Obituary Listing

Joseph Leo Willmeng

Mar 28, 2017

Joe's life began August 22, 1944 in Benton Harbor. Joe attended elementary school locally and then graduated from Howe Military Academy, after high school Joe continued his education at Michigan State University.  Upon earning his bachelor's degree Joe served his country in the United States Army earning the rank of Sargent.  Joe was a licensed practioner of Neurolinguistic Programming...

Shirley (Cutler) Mccarthy

Mar 20, 2017

Shirley passed away March 20, 2017 at Heritage Crossings Assisted Living in Jacksonville, FL. She lived most of her 88 years in the Coloma area before moving to Florida five years ago to live with her daughter Sherri and her husband Kevin.

Shirley is a decendant of Stephen Roger Gilson, co-founder of Coloma, MI. She graduated from...

Mary Margaret Allen

Feb 27, 2017

Mary was born February 18, 1951, the only daughter of Benjamin and Margaret Allen in East St. Louis, Illinois.  She grew up in Coloma, graduating from Coloma High School.  Mary worked at Modern Plastics and VM before going to Coloma Frozen Foods for many years until she found her true calling in health care working for Juniper, Lakeland, and...

Jeffery Thomas Merick

Feb 26, 2017

Jeff's life began August 9, 1964 in Gary, Indiana.  He spent most of his lifetime in Southwest Michigan.  He worked for many years as a fork lift operator at Minuet Maid Company in Paw Paw.  Jeff enjoyed race cars, his motorcycle and for a time he ran sound for different bands in the area.  Jeff had a funny sense...

Norma Louise (Shembarger) Soto

Feb 24, 2017

Norma's life began September 16, 1941 in St. Joseph.  She was a lifetime area resident.  Norma enjoyed playing bingo and cards.  Her greatest enjoyment came in spending time with her loving family which includes: two children Donna Benton of Watervliet and Richard (Judy) Emery of Hamilton, MI; three grandchildren Eddie Benton, Patrick (Angie) King, and Michael King; a great...

Paul R Kolenko Sr

Feb 24, 2017

Paul's life began June 21, 1937 in Watervliet, where he grew up and graduated High School.  Paul worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for 35 years and most recently in his retirement he enjoyed being the greeter at Paw Paw Walmart.  Paul proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean conflict.  Paul will be remembered...

Barbara "Bobbi" Ann (Brunstein) Ecker Blatchford

Feb 3, 2017

Barbara 'Bobbi' Ann Ecker Blatchford,of Watervliet, Michigan passed away at her home on February 3.

Bobbi was born August 25,1931 to William and Eleanor Brunstein. She was united in marriage to Theodore "Ted" Ecker on December 28, 1947, they later divorced. On July 28, 1978 she was united in marriage to Josiah "Joe" Blatchford. Joe passed away on...

Clara L (Smith) Bradford

Jan 24, 2017

Clara's life began August 3, 1946 in Benton Harbor, Michigan.  She was a lifetime area resident and graduated from Watervliet High School in 1964.  After high school Clara earned a degree from Benton Harbor Business College.  Clara helped her husband Virgil on the farm while raising their two sons.  Clara worked for Benton Harbor Area Schools as the Superintendent's...

Janis V (Guthrie) Devreese

Jan 21, 2017

Janis' life began September 3, 1955 in Berrien Springs, Michigan.  She was a lifetime area resident who loved her family.  Janis' family includes two daughters Kristina DeVreese and Candice Benson both of Manistee, nine grandchildren, a great grandchild, and her sister June Chick of Kansas.

Janis died Saturday, January 21, at home.  She is preceded...

Gregory Gunn

Jan 14, 2017

Gregory's life began August 19, 1948 in Benton Harbor.  He was one of five children born to Clarence and Gloria (Plasko) Gunn.  Gregory was a gentle soul who loved his family.  He enjoyed going to the Berrien County Youth Fair every year, good food, and watching T.V and videos.  His loving family includes: his dad Clarence of St. Joseph;...

Luella Margaret (Wendzel) Winkel

Dec 23, 2016

Luella was born on August 10, 1922 in Watervliet to Robert and Pauline Wendzel.  She grew up in Southwest Michigan and married Arden Winkel on November 7, 1942.  Together they raised four children on a fruit farm in Hartford where they worked side by side raising crops and beekeeping.  She was a lifelong member of Salem Lutheran Church in...

Lois (Krieger) Schmaltz

Dec 21, 2016

Lois Evelyn Schmaltz lived a life filled with hard work, music, art, helping others, and raising a family, all with a dose of humor.

Lois' life began on the family farm November 19, 1929 near Coloma, Michigan.  She was the middle child of three daughters born to Ray and Evelyn (Carter) Krieger. ...

Earl "Whitey" Sprague

Dec 15, 2016

Earl "Whitey" Louis Sprague died at the age of 90 on December 15, 2016 at Aurora House Hospice Center in Weslaco, TX. He was born on April 16, 1926 in Coloma, MI to the late Arthur and Marie (Pinyard) Sprague. The family moved to Watervliet in 1927 after his 5-year-old brother, Rex, was killed by a car. After graduating...

Barbara (Frazee) Hiler

Dec 15, 2016

Barbara's life began September 12, 1931 in Watervliet, Michigan.  She graduated from Watervliet High School on June 8, 1950.  She met the love of her life, Richard 'Sonny' Hiler, while working at the local dime store.  They were married on June 10, 1050 in Bangor.  Barb was a lifetime area resident who worked most of her adult life beside her...

Donald W Schultz

Dec 7, 2016

Donald's life began June 9, 1951, in St. Joseph, Michigan.  He grew up in Stevensville, graduating from Lakeshore High School.  At a very young age he went to work with his dad and that blossomed into Donald working as a general contractor for many years.  Donald served ten years on the Coloma Fire Department and he was an EMT...

John "Jay" Latham

Dec 7, 2016

Jay's life began August 16, 1920 in Bald Knob, Arkansas.  He moved to Michigan as a young man. He then lived in Arizona and Arkansas for many years until returning to Michigan. Jay enjoyed working on cars, watching westerns, and NASCAR.  Jay was a talented man who worked many jobs over 50 years. Those included being a diesel mechanic,...

Delores Irene (Brown) Gaynor

Nov 27, 2016

Delores' life began December 5, 1939 in Benton Harbor.  She was a lifetime area resident and worked for Auto Specialties and then Palisades Nuclear Plant as a security guard for 17 years.  Outside of work she enjoyed her family and ceramics.

Delores' loving family includes; four children Keith (Linda) Gaynor of Noblesville, IN, Kevin Gaynor...

Kenneth Roger Watts Sr.

Nov 9, 2016

Kenneth's life began July 16, 1950 in Helena, Arkansas.  He spent most of his lifetime enjoying living in Southwest Michigan.  Kenneth proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.  Upon returning home he married Cindy Howell, they enjoyed 46 years of marriage and raising three sons.  In his free time Kenneth could be found...

Joan (Mielke) Banasik

Oct 29, 2016

Carol Joan Banasik, 88, passed away, October 29, peacefully into God's loving arms surrounded by her devoted husband, Gordon, her loving children and their families at the couple's home, Hazel Findlay Country Manor in St Johns, Mich. Joan and Gordon were married for 62 years. Joan and Gordon lived in Watervliet for 60 years until they moved to...

Gary Vernil Crowder

Oct 23, 2016

Gary's life began March 25, 1958 in Benton Harbor.  He was a lifetime area resident and worked for Pearson Construction for 18 years.  Gary loved riding his Harley and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.  His loving family includes: his wife Brenda Crowder; two step-sons Gene (Stacey) Barker and Jeff Barker; six grandchildren; two great grandchildren; four...