Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

BRIZENDINE

Cox

Layman

Myers

Pierson

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE – April 11, 2001

LaVerne M. Brizendine

Aug. 7, 1909 - April 9, 2001

LaVerne M. Brizendine, 91, of 308 Pennsylvania Avenue, passed away after a lengthy illness at 11:05 p.m. on Monday, April 9, in the Dowagiac Nursing Home.

Mr. Brizendine was born on Aug. 7, 1909, in Cass County, Mich. On Dec. 31, 1934, in Elkhart, Ind., he married Ethel Pierson, who preceded him in death on April 23, 1985, after 50 years of marriage.

A member of the First Christian Church in Dowagiac and a member of the Dowagiac Elks Club, Mr. Brizendine owned and operated Brizendine's Marl in Dowagiac.

He is survived by a sister, Vera Myers of Dowagiac, and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Brizendine was preceded in death by three brothers, Edward, Floyd and Grant Brizendine; and by two sisters, Agnes Layman and Bessie Cox.

Pastor Carol Bastin of First Christian Church will officiate a graveside service at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday at Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today in the Groner Funeral Home, 301 Main Street, Dowagiac.

In lieu of flowers there are three places for contributions in LaVerne's memory: First Christian Church, 121 Oak Street, Dowagiac, MI 49047; Cass County Cancer Services, P.O. Box 676, Edwardsburg, MI 49112; or to Lewis Cass I.S.D. (for total communication classroom) 61682 Daily Road, Cassopolis, MI 49031.