All Obituaries

Darrell’s life began August 21, 1956 in Athens, Ohio. He spent his childhood in Ohio but most of his lifetime in Watervliet. One day while at Bill Stewart’s Drive Inn he met Theresa Liles, they married June 25, 1977. Darrell and Theresa enjoyed 43 years of marriage, raising their daughters and spoiling their grandchildren. Darrell worked for many years at the Watervliet Paper Mill, after the mill he worked as a meat cutter and mananged meat departments at Harding’s,...

Gwendolyn Marie Winkel, formerly of St. Joseph and Watervliet, passed away from a battle with cancer at Hanson Center for Hospice Care in Stevensville on Sunday, April 18, 2021.   Gwen’s life began on January 23, 1947, at Mercy Hospital in Benton Harbor. Born to Ivan D. and Elizabeth (Betty) (Schommer), she grew up in Watervliet and spent most of her life there. She attended kindergarten at Watervliet’s one-room schoolhouse before moving on to South Elementary School and...

Hershell was born March 10, 1929, in Trumann, Arkansas. He spent his early years in Arkansas and then his family moved to Michigan where Hershell would graduate from Benton Harbor High School. After high school Hershell proudly served his country in the United States Air Force, two of his four years in Alaska during the Korean Conflict. At Steve’s Roller Rink in 1947 he met Norma Arnold and they married in 1951. Hershell and Norma enjoyed 68 loving years together. Hershell drove truck for...

Abel’s life began July 12, 1976, in Mexico. In 1995, he moved to Benton Harbor where he has enjoyed raising his family and working for Williams Farms. Abel was one of the best billiard pool players. One of the luckiest players because he was one in a million to shoot the 8ball in a corner shot. He made sure to always tell his team “Mexican Connection” that he was proud of their accomplishments and winnings. He enjoyed traveling, and exploring new adventures. He loved to...

Chyrille's life began August 30, 1961, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Chyrille spent most of her life calling Southwest Michigan home.  She loved entertaining her family and friends and will always be remembered for her fun personality.  Chyrille also enjoyed crocheting, needle point, working crossword puzzles, and watching true crime shows. Her greatest joy was her family which includes: four children Ian (Karla) Bopp, Jodi (Paul) Johnson, Tyler Ganczak, and Edward (Chelsea)...

Dorothy Marie West, 91, of Lawrence passed away April 1, 2021, at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville. Dorothy was born on Feb. 20, 1930, in Lexington, Tenn., to Jim and Eva (Goff) Roberts. The family moved to Coloma during her childhood. This is where Dorothy met and later married the love of her life, Kenneth Ray West, in 1946. They settled in Hartford, where they raised two children: Larry and Regina, and celebrated nearly forty-five years of marriage before Kenneth’s passing in...

Tom’s life began September 29, 1978, in Battle Creek, Michigan. Tom grew up in Millburg and graduated from Benton Harbor High School. Tom worked for Michigan Paving as a plant manager. He was a family guy, his greatest joy revolved around his family. When Tom wasn’t working you could find him proudly watching and coaching his children, planning the next family vacation, working on cars, or making sure to take his wife on date night. Tom also enjoyed filling his time fishing,...

Theresa was born August 9, 1960, in Watervliet.  She spent her lifetime in Watervliet where she graduated high school.  While working at Bill Stewart’s Drive Inn she met Darrell Phillips, and they married June 25, 1977.  Theresa and Darrell enjoyed many years together raising their family and spoiling grandchildren.  She was the friendly smile at Hardings and Village Market where she worked as a manager.  Theresa’s favorite thing to do was watch her...

Bernice’s life began January 26, 1941, in Manilla, Arkansas.  When she was a young girl her family moved to Michigan where Bernice would call home and graduate from Coloma High School.  Bernice married her high school sweetheart Roger Zachary and they enjoyed raising their three children together.  She worked for Dr. Shastri for many years.  Bernice enjoyed working puzzles, flower gardening, traveling, and going out to dinner.  She was an active member of...

August’s life began August 2, 1945, in Stuttgart, Germany.  As a young boy August’s family moved to the United States and settled in Coloma.  August grew up in Coloma, graduating from Coloma High School.  He then continued his education earning a Bachelor of Psychology from the University of Michigan and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Western Michigan University.  During his senior year at U of M August met Julie Seymour, eventually...