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Claribelle Elizabeth Jonker, age 102, of Three Rivers, died on Monday, July 11, 2016 at Three Rivers Health where she had been a patient for 3 days. She was born in Centreville, Mi on April 13, 1914 the daughter of Issac Walter and Elizabeth Ann (Ash) Major. She worked as an au pair before graduating from Three Rivers High School. She later worked for R.M. Kellogg, and at Armstrong Machine Works for many years. She was first married to James Daley in Ohio 1942. Mr. Daley died in 1951. She was married to William Neuhaus in Three Rivers in 1963. Mr. Neuhaus died in 1965. He third marriage was to James Jonker in 1978. Mr. Jonker died in 2003. Claribelle was a lifetime member of the Centreville and Three Rivers Presbyterian Church, and a member of the Order of Eastern Star Chapter 210 of Three Rivers. She enjoyed knitting with the Wednesday Night Knitting Club. She was a member of the St. Joe Valley Boat Club along with her third husband, and they enjoyed winters in Tucson, Arizona.
Claribelle is survived by her daughter, Connie (Gary) Berger of Three Rivers; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Thomas) Berger-Pearce of Schoolcraft and Thomas Berger of Three Rivers; great-grandchildren, Mia Elizabeth Pearce and Molly Claire Pearce; step-son, Ernest Jonker of Mineral, VA; step-grandchildren, Debbie (Jessie) Allbritton, Karen (Dan) Ragsdale, and Maj. Eric Jonker ret.; and by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; 2 brothers, Warren and John Major; and a step-son, Edward Jonker.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 pm Sunday at the Eickhoff Farrand Halverson Chapel in Three Rivers. Funeral services will be at 11 am Monday, July 18, 2016 at the Three Rivers Presbyterian Church with Pastor Brenda Deily officiating. A social gathering will then take place at the First United Methodist Church followed by burial at Prairie River Cemetery in Centreville. Memorials may be directed to the Three Rivers Presbyterian Church. Condolences may be expressed online at www.efhchapel.com
