Carmelita Marie Rial

Carmelita Marie Rial Vicksburg Carmelita Marie Rial, age 88 of Vicksburg, died Thursday Dec. 16, 2010 at the Bronson Hospital Emergency Room. She was born in Defiance, OH on Feb. 22, 1922 the daughter of Rev. Harvey and Hester (Vance) Carpenter. She graduated from Portage Central High School and resided in Calhoun County before settling in Vicksburg 48 years ago. Marie had worked at Kellogg and Post Cereals in Battle Creek; managed the cafeteria and vending area at Gibson Guitar Company for many years; and retired from Kalamazoo Catering and Vending at the James River Paper Company. She was an active member of the Chapman Memorial Church of the Nazarene where she served on the Church Board and taught Sunday school. She was always helping neighbors and church members who needed assistance. Marie was married to Robert Sylvester Rial on April 15, 1940 in Marshall, MI. He survives along with 2 sons, Robert D. (Mary Jo) Rial of Battle Creek and Bruce L. (Sharon) Rial of Marshall; 1 daughter, Deborah (Stuart) Eckert of Portage; 8 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild; 1 brother, Harvey Carpenter of Climax; 1 sister, Beverly Bogenreif of Sarasota, FL; 2 half-brothers, David and Timothy Carpenter both of Nashville, TN; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; 2 brothers, Doyle Carpenter and Rev. Ray Carpenter; and by a granddaughter, Rachael Dani Rial. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Chapman Memorial Church of the Nazarene, 7520 East U Ave., Vicksburg, MI 49097. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday Dec. 21, 2010 at the church with Rev. David Downs and Rev. Wesley Bittenbender officiating. Burial will take place in Fort Custer National Cemetery on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the church. Arrangements were by the Eickhoff Funeral Home of Mendon. Condolences may be left for the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com