Obituary Listing

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.

Apr 7, 2020

William Jesse "Bill" Russell, Jr., age 94, long time resident of Watervliet, Michigan, passed away April 7, 2020 at Morning Breeze Retirement Center in Greensburg, Indiana where he was a resident for the last 5 years.

Bill was born to parents William Jesse Russell, Sr, and Velma Vera Wallace on July 4, 1925 in Memphis, Tennessee. After...

Apr 5, 2020

Carlene's life began June 2, 1948, in Watervliet.  She was a lifetime area resident.  For many years she enjoyed giving back to her community through being a Boy Scout leader with her husband John.  She also enjoyed painting, putting together puzzles and decorating cakes.  Her greatest joy was spending time with her family she leaves behind to cherish her...

Apr 2, 2020

Freda Harris, of Watervliet, went to be with her family in heaven on April 2, 2020. She was 88. She was

born in Sturkie, Arkansas on April 12, 1931 and on October 1, 1949 she and Lee Harris were married in

Blytheville, Arkansas. Freda loved flowers, the color pink, sewing, her country roots, the Grand...

Apr 1, 2020

Trudy's life began April 28, 1929 in Alabama.  She spent her childhood in Alabama and Tennessee and as an adult moved to Michigan.  Trudy worked for many years in several prominent factories until she found her true calling home health care.  Outside of work Trudy enjoyed crocheting and traveling.  She was also a longtime member of Midway Baptist Church...

Apr 1, 2020

An obituary is not available at this time for Judy (Kaiser) Russell. We welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories on our Tribute Wall.

Mar 23, 2020

Paul R Pflugradt

Watervliet

Paul's life began August 30, 1939, in Coloma, Michigan.  He was a lifetime area resident, leaving only for the time he spent proudly serving his county in the United States Marine Corp.  When Paul returned home he worked for the Watervliet Paper Mill.  When the mill closed Paul drove truck and...

Mar 23, 2020

Lee's life began September 3, 1932 in Caulfield, Missouri.  He spent his youth in the south.  Lee married the love of his life, Freda Hutchison, on October 1, 1949 in Leachville, Arkansas.  Shortly after marrying Lee and Freda moved to Michigan making Watervliet their home.  Lee worked for over 40 years as a coater operator at the Watervliet Paper...

Mar 17, 2020

Karen's life began December 6, 1958 in Benton Harbor, Michigan.  She spent most of her childhood in Benton Harbor and as a teenager they moved to Coloma where she graduated high school.  Karen had a passion for gardening and loved the beach where she spent many days when growing up. She loved music and dancing, spending her free time...