http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS Wednesday, June 6, 2024 17
Beverly June
Pierce (Coat Check
Bev) passed away
on May 29, 2024, at
her daughter’s home
after a brief and sud-
den illness. Beverly
was born on August
28, 1947, in Battle
Creek, MI to David
Wilson and Maggie
Bolden Pierce. She
attended Battle Creek
Public Schools,
graduating from Battle Creek Central High School
in 1966. At an early age, Bev gave her life to God
and joined the Original Church of God under the
pastorage of Rev. Harold W. Speights.
Beverly moved to Detroit after graduation and
has called the Motor City home for more than six
decades. Ms. Bev was married to Eddie Collins,
and to this union, a daughter was born, Malaysia
Pierce Collins, and they later divorced.
She was full of fire and energy and put herself
into everything that she did from working various
jobs in the health care field and the hospitalityarena to her passion: creating gorgeous fashion
pieces. Her hats and jewelry pieces were exquisite
and one of a kind. Beverly also collected African
art and loved her plants.
Ms. Bev was the founder of a modeling group
called Hot and Heavy Models and they held fash-
ion shows throughout Detroit. Ms. Bev was not
one to miss a good time and could be found styl-
ing and profiling with her dance community most
Tuesday afternoons.
Beverly was preceded in death by her parents
and sister Vivian Kay Pierce Ward of Battle Creek.
She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved
daughter, Malaysia; sister Shirley (Stan) Tuggle
of Battle Creek; bonus daughter Elainia Ward, and
bonus granddaughter, Alexis Ward, all of Detroit;
special friends Earlie Eason of Battle Creek, Ona
Rucker, Antonio Parker; and loved like a brother,
cousin O.H. Pye III.
Services are being held at O.H. Pye III Funeral
Home in Detroit, with family hour on Monday,
June 10, at noon, followed by the funeral at 12:
p.m.
Arrangements entrusted to O.H. Pye III Funeral
Home.
Memorials to the American Cancer Association.Deeann Odell,
77, of Battle Creek,
passed away
Thursday, May 16,- She was
born July 2, 1946,
in Battle Creek,
Michigan, the
daughter of William
John and Margaret
Helen (Logan)
McGillivray.
She taught dance
for many years and
was passionate
about dancing beyond her professional career
and throughout her entire life. She enjoyed craft-
ing and was always making something, passing
on skills and creativity to her loved ones. Deeann
rescued many animals, most recently coaxing in
stray cats and caring for them -- a switch from
her previous preference to dogs. She nurtured
many beautiful gardens and kept a vast collection
of house plants. Deeann had worked for State
Farm Insurance Company for more than 30 years
before retiring. She loved whatever work she was
involved in, giving up retirement many times and
brought joy into her job until her passing. She
loved to travel and camp, and especially adored
the ocean and beaches. Deeann brought a sense
of adventure with her even on short day trips and
could be heard saying a wrong turn or becoming
lost was just taking the scenic route. She loved
creating adventures for her grandchildren through
storytelling.
Deeann is survived by her grandchildren, Eric,
Sarah and Shyanna; seven great-grandchildren;
and a long list of loving friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and
her daughter, Richelle Lazarus.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation has
taken place.
Arrangements by the Richard A. Henry Funeral
Home and Cremation Services, http://www.henryfuner-
alhome.org.Ronald B. Quada,
86, of Battle
Creek, Michigan,
passed away
Saturday, May 25,
2024, at Bronson
Battle Creek
Hospital. He was
born March 25,
1938, the son of
Edward B. Quada
and Virgina B.
(Cook) Quada.
Ron gradu-
ated from Marshall
High School with the Class of 1957. Following
high school, Ron honorably served his
country in the United States Army, achieving
rank as Sergeant. He was a member of the
Marshall Lions Club and Saint Mary’s Choir
and worked for AAA Insurance as a claims
adjuster for 31 years until his retirement.
Ron is survived by his wife of 63 years,
Charlene (Ring) Quada; sons, Ronald
(Kaaren) Quada, Donald (Erin) Quada;
granddaughter, Anna Quada; and brother
Roger (Debbie) Quada.
He was preceded in death by his parents;
siblings Frederick, Joyce, Donald, Ray and
Roy Quada.
Ron loved to do work around his house
and tinkering with things in yard and garage.
He enjoyed traveling around the world with
his wife, Charlene, and the Lions Club, read-
ing and spending time with his granddaugh-
ter, Anna.
Visitation will be held at Baxter Funeral &
Cremation Service on June 29, 2024, from
noon to 1 p.m., with the memorial service to
celebrate his life following at 1 p.m.
Interment will take place at Fort Custer
National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made
to the Marshall Lions Club, P.O. Box 231,
Marshall, MI 49068 in honor of Ron.
Arrangements by the Baxter Funeral &
Cremation Service. 269-788-9800. http://www.bax-
terfuneral.comApostle Jeaneva
E. Smith went
home to be with
the Lord on May
27, 2024, at her
home.
Sunrise: April 8,
1936; Sunset: May
27, 2024.
A funeral service
will be held June
8, 2024, at Second
Missionary BaptistChurch, 485 N. Washington Ave., in Battle Creek.
Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m., and the
service will start at 2 p.m.David Lee
Phillips was
born September
6, 1947, in
Kalamazoo to
Robert and Betty
(Lapham) Phillips.
David died
Tuesday, May 28,
2024, at Bronson
Methodist Hospital
in Kalamazoo. He
attended Bellevue
and Pennfield
Schools and received his diploma from
Laselle Extension University under the G.I.
Bill.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years,
Linda Phillips (Phillips); brothers, Tommy
(Bonnie) Phillips of Fremont, Nebraska,
Kevin (Sharlene) Phillips in Pennfield;
brothers-in-law, David (Karlene) Phillips
of Goodyear, Arizona, Donald Phillips of
Marshall, Michigan; and many nieces and
nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents;
in-laws, David B. and Patsy Phillips; sister,
Judith Phillips; and nephews Robert Moon
and Eric Phillips.
As a young man, David worked at White
House Ice Cream in Pennfield and worked at
Gresley’s Service Station in Battle Creek.
After serving in the United States Army
in Baumholder, Germany, from 1967-69 as
a Spec. 5 Wheel Mechanic, Dave returned
home and married the love of his life, Linda.
He worked for a brief time at GM in Lansingand then took a job at United Steel and
Wire in Battle Creek as a pattern maker and
worked there for 19 years.
David loved building everything, especially
cars and houses. Along with his wife, they
started a construction business, Phillips
Custom Building, and gained a great reputa-
tion with many repeat customers. He built
many homes in the Calhoun County area, as
well as other surrounding communities. Along
with homes, he also built many additions and
pole buildings.
Building cars was also a passion of his and
he built from the ground up several street
rods and a 1967 Fairlane with assistance
from friends. Many awards were won at car
shows throughout the years.
He was a member of the Battle
Creek Chamber of Commerce, Gilmore
Car Museum, the National Street Rod
Association, and the Humane Society of
South Central Michigan.
David will be greatly missed by family,
friends, neighbors and colleagues.
There will be no service or visitation at
David’s request, and cremation has taken
place, but if David could tell you how to
remember him it would be to be kind to one
another and always have a smile and hand-
shake ready. Be willing to help someone and
always be kind to animals. And ... “Have a
Happy Holiday!”
Memorials may be sent to a charity of your
choice.
Arrangements entrusted to the Baxter
Funeral & Cremation Service, 269-788-9800.
http://www.baxterfuneral.comIn your charity,
please pray for the
repose of the soul of
The Rev. Stephen
E. Naas, formerly
of Battle Creek, who
died Wednesday,
May 29, 2024, at the
Kairos Dwelling in
Kalamazoo.
Father Naas was
born July 26, 1948,
in Illinois, the eldest
child of the late
Philip and Norma
(Goodley) Naas, and brother of the late Philip
David Naas.
He is survived by his sister, Marcia Naas; two
brothers, Mark and Eric Naas; and many nieces
and nephews.
The family came to Battle Creek in 1951 and
were members of St. Joseph Parish, where the
children attended parish school. Father Naas was
a 1966 graduate of Lakeview High School and
attended Saint Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad,
Indiana, and St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore,
Maryland. He was ordained into the priesthood
for the Archdiocese of Atlanta at the Cathedral of
Christ the King on June 10, 1978. He returned to
Michigan, serving in the Diocese of Kalamazoo,
and retired after serving St. Mary Catholic Church
in Marshall for 13 years.
He enjoyed his garden, cooking and woodwork-
ing, and was a prolific reader.
Father Naas was received at St. Joseph Catholic
Church on Monday, June 3, at 4 p.m., where visi-
tation was held until the time of the Rosary at 7
p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated
at the church on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 10:
a.m., with The Most Reverend Edward M. Lohse,
Bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, officiating.
Interment followed at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be given to Kairos
Dwelling of Kalamazoo or St. Joseph Catholic
Church of Battle Creek.
Eternal rest, grant unto him O’Lord, and let
perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in
peace, Amen.
Arrangements by Richard A. Henry Funeral
Home and Cremation Services, http://www.henryfuneral-
home.org.