Sylvia Jean Lieberg
September 12th, 1942 - May 16th, 2025
Share Book of Memories with a Friend
Please enter the name and email details so that we can send your friend a link to the online tribute. No names or addresses will be collected by using this service.
Sylvia's Obituary
Sylvia Jean Lieberg (Taylor), 82 of St. Joseph, MI, passed away peacefully at Hanson Hospice House, Stevensville, MI, on Friday May 16, 2025. Sylvia was born September 12, 1942, in Benton Harbor, MI, to Fred and Freda (Jonas) Taylor. She was raised by her grandparents, Adam and Frieda Jonas, after the death of her mother.
Sylvia was married to her high school sweetheart, Olaf Lieberg, for 18 years and devoted her life to her family. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1961. She worked in banking for 25 years at Peoples State Bank and 5/3 Bank, and received her Associate's Degree in Business (1986) from Lake Michigan College. She worked at Krasl Art Center for 9 years and enjoyed being surrounded by art and artists. She was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Joseph, MI, and the Lutheran Ladies Aid.
Her greatest joy was her family. She was preceded in death by her parents (Fred and Frieda) and brother (Robert Taylor). Sylvia is survived by her children, Tanya (Mike) Sobaski and Kirk (Diane) Lieberg; grandchildren, Laura (Keegan) Trail, Andrew (Tara) Peters, Will and Mike Sobaski; her bonus grandchildren, Kelsey (Jordan) Leemaster, and Cameron Krieger; three great-grandchildren; brother, Ronald Taylor, and step sister, Christine Taylor; nieces Gretchen (Cory) Peek, Brianne (Bryan) Wilkinson, nephews Brian (Christina Frank) Lieberg, and Chase (Kaylin) Caldwell.
Sylvia had a deep love of genealogy and historical preservation. She was a member, curator, and served as treasurer of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia organization. Sylvia was a member and treasurer of the Old St. Joseph Neighborhood Historical Preservation Society. She was a founding member of the St. Joseph City Parks Board and served on the board for 25 years. Sylvia regularly attended St. Joseph City Commission meetings. She was a community advocate for the good and beautification of the City of St. Joseph. Sylvia brought her vision of a community ice skating park (John and DeeDee Howard Ice Arena) to the City of St. Joseph. She worked at the City of David Museum and Colony. She was an election poll worker for 10 years, and was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Ladies Aid, and bible study.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, May 22, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Court & Market St., St. Joseph, with Rev. Michael Roth officiating. Burial will follow at Crystal Springs Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Wednesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Joseph. Those wishing to sign Sylvia’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
Sylvia was married to her high school sweetheart, Olaf Lieberg, for 18 years and devoted her life to her family. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1961. She worked in banking for 25 years at Peoples State Bank and 5/3 Bank, and received her Associate's Degree in Business (1986) from Lake Michigan College. She worked at Krasl Art Center for 9 years and enjoyed being surrounded by art and artists. She was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Joseph, MI, and the Lutheran Ladies Aid.
Her greatest joy was her family. She was preceded in death by her parents (Fred and Frieda) and brother (Robert Taylor). Sylvia is survived by her children, Tanya (Mike) Sobaski and Kirk (Diane) Lieberg; grandchildren, Laura (Keegan) Trail, Andrew (Tara) Peters, Will and Mike Sobaski; her bonus grandchildren, Kelsey (Jordan) Leemaster, and Cameron Krieger; three great-grandchildren; brother, Ronald Taylor, and step sister, Christine Taylor; nieces Gretchen (Cory) Peek, Brianne (Bryan) Wilkinson, nephews Brian (Christina Frank) Lieberg, and Chase (Kaylin) Caldwell.
Sylvia had a deep love of genealogy and historical preservation. She was a member, curator, and served as treasurer of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia organization. Sylvia was a member and treasurer of the Old St. Joseph Neighborhood Historical Preservation Society. She was a founding member of the St. Joseph City Parks Board and served on the board for 25 years. Sylvia regularly attended St. Joseph City Commission meetings. She was a community advocate for the good and beautification of the City of St. Joseph. Sylvia brought her vision of a community ice skating park (John and DeeDee Howard Ice Arena) to the City of St. Joseph. She worked at the City of David Museum and Colony. She was an election poll worker for 10 years, and was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Ladies Aid, and bible study.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, May 22, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Court & Market St., St. Joseph, with Rev. Michael Roth officiating. Burial will follow at Crystal Springs Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Wednesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Joseph. Those wishing to sign Sylvia’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
Memorial Contributions
Service Details
View the current service details below. Sign up for email or text updates to receive notifications of any changes to service schedules or important information.