Sept. 5, 1918 -- Aug. 22, 2005

Vivian Marie Carpenter, 86, of M-62 South, Edwardsburg, MI, passed away at 10:13 a.m. Monday, Aug. 22, in Elkhart General Hospital from a heart attack in her home.

She was born Sept. 5, 1918, in Milton Township, Niles, the daughter of the late Ray Palmer and Ida Almeda (Roath) Smith, and had lived in the Niles-Edwardsburg area all of her life. She graduated from high school and was a homemaker.

Vivian was married on Oct. 10, 1939, in Cassopolis, as Vivian Smith, to Leon Richard "Carp" Carpenter, who survives. There are four daughters, Leona Louise (James) Couch of Chino Valley, AZ, Peggy Almeda (Karl) Starz of Vicksburg, MI, Birdella Ann (Dennis) Holdread and Charlotte May Carpenter, both of Edwardsburg. There is a son, Kent Eugene Carpenter of Kernsville, N.C. There are 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Other survivors include two sisters, Esther Montgomery and Mary Montgomery, both of Edwardsburg.

Members of the family who have passed away are two sisters, Elizabeth Harwood and Roseann Blackburn; and two brothers, Vernon and Lloyd Smith.

There has been an immediate cremation, with burial of the cremains at a later time in Smith's Chapel Cemetery in Milton Township. There is no visitation or funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Edwardsburg Public Schools, 69410 Section St., Edwardsburg, MI 49112; or to Smith's Chapel Historical Society, 2744 E. US 12, Niles, MI 49120.

Arrangements are by the Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, Edwardsburg, MI.