Andrew Mark Parker
Jul 8, 2026
Andrew was born December 11, 1983, in St. Joseph, Michigan to Mark and Christine (Schaner) Parker. He grew up in Watervliet with his two sisters where he graduated from Watervliet High School in 2002. In high school, the year 2000, he met the love of his life Jordan Wheeler. They married in 2010 and enjoyed raising their two daughters together....
John Charles Rauner
Jul 5, 2026
John’s life began July 16, 1961, in San Diego, California. His parents moved to South Bend, Indiana, where he spent most of his childhood. After graduating high school John earned an Associates Degree in Computer Science and found a job working IT support. John lived in the Grand Rapids area with the love of his life Janice McGregor until 2006...
Nanette Cecil Light
Jul 2, 2026
Nanette was born June 21, 1948, in St. Joseph, Michigan. She spent her lifetime living on the family farm in Hartford. She was a licensed cosmetologist but spent most of her working life at JVIS Manufacturing and Wollen Products. She loved spending time with her family and working crossword puzzles.
Her family she leaves behind to cherish her memory includes; three...
Christopher Duane Maack
Jul 2, 2026
Chris’ life began September 15, 1978 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He grew up in the Grand Rapids area. After high school he continued his education at Michigan State University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Watervliet Public Schools were lucky enough to hire Chris as a fourth grade teacher where he worked until retirement. Outside of work Chris...
Keith Eugene Osborne
Jun 21, 2026
Keith Eugene Osborne (77), of Coloma, Michigan, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 21, 2026, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his warm presence and his ability to connect with anyone that crossed his path.
Born January 2, 1949, in Grass Lake, Michigan, Keith was the son of...
Helen Beatrice Shepherd
Jun 21, 2026
Helen’s life began January 19, 1947, in Three Rivers, Michigan. She spent most of her lifetime enjoying her life in Watervliet with her large family and friends. Helen worked for many years in the Deli Department at South Haven Meijer. She enjoyed trying her luck at Bingo and the occasional trip to the casino. Helen’s greatest gift was her baking...
Sandra McCarley Freeman
Jun 18, 2026
Sandy McCarley Freeman was born on May 12, 1957, in Akron, Ohio. She spent most of her life in Southwest Michigan, where sheworked for Zenith Data Systems for many years and later worked at Plaza Citgo.
Sandy loved running her command center, following NASCAR, and cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs, especially rooting for Mahomes.She also enjoyed occasionally putting in a...
Alton "Jay" Howard
May 15, 2026
Jay was born July 31, 1952, in Watervliet, Michigan. He grew up in Watervliet and was a proud member of the graduating class of 1970. Following high school Jay attended Michigan State University where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering. Jay worked as a project manager in highway development for DLZ Engineering until retirement in 2012. In his spare...
Stephanie Nicole Wright
May 13, 2026
Stephanie’s life began June 22, 1984, in St. Joseph, Michigan. Her mother was Trina Wright, and her stepfather Andrew Haines entered her life when she was just six years old. She graduated from Hartford High School, lived most of her life in Coloma, then made South Haven her home just 10 years ago. Stephanie had a knack for caring for...
Darla Sue Strong
May 8, 2026
Darla was born July4, 1946, in Pocahontas, Arkansas. She spent most of her lifetime in Michigan. She worked in the health care field caring for the elderly in their homes and as intake for Intercare. When Darla wasn’t working she enjoyed crafting with her husband William and attending craft shows. She was a master seamstress, made doll clothes and teddy...
June Kay Sims
May 7, 2026
June (Kniebes) Sims (83) passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 7, 2026. June was born on June 6, 1942 to Harry and Lydia Kniebes of Watervliet Michigan. She lived most of her life on the family farm.
June attended elementary school at Cribbs school in Bainbridge Township, then Eau Claire High School where she graduated. She worked for many years at...
Thelma "Jeannie" Kirby
Apr 17, 2026
Jeannie’s life began October 12, 1959, in Rodgersville, Alabama. She spent most of her lifetime in the Southwest Michigan area. Jeannie enjoyed crafting, crocheting, baking, and going on drives. She loved spending time surrounded by loved ones, visiting with family and friends. Jeannie touched a lot of lives and had numerous adopted kids and grandkids, she was known as mom...
Theda June Koshar
Apr 14, 2026
Theda June (Kniebes) Koshar passed away Tuesday April 14 at home with her family at the age of 91. Theda “Toots” was born August 26, 1934, in Bainbridge Township to Harry and Lydia Kniebes. She grew up on the family farm with her parents, brother Loren and sister June. Life on the family farm instilled in Theda a relentless work...
Terry Lee Harris
Apr 11, 2026
Terry’s life began June 18, 1954, in Searcy, Arkansas. He grew up in Southwest Michigan and after high school he went to work for Benton Harbor Engineering, later he worked for ASCO Products up to retirement. Terry loved riding his motorcycle, playing golf, and going on walks with Betty. He enjoyed working out because of that he met Betty Mason...
Marjorie Elizabeth Pepple
Apr 10, 2026
Marjorie Elizabeth Pepple (née Franks), a woman of profound strength, sharp wit, and an endless capacity for love, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, April 10, 2026, at the age of 96. Surrounded by the family that was the center of her world, she stepped into eternity, leaving behind a legacy that spanned nearly a century.
Marjorie was born...
Denice Marie Hilliard
Apr 8, 2026
Denice’s life began September 23, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois. She spent most of her childhood growing up in Chicago until she was in her teens and her parent’s love for Paw Paw Lake would lead them to relocate to Watervliet. After high school she attended college pursuing her love for art. She eventually went to work in billing as an...
Clinton Michael Kniebes
Mar 29, 2026
Clint’s life began July 10, 1958, in Watervliet. Clint grew up on the family farm in Watervliet and graduated from Watervliet High School. After high school Clint worked in die casting and then joined the millwrights and worked in construction. While he was employed at Castmatics in Stevenville he met Marcia, they fell in love and married. Outside of work...
Marcia Kay Kniebes
Mar 29, 2026
Marcia was born in Watervliet. She was a lifetime area resident and grew up in Eau Claire where she graduated high school. She went to work at a cast iron plant working her way up to inspector. When she worked at Castmatics in Stevensville she met Clinton Kniebes. She and Clint enjoyed 25 years of marriage. Marcia loved working around...
Cheryl Lynn Ketelhut
Mar 20, 2026
Cheryl’s life began December 14, 1952, in St Joseph during a snow storm according to her mother. She grew up in St. Joseph. After high school she became a LPN working at Mercy Hospital. Cheryl then went to work at Cedarwood Medical and Watervliet Community Hospital. She met Ron Ketelhut at a bowling alley, they married in 1985 and enjoyed...
Edith Marie Thompson
Mar 6, 2026
Edith was born on November 7, 1938, in Rockport, Kentucky where she grew up in a large family that instilled in her the values of hard work, determination, resilience, love and faith. She later built a life in Michigan with her late husband, Jerry, with whom she raised their children and created a home centered on those same values.
Love for...
