Josephine Pauline Smith

Josephine P. Smith, 92, of Benton Harbor, passed away on Monday, February 9, 2009, at Lakeland Continuing Care Center, St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, February 13 at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. James Stillwell officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 P.M. on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service, the American Heart Association, or to the Activities Dept. of Lakeland Continuing Care Center, St. Joseph. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Josephine was born on February 27, 1916 to Joseph and Martha (Backus) Menser. She married Glenn Smith on October 27, 1935 in Bridgman. She worked for over 20 years as a cashier for the Benton Harbor Public Schools lunch program. Josephine was a member of the Benton Harbor Peace Temple United Methodist Church. She enjoyed walking, reading, traveling, and spending lots of time at her cottage. Most of all, she loved and enjoyed being with her family. She is survived by a son, John D. Smith of Benton Harbor, two daughters, Charlene (Gerald) Jones of Bridgman and Joanne (Jack) Imbordino of St. Joseph; grandchildren, David (Suzie) Jones, Debra (Kurt) Weber, Glenn Hall, Nikole (Tom) Wagner, Rick Imbordino, Jack (Rose) Imbordino, Tona Scott, and Susan Imbordino; great-grandchildren, Josh Tjader, Matthew Jones, Jazmine Jones, Erin Weber, Justin Weber, Samatha Wagner, Taylor Wagner, Josh Wagner, Matt Imbordino, Amanda (Justin) Pohyba, and Emily Scott; great-great grandchildren, Owen Pohyba and Tessa Pohyba; brothers, Joseph Menser of Bridgman, Emil Menser of Watersmeet, MI, and William (Irene) Menser of Sturgis, MI; and a sister, Marie Backus of Bridgman, MI. Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, husband, great- granddaughter, Alyssa Josephine Wagner, and sisters, Marge Kolberg and Caroline Lozeau.