Harlene R. (Frantz) Stemm was with family and friends when unexpectedly, God called her home after a brief illness.

She was born in 1937, the middle of five children, to Harley and Florence Frantz in Niles and celebrated her 73rd birthday on May 6. She was a 1954 graduate of Niles High School and attended Western Michigan University. She was an elementary teacher in the Niles and Berrien school systems for several years and later worked at and retired from Niles Precision Tool after 20-plus years of employment.

The love of Harlene’s life was her family: daughter, Shelly; son-in-law, David, and grandchildren, Andrew and Karleann. She rarely missed an activity that her grandchildren participated in. She was passionate about flowers and gardening, shopping for bargains, garage sales, flea markets and treasure hunting at the Goodwill store.

She is survived by her daughter, Shelly (David) Stankiewicz, and grandchildren, Andrew and Karleann, of Coloma. Also surviving are sisters, Violet Kegan, Betty (Dick) Mack, Karen Frantz (Chris) Petruska, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her nephew, Todd Adams; parents, Harley and Florence Frantz; and brother, Ken Frantz.

Funeral visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 18 and also from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 19 at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.