Frances A. Kuschel

Frances Kuschel, 94, of St. Joseph, MI, passed away Thursday, August 16, 2007, at Lakeland Continuing Care Facility in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00A.M., Tuesday, August 21, 2007, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in St. Joseph, with Rev. Dr. Bob Braman officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00P.M., Monday, August 20, 2007, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials in Frances’ name may be made to the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Monday Musical Club, or Hospice at Home, all of St. Joseph. Frances was born to Fred and Sarah Bennett on August 2, 1913 in Negaunee, MI. She graduated from John D. Pierce High School in Marquette, MI, and received a BS degree in Elementary Education from Northern Michigan University. She began her teaching career in Detroit, MI. Frances taught elementary education for the Benton Harbor Area School District and retired after 20 years in 1973. She married Berhardt M. Kuschel in 1944, in Benton Harbor. She was a former member of Monday Musical Club, Child and Family Services, Krasl Art Center, Blossomtime Central Queen’s Committee, Berrien County Association or Retired Teachers, Benton Harbor Congregational Church, and was currently a member of the St. Joseph First Congregational United Church of Christ. Her passions were working with young children, music, knitting, needlepoint, decorating, and gardening. Upon retirement she and her husband enjoyed traveling. Preceding Frances in death was her husband of 57 years, her parents, and two sisters – Mary Schalbach of Benton Harbor and Merva Spanner of Hibbing, MN. Frances is survived by her daughter Kathy (Lloyd) MacTavish of St. Joseph, granddaughter Ann Greene of Chicago, IL and her nieces and nephews.