Obituary Listing

Recent Obituaries

Charlene Kay (Alderman)  Taylor

Charlene Kay (Alderman) Taylor

Nov 6, 2021

Charlene's life began December 25, 1938, in Coldwater, Michigan. She grew up in Benton Harbor, graduating from Benton Harbor High School. Charlene loved caring for her family. She also enjoyed filling her time crocheting, reading, and playing bingo. Her greatest joy was being a loving mother to her daughter Lori (John) Corbin and grandmother to her three grandchildren Sarah...

Mary Louise (Bradley)  Fohs

Mary Louise (Bradley) Fohs

Oct 26, 2021

FOHS, Mary Louise - Age 93, of Watervliet, Michigan, died peacefully at home Tuesday, October 26, 2021. In accordance with Mary's wishes cremation will take place. She will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Watervliet.

Mary was born on March 7, 1928 in Flint, the son of Roy...

Ronald Kenneth Gimik

Ronald Kenneth Gimik

Oct 19, 2021

Ron's life began October 13, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan. He spent most of his life in the Detroit area until a couple years ago when he and his wife Sharon retired to Coloma. After high school while Ron was in college he was drafted to the United States Army Black Knight division and proudly served his country during the...

Emil Robert Plasko

Emil Robert Plasko

Oct 13, 2021

Bob's life began October 3, 1929, in Watervliet, Michigan. He grew up on the family farm and attended Stickney School until the fifth grade where he went to Watervliet Public Schools and graduated high school. After high school Bob continued his education on a full scholarship to University of Michigan earning his Bachelors Degree. Bob was an Engineer in...

Erma Louise White

Erma Louise White

Oct 10, 2021

Erma White, 83, of Watervliet passed away peacefully Sunday, October 10, 2021, at Caretel of St. Joseph with her family by her side.

Erma was born on March 6, 1938, in Watervliet to Arthur and Lillian Rowley.

On February 21, 1958, she married the love of her life Lester "Chum" White, together they had two...

James "Jim" Anthony Kolenko

James "Jim" Anthony Kolenko

Oct 5, 2021

Jim was born June 4, 1951, in St. Joseph, Michigan. He was a lifetime Watervliet resident where he graduated high school in 1969. During high school he was a loved classmate, accomplished athlete, and All State football player. After high school Jim went to work for White's Excavating until he left to work the road commission for MDOT where...

Thomas Anthony Faraone

Thomas Anthony Faraone

Oct 4, 2021

Suddenly and unexpectedly we lost our beloved Tom on October 4, 2021. He is preceded in death by his father, Joseph S. Faraone, and brother Joseph R Faraone. Surviving are his mother, Marjorie J. Faraone, sister, Julie (Andrew) Milanowski, borther Steve Faraone, nephew Gabriel Milanowski, niece, Margo Milanowski. In addition Tom leaves behind many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and...

Frank W Rzeszut

Frank W Rzeszut

Oct 2, 2021

Frank's life began February 5, 1929, in Chicago, Illinos. He lived in Chicago and Wisconsin for most of his childhood until his family settled in Coloma, Michigan, where Frank graduated from high school.  After high school, Frank proudly served his country as a lieutenant in the United States Army.  Working as a drill instructor and teaching rifle marksmanship, he...

Frank Shembarger

Frank Shembarger

Oct 2, 2021

Frank A. Shembarger died at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, MI on October 2, 2021, with his family by his side. He was 84 years old.

Frank is survived by his wife Ann, children Patti Hambley, Kris (Cecil) Thomas and Diana (Brent) Auer, and grandchildren Ellen (Joe) Francis, Sarah Hambley and Kevin Auer. He was preceded in...

Wade Ellis Lynch

Wade Ellis Lynch

Sep 26, 2021

Wade's life began February 20, 1948, in Watervliet. He was a proud alumi of the Watervliet High School and lifetime resident. After high school Wade proudly served his country in the United States Army. After the service Wade moved to Florida for several years. He worked as a farrier, attended swap meets, and sold flower bulbs. Wade was a...

James Leo Latham

James Leo Latham

Sep 17, 2021

James' life began November 16, 1939, in Olaphant, Arkansas. As a young man he moved to Michigan. He worked for many years for Walsh's Body Shop in Benton Harbor. Doing body work was also a hobby, you could find him fixing cars in his spare time. He enjoyed traveling, camping, riding his motorcycle and following NASCAR.

James...

Robert Lyle Gephart

Robert Lyle Gephart

Aug 31, 2021

Bob's life began May 16, 1942, in Jackson, Mich. He grew up in Southwest Michigan and loved calling Millburg his home.

Bob proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He work for several years for Jarvis Concrete until retirement and then cared for his aging parents. Bob enjoyed going to flea markets and visiting with friends....

Gaetano "Tom" Peter Derosa

Gaetano "Tom" Peter Derosa

Aug 20, 2021

Tom's life began November 19, 1943, in South Haven, Michigan. He grew up in Covert on the family farm, where his son, Tom, now owns and operates a KOA. While growing up he worked for his dad's store DeRosa Supermarket, where he learned how to be a meat cutter. Tom used that knowledge and went to work as a...

Frederick Nelson Birmele

Frederick Nelson Birmele

Aug 14, 2021

Fred's life began November 20, 1930, on the family farm in Watervliet, Michigan. He loved being a part of the Watervliet community. After high school he enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served his country. While in the Navy he was a radar technician and was on their boxing and baseball teams. Upon returning home Fred went...

Barbara Jean (Smith)  Zvonar

Barbara Jean (Smith) Zvonar

Aug 11, 2021

Barbara Jean (Smith) Zvonar died Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at the age of 93. She was a life-long resident of the tri-city area, spending her final years at Woodland Terrace in Coloma. Family members were by her side when she peacefully passed away.

Preceding her in death were: her beloved husband, Frank R Zvonar; a son, Daniel...

Leona Lou (Weston)  Mckinney

Leona Lou (Weston) Mckinney

Aug 6, 2021

Leona's life began January 2, 1937 in Hartford, Michigan. She grew up in Hartford, graduating from Hartford High School. She worked for a time as a bookkeeper and at Merchant Bank, then started driving school bus. Leona drove bus for Watervliet Public Schools, then Eau Claire Public Schools and finished her career at Lake Michigan Catholic Schools. She loved...

Edwena "Eddi" (Kackley)  Brule

Edwena "Eddi" (Kackley) Brule

Aug 1, 2021

Eddi's life began June 13, 1943, in Leachville, Arkansas. She spent most of her lifetime in the Coloma/Watervliet area. As Eddi's children got older, she went to Beauty College and acquired her Cosmetology license, then her instructors license. She was instrumental in opening the first St. Joseph Beauty College on State Street. In 1976 she became the sole proprietor...

Alyson Rush (Krieger)  Tarrant

Alyson Rush (Krieger) Tarrant

Jul 28, 2021

Alyson, known as Cindy by her family, was born April 10, 1954, in Benton Harbor, Michigan. She grew up in Southwest Michigan, graduating from Watervliet High School and going on to earn bachelor and masters degrees in social work. She worked for Catholic Social Services and the State of Michigan for many years. Alyson loved her jobs and it...

Michael Allen Jacobs

Michael Allen Jacobs

Jul 17, 2021

Michael's life began March 31, 1952 in Three Rivers, Michigan. He grew up in Watervliet where he happily spent most of his lifetime. Michael worked as a delivery driver for Car Quest for several years. Currently he was enjoying retirement and following the Detroit Tigers and University of Michigan.

Michael is survived by a large loving family...

Louise (Howley)  Jacobs

Louise (Howley) Jacobs

Jul 5, 2021

Louise was born April 24, 1928 to William and Helen (Healy) Howley on the family farm. She spent her lifetime in Watervliet where she worked and raised her family. Louise worked for several years at Midwest Timers and ES Enterprises. Her greatest joy was doing things with family through gatherings, playing cards with her sisters, or attending her grand...

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