Christine Hagey

Christine Mary Hagey, age 71 years of Niles, Michigan died unexpectedly at 2:08 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 with family gathered around in the Emergency Department of Spectrum Health Lakeland Hospital – Niles.

She was born on September 24, 1947 at that same hospital – then Pawating Hospital – in Niles to Emil Joseph and Helen (Brothers) Minarik.  She was graduated from Brandywine High School, and has lived in the Bertrand community all of her life.  She was employed for several years in the instrument repair shop at the former South Bend store of The Woodwind & Brasswind.

Christine enjoyed going to the local movie theater for a wide variety of movies, and going shopping, always in the company of a friend or her daughter.  She also maintained a flower garden at home, but her greatest interest was caring for her family, and especially her grandsons.  They were frequent visitors, including overnights, and were taught to read by Grandma long before they would learn at school.

Surviving family includes her daughter, Gwen (& Sgt. Paul, U.S.Army N.G.) Shirk of Niles; grandsons Taran Shirk and Elijah Shirk; an aunt, Lucia Hendershott of Niles; several cousins; and Christine’s companion, José Hernandez.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Helen Minarik, and by several aunts and uncles.

Graveside Services for Christine Hagey will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 16, 2019 at the Silverbrook Cemetery, 1400 East Main Street in Niles with Pastor Matthew Hickok of the Community Evangelical Free Church in Niles officiating.  Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.