Darlene J. Kiessling, 71, of Lake Pine Drive in Saint Joseph, died at 2:38 p.m. Friday, June 18 at Lakeland Medical Center in Saint Joseph following a brief illness.

She was born on Sept. 10, 2010 in Benton Harbor to Edward Oswald Gilbert and Mary Louise (Valle) Gilbert.

In addition to Saint Joseph, she has lived in Coloma and in Clearwater, Fla.

She was employed for many years by the Berrien County Friend of the Court and by the State of Florida Department of Revenue, from which he retired in January of 2005.

She graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1956. She was a member of the Twelve Corners Community Church in Benton Harbor.

She enjoyed taking care of her cat, Misty and reading murder mysteries.

She was preceded in death by her father, Edward Oswald “Ozzie” Gilbert.

Surviving family includes her mother, Marie Puterbaugh of Bridgman; son Michael Womack of Benton Harbor; daughters Michele Burnside of Niles and Judy (Matt) Wakefield of Edon, Ohio; grandchildren Michael Womack, Paul Womack, Matthew Burnside, Michael Terry, Jimmy Stover, Courtnee Glover, Adam, Caleb and Joshua Wakefield and a sister, Dolores (Robert) Alti of Saint Joseph.

Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Richard Sing of Twelve Corners Community Church officiating.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Twelve Corners Community Church.