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Starks Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services - Starks & Menchinger Chapel
2650 Niles Rd
St. Joseph,
MI
49085
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View Phone NumberTel. (269) 556-9450
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Memories & Candles
Previous
“Mom, I miss you so much! I want everyone to know what love of God, family, country, and church that you and dad instilled into all of your children!...Read More »
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3 of 24 | Posted by: Kathy Lillegard Tyson
- MI
“Velma is the sweetest woman I have ever met. I remember many times sitting talking about lovely memories and chatting about how wonderful of a woman...Read More »
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4 of 24 | Posted by: chelsey gamble - garrett, IN
“Oh how I will miss my dear friend, Velma
We worked together over 10 years at Baker/Banner Bookhouse in both St. Joseph,Mi and Banner Book House at...Read More »
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5 of 24 | Posted by: Maurine - Dowagiac, MI
“She was a cherished friend from grade school and high school. My condolences to the family.
She is now most certainly in the Company of God.
...Read More »
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6 of 24 | Posted by: Dennis Stubelt - Moneta, VA
“Dear Lillegard Family,
I had the privilege of working with your mother from 1980-85 at the Baker Book Store. Velma was such a delightful person:...Read More »
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7 of 24 | Posted by: Ann Manion - Owosso, MI
“We had a wonderful relationship while in high school. Such great times. My love to the family and our dear Velma. Daria
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8 of 24 | Posted by: Daria Pobutsky Dick - TX
“I am so sorry for your loss. I remember the good times we had in girl pioneers.
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9 of 24 | Posted by: Leola Domke - Sodus, MI - Friend
“We are so sorry to hear of Velma's passing. Our hearts go out to the family. She was a wonderful lady. We are sure that she is at peace and no pain....Read More »
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10 of 24 | Posted by: James & Marge Rauer - Highland, IN
“Hearts and thoughts with your family during your time of loss.
Leola Domke and Cari (Domke) LaGrow
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11 of 24 | Posted by: Cari LaGrow - Kalamazoo, MI
“Dearest Kathy (and family),
So sorry to hear about your Mom's passing. I have enjoyed hearing about her throughout the years of us working...Read More »
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12 of 24 | Posted by: Jenni Baker
“Dear Lillegard Family, Ruth and I...Read More »
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13 of 24 | Posted by: Jake Reedyk - St Joseph, MI, MI
“So sorry for your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
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14 of 24 | Posted by: Larry and Linda Kuball Jr - MI
“I worked with Velma at Baker Book House (as it was known back then) as my first job out of high school. She was such a wonderful supervisor and very...Read More »
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15 of 24 | Posted by: Nancy Redman - St. Joseph, MI
“Velma was always so quick to smile and encourage! After 25 years at the bookstore she knew my parents, as well as my sister and me...very well! She...Read More »
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16 of 24 | Posted by: Lorraine (Reedyk) Valk - MI
“Thoughts and prayers to the family of Velma. I so enjoyed working with Velma at the JoAnn store in Benton Harbor. She will be missed.
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17 of 24 | Posted by: Mildred Christians - MI - Friend
“thinking of you
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18 of 24 | Posted by: Mario & Nancy Palmisano - MI
“I remember the fun of Larry and Vel's wedding, many family get-togethers over the years, and especially a week I got to spend with Larry and Vel in...Read More »
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19 of 24 | Posted by: Ruth Plesner - Victor, MT - niece
“Kathy, John, Nathan and Families-I am sorry to hear that your mother has passed away and I am thinking of you at this sad time.You and your families...Read More »
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20 of 24 | Posted by: Carolyn Hansen - Gowen, MI
“I knew Velma for 32 years, she was like a second mom. I will miss her dearly. She was a strong, Godly woman and there are no doubts that she is...Read More »
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21 of 24 | Posted by: Bonnie Craig - Stevensville, MI
“Velma was a dear friend to me. We worked for over ten years togehter at Banner Books and became close friends.. She and Larry visited us in Missouri...Read More »
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22 of 24 | Posted by: Maurine Huffines - Dowagiac, MI
“I had the privilege of knowing Velma for about 15 years. I worked with her at Banner Books for 5 years until she retired. She gave me a beautiful...Read More »
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23 of 24 | Posted by: Sonja Tvetmarken - friend
“It's difficult to say good-bye when someone we love dies, To know we'll miss the laughter and the love found in their eyes, Yet much emptiness and...Read More »
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24 of 24 | Posted by: Mike and Kathy (Rozinski) Phipps - MI
Velma Rose Lillegard, 75, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, April 9, 2012 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, surrounded by her loving family.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, April 13, 2012 at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 125 Kline Street, Benton Harbor, with Pastor Jeremy Laitinen officiating. Friends may visit from 3-5 & 6-8:00 p.m. Thursday, at Starks-Menchinger Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the Lymphoma Society or the Berrien County Cancer Society. Those wishing to sign the memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Velma was born February 27, 1937 in Benton Harbor to John & Helen (Kish) Gerencser. On July 30, 1960 she married Lawrence Erik Lillegard in Benton Harbor, at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, her life long church. Velma was an active member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church and its Ladies Aid. She held National offices as well as Past President for the Lutheran Women's Missionary Society. At Benton Harbor High School she was a cheerleader and member of the rifle team and later became a member of the NRA. She graduated from Valparaiso University and was a member of its Gamma Phi Sorority. Velma was also a teacher at Coloma High School and St. Mary's School for Girls in St. Louis, MO. Velma worked for 25 years as the store manager at Banner Christian Book Store in St. Joseph and most recently for Clem & Bobbie's Dry Cleaners. Her hobbies included painting, music, playing the organ for St. Matthew's, sewing, gardening, and she was a passionate quilter. She most enjoyed spending time with her children and large extended family. She served her family, church family, and her Lord Jesus Christ with undying devotion. She lived her earthly life with strong Christian conviction. Her modesty and Christian love touched everyone that she met..
Velma is survived by her children, Daniel (Tara) Lillegard of Avilla, IN, Susan (Roger) Knafel of Marshall, MI, Christine Lillegard of Bridgman, MI, Kathryn (John) Tyson of Grand Rapids, MI, grandchildren, Nicole, Andrew, Daniel, Dylan, Nathan, Monica, Zane, Mical, and a sister, Eleanor Hildebrand of St. Joseph.
Velma is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and two brothers, John V. & William Gerencser.
Visitation
April 12, 2012
3:00 PM
to 8:00 PM
Starks & Menchinger Chapel
2650 Niles Rd.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
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Celebration of Life
April 13, 2012
11:00 AM
St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Colfax & Kline Avenues
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
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