Mary Jane (Freeman) Sloderbeck, 89, of Shady Shore Drive in Niles passed away at her home on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010 after a brief illness.

Mary Jane was born  Feb. 16, 1921 in Winamac, Ind. to the late Harry and Lydia (Frieski) Freeman. Mary Jane was one of 11 children growing up in the Freeman household.

Mary Jane attended Winamac High School and in November 1941 she wed the love of her life, James “Jim” Sloderbeck in Argos, Ind. Mary Jane and Jim spent much of their time traveling through out the United States, Canada and Mexico. She also loved her visits to Hawaii, the Caribbean, Virgin Islands including St. Thomas, and the Bahamas, to name a few.

Mary Jane was a homemaker most of her life; she enjoyed cooking, and her home on Barron Lake. She took great pride in her family and enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary Jane is preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Olive Braun, Dorothey Seidel, Paul, George, Lloyd, Rodger and Marion Freeman.

She is survived by her son, Troy (Paulette) Sloderbeck of Berrien Springs; grandchildren, Dayna (Dana) Love of Springfield, Ohio, Scot Sloderbeck of Constantine, Mich.; great-grandchildren, Addison and Addalyn Love and Meaghan and Aoibhgreine Sloderbeck; and siblings, Clara Ruth Rude, Marjorie Mae Thomas and Vernal Freeman.

Memorial donations may be made in Mary Jane’s memory to Hospice at Home Inc. located at 4025 Health Park Lane; St. Joseph, Michigan 49085.

Funeral services for Mary Jane will be held at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel, located 5 miles north of Niles at 61453 M-51 North, Niles, MI 49120 on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010 at 3 p.m. with a time of visitation one hour prior. Pastor Reed Anderstrom will be officiating.

Mary Jane will be interred at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens next to her husband.

Those wishing to leave condolences, memories or photographs for the family may do so at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services and Mission Hills Memorial Chapel.