Paula R. Winchester-Geer / Sept. 6, 1951-July 13, 2011

Published 10:16 pm Thursday, July 14, 2011

Paula’s life began on Sept. 6, 1951, in Dowagiac, the daughter of Joseph R. and Joyce L. (Riggs) Winchester.

Paula, 59, of Keeler was a 1969 graduate of Dowagiac Union High School and a graduate of Central Michigan University with a bachelor of education degree.

Paula had worked for Ameriwood Industries, the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi Indians, the Private Industry Council and, most recently, for Shepard Casters in St. Joseph.

Paula was united in marriage to the love of her life Terry Geer on March 22, 1997, at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Cemetery grounds.

She loved to do anything that Terry was doing. Paula and Terry spent two thirds of their lives together, and one was never very far from the other.

She was especially fond of her nieces and nephews and was their “second mother.”

Her loving family includes her sister Judy Winchester and brother Scott (Dee Dee) Winchester, both of Sister Lakes, sisters-in-law, Sharon Geer of Sister Lakes, Judy (Mike) Baker and Carrol Sue (Joe) Bradford, both of Hartford, nieces and nephews Kristy Bradford, Robbie Winchester, Jenna Huffman, Joe Winchester Jr., Jeanna Winchester and Tom Winchester, great nieces and nephews, Little Joe Winchester, Alivia Winchester and Gage Bradford.

Paula passed away on Wednesday July 13, 2011, at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband Terry on Oct. 2, 2010, and her parents Joe and Joyce Winchester.  Her family will gather with friends on Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Yazel and Clark Chapel, where her funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

She will be laid to rest in Sacred Heart of Mary Cemetery on Sunday.

Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.

Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Paula at www.yazel-clark.com.