01-25-2018 Tri-City Area Obituaries

ROBERT E. EVANS

Robert E. Evans of Middleville passed away January 21, 2018 in Byron Center surrounded by his family. Bob was born December 6, 1929 the son of Russell and Doris Evans. Bob proudly served in the United States Navy for four years during the Korean Conflict, later he served in the Naval Reserves for twenty-two years. Bob was an Eagle Scout and worked many summers at scout camps, helping scouts to earn their merit badges.

Bob graduated with a B.A. and M.A. from Western Michigan University and taught elementary students in Portage and served as elementary principal at the North School in Watervliet. Bob ended his school career in Caledonia where he was an administrator. He spent his retirement years woodcarving and he and his wife, Anna Mae, enjoyed camping and traveling to South Carolina. Bob loved big band music and spent many years playing the trumpet in various local bands. Bob is survived by his loving wife of sixty-five years, Anna Mae (Lascheid) Evans; children Steve Evans, Forrest (Donna) Evans, Marshall Evans, Becky Evans; daughters-in-law Linda Evans and Sharla Evans. Bob was “Pappy” to grandchildren Amie (Mike) Litteral of Middleville, Scott (Nicole) Evans of Ferndale, Brittany (Tulio) Guadalupe of Sweden, Taylor (Chad) Carney of Grand Blanc, Chelsea Evans of Chicago, IL, Kyle (Jessica) Evans of Charleston, SC; six great-grandchildren Harper, Oscar, Silas, Juniper, Scotland and Fionn. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Jack; a sister Caryl; and a son Russ. A funeral service will be conducted Thursday, January 25, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Gun Lake Community Church with Rev. Mark Veldt, officiating. Private interment will take place in Fort Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions to Thornapple Area Enrichment Foundation or Middleville Rotary Club will be appreciated. Please visit www.beeler-goresfuneral.com to share a memory or to leave a condolence message for Bob’s family.

AVA A. IMLER

Ava A. Imler, 58, of Coloma died Saturday, January 20, 2018, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. Services celebrating her life will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan 25, at the Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Coloma with Rev. Tom Langston officiating. Burial will follow in Coloma Cemetery. Memorials in her honor should be made to the family. Please share memories, messages, or photos at www.florin.net. Ava was born on Aug. 29, 1958 in Berrien Township to Avis and Retta Fee. She was a lifelong resident of Coloma and she graduated from Coloma High School in 1976. She married her husband, David “Clint” Imler and together they have celebrated 41 years of marriage.

Ava was a member of the First General Baptist Church. She loved going to the beach, fishing and gardening. Ava also loved traveling with her husband around the U.S. and visited over 34 states. Everyone will remember her laugh and smile and her determination with everything including her illness. Most of all she loved her family with her kids and grandchildren. Her family includes her husband, Clint; her children, Ryan (Heather) Imler of Coloma and Jessica (John) Wheeler of Watervliet; her brothers, David and Vincent Fee and her grandchildren, Keegen, Marshall, Kennedy, Taylor, and Shelby. She was preceded in death by her parents, her father-in-law, Delmar and her sister, Linda.

RAY L. FRENCH

Ray Lavern French, 87 years, of Hartford, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018 at Hanson Hospice Center, while holding the Jack of Trump suit. He was born November 4, 1930 in Lawton, Michigan to the late Orel French and Lois (Middleton) Williams. Ray graduated from Dowagiac High School and worked for many years as a security guard for Auto Specialty in Benton Harbor and the Thunderbird Resort in Lawrence. He also worked as a janitor for the Lake Michigan Catholic Schools. He served proudly in the United States Navy on the U.S.S. Wasp in the Korean War.

Ray enjoyed reading, fishing with his brothers, playing cards at the area senior centers, and most of all he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by his step-father Edgar Williams, brother Merle French, and his aunt, Doris (Middleton) Carpenter. He is survived by his lovely wife of 48 years Karen (Domke) French; two sons, Kenny J. French Sr. (Teresa) of Victoria, Texas, Tony P. French (Sharleen) of Overton, Texas; two daughters, Lois (French) Triebenbach (Terry) of Big Sandy, Texas, Raquel (French) Goetzke (Paul) of Hartford; two brothers, Jr. French (Thelma) of Mattawan and Clifford French (Marilyn) of Lawton; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, with one on the way; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends. A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 26, 2018 at 12:00 noon at Hartford United Methodist Church 425 E. Main St. Hartford, service will conclude with military honors. Burial will be held at a later date. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Senior Center of Hartford, American Cancer Society, or to a veteran’s organization of your choice. Remembrances of Ray may be shared with his family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Death Notices

Marcella Zaagman, 81, of Watervliet died Jan. 17, 2018. Hutchins Funeral Home, Watervliet Loran B. McMaster Jr., 87, of Coloma died Jan. 20, 2018 at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma Dormah Marie Woodhams, 91, of South Haven died Jan. 19, 2018 at River Ridge Retirement Community, South Haven. Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, South Haven Edward & Terese Gorenz, both 60, of Covert died Jan. 18, 2018 at home. Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego MI Barbra D. Bray, 65, of Breedsville MI died Jan. 21, 2018 at Bronson Hospital. Bangor Chapel – D.L. Miller Funeral Home