Betty R. Mashak

Betty R. Mashak, 86, of St. Joseph, died suddenly at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph, on Monday, January 21, 2008. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Saturday, January 26, 2008, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Joseph, with Rev. Msgr. Michael A. Osborn as celebrant. A Rosary will be recited from 2:30-3:00 PM, Friday, January 25, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, where a visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:30 PM. Burial will be held in Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul or Hospice at Home. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Betty was born on October 16, 1921, in Chicago, Illinois, to Paul and Ruth (Thomas) Voight. She was married to Edward Mashak for 54 years before his death in 1994. Betty was a very active person. She worked at Murphy’s in St. Joseph followed by many years as a rural mail carrier. After retiring, she and her husband Ed moved to Florida where they lived for many years. She moved back to Michigan in 1998. Betty was involved in numerous volunteer activities over the years. She was a member of the Altar Society at St. John’s in Benton Harbor, the Child Study Club, Forresters, a Girl Scout leader, a volunteer at Memorial Hospital, Lakeland Hospital and Birthright. She served as a visitor to the homebound for many years both in Florida and St. Joseph. She also served on the St. Joseph election board and taught religious education at the St. Joseph Catholic Church. She was a charter member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Joseph Catholic Church. She enjoyed her friends and activities and the Lincoln Senior Center. She was a founding member of the Pinochle Club of which she was a member for over 50 years. Betty was a renowned baker and cook. Her many friends and family members will miss receiving her goodies. Betty is survived by her daughters: Patricia (Willis) Worick of Stevensville, Barbara Little and Mary (Robert) Allen of St. Joseph, sons, Richard (Marla) Mashak of Kentwood, MI, Thomas (Sally) Mashak of Benton Harbor, and Gregory (Karen) Mashak of Stevensville; daughters-in-law, Linda McKee and Mary Bartloff; 25 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; sisters, Mildred Smith and Mary Seymour of St. Joseph, Pauline Betzner of Otsego, MI, and Bonnie (Ed) Schacknies of La Crescenta, California. In addition to her husband, Betty was preceded in death by two sons James Mashak and Edward Mashak, Jr; a granddaughter, Jaclyn Mashak; and by two brothers, Paul Voight, Jr., and John (Jack) Voight.