Obituary Listing

Oct 25, 2020

Nancy passed away while surrounded by family on October 25, 2020 at the age of 78. She was born July 11, 1942 in South Haven, MI and graduated in 1960 from Watervliet High School. In 1961 she married and spent her time for many years raising and providing for her two boys, Jim and Jon. In the early years...

Oct 11, 2020

Lois Evelyn McGaughey Stepich was born February 16, 1942 to Phyllis Olson McGaughey , and Emil Rankin McGaughey in East Chicago, Indiana. She grew up in Highland, Indiana, graduating from Highland High School before earning her degree from Indiana University. While at Indiana, she met Joseph Stepich, and they married in 1964. They settled in Flossmoor, Illinois where they...

Oct 10, 2020

Dan's life began August 1, 1952 in Watervliet.  He was a lifetime area resident and graduate of Watervliet Public Schools.  On August 28, 1971 he married his high school sweetheart Cheryl Dillenbeck and they enjoyed 49 years together raising a family, working, and playing.  Dan owned several AMOCO gas/convenience stores in St. Joseph. He loved his community and served...

Oct 1, 2020

Leonard was born December 30, 1935, in St. Joseph, Michigan.  He grew up in Benton Harbor where he graduated High School.  After high school Leonard proudly served his country in the United States Army. While working on cars with his friend Lynn, Leonard needed a date so Lynn set him up with his sister Barbara Howard and they would...

Sep 24, 2020

Jim's life began October 2, 1935, in Portageville, MO.  When Jim was around 10 years old his dad was offered a job in Southwest Michigan and they made their home in Coloma.  His dad bought acreage and Jim enjoyed helping his parents farm the property.  Jim graduated from Coloma High School and proudly served his country in the United...

Sep 23, 2020

Barbara's life began November 11, 1948, in Watervliet, Michigan.  She enjoyed being a lifetime area resident in her corner of Michigan.  Barbara worked at Hilltop Grocery in St. Joseph in the meat department for over 30 years right up until they closed.  She then went to work as a receptionist at the YWCA in St. Joseph.  In her spare...

Sep 20, 2020

Marion Earl Getz, 77, of Hartford passed away peacefully at home Sept. 20, 2020.  He was born August 16, 1943 in Cassopolis, MI to Owen and Kate (Weddell) Getz.  He graduated from Bob Jones University and attended the Grand Rapids Seminary.   He married Elaine O'Shields in 1971 in North Carolina and then moved the family to Hertford, England.  During...

Sep 12, 2020

Ronald was a life time area resident and was born August 15, 1990.  He was a loving father and fiancé who enjoyed writing, building, and playing pool.  Ronald's life revolved around his family which includes: his fiancé Crystal Sizemore; seven children Tayden Cooper, Patrick Cooper, Roselyn Cooper, Tamya Cooper, Andrew Walker, Gabriel Walker, and Franklin Costner; two sisters Grace...

Sep 12, 2020

Dennis "Denny" Soulard passed away on September 12th, 2020. Born July 3rd, 1945, he took great pride in his southwest Michigan roots of living and working in the Coloma and Watervliet area for a large portion of his life. Denny worked over 25 years at the Watervliet Paper Mill and later Metal Processors in Stevensville. He forged lifelong friendships...

Sep 6, 2020

Ken Gaynor Sr., passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2020, at The Willows Assisted Living in St. Joseph.  Ken was born on January 27, 1935, in Hammond, Indiana to Carl and Mildred Gaynor.

He worked as a mechanic at Karson's in St. Joseph, Rogel's in Watervliet, Downtown 66 in Benton Harbor, and Ridge & Kramer.

...

Aug 24, 2020

Janice was born September 22, 1951 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Forever the nomad spirit, Jan has lived in Michigan, North Carolina, Arkansas, and Indiana all for sake of family, as spending time with her grandchildren was paramount to her love of family. Jan loved the holidays, especially Christmas. She was a Disney fanatic, Mickey Mouse being her absolute favorite. Reading...

Aug 24, 2020

Joanie's life began March 18, 1928, in Benton Harbor.  She enjoyed being a lifelong area resident where she raised a family, worked and played.  Joanie worked for over 30 years for Watervliet Community Hospital in Environmental Services.

Aside from being a wonderful citizen, and dedicated employee, she was a true friend to everyone who knew her. She...

Aug 21, 2020

Sharon's life began October 10, 1950, in Three Rivers, Michigan.  She truly loved being a resident of Southwest Michigan.  Sharon's favorite thing to do was to care for her family members, she was who everyone went to for a babysitter or just a helping hand.  She also enjoyed taking vacations, shopping, and being outside soaking up the sun.

Aug 7, 2020

Sherry's life began November 27, 1957, in Holland, Michigan.  She is a lifetime area resident of Southwest Michigan, making Coloma her home in her adulthood.

Sherry loved being a wife and a mother, hosting family gatherings, cooking, (whether it was inside or out on the barbecue grill) and enjoyed sitting around a bon fire with her family...

Aug 3, 2020

Robert (Bob) Earl Gilbertsen, 94, entered eternal rest on August 3, 2020.  Bob was born and raised in Chicago's Roseland neighborhood where he enjoyed bowling, roller skating and other sports.  At 17, he enlisted in the Navy where he served aboard the Battleship USS Indiana as an Electrician's Mate until the end of WWII. He was recalled and served ...

Aug 2, 2020

Warren's life began December 5, 1940, in Benton Harbor, Michigan.  Warren was a lifetime area resident making his home in Bainbridge Township for most of his life.  He retired from Kaywood Shutter Company in Benton Harbor after 38 years.  Warren enjoyed being outdoors, horses, and building, if he was inside you could find him watching wrestling or cowboy movies....

Jul 29, 2020

Tom's life began December 10, 1940, in Lorain, Ohio.  As a young adult a new job brought him to Southwest Michigan where he made Watervliet his home.  Tom worked as a plumber until his retirement from Leco Corporation.  He loved his community of Watervliet.  Tom was a permanent fixture at Hays Park for many years, he was either coaching...

Jul 29, 2020

Ella's life began January 11, 1938, in Manilla, Arkansas.   As a child her family moved to Michigan where she enjoyed growing up and graduated from Eau Claire High School.  Shortly after graduating she married the love of her life Lenard Lidberg and they enjoyed raising their four daughters.  Ella was an active member of Midway Baptist Church, leader for...

Jul 29, 2020

Eleanor E. Frazier, age 94, of Watervliet, MI, passed away peacefully at home on July 29, 2020 surrounded by her three daughters. Eleanor was born in Petoskey Michigan September 30, 1925, the second of four children to Gladys and George Ford.

Eleanor graduated from Petoskey High School. After graduation she was employed with Kilwin's bakery, now Kilwin's...

Jul 13, 2020

Joyce Griffin 85, of Watervliet, MI went home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 13, 2020.

Joyce was born in Bainbridge Township on January 20, 1935. She graduated from Watervliet High School, Bronson School of Nursing and Central Michigan University (BS in Education). During her career, Joyce was a Registered Nurse, a surgical nurse,...