Velma Mahler
January 30th, 1928 - June 25th, 2022
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Velma's Obituary
Velma M. (Kreiger) Mahler, of Berrien Spring, MI passed away Saturday, June 25, 2022, at CrownPointe of Stevensville Senior Living in Stevensville, MI.
A Celebration of Life Reception will be held from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M., Thursday, July 7, 2022, where family and friends may visit at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Following with a Memorial Service at 1p.m.and burial following at Spring Run Cemetery in Scottdale, St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Caring Circle Hospice or the Berrien County 4-H Foundation. Those wishing to share a memory of Velma online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
Velma was born January 30, 1928, in Saint Joseph, MI to Adolph and Olga (Totzke) Kreiger. She attended Washington School in Saint Joseph, MI. She and her sisters were often called “sand rabbits” as they lived at 723 Lake Street on Silver Beach. Around 1940 Velma and her family moved to Holden Road, Baroda where they lived for many wonderful years farming. She was active in school and graduated from New Troy High School. However, she really enjoyed participating in various 4-H events with her sisters, school friends, neighbors including, George Mahler. The love story began on May 10, 1947, when she married George F. Mahler at Baroda Zion Evangelical Church, Baroda, MI. Velma was a devoted housewife, loving mother and worked for Lakeshore Public Schools as a bus driver for many years. She enjoyed being a 4-H leader for many young women teaching sewing, cooking and flower gardening in her home while caring for her children. In 1965 she was awarded the 4-H Leader of the Year in Berrien County. She spent many summers at the Berrien County Fairgrounds volunteering in various ways including, judging exhibits, etc. Velma was one of the founding members of the Dashing Dozen Extension group with neighbor ladies from close farms in the area. They met once a month for many, many years and developed lifelong family relationships while donating to local charities in the area. She was a member of the Berrien County Quilters Association for many years enjoying the craft she loved. Quilting. Velma was the kindest person to everyone she met and always had dollies, pot holders, salsa, jams and jellies, and don’t forget the banana bread; you never left her house without something. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, at home on the farm and up north at the cabin. You were always welcome.
Velma is survived by her children: Greg (Cindy) Mahler, Steven (Jackie Kelly) Mahler, Jeanne (Geoff) Surch, Timothy (Deb Ballinger) Mahler, Jo Anne (Steve Hillegas) Kerill and Daniel (Patricia) Mahler; grandchildren Jayme (Ryan) Bendoski, Eric Mahler, Gretchen (Jason) Ensink, Andrew (Beth) Mahler, Scott (Sarah) Mahler, Jennifer Mahler, Sarah (Cory) Green, Mark (Megan) Mahler, Elliott Mahler, John Mahler, Sam Kerill, Ben Kerill and Max Kerill; great grandchildren Grace, Ryder, Stella, Ethan, Dylan, Hudson, Ava, Adalynn, George, Jacob, Grace; step-grandchildren Patty, Mike, Rhonda, Larry, Laurie and Greg; step-great grandchildren Cheyenne and Kaitlyn; and many nieces and nephews. Velma was preceded in death by her husband of 74 years, George: son James Mahler; daughter-in-law Donna Mahler and sister Delores Rudlaff and many other beloved friends and family.
A Celebration of Life Reception will be held from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M., Thursday, July 7, 2022, where family and friends may visit at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Following with a Memorial Service at 1p.m.and burial following at Spring Run Cemetery in Scottdale, St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Caring Circle Hospice or the Berrien County 4-H Foundation. Those wishing to share a memory of Velma online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
Velma was born January 30, 1928, in Saint Joseph, MI to Adolph and Olga (Totzke) Kreiger. She attended Washington School in Saint Joseph, MI. She and her sisters were often called “sand rabbits” as they lived at 723 Lake Street on Silver Beach. Around 1940 Velma and her family moved to Holden Road, Baroda where they lived for many wonderful years farming. She was active in school and graduated from New Troy High School. However, she really enjoyed participating in various 4-H events with her sisters, school friends, neighbors including, George Mahler. The love story began on May 10, 1947, when she married George F. Mahler at Baroda Zion Evangelical Church, Baroda, MI. Velma was a devoted housewife, loving mother and worked for Lakeshore Public Schools as a bus driver for many years. She enjoyed being a 4-H leader for many young women teaching sewing, cooking and flower gardening in her home while caring for her children. In 1965 she was awarded the 4-H Leader of the Year in Berrien County. She spent many summers at the Berrien County Fairgrounds volunteering in various ways including, judging exhibits, etc. Velma was one of the founding members of the Dashing Dozen Extension group with neighbor ladies from close farms in the area. They met once a month for many, many years and developed lifelong family relationships while donating to local charities in the area. She was a member of the Berrien County Quilters Association for many years enjoying the craft she loved. Quilting. Velma was the kindest person to everyone she met and always had dollies, pot holders, salsa, jams and jellies, and don’t forget the banana bread; you never left her house without something. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, at home on the farm and up north at the cabin. You were always welcome.
Velma is survived by her children: Greg (Cindy) Mahler, Steven (Jackie Kelly) Mahler, Jeanne (Geoff) Surch, Timothy (Deb Ballinger) Mahler, Jo Anne (Steve Hillegas) Kerill and Daniel (Patricia) Mahler; grandchildren Jayme (Ryan) Bendoski, Eric Mahler, Gretchen (Jason) Ensink, Andrew (Beth) Mahler, Scott (Sarah) Mahler, Jennifer Mahler, Sarah (Cory) Green, Mark (Megan) Mahler, Elliott Mahler, John Mahler, Sam Kerill, Ben Kerill and Max Kerill; great grandchildren Grace, Ryder, Stella, Ethan, Dylan, Hudson, Ava, Adalynn, George, Jacob, Grace; step-grandchildren Patty, Mike, Rhonda, Larry, Laurie and Greg; step-great grandchildren Cheyenne and Kaitlyn; and many nieces and nephews. Velma was preceded in death by her husband of 74 years, George: son James Mahler; daughter-in-law Donna Mahler and sister Delores Rudlaff and many other beloved friends and family.
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