Sept. 24, 1928 — June 27, 2014

Beatrice Louella Cusick, 85, of Niles, died at 3:20 p.m. on Friday, June 27, 2014, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana following a brief illness.

She was born on Sept. 24, 1928, in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Orlo L. and Bessie I. (Wilde) Grinage. She was graduated from Niles High School in 1946, and lived here most of her life. She was employed by the Twin Cities Federal Credit Union as the Assistant Branch Manager, retiring in 1994.

Betty was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles. She loved animals, and was known for rescuing strays. She also enjoyed gardening and reading.

On Nov. 14, 1959, in Niles she married Dwayne H. Cusick with whom she celebrated the 45th anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on March 28, 2005. She was also preceded in death by her parents and by her siblings, Clayton E. Grinage, Margaret L. Davis and Marjorie Grinage; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Marjorie Winquist, Meta Cusick, Winogene “Winnie” Carpenter, Leo “Bud” Cusick, Leslie Carpenter, Harold Davis and Paul Winquist.

Surviving family includes 11 nieces and nephews; many nieces and nephews of two additional generations.

The family of Betty Cusick will gather privately at a later date at her gravesite in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles for services with family friend, The Reverend James Slack officiating. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Betty may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan.

www.halbritterfunerals.com