03-19-2020 Tri-City Area Obituaries

FRANK P. GARGANO Frank P. Gargano, 92 of Watervliet, passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville.

For the safety of everyone involved, there will be an opportunity for friends to briefly greet the family at Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma on Friday, March 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. followed by private services for family only at 1:00 p.m. Burial with Military Honors will be in North Shore Memory Gardens. Donations in memory of Frank may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Great Lakes Chapter and Caring Circle Hospice. Those wishing to leave an online message of comfort for the family may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com. Frank was born November 14, 1927 in Covert, Michigan to Charles and Anna (Phillip) Gargano. He was an Army veteran, serving during the Korean War. From 1972 to 1989 he, along with his wife Betty, owned and operated Gargano Custom Carpets in Watervliet. He was a member of St Joseph Catholic Church in Watervliet and also a member of the Watervliet Lions Club. He is survived by five children, Gary Gargano of Watervliet, Frank (Becky) Gargano of Benton Harbor, Dave (Lisa) Gargano of Coloma, Tom (Linda) Gargano of Watervliet and Tammy (Tim) Conrad of St. Joseph. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Michael, Stacy, Jessica, Mark, Jeff, Chad, Cheyenne, Hailey, and Adam; 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Frank was preceded in death by his wife Betty in 2011 whom he married November 29, 1952, brothers Joe, Phil and Charles and sisters Pauline, Christine and Gracie.

VIRGIL LYNN PARKER Virgil Lynn Parker, 81, part-time resident of Watervliet passed away Sunday, March 8, 2020 in Las Vegas NV. That stubborn ole’ coot found out that family Christmas was happening May 2020 in Vegas, so he decided to go on a permanent vacation.

Virgil, who is also known as Lynn or Parker by all, was born on Nov. 8, 1938 in Arbyrd, MO to Harmon and Myrl Parker. Lynn was a graduate of Watervliet High School class of 57. He played football and basketball in high school, played baseball for a minor league team called the Blue Socks after high school and was an avid bowler and golfer in his later years. Lynn Parker was an all around standout athlete. Lynn also enjoyed hunting and spent many years traveling to the Richcreek cabin during hunting season. According to his jokester younger brother Denny as he lovingly retells stories, Joan and Denny were his favorite younger siblings. Lynn Parker was a family man who loved his family dearly and would do anything to help them, as well as anyone else who asked him for help. He touched the lives of many and was loved by everyone. Lynn was preceded in death by his mother and father, his brothers James, Doyle and Howard Parker, his first wife Barbara Parker and his grandson Lee C. Smith. Lynn is survived by his wife Marianne; his one and only favorite son Jeffrey Parker; step-daughters Diana, Michelle (Dave Edmonds), Mindy; his grandchildren Danielle, Desiree, Corey, Brooke, Brianna, Alissa; and great-grandchildren Dominik, Kinlee and James; sister-in-law Irene Parker (MI), Denny & Laura Parker (TX), Joan & Dwight Clauster (AZ), many nieces and nephews and lifelong friends. Information regarding mailing address for condolences and future memorial service are available at the Sidetrack Cafe in Watervliet.

ALFRED GORDON SHROSBREE Alfred “Al” Gordon Shrosbree passed away on March 3, 2020, one day before his 92nd birthday. He was born on March 4, 1928 in Watervliet, Michigan to Alfred C. Shrosbree and Helen (DeLong) Shrosbree. He graduated from Watervliet High School, earned a BA in History & Political Science at Western Michigan University, a Masters in Education from the University of Michigan and a PhD in Education from Harvard University. During that time, he met and married the love of his life, Mary Alice Reed in 1952. They had two sons, William “Bill” (Jane) and Robert “Bob” (Sue) and six granddaughters: Kate, Sarah (Tyler), Emily, Lisa, Beth and Kelly. Bill predeceased Al in 2004. Al was active in his church, most recently at Northbrook Presbyterian Church and for many years before that at Southfield United Presbyterian Church. Over the years he was a member of the church choir, served on the Session, participated in various men’s groups, and had other leadership positions. Al was a lifelong Rotarian and a Paul Harris Fellow. He had more than 40 years of perfect attendance. He attended meetings all over the nation and world and enjoyed meeting Rotarians everywhere. Al began his career teaching in Vicksburg under the man who ultimately became his father-in-law and mentor. He went on to become a principal in Roslyn, NY. He then served as Superintendent of several Michigan school districts including Gull Lake, Riverview and Oak Park. He completed his career as an administrator in the Oakland County School District. Al and Mary Alice were married for 68 years. They went to graduate school at the University of Michigan together where they became lifelong Wolverine fans. They worked, raised their family and then travelled the world together. They were blessed with a wonderful circle of friends. Al was extremely grateful to share his life with Mary Alice. He was very proud of his sons, their families and their accomplishments. In spite of living with Parkinson’s disease for 30+ years, he maintained a positive attitude. He truly had a wonderful life. Al is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Alice, son, Bob (Sue) Shrosbree, and daughter-in-law, Jane Shrosbree as well as his grandchildren, Kate, Sarah (Tyler), Emily, Lisa, Beth, and Kelly. Al is also survived by his brother-in-law Ed Helbling and nephew Andy Helbling. Mr. Shrosbree is preceded in death by his son, Bill Shrosbree, and sisters, Alice Shrosbree, JoAnne Casillas, and Carol (Ed) Helbling. A Memorial Service was held at Northbrook Presbyterian Church, Beverly Hills MI on Saturday, March 7. Memorials appreciated to the Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collection Center Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60693.

Death Notices Reta J. Geisler, 90, died March 12, 2020 at Caretel Inns of Lakeland, St. Joseph. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford Joseph J. Gagliardo, 83, of Coloma died March 12, 2020 at home. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma Michael R. Hallman, 71, of Coloma died March 11, 2020 at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph Nola M. Thomas, 89, of Covert died March 10, 2020 at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph Ruth Elizabeth Baer, 98, of St. Joseph died March 5, 2020 at home. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph Stanley Ray Downey, 63, of Dowagiac died March 4, 2020 at Memorial Hospital, South Bend IN. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford Nancy Lee Dancer Watson, 93, of Benton Harbor died Feb. 23, 2020. Robbins Brothers Funeral Home, Benton Harbor