Obituary Listing

Nov 13, 2015

Ginny's life began April 9, 1922 in Benton Harbor where she grew up and graduated from BHHS in 1940.  On October 27, 1940 she and Richard (Dick) Bridges were married and begin their life together in Watervliet.  Ginny was by Dick's side as they owned and operated Bridges Chevy and Oldsmobile for many years. She was a member of...

Nov 11, 2015

Josiah Slaney Blatchford of Watervliet, Michigan passed away at The Merlin and Carolyn Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, Michigan on November 11.

Husband of Bobbi Ecker-Blatchford, he was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son

of Percival J. and Elsie Blatchford.  He graduated from Morgan Park High School, enlisting in the U.S. Army, serving during...

Nov 11, 2015

James' life began August 22, 1951 in Paragould, Arkansas. As a child his family moved to Stevensville. After graduating high school James worked at various factories until he went to work for the Michigan Department of Transportation in the Highway Division for 24 years and he operated the lift bridges for 10 years. When he wasn't working you could find...

Oct 30, 2015

Needa's life began December 18, 1932 in Portageville, Missouri. She spent most of her adult life in Southwest Michigan. Needa worked at William's Box Factory until retirement. She enjoyed embroidery, needlepoint, camping, traveling, and trying her luck at casinos. Needa's greatest joy was spending time with her loving family which includes; three children Rachel Curry, James Modro, and Betty Giovo;...

Oct 16, 2015

Zbigniew "Ziggy" Dzimira's life began January 1, 1945, in Poland.  He spent many years in Poland growing up and attending school.   Ziggy married Helena Grzegorzak in 1967 and a couple years later in 1969 they moved to Chicago, Illinois.  Ziggy and Helena and their boys would spend their summers in Southwest Michigan.   Having fallen in love with Michigan it only...

Oct 10, 2015

Dorothy Jean Blatchford-McDonald (Allison), 79, Watervliet, MI passed away peacefully at Lakeland Hospital with family by her side on Saturday, October 10, 2015. Jean was born April 15,1936 in Kalamazoo, MI to Clarence and Dorothy Allison (Brice). She is survived by her three children Lane/Kathy (Dean), Paris, MI, Scot Blatchford, St. Joseph, MI, and Allison MacLagan (Blatchford), Valparaiso, IN, her...

Sep 27, 2015

Howard L. Kimball, 86 of Watervliet passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 27, 2015.

Howard was born on August 23, 1929, to SB and Anna (Ryan) Kimball in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

He served in the United States Army, the 2 nd infantry, 38 th regiment, 1 st Battalion, B-Company during the Korean...

Sep 23, 2015

Paige's life began December 9, 1999 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  She grew up in Watervliet and attended Watervliet High School.  Paige enjoyed hanging with her friends, attending the fair, and she had a love for animals which lead to her dream of becoming a veterinarian.

Paige leaves behind a loving family to cherish her memory which...

Sep 20, 2015

Timothy's life began June 21, 1985 in Berrien Center. He was a graduate of Blossomland Learning Center. While at Blossomland he got to participate in the Special Olympics and qualified to participate at the state level. Timothy enjoyed playing video games, playing on his computer, watching Netflix, and following his beloved...

Sep 16, 2015

Frances was born November 14, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up in Chicago and earned her nursing degree from Loyola University .  After college she relocated to Southwest Michigan where she took a nursing position with Whirlpool Corporation a nd later worked for local family physicians . Frances is best known for owning and operating Motto's Cottages on Paw...

Sep 10, 2015

Matt's life began May 3, 1982 in St. Joseph, Michigan. He grew up in Watervliet where he graduated with the WHS class of 2001. After high school Matt attended Southwestern Michigan College, Western Michigan University, and Grand Rapids Community College. He lived and worked in Grand Rapids until 2014. Outside of work Matt enjoyed hanging with his friends listening...

Aug 10, 2015

Wesley's life began April 28, 1954. He was a lifetime area resident and loved to fill his time fishing, camping, and traveling. Wesley has a large loving family he leaves behind to cherish his memory which includes: nine children John (Kimberly Aguliera) Cleary, Tracy Harlan, Wesley Cleary, James Pope, Mary Frances Cleary, Junior...

Aug 1, 2015

Terry's life began January 31, 1957 in Arkansas. He was one of eight children born to Johnny and Emma Jean Ashley and spent his childhood growing up in Southwest Michigan. Terry worked for GATX (formerly Michigan Fruit Canners) for 20 years. He enjoyed playing cards especially poker, truck puling, car racing, following NASCAR, hunting, and filling his home with music....

Jul 25, 2015

Judy's life began August 6, 1946 in Marktree, Arkansas. As a child her family moved to Michigan, settling in Southwest Michigan. On November 7, 1964, she married John Chancellor. Judy loved caring for her family which includes: her husband John Chancellor; three children Mabel (Todd) Ellis, Rachel (Keith) Wesaw, and Johnny (Annette) Chancellor; eight...

Jul 24, 2015

Mary's life began September 13, 1930 in New York. Mary worked at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, then after moving to Michigan she was Postmaster in Covert, owned Marsala's Pizza Parlor in Covert, she was a cook at Holly's Suburban in South Haven, and she worked at Ma's Truck Stop in...

Jul 6, 2015

Leland "Lee" John Kulick passed away on July 6 at Bronson Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer. Lee was born on July 16, 1949 to Alice and Edwin Kulick.  He grew up in Wausaukee, Wisconsin.  He graduated in 1967 and was part of an outstanding Wausaukee Ranger basketball team.  He had the joy of reuniting with team members and...

Jul 2, 2015

Julie's life began July 18, 1957, in Pontiac, Michigan.  She currently resided in South Haven.  Until she retired, Julie worked at DeGroot's in Coloma, from there she worked at Control Rubber Company in South Haven for 16 years, and at Speedway in South Haven.  When she wasn't working Julie's greatest enjoyment was spending time with her grandchildren.  She also liked...

Jun 27, 2015

Howard's life began April 19, 1920, in Bainbridge Township. He was a lifetime area resident who enjoyed gardening and fishing. He provided for his loving family through farming and he worked at whirlpool. His greatest joy was spending time with his family which includes; his children Howard (Diane) Mundt, Helen (Allen) Loomis, John (Florance) Mundt,...

Jun 12, 2015

Norman Troy Hammons Jr. age 48, of Watervliet, left this side of eternity on Friday, June 12, 2015, from Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, MI. He was born in Watervliet on July 21, 1966 to Norman "Troy" Sr. and Estelle (Baxley) Hammons, as the youngest of three. He married the love of his life Sherry (Merick) Hammons of Watervliet...

Jun 11, 2015

Donna was born April 1, 1948, in Poznan, Poland.  At the age of 11 her family came to America settling in Chicago, where Donna graduated high school.  Donna married Stanley Kusnierz and after falling in love with the Coloma area while spending many summers here, they made it their home in 1995.  Donna worked at Coloma Hardings for 10...