Junice Dick
April 6, 1928-May 27, 2006
Junice Jane Dick, 78, of Berrien Springs, MI, passed away Saturday, May 27, 2006, in Lakeland Specialty Hospital - Berrien Center following an illness.
She was born April 6, 1928, in Anderson, IN, to Frank and Carrie Josephine (Gwinn) Martin. She was the beloved wife of retired Judge Donald J. Dick of Berrien Springs, whom she married May 20, 1951. The couple celebrated over 55 years of marriage together. She was the loving mother of Martha Ann (Daniel) Southworth of South Bend, IN, Mary Elizabeth Czarnecki of St. Joseph, William Walton (Carolyn) Dick of Chicago, IL, and Jane Ellen (Bradley) Kerr of Berrien Springs. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Junice was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Joanne Thornburg and a brother, John "Jack" Martin.
Upon graduation from Anderson High School, Junice attended Ball State University where she was named first runner up to Miss Ball State. Later she attended St. Mary's College where she obtained her training as a medical technician. In the early 1950's, she worked for the South Bend Medical Foundation before marrying and raising her family.
Junice was an active member of the Berrien Springs United Methodist Church, a charter member of the Berrien Springs Civic League, the first president of the Lawyers' Wives of Berrien County. She and her husband, Donald, were fortunate to have traveled extensively with the Michigan Bar Association. They traveled to Europe, Russia, Thailand, the Bahamas, Hong Kong and Central American Countries.
Junice will always be remembered as a nurturing and caring wife, mother and friend. Always putting the needs of others first, Junice will be remembered for her generous and loving acts. From taking a meal to a friend in need, to providing needy parents with clothing for newborn infants, Junice had a caring way about her that others recognized and admired. Her love for reading always provided her with book recommendations for family members and friends and was a member of a ladies book club in St. Joseph.
When her children were growing, the Dick family home was the center of the neighborhood activities. Her children remember how their mother would make large numbers of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and serve them to all the neighborhood kids so that they wouldn't have to return home for lunch. She was an excellent gourmet cook and will also be remembered for her wonderful dinner parties.
A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 31, 2006, in the Berrien Springs United Methodist Church with Rev. Dominic Tommy officiating. Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, Michigan. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Legacy Family Funeral Services- Matthew R. Purchase Chapel, Berrien Springs, and sign the guestbook at www.legacyfuneral.com.
The family graciously requests that memorial contributions in her memory be may be made to the Berrien Springs United Methodist Church, the Berrien Springs Public Library, the American Cancer Society or to the Berrien County Historical Association.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown