Jeanette M. Huston

Jeanette (Becker) Huston, 71, of St. Joseph, MI, went home to be with her Lord on July 3, 2009. She died at Lakeland Continuing Care Center in St. Joseph, where she had resided for the past 13 years. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at St. Joseph First United Methodist Church, 3003 Leco Ct. in St. Joseph. Arrangements are with Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church. Jeanette was born October 12, 1937, in Benton Harbor, the daughter of Earl and Adallae (Miller) Becker. She lived an unselfish life of service to her Lord and everyone in her life. Jeanette was married June 18, 1973 to Richard Huston, who preceded her in death. She was employed as a bookkeeper for Leo Schwartz Accounting for over a quarter of a century. Jeanette’s great love for children led her to serve as a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church in St. Joseph, and after her marriage as a children’s church leader at the St. Joseph First United Methodist Church, of which she was a member. One of Jeanette’s fondest memories was opening the “friendship library” in her home on Bluff Street in Benton Harbor, which was enjoyed by neighborhood children in the 1970’s. Jeanette never wanted a television while at the nursing home, but no one ever dared take away her radio. She enjoyed Sunday morning worship services on the radio. She dreaded baseball season because the Chicago Cubs games preempted her favorite programs. Jeanette was known for writing letters of encouragement to people in need, includinga young boy who broke his femur and a young woman in prison. Most of her time was spent in prayer for others. She is survived by her mother, Adallae and two sisters, Alice (Chuck) Koch and Virginia Fechner, and her very special friend, Meryle Merritt. Although Jeanette had no children of her own, she was “the best aunt”eight nieces and nephews and a step mother to three children. She was preceded in death by her father, Earl and her step father, Rudy Kovalska.