Obituary Listing

Jun 28, 2020

Marsan Beehler Schaer died June 28, 2020.  Her family will celebrate her life Friday, July 3, 2020 at 12:00 noon with visitation prior starting at 11:00 AM, at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet.  Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society for cancer research.  You are invited to leave a message of comfort for Marsan's family.

Marsan...

Jun 22, 2020

William (Bill) Alphonso Furlan of Watervliet passed away peacefully in his sleep June 22, 2020 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph at the age of 101. He had a long and wonderful life. Per his wishes cremation has taken place.

Services with military honors will be held graveside at North Shore Memory Gardens, North M63, Coloma...

Jun 21, 2020

Norma's life began January 17, 1935 in Turtle Lake, North Dakota.  She spent most of her lifetime in Southwest Michigan.  Norma worked for the Diet Center in St. Joseph until two years ago when she retired.  In her down time Norma was an avid reader and a devout Christian.  She was an active member of her church Central Assembly...

Jun 12, 2020

Mary was born February 8, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois to Frank and Lena (Shaffer) Young.  As a child her family moved to the Coloma area where she enjoyed growing up and graduated from Coloma High School.  Mary worked for many years as the non-foods manager for Watervliet Harding's.  Outside of work you could find her trying her luck at...

Jun 10, 2020

The birth of Melissa Young Lindsay was celebrated on April 8, 1955 in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania to Robert and Nancy Young. She was the oldest of what would be seven children, including her Irish twin, Dianne, born just 11 months later.

Missy came of age in the late 1960s and early 1970s and was the flower child of...

Jun 7, 2020

Helen's life began February 5, 1924, in Benton Harbor.  She was a lifetime area resident and spent most of her adult life in Sodus with the love of her life, Graham Handy.   Helen loved being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  Her family knew her as the Baby Whisperer. She was always soaking up all the hugs she could...

Jun 3, 2020

William (Bill) Jackson, Age 87, died at his home in Benton Harbor, on Wednesday, June 3.

Mr. Jackson was born in Rector, Clay County, Arkansas, in 1932, to Bernice and James Jackson.

Survivors include his children; Deborah (Clinton) McVay of Watervliet, Diana (Clyde Stanage) Schmuhl of Benton Harbor, James (Toni) Jackson of Port Charlotte, FL,...

Jun 2, 2020

David's life began Nov. 1, 1956, in Little Rock, Ark., where his father was stationed in the U.S. Air Force. He spent most of his life in Southwest Michigan, growing up first in Coloma, and then in South Haven. He returned to Coloma to live permanently where he worked for Premier Tool & Die. He also farmed fruit and...

Jun 1, 2020

Joyce Elaine(Larsen) Kolenko, formerly of Coloma, passed away on Monday June 1 at Saint Ann's  Home in Grand Rapids, MI from complications of Covid-19. She was 92.

Joyce was born September 22, 1927 in Temperance MI to Earl and Helen Larsen.   Her family moved around for several years before settling in Watervliet when she was a junior...

May 31, 2020

Jane embarked on her journey to be with God, peacefully at her home on the evening of May 31, 2020.

She was born April 16, 1931, to John and Elsie (Paul) Nothdruft.  Jane graduated Watervliet High School in 1949 and married Vernon Hiler June 11, 1949.  She farmed with Vern in Bainbridge Township for many years.  She...

May 29, 2020

Karen's life began December 17, 1949, in South Haven, Michigan.  She grew up in Watervliet where she graduated high school.  Karen owned her own cleaning service called Karen's Cleaning.  She was an active member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church where she enjoyed singing in the choir.  Outside of church and work Karen enjoyed her monthly card games with...

May 28, 2020

Norma's life began September 16, 1931 in Watervliet, Michigan. She grew up in Watervliet where she graduated high school.  In 1947 she met the love of her life Hershell Harris and they married in 1951, enjoying 68 years together.  They made their home in Coloma until 1986 when Florida called their name to enjoy retirement.

Norma loved...

May 16, 2020

JR's life began January 16, 1946, in Bald Knob, Arkansas.  He grew up in Arkansas and proudly served his country in the United States Army.  After returning home JR split his time between Michigan and Arkansas until making Michigan his home.  JR worked as a carpenter for Cook Nuclear Plant, LW Lamb, and he was self-employed in construction for...

May 13, 2020

Geraldine Glass, 86, passed away at home on May 13, 2020, surrounded by her loved ones.

Gerry moved with her parents to Michigan in 1945. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School, class of 1951. She met and married Leo Glass in that same year.

Gerry was born on November 2, 1933 in Woodstock, Illinois,...

May 7, 2020

Wanda's life began February 19, 1925 in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.  When she was a child her parents moved and made Michigan their home.  As an adult Wanda worked at Woolworth's Dime Store, Whirlpool, and she retired in 1990 as a nurse's aide at Lakeland Medical Center.  When Wanda wasn't working you could find her doing yard work or relaxing...

May 4, 2020

Leonard's life began January 31, 1931 in Byron Center, Michigan.  Growing up he lived in various towns in Michigan until his family settled in Watervliet.  After graduating high school he attended college for two years until proudly serving his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War, earning the National Defense Service Medal and Navy Occupation Service...

Apr 27, 2020

Constance Eileen Saurbier went to be with her family in heaven on April 27, 2020.  She was 77.  She was born in Watervliet, MI on March 28, 1943.  She graduated from Coloma High School in 1961.  She and William "Wild Bill" Saurbier, a well-known Watervliet police officer, were married on June 24, 1988.  She lived in Millburg, MI for...

Apr 26, 2020

Vanessa's life began August 29, 1957 in Benton Harbor, Michigan.  She was a lifetime area resident. Vanessa worked for Memorial Hospital both as an x-ray technician and housekeeping, she also owned her own cleaning business for many years.  When she wasn't working you could find Vanessa playing bingo, trying her luck at the casinos, baking or gathered around a...

Apr 24, 2020

Barbara's life began November 28, 1939, in Manila, Arkansas.  Barbara spent most of her life in Watervliet where she worked at Rexall for a time and also ran the cosmetology counter at Walgreens.  She loved filling her time working in her flower gardens.  Barbara loved her church family and was a very active member of Plymouth Congregational Church in...

Apr 9, 2020

Jim's life began October 13, 1939 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He proudly served his country in the United States Army and was a graduate of Western Michigan University. Jim settled in Watervliet and farmed blueberries. He and his loving wife Peggy retired to Florida several years ago. Jim was a pilot, an avid banjo player, golfer and Harley rider.