01-18-2018 Tri-City Area Obituaries

WANDA BURGER

Wanda went home to our Lord on January 14, 2018, after a battle with numerous illnesses. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. Wanda was born January 5, 1941, in Benton Harbor and is a graduate of Benton Harbor High School class of 1958.

She is survived by her husband Ross of Watervliet; daughters Pam (Greg) Kaniuga of Dowagiac and Rhonda (Dave) Hagenbarth of Galloway, OH; sons Kevin Burger of Watervliet and Mark Burger of Virginia Beach, VA; four grandchildren Katilyn, Rachael, Shane and Ashlee; a great-grandson Ryder and soon to be blessed with another in June; a brother Lee Benson of Stevensville; a sister-in-law Barbara Hunt of Grand Rapids; and several nieces and nephews. Wanda was known for her love of animals, especially her cats and dogs, but loved all domesticated and wild animals. She worked as a vet tech for many years for Dr. Schaub and most recently worked for Helping Hands Home Care. Friends may visit with Wanda’s family Thursday, January 18, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with Recitation of the Rosary at 7:30 p.m. at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet. Funeral Services will be celebrated Friday, January 19, at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made in Wanda’s memory to the Humane Society. You may leave a message of comfort for Wanda’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com.

JAMES A. PLEYER

James was born June 11, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois. When he was eight years old his parents moved to Hartford to enjoy the quiet country life. James spent the rest of his childhood growing up in Hartford, graduating from Hartford High School where he enjoyed being a part of the baseball team.

After high school James worked for a cement company until he proudly enlisted in the United States Army. James returned home after serving his country and went to work at Ausco Products first as a time keeper and then in receiving until he retired. James continued his love for playing baseball by participating on Ausco’s baseball team. Outside of work James enjoyed gardening, mowing his lawn, hunting, cheering on the Chicago Cubs and Bears, and spending time with family and friends. James’ loving family includes: his wife of 47 years Marilyn (McGee) Pleyer; three children Phillip (Kimberly) McGee of White Lake, Michigan, Joseph (Janice) Pleyer of Sun City, AZ, and Candyce Buysse of Granger, IN; nine grandchildren; seven siblings Wayne (Linda) Pleyer of Lawrence, Kathy (Bob) Sinclair of Hartford, Christine Lawson of Watervliet, Diane Pleyer of Watervliet, Bruce Pleyer of Hartford, Darlene (Al) Giganti of Watervliet, and Paul Pleyer of Hartford; a sister-in-law Judy Pleyer of Lowell, IN; a brother-in-law Jerry Tanner of Hartford; and many nieces and nephews. James died Friday, January 12, 2018 at Lakeland Hospital in Watervliet. His parents Joseph and Anna (Pradon) Pleyer, a brother Ron Pleyer, and a sister Joan Tanner precede James in death. Funeral services will be celebrated Saturday, January 20, at 11:00 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church in Coloma, a luncheon will follow immediately and burial will be private at Fairview Memorial Cemetery.

Death Notices

William “Bill” H. Klitchman, 50, of Coloma died Jan. 7, 2018 at home. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph Norman F. Nitz, 81, of Watervliet died Jan. 9, 2018 at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma Claudya Thomson, 78, of Coloma died Jan. 9, 2018 at Lakeland Hospital Watervliet. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph Cora Rose (Phillips) Rodell, 76, of Coloma died Jan. 5, 2018 at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville. Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, St. Joseph Chauncey R. Bishop Jr. formerly of Watervliet, died Jan. 10, 2018 at Countryside Nursing Home, South Haven. Fairplain Chapel of Florin Funeral Service, Benton Township Maxine M. Salverson, formerly of Watervliet and Hartford, died Jan. 10, 2018. McHatton Sadler Funeral Home, Warsaw IN James Roger Weschgel, 63, of South Bend, IN, died Jan. 14, 2018. Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, South Bend IN Maxine P. McAndrew, 79, Benton Harbor, died January 15, 2018. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma.