Leta Anstiss

Leta May Anstiss, age 92 years of Berrien Center, Michigan died in the love and grace of Jesus Christ at 11:50 a.m. on Friday, October 31, 2014 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan following a brief illness.

She was born on December 27, 1921 in Berrien Springs, Michigan to Cliff Henry and Lettie (Casselman) Nelson. She was graduated from Berrien Springs High School, and has lived in this area all of her life. She was first employed at the former V-M Corporation “The Voice of Music” in Benton Harbor, and for many years at the Gast Manufacturing Company.

Leta enjoyed the Anstiss Nature Park, both visiting and volunteering there. Her greatest interest was caring for her family.

On October 20, 1940 in Sullivan, Indiana she married Murray E. Anstiss with whom she celebrated the remarkable Sixty-seventh anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on March 30, 2008. They were also preceded in death by two daughters, Karen Anstiss Stowe in 1990 and Patricia Anstiss Stephens in 2003; by a grandson and two great-grandchildren; and by two brothers of Leta, Kenneth Lyle Nelson and Lee Nelson.

Surviving family includes three sons, Michael (& Betty) Anstiss of Paragould, Arkansas, Ronald (& Jackie) Anstiss and Richard (& Pam) Anstiss, both of Berrien Center and a daughter, Linda Sue Zech of Hastings, Michigan; thirteen grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren; Leta’s brother, Dale Nelson of Berrien Springs; many nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Janet Wisenat Sherburn of Berrien Springs.

Services for Leta May Anstiss will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Mark Smith of Berrien Springs officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Contributions in memory of Leta may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice.

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