04-12-2018 Tri-City Area Obituaries

LILLIAN (JOYCE) BROOKS

Lillian Joyce Brooks was born January 7, 1931 the daughter of Torrey and Marie (Drake) Dillenbeck of Lawrence. Both have preceded her in passing. Joyce went to be with her Lord on April 2, 2018 at Countryside Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in South Haven.

Joyce was a 1949 graduate of Lawrence High School. On July 2, 1949, she married Richard Mead Brooks of Lawrence. Together they raised three daughters and a son on a farm in Lawrence. She went to college for two years receiving her nurse’s certificate. She worked at Community Hospital in Watervliet, at LakeView Hospital in Paw Paw, at White Oaks in Lawton and in Florida, and was in home health care until she reached the age of 80. In her spare time she enjoyed crocheting, traveling and camping, making U.P. pasties for many area festivals. She was president of the Senior Citizens of Lawrence and an active member of the Red Hat Ladies. Joyce is survived by her children, Susan (Frank) Valles of Decatur, Richard Sr. (Kandi) Brooks, Judith Allison, and Shelly (Allen) Myers all of Lawrence. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Joyce was preceded in passing by her husband, Richard in May 1988; her parents; two sisters, Frances and Jean Dillenbeck; her companion Roy Allison and son-in-law John Allison. The family will welcome friends from 4 to 5 p.m., Friday, April 13, 2018 at the Covey Hill Baptist Church in Paw Paw, where the service to honor Joyce’s memory will follow. Pastor Dan Wilson will officiate. As to Joyce’s wishes cremation has taken place. Burial of her ashes will take place in Hill Cemetery, Lawrence Township at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joyce’s name may be made to Lawrence Ox Roast or Lawrence Alumni Association. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.calvin-leonardfh.com.

RICHARD C. LYON

Richard C. Lyon of Coloma, Michigan died April 2, 2018 after a short illness. Born October 1, 1922, he was the oldest child of Harold E. Lyon and Marion Stone Lyon.

Dick graduated from Coloma High School in 1939. While attending Western Michigan College of Education, he was called to duty in the U.S. Army, serving first as an enlisted man. He attended Texas A&M and then Washington University in St. Louis, graduating as a Doctor of Dentistry. His forty-two year practice in Hartford, Michigan was interrupted when he was recalled to active duty with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Yokohama, Japan. He was discharged as a captain. Dick was an active member of the Twin City Camera Club, volunteered with the North Berrien Senior Center, and was an avid sports fan. He is survived by two sisters, Janet L. Vandervoort of Granger, Indiana and Joan L. Hines of Portage, Michigan, a brother-in-law John E. Vandervoort and six nieces and nephews. At his request, no service will be held. Following cremation, interment will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery, Battle Creek, Michigan. Arrangements are being handled by Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Coloma. Those wishing to leave an online message of remembrance may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com. Memorials may be made in Dick’s name to Sarett Nature Center, 2300 N. Benton Center Rd., Benton Harbor, MI 49022.

GORDON WAYNE KRELL

Gordon Wayne Krell, 89, Watervliet, died Thursday, April 5, 2018, at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph, Michigan. Gordon was born March 6, 1929, in Euclid Center, Michigan, to Jonathan and Edith (Benson) Krell. He grew up in Coloma on the family peach farm. Gordon was a 1947 graduate of Coloma High School. He married a classmate, Eleanor Johnson, in 1951. They moved to Watervliet shortly thereafter. He is survived by a son, Gregory, of Watervliet. Preceding Gordon in death were his parents, wife Eleanor, daughter Marie, and a brother Roland. Gordon was a lifelong bookkeeper, retiring from the Berrien County Health Department. Gordon’s passion was his personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and a love of playing the piano and organ at church. His full-time ministry after the passing of Eleanor was playing piano at numerous nursing homes, churches, and senior centers. Prior to his passing at the Lakeland Medical Center, Gordon had been a resident at The Whitcomb Retirement Center, St. Joseph, Michigan. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday, April 12, 2018, at Hutchins Funeral Home, Watervliet, Michigan. The funeral will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 13, 2018, also at Hutchins. Rev. J.O. Hosler and Rev. Roy Jeffery will be presiding. Burial will follow in the Coloma Cemetery, Coloma, Michigan. Memorials may be made to the family.

DONALD E. HUNT

Donald’s life began September 3, 1958 in Paw Paw. He grew up in Watervliet where he graduated High School and was proud of his “Panther” roots. Donald became a master electrician and owned Hi Tech Enterprises for many years until merging with Estkowski Construction; currently Donald was running A & E Electrical. Outside of work you could find Donald boating, hunting, golfing or watching sports. He was a huge fan of the Chicago Cubs, Dallas Cowboys, race car drivers Dale Earnhardt and Kevin Harvick, and his favorite athletes were his nieces and nephews. Donald was a founding member of the Watervliet 40-year Club and a member of the Twin City Camera Club out of St. Joseph. Donald was a man with a huge heart and found great joy through getting people together or helping anyone in need. Donald leaves behind a loving family to cherish his memory which includes five siblings: Lucinda (Jim) Bos, Mary Wagner, Daniel (Sandra) Hunt, William (Erica) Hunt, and Thomas Hunt; his numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends. Donald died Wednesday, April 4. His parents James and Joan (Cleary) Hunt and a brother James Hunt precede Donald in death. Donald’s family celebrated his life with a visitation Monday, April 9 at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet. You may leave a message of comfort for Donald’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com. Death Notices Michael Joseph LaVanway, 67, of St. Joseph died Apr. 8, 2018 at home. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph Christian Basilio Pawluk, 20, of Cassopolis died Apr. 5, 2018 in Benton Harbor. Davidson Chapel – Florin Funeral Service, Coloma Charles Monroe Ball, 84, formerly of Berrien Center died Apr. 8, 2018 at Memorial Hospital, South Bend. Bowerman Funeral Home, Eau Claire Alpha Luzette Horton-Stump, 66, of Eau Claire died Apr. 4, 2018 at home. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph