club,” a group of local ladies.  Florence is survived by her children; daughter, Barbara (Edward, Sr.) Eberhardt; grandsons, Edward (Christine) Eberhardt, Jr. and Daniel Eberhardt, and great grandchild Damon Eberhardt; son, Donald (Cynthia) Diederich, Jr., granddaughter Milissa (Sean), and two great grandchildren Jenna and Sean II. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and siblings, Harry Bielinski, Isabelle Bishop, Alvina Leff, Stephanie McCarthy, and Dorothy Kort. Florence was a special lady and will be loved always and missed by her family and friends.