04-09-2020 Tri-City Area Obituaries

CARLENE BROWN Carlene’s life began June 2, 1948, in Watervliet. She was a lifetime area resident. For many years she enjoyed giving back to her community through being a Boy Scout leader with her husband John. She also enjoyed painting, putting together puzzles and decorating cakes. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family she leaves behind to cherish her memory which includes: three children Mike (April) Brown, Richard (Jennifer) Brown, and Sherry Stuart; ten grandchildren Amanda, Darcy, Ashley, Jasmine, Tori, Taylor, Lauren, Crystal, Emily, and Jordyn; a great-grandchild Lennox; two sisters Jeannie Downs and Glenna (Ray) Loomis; and many nieces and nephews. Carlene died Sunday, April 5, 2020, surrounded by her loving family. She is preceded in death by her husband Carlyle “John” Brown and her parents Carl and Betty (Smith) Stuart. Carlene’s family is gathering Thursday, Apr. 9 for a private burial in Watervliet Cemetery. Once we can all gather again we will celebrate Carlene’s life with a memorial service at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet. You are invited to leave a message of comfort for Carlene’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com.

JULIE D. MURPHY Julie D. Murphy, 52, of Waterloo, IN and formerly of Watervliet died April 2, 2020, at her home in Waterloo, IN.

Services will be held at a later date this summer and cremation has taken place. Arrangements are by the Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Coloma. Please share messages, memories, or photos at www.florin.net. Julie was born on Dec. 3, 1967 in Benton Harbor to Phyllis Hendrixson and James Murphy. She was employed as an office worker at Zentis North America. Julie loved to go fishing and enjoyed doing yard work. She also did crocheting in her spare time. Most of all Julie loved playing with her grandchildren. Her family includes her children, Crystal Collins of Sodus and Courtney Collins of Matthews, NC; her mother, Phyllis (Gary) Hendrixson of Covert; her sisters, Tracy (Ryan) Davis of South Bend and Brylee Murphy of Bremen, IN; her step-brother, Garrett Hendrixson of Covert and her five grandchildren, Alexia Craig, Arik Fulkerson, Andrew Fulkerson, Ayden Fulkerson and Aubrey Crowe. She was preceded in death by her father, James Murphy in 2010.

FREDA HARRIS Freda Harris, of Watervliet, went to be with her family in heaven on April 2, 2020. She was 88. She was born in Sturkie, Arkansas on April 12, 1931 and on October 1, 1949 she and Lee Harris were married in Blytheville, Arkansas. Freda loved flowers, the color pink, sewing, her country roots, the Grand Ole Opry and hamburgers. She loved watching birds and squirrels play at the feeders outside her window. But most of all she loved her family. She is well known for her kindness and was always ready to help family, friends and neighbors. Everyone who knew her said she was the sweetest person they ever knew. She is survived is by her son, Dannie Harris (Sherri) and her daughter, Lori Harris Cramer of Watervliet; grandchildren Rebeka Harris Hays (Shawn), Nathan Harris (Amanda) and Cody Cramer; four great-granddaughters Abbi, Bella, Kaitlyn and Olivia, all living locally; as well as her brother, Jim Hutchison (Doris) in Florida and sister, Rita Kay Hutchison Lewis (Pete) of Sturkie, Arkansas. Freda is preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Lee Harris, who passed away just 10 days before her on March 23, 2020; by her parents William Osro (Toe) and Nova Hutchison, her brother Max of Peoria, Illinois and brother Duane of Sturkie, Arkansas. She was very much loved and many tears are being shed. Our hearts are broken. Hutchins Funeral Home is assisting Freda’s family with cremation. Her life will be celebrated at a later date. You are invited to leave a message of comfort for Freda’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com.

GERTRUDE “TRUDY” LATHAM Trudy’s life began April 28, 1929 in Alabama. She spent her childhood in Alabama and Tennessee and as an adult moved to Michigan. Trudy worked for many years in several prominent factories until she found her true

calling in home health care. Outside of work Trudy enjoyed crocheting and traveling. She was also a longtime member of Midway Baptist Church in Watervliet. She leaves behind a large loving family to cherish her memory including: her husband of 24 years James Latham; six children Robert (Margee) Latham, Judi (Greg) Arnt, Roger (Linda) Latham, Craig Latham, Dorothy Leas, and John (Dawn) Latham; four stepchildren Jason Latham, Danny Latham, Melissa Hopper, and James Latham; numerous grand, great-grand and great-great-grandchildren; a sister Margaret Teeters; and many nieces and nephews. Trudy died Wednesday, April 1, 2020, surrounded by her loving family. She is preceded in death by her parents Marvin and Fannie Mae (Daniel) Terry, a son Bruce, a daughter Donna and two brothers Gentry “Buddy” and Glenn. Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet is assisting Trudy’s family with cremation and she will be buried later in Watervliet Cemetery. You are invited to leave a message of comfort for Trudy’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com. Death Notices Gloria Gregg Eilert, 93, of Coloma died April 6, 2020 at home. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma Randy Wolf, 61, of Eau Claire died April 5, 2020 at Royalton Manor, St. Joseph. Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Niles Francine Daisy, 58, of Dowagiac died April 2, 2020 at home. Clark Chapel and Cremation Services, Dowagiac Austin McCarver, 91, of Watervliet died April 1, 2020 at South Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma Judy Russell, 79, of Watervliet died April 1, 2020. Hutchins Funeral Home, Watervliet