Obituary of Bessie M. Barrett

Bessie M. (Thomas) Barrett, 87, of Niles, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, October 28, 2014, with her loving family at her side. She was born on February 27, 1927 in Rochester, Indiana to the late Harold L. and Eva L. (Johnson) Thomas. On June 9, 1949 Bessie married Elmer Schacks, Sr. who passed away two years later. On May 12, 1956 she wed Howard Barrett, Sr. at a ceremony in Dowagiac. Bessie was employed for over forty years at Simplicity Pattern, where she worked as a folder. She enjoyed puzzles, gardening, canning and was an amazing cook. Family was the most important thing in Bessie's life and she loved spending time with them. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband's Elmer Schacks, Sr.in 1951 and Howard Barrett, Sr.in 1981, a son, Howard Barrett, Jr. in 1997 and four brothers; Major, David, Clarence and Fred Thomas. Bessie is survived by her children; Carol (Victor) Wenzloff of Traverse City, Michigan, Elmer (Bonnie) Schacks, Jr. of Edwardsburg and Mark (Catherine) Barrett of Dowagiac, nine grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, one brother, Gerald (Beverly) Thomas and five sisters; Margaret Hoese of Niles, Mary Welch of Niles, Eva (George) Hunt of Niles, Charlotte Beecher of Merritt Island, Florida and Dorothy Kiggins of Dowagiac. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at noon at Mission Hills with a time of visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. An interment will follow at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made in Bessie's memory to Hospice.