Person Page - 7574

     His Social Security Number was 371-86-35.³ Leonard Henry Johnson was buried at Pine Rest Cemetery, 16541 US-98, Foley, Baldwin Co., Alabama.⁴ He married Carol Ann Rice, daughter of Leno Bert Rice and Martha Ellen Cook.¹ Leonard Henry Johnson was born on February 8, 1923 at Bessemer, Gogebic Co., Michigan.^2,3,5 He died on May 15, 2002 at Alabama at age 79.^3,6,5

     Barbara June Myers was buried at Galien Township Cemetery, Galien, Berrien Co., Michigan.^1,2 She With a warm smile and a kind heart, Barbara June Rice lived a life rich in family and friends. She loved people, made friends easily, and naturally knew how to make others feel comfortable. Whether baking a sweet treat, cheering on her loved one’s hopes and dreams, hitting the golf course, or bicycling, Barb welcomed each moment as a gift and relished spending time with those she so dearly loved. An inspiration to all who were blessed to know her, Barb will long be remembered and so very missed. Despite the obvious gloom of the Great Depression, the power of hope undulated in the hearts of many. With a natural drive to not just endure but thrive in the face of uncertainty, the nation continued to put one foot in front of the other to build a better future. Nowhere was there more hope for the future than in the hearts and home of Claude and Ethel (Hess) Myers as they welcomed their daughter Barbara to their family on November 13, 1932, in Galien, Michigan. Along with sharing a close relationship with her older sister Jackie, Barbara enjoyed growing up on a small farm in Galien. Her loving parents created a warm and supportive home. While her mother tended to the children and home, her father worked as an engineer for Auto Specialties in Benton Harbor. Barbara was proud to share that her father had been on the team that developed the disk brake. Barbara played the trumpet in high school, and after graduating from Galien High School, she pursued secretarial studies at Western Michigan University. Barb had the good fortune of being set up on a very successful blind date with Bob Rice, who had recently completed his honorable service with the U.S. Marines during the Korean Conflict. Their first date was a dance, and Barb found herself instantly smitten. The pair began dating steadily and soon found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to share their lives, the happy couple married on September 19, 1954, in Barb’s hometown. The happy couple settled first in South Bend, Indiana and later in Portage, Michigan, where they were blessed to welcome and raise three children. Pam, Janet, and Jeff were the centers of Barbara’s world, and she poured herself into creating a loving and supportive home for her family. She organized everything! She carefully planned for the family, ran the household, and was very involved with her kids. An excellent cook, Barbara always managed to create delicious meals and many baked treats. In time, Barb and Bob moved out of the city to a more rural home outside of Mattawan. Some of their favorite memories were made at their cottage on Shavehead Lake, which was often the gathering place for family fun. Every year, Barb spent an entire day making cookies for Christmas, alternating between her home and Jackie’s. She was also exceptionally talented in knitting, crocheting, and other needlework. Though Bob wasn’t very social, Barb enjoyed a full social life. She liked all card games, including canasta and euchre, and was a card shark. During their retirement years, Barb and Bob spent six months of the year near Tampa/Bradenton, Florida, in the same area where her parents had a place. They both golfed, biked, and played Bingo a lot and enjoyed staying very active in their little community, where they developed close relationships with many of their neighbors. Sadly, Bob passed away in the Spring of 2016. Though Barb missed him very much, she found much strength in her family, friends, and faith and continued to embrace each day’s blessings. After breaking her hip two years ago, Barb’s health began to decline. Requiring additional support, she moved into Vineyard Assisted Living Community in Texas Township. During her final six months, Barb also received excellent care from hospice. On June 11, 2024, Barb peacefully passed away in the comforts of the loving care of Vineyards Assisted Living Community staff. Though life feels far less certain in the absence of Barb’s companionship, we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in carrying her beautiful legacy forward. In each moment we confidently face life’s challenges, share our gifts with others, play a game of cards, greet a stranger as a friend, and choose faith over fear, we celebrate the countless ways Barb inspired us to live wholeheartedly. Barbara was preceded by her husband, Robert Rice, sister, Jackie Miller, and great-grandson, Dylan Dean. Members of Barbara’s family include 3 children: Pam (Rickey) Goldwater, Janet (Dean) LaVere, and Jeff (Kris) Rice; 6 grandchildren: Shannon (Greg) Amburgey, Stephanie, Michael and Ashley Anne LaVere, and Kara and Mitchell Rice; 4 great-grandchildren: Taylor, Ashton, Grace, and Ava; and treasured friends, Kay, Joan, and Marion. A private graveside service will be held at Galien Cemetery.² She was born on November 13, 1932 at Galien, Berrien Co., Michigan.^1,2 As of September 19, 1954,her married name was Rice.² She married Robert Lee Rice, son of Leno Bert Rice and Martha Ellen Cook, on September 19, 1954 at Galien, Berrien Co., Michigan.^3,2,4 Barbara June Myers died on June 11, 2024 at Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan, at age 91.^1,2

     Her Social Security Number was 315-36-8484.² Patricia Ann Connolly was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, 1400 E. Virginia Street, Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., Indiana.^1,5 Her married name was Rice.⁶ She married Paul Arthur Rice, son of Leno Bert Rice and Martha Ellen Cook.^6,7,1,3 Patricia Ann Connolly was born on June 28, 1936 at Mishawaka, St. Joseph Co., Indiana.^1,2,4,8 She died on March 31, 1982 at Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., Indiana, at age 45.^1,3 She Mrs. Patricia A. Rice, 45, of 17 N.. Alvord, died at 9:50 last night at her home. She was a member of Christian Fellowship Church and graduated from the University of Evansville in 1980 with an associate degree in nursing. Surviving are husband, Paul; daughters, Miss Kelli Rice, Miss Amy Rice and Miss Jennifer Rice, all of Evansville; a son, Patrick of Evansville; a sister, Mrs. Helen McGuire of Tustin, Calif; and a brother, James Connolly of San Diego, Calif. on April 1, 1982.³

     Debra Hope Johnson was buried at Hillcrest Cemetery, 501 East Cinnebar Street, Bessemer, Gogebic Co., Michigan.² Her Social Security Number was 363-66-2305.³ She was born on June 20, 1957 at Michigan.^1,3 As of December 12, 2004,her married name was Braley.¹ She married James David Braley on December 12, 2004 at Elkhart, Elkhart Co., Indiana.¹ Debra Hope Johnson died on March 18, 2010 at Michigan at age 52.³

     Kelli Ann Rice Kelli Ann Rice, 58, of Evansville, passed away Monday, June 15, 2020 at Pine Haven Nursing Home. She was born March 14, 1962 in Terre Haute, Indiana, to the late Paul and Patricia (Connelly) Rice. Kelli was a member of Crossroads Christian Church. Kelli is survived by her step-mother, Beth Rice; son, P.J. Rice; sister, Jennifer (Scott) Rice Greene; brother, Patrick Rice; nieces and nephews, Matthew and Emma Greene, Katelyn Hill and Brian Morrow; and brother-in-law, Doug Morrow. In addition to her parents, Kelli was preceded in death by her sister, Amy Rice Morrow.³ She was born on March 14, 1962 at Terre Haute, Vigo Co., Indiana.³ She died on June 15, 2020 at Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., Indiana, at age 58.³

     Amy Susan Rice was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, 1400 E. Virginia Street, Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., Indiana.^3,5 She Amy Susan Morrow, Oct 28, 1964 - Nov 28, 2012. Amy Susan (Rice) Morrow, 48, of Evansville passed away Wednesday November 28, 2012 at Cypress Grove Rehabilitation Center. Amy graduated from Harrison High School in 1983 and worked at St. Mary's Pharmacy as a Pharmacy Tech for over 14 years. Amy was a loving wife and mother. Amy was preceded in death by her father, Paul A. Rice in 2000 and mother, Patricia A. Rice in 1982. She is survived by her husband of 17 years, Douglas Morrow; daughter, Katelyn Hill; son, Brian Morrow all of Evansville, IN; sisters Jennifer Greene (Scott) of Avon, IN and Kelli Rice; brother, Patrick Rice both of Evansville, IN; several nieces and nephews; step mother Beth Rice. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.⁴ She was born on October 28, 1964 at Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., Indiana.^3,5 As of circa 1995,her married name was Morrow.⁴ She married Douglas Morrow circa 1995.^3,4,6 Amy Susan Rice died on November 28, 2012 at Newburgh, Warrick Co., Indiana, at age 48.^3,5,4

     Gerald Dean "Jerry" Schechter was buried at Highland Cemetery, 2257 Portage Avenue, South Bend, St. Joseph Co., Indiana.^1,3 He was born on April 19, 1934 at South Bend, St. Joseph Co., Indiana.² He died on December 28, 1943 at Niles, Berrien Co., Michigan, at age 9.¹

     Her Social Security Number was 308-34-3492.⁶ Janice Rochelle Schechter Janice Rochelle Taberski, 77, of Niles, passed away Saturday, July 7, 2012, in her home after a long courageous battle with cancer. She overcame two different types of cancer, but the third cancer was too much, and the Lord called her home. In December 27, 1952 she married Walter Joseph Taberski. Jan was the anchor of the family. She would always host holiday dinners and welcome friends and others to join. She enjoyed raising her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She even had a special playroom in her house full of love and fun. Jan was a very social person. She loved traveling, camping and meeting people at the various events she attended. She enjoyed swimming, skiing, ice skating, roller skating in her early years with her grandchildren and taking them to garage sales. Most of all she enjoyed going to the casino with her son and gambling buddies. She was devoted to her family and would support them in each endeavor. For all the kids she would support them by sitting in the stands, bleachers, or in her chair at their sport events rain or shine and even snow. Jan will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Jan was blessed to have found a wonderful church home which she loved and was baptized in 2010. Jan was preceded in death by her parents Max and Gladys Schechter, her brother Gerald Schechter, and her loving Aunt Victoria Ressler. Jan is survived by her husband Walter; daughter Sue (Rick) Ingle of Dowagiac; son Bruce (Anita) Taberski of Niles; brother Roger (Anna Marie) Schechter of Shelbyville, KY; granddaughter Judith (Larry) Burger, grandsons Nathan (Kimberly) Knapp, Brian (Jessi) Taberski and Bryce Taberski all of Niles; Joshua (Erica) Knapp of Mishawaka, IN; great grandchildren Austin, Dalton, Carson, and Ellie Knapp; Mason, Parker and Olivia Taberski; and Peyton and Aubrey Burger.³ She was born on June 29, 1935 at South Bend, St. Joseph Co., Indiana.^5,6 As of December 26, 1952,her married name was Taberski.⁴ She married Walter Joseph Taberski Jr. on December 26, 1952 at St. Joseph Co., Indiana; Herobituary has a marriage date of Dec 26, 1952.^3,4 Janice Rochelle Schechter died on July 7, 2012 at Niles, Berrien Co., Michigan, at age 77.^3,6