Marian J. Mendel

Marian Mendel, of Berrien Springs, entered into rest in the Lord on July 26, 2023, at Caretel Inns in St. Joseph, Michigan, at the age of 92, two months shy of her 93rd birthday.

She was born September 24, 1930, to Rupert A. and Mae Louise Spohr of Western Springs, Illinois. Marian attended the SDA school at Hinsdale, and later Broadview Academy. She married John Mendel one year after graduating from Broadview, and they were married for 73 years.

John was in the U.S. Army, and as a result, the family moved and traveled a lot. Together they have been to all the states in the union and DC, except for Alaska. The Mendels adopted two girls, Michelle Nwoke from Washington, D.C. in 1961, and Leanne Sauers from Kalamazoo in 1963.

Marian is known to have typed five doctoral dissertations and worked as a secretary at various places. The Mendels moved back to Berrien Springs in 1988 and she worked as the home manager for Teresa's Country Home for some time before moving up to office manager/bookkeeper.

Marian became sick after their youngest daughter died in 2020 and never really fully recovered.

Marian is survived by her husband, John; daughter, Michelle; sons-in-law, Winston Nwoke and Michael Sauers; grandson, Christopher Nwoke; and several grand- and great-grandchildren from Leanne and Michael.

Marian was the most loving and devoted wife, sister, mother, and grandmother.

A memorial service will be held in her honor on Saturday, August 12th, at 2:30 p.m. at the Chikaming Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The Allred Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Messages and memories may be shared online at www.allredfuneralhome.com.