Pearl Dinges, 96, of Dowagiac, passed away at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, at Tender Care in Kalamazoo.

Pearl’s life began on Dec. 8, 1912, in Niles, the daughter of Ernest and Sophia M. (Hull) Morrison.

She was united in marriage to Clarence West, who preceded her in 1966, and to Alex Dinges, who also preceded her in death.

Pearl worked most of life at the Mattner’s Laundry Mat and for a time at a factory in Niles.

She was a faith-filled member of Dowagiac Missionary Baptist Church.

Her greatest joy was her family, which includes: her children, Herbert (Harriett) West of Dowagiac, Harold (Ailene) West of Dowagiac, John (Linda) West of Missouri, Shirley (Robert) Lamb of Dowagiac, Arlene (Gary) Ceroky of North Dakota and Betty (Jerry) Myers of Alabama; several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; brother, Donald Benjamin of Niles; and sisters, Edie O’Konski and Helen Hebner, both of Dowagiac; and many nieces and nephews.

Her family will gather with friends on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until noon at McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home, where her funeral service will be held at noon led by Pastor Arliss Terry.

She will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to her church. Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Pearl at www.mclauchlin-clark.com.