04-05-2018 Tri-City Area Obituaries

MARY L. HESS Mary L. Hess, 65, of Coloma passed away peacefully at home on March 27, 2018 surrounded by her family and friends.

Services were held Saturday, March 31, 2018 at Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home. Burial is at Fish Cemetery in Covert. Donations in memory of Mary may be given to the family. Those wishing to leave an online message of remembrance may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com. Mary was born August 27, 1952 in Coshocton, Ohio to Marion and Oris (Schonauer) Shearn. She was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Coloma and the Covert Lions Club. In her free time Mary enjoyed reading books, playing cards, watching old black and white westerns, and just spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, and many, many family and friends. Survivors include her husband Jack whom she married Dec. 5, 1969; four children, Tracy Looney, Arnold (Sonja) Hess, Hazel Duncan, and Christina (DJ) Clayton all of Coloma; one brother, Randy Shearn of Newark, OH; seven grandchildren, Josh & Becca, Zackary & Kim, Bridget & Mason, Kristofer & Kristen, Erin & Chrys, Zayne, and Tre’Michael; six great-grandchildren, Jackson, Kolten, Callum, Landon, Scarlett, and Ellijah. Mary is also survived by her in-laws, Junior (Pam) Hess of Coloma, Barbara Johnson of Moberly, MO, Wayne Hess of Moberly, MO, Albert (Val) Hess of Newark, OH; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by four brothers, Jim, Johnny, Marion Jr. “Bud,” Roger, and one sister Delia.

DELORES ‘DOODY’ KIETZER Delores “Doody” Kietzer began her journey of eternal life on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, peacefully at her home with her family by her side. Delores was born July 28, 1935, in Watervliet to Fredrick Leo and Faye Ruth (LaPorte) Wood. Delores graduated from Watervliet High School, June 1953.

Delores married Mose Kietzer on May 29, 1953. Together they farmed and raised their family in the Keeler/Sister Lakes area. Mose preceded Delores in death on Sept. 6, 2017; they shared nearly 64 years of marriage. Together they loved spending their winters in Florida. Delores loved fishing and was very competitive; giving the men a run for their money. After living on Lake Okeechobee, FL, for many years they settled in Holiday, Florida. Delores became actively involved in the local civic association, serving as the president for several years. At the time of her illness, Delores was the current bingo chairman. Delores and Mose met many people while spending their winters in Florida which led to lifelong friendships. Delores was an excellent seamstress. She began sewing her own clothes as a teenager; then she was employed at Jean Kay Dress Shop in Watervliet. She found that sewing was a necessity after having four daughters. She was known for making beautiful jackets out of sweatshirts, decorating them and giving them as gifts. Delores is survived by her five children: Lorraine “Susie” Medina, Kathryn (Larry) Wise, Christine (Art) Sedlar, Darcy (Lee) Dennison and Jim (Sandy) Kietzer; her seven grandchildren: Danielle Wise, Holly (Josh) Costa, Joseph Sedlar, Brandy (Matthew) Tenter, Bradley Solecki, Michael Solecki and Jacob Sedlar; and her five great-grandchildren: Emma Costa, Lilly Costa, Nicholas Tenter, Madilyn Costa and Nathaniel Tenter. Delores is also survived by her brother, George “Pete” Wood, and many nieces and nephews. Delores was preceded in death by her husband, Mose, and daughter, Karen Jane. A celebration of life service will take place from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at the Sister Lakes Lions Club, 66991 95th Ave., Dowagiac. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Caring Circle Hospice, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085.

Death Notices Ronald J. Green, 79, of Watervliet died Mar. 28, 2018 at Bronson Hospital, Kalamazoo. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma Fred Froehlich, 85, of Sodus died Mar. 29, 2018. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph Paul Perez of Keeler died Mar. 26, 2018 at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford Edna P. Preciado, 68, of Coloma died Mar. 29, 2018 at South Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma Richard C. Lyon, 96, of Coloma died Apr. 2, 2018 at Caretel Inns of Lakeland, St. Joseph. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma Clayton Lee Pillow, 59, of Coloma died Apr. 1, 2018 at home. Purely Cremations – Starks Family Funeral Homes, Benton Harbor Vera Lou Schuhknecht, 81, of Coloma died Dec. 28, 2017 at Caretel Inns of Lakeland, St. Joseph. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma