Arlene D. Bigelow

Arlene Bigelow (Schulz), 78, passed away Aug. 5. She was a lifelong resident of the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor area. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 10 at the Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. A private family burial will be held at the Riverview Cemetery. She was born July 23, 1931 to Edwin and Mary DeFreese-Personette. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School (1950), attended Lake Michigan College, and was bestowed a Bachelor’s degree in Art from Western Michigan University. She had a passion and love for art and painted many paintings over her lifetime. She also loved playing the piano and inspired her grandchildren to play. She sewed quilts with her friends at Peace Lutheran Church that were sent overseas. On Aug. 12, 1950, she married Donald Bigelow, Benton Harbor. Donald preceded her in death on Jan. 24, 1990. They raised five children. Her life will be cherished by her loving family: devoted companion Fred Schulz of St. Joseph; sisters Helen (Al) Steinke, Benton Harbor; Carol (Ollen) Baldwin, Niles; and Yonda (Roger) Lear, Bridgman. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, and brother Fred Personette Jr. Her children include: Mary (Gaylord) Rochefort, Bridgman; Leslie (Nancy) Bigelow, Rochester, Minn.; Pamela (Cary) Blake, Gilbert, Ariz.; Brad Bigelow, St. Joseph; and Blair (Tammy) Bigelow, St. Joseph. Her 10 grandchildren include: Monica Rochefort, Erick (Amy) Rochefort, Christy (Brandon) Allegree, Katherine (Christopher) Bauman, Autumn Wright, Tacy Nitz, Brandon Nitz, Austin Bigelow, Jessie Bigelow, and Justin Bigelow. Step grandchildren include Dillon Peters, Cody Jenkins, Wesley and Kendra Blake. She had seven great-grandchildren plus several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to Hospice at Home St. Joseph, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085, or the Berrien County Cancer Society, 7301 Red Arrow Hwy., Bridgman, MI 49106. Friends and family can share messages with the Bigelow family at www.starks-menchinger.com.