Elaine Ruth Kerill-Crumb
December 5th, 1925 - December 24th, 2021
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Elaine's Obituary
On Christmas Eve, the brightest star on Earth forever faded. Elaine R. Kerill-Crumb, 96, of St. Joseph, passed away on Friday, December 24, 2021 at her home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, January 6, at 11 AM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Father John Tran officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, January 5, from 5 PM until 7 PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the DANK, 2651 Pipestone Rd, Benton Harbor, MI 49022. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Elaine was born on December 5, 1925, in St. Joseph to Arthur, Sr., & Pauline (Kuden) Haase. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1944 and was very proud that through all 12 years of school she never missed a day of attendance. On December 7, 1946, Elaine married Frank Kerill, Sr., at St. Joseph Catholic Church. They were happily married for nearly 46 years before his passing in 1992. She would later find love with Jack Crumb, who she wed in 2009. She worked at the old Hilltop Grocery Store and loved every minute of her job, so much so, she retired from there seven times. Elaine loved being social, she would bowl three nights a week on her woman’s bowling league, volunteer at the DANK, and attend masses and other church events at St. Joseph Catholic Church. A special quality Elaine had was remembering everyone’s names and birthdays, regardless of being a family member, friend or colleague. However, what meant the most to her was her family. Spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren gave her the most joy. Every Sunday at noon, like clockwork, she would have a meal equivalent to a Thanksgiving feast ready to feed her family and spend quality time together making everlasting memories. Her humor, kindness and genuine heart of gold will be missed by all who knew her. A special thanks to Alex Tarantino, a great-granddaughter, who was always by Elaine's side.
Elaine is survived by her children, Patricia (Anthony) Catania, David Kerill, Peggy (Horst) Scharf, Frank Kerill Jr., Gerald (Maria) Kerill, and James (Wendy Foss) Kerill; husband of 12 years, Jack Crumb; grandchildren, Diedre (Skip) Miller, Toni Tarantino, Max Kerill, Sam Kerill, Ben Kerill, Christine (Bruce) Wilke, Cathy (Michael) Lamarche, Michael (Nancy) Scharf, Andrea (Kenneth) Havard, and Victoria Kerill; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild whom she never met; and stepchildren, Dennis & Shelia Crumb. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Pauline; her first husband, Frank; and siblings, Caroline Siewert, Leona Ott, and Arthur Haase, Jr.
Elaine was born on December 5, 1925, in St. Joseph to Arthur, Sr., & Pauline (Kuden) Haase. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1944 and was very proud that through all 12 years of school she never missed a day of attendance. On December 7, 1946, Elaine married Frank Kerill, Sr., at St. Joseph Catholic Church. They were happily married for nearly 46 years before his passing in 1992. She would later find love with Jack Crumb, who she wed in 2009. She worked at the old Hilltop Grocery Store and loved every minute of her job, so much so, she retired from there seven times. Elaine loved being social, she would bowl three nights a week on her woman’s bowling league, volunteer at the DANK, and attend masses and other church events at St. Joseph Catholic Church. A special quality Elaine had was remembering everyone’s names and birthdays, regardless of being a family member, friend or colleague. However, what meant the most to her was her family. Spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren gave her the most joy. Every Sunday at noon, like clockwork, she would have a meal equivalent to a Thanksgiving feast ready to feed her family and spend quality time together making everlasting memories. Her humor, kindness and genuine heart of gold will be missed by all who knew her. A special thanks to Alex Tarantino, a great-granddaughter, who was always by Elaine's side.
Elaine is survived by her children, Patricia (Anthony) Catania, David Kerill, Peggy (Horst) Scharf, Frank Kerill Jr., Gerald (Maria) Kerill, and James (Wendy Foss) Kerill; husband of 12 years, Jack Crumb; grandchildren, Diedre (Skip) Miller, Toni Tarantino, Max Kerill, Sam Kerill, Ben Kerill, Christine (Bruce) Wilke, Cathy (Michael) Lamarche, Michael (Nancy) Scharf, Andrea (Kenneth) Havard, and Victoria Kerill; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild whom she never met; and stepchildren, Dennis & Shelia Crumb. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Pauline; her first husband, Frank; and siblings, Caroline Siewert, Leona Ott, and Arthur Haase, Jr.
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