Verna Ruth Nelli Herman
May 17th, 1917 - May 20th, 2008
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Verna's Obituary
Verna Ruth Nelli Herman, 91, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday morning, May 20, 2008, at Caretel Inns in St. Joseph.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, May 24, 2008, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Burial will be private at a later date in Grand Rapids. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M., Friday evening, at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to either Delta Chi Fraternity – Gregory Nelli Memorial Scholarship at Embry Riddle University or to any local arts or cultural organization of the donor’s choice. Those wishing to send the family a message of condolence may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Verna Ruth was born May 17, 1917, in Grand Rapids to Cornelius and Vera Park Shipman. In the 1930’s, her first job was secretary of the newly formed Social Security Administration where she met her first husband, A. John Nelli. She is a member of the Alpha Beta Epsilon Sorority. Verna Ruth loved the arts and was a life member of the Monday Musical Club of Southwest Michigan in addition to various local organizations emphasizing the arts. Verna Ruth was a Kindergarten teacher at Stewart Elementary School in Lakeshore for 20 years and was a Sunday School teacher at the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Benton Harbor. “She was a good role model and mentor to countless children.” Verna Ruth loved her family and particularly her grandchildren and attending their sporting events and performances.
Verna Ruth is survived by her children, Gloria Sue (Nelli) Lloyd (Peter) of Alexandria, VA, Donna Georgia (Nelli) Metz (Robert) of Baroda, and Andrea Vera (Nelli) Johns (Michael) of St. Joseph; steps-sons, Larry, Charles, Marvin, and Mark Herman; grandchildren, John & Brian Metz, Jason & Kyle Johns, and Kelly, Michael, Emily, Paul, Meredith, and Rachel Herman; and by her brother, John (Jan) Shipman of Grand Rapids.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, A. John Nelli in 1957 and Kenneth Herman in 1989 and by her son, Gregory John Nelli in 1991.
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