EARL “WHITEY” SPRAGUE

Earl “Whitey” Louis Sprague of Weslaco, Texas, formerly of Watervliet, died at the age of 90 on December 15, 2016 at Aurora House Hospice Center in Weslaco. He was born on April 16, 1926 in Coloma to the late Arthur and Marie (Pinyard) Sprague.

The family moved to Watervliet in 1927 after his 5-year-old brother, Rex, was killed by a car. After graduating from Watervliet High School in 1944, he joined the Army Air Corps and served his country until 1946. While on a weekend pass in Lincoln, Nebraska, he met Helen Marie Gaulke. They were married three months later on October 27, 1945 and were together until Helen’s death in 1998.

Whitey sold roofing and insulation, learned to butcher, and wound up in procurement at Clark Equipment Co. until he bought the small grocery store known as Pfansteihl’s in 1958. The small store was replaced by a much larger store, and Sprague’s Grocery took off, becoming famous all over for their fine cuts of meat.

Whitey and Helen raised the first four of their six children on Paw Paw Lake, and then moved to the old Frank Smith home on Paw Paw Avenue in 1958 to make room for the last two boys. All six kids worked at the store during their youth and young adulthood. After selling the store in 1980, Whitey became a realtor with Rudell Real Estate in Hartford until he and Helen decided to retire to Fun-n-Sun Park in San Benito, Texas in 1987.

After Helen’s death, Whitey met Elinor Silsdorf at a Financial Planning Seminar in 1999. They started dating and Whitey met a whole new group of people who became his close friends. He and Elinor were together until her death in 2014.

Whitey’s four brothers and their wives preceded him in death: Robert and Lorraine (Porter), Rex, Gerald and Midge (Soper), and Jack and Celia (Zabia); and sisters-in-law and their husbands: Louise (John) Sullivan and Lorraine (Leslie) Knop. He is survived by his six children: Richard and Marilyn (Weeks) Sprague, Deborah Sprague Kipp, Katherine Sprague, Jeffrey and Valerie (Groff) Sprague, John and Wendy (Hendrix) Sprague, and Robert Sprague; nine grandchildren: Stephanie (Andrew) Jones and Shanna (Kurt) Hoerman; Rebecca (Andy) Caspersen, Justin (Liz) Kipp, and Brian (Amanda) Kipp; Elizabeth (Jon) Ardan, Bradley Sprague, Tyler (Fatemah) Sprague, and Kyle Sprague; 14 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Whitey had been a long-time member of the Plymouth Congregational Church in Watervliet, where he taught Sunday school, and served as deacon and trustee for many years. He became a member of the American Legion in the early 1950s, the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star in 1955, Lion’s Club in 1959 and the Watervliet Jaycees.

Known for his friendly, caring, loving, up-beat and positive nature, Whitey made friends wherever he went. He loved to travel and meet people and was a natural at sports. In high school he played football and basketball and later played intramural basketball, where he loved to use his left hook and wear his black converse shoes from his high school days. While living on the lake, he enjoyed water skiing, boating and fishing, and was an avid golfer until the age of 89.  A memorial service to celebrate Whitey’s life will be on Saturday, April 15 at 10:00 a.m. at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet. Visitation and fellowship will follow immediately after the service. You are invited to share a memory of Whitey at hutchinsfuneral.com In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Gentiva Hospice Harlingen, 410 N. Ed Carey Dr., Harlingen, TX 78550, or to the charity of your choice.

ELEANOR LARSEN

 Eleanor Larsen, 96, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at the home where she had lived for seventy years.

In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home or the Humane Society of SW Michigan. Online condolences may be left at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Eleanor “Ellie” was born January 6, 1921, to Joseph and Augusta (Feifer) Gustaitis in Chicago, IL. After growing up poor in Chicago, an ego trip for her was attaining the position of Assistant Editor for Industry Power Magazine on Navy Pier. Upon moving to St. Joseph, she worked in Whirlpool’s Purchasing Department for 30 years, retiring from there. Ellie considered raising two children as a single mother her greatest accomplishment. Her other loves were yoga, golf, volunteering, and creating beautiful gardens in her own yard.

Ellie is survived by her daughter, Carole (David) Van Antwerp; three grandchildren, Chad Olmsted of San Diego, CA, Jack Van Antwerp, D. Paul (Jenny Grove) Van Antwerp; special friends Sandy (Les) Page and Lori Mizwicki, as well as her beloved Cocker Spaniel, Sandi. She was preceded in death by her parents and son Robert “Bob” Larsen.

MARY ANN CORDARO

 Mary Ann Cordaro, 93, of Coloma, died Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at her home.

A Mass celebrating her life was held on Monday, April 10 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Watervliet. Burial followed at North Shore Memory Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Parish or the Reverence Hospice in Kalamazoo. Please share memories, messages or photos at www.florin.net.

Mary Ann was born on Oct. 26, 1923 in Chicago to Michael and Mary LaPorta.  She married Lewis Cordaro on Oct. 11, 1947 and he preceded her in death in 2013. She was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Parish and a member of the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed baking, bowling and crafts and she loved to play bingo.  Mary Ann was a longtime Cubs fan and enjoyed traveling with her family. Mary Ann always spoke her mind and was a spitfire Italian.

Her family includes her children, Mary Lou (Bob) Pliley of Carmel, IN, Lewis S. Cordaro of Palm Springs, CA, Barbara (Rolland) Boyd of Watervliet, and Jim (Bruce Rubin) Cordaro of Orvieto, Italy; her seven grandchildren; and her 10 great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her grandson, Eric Boyd and her brother, Sam LaPorta.

CINDY BURGESS

 Cindy Burgess of Watervliet died Saturday, April 8, 2017 at home.  Cindy’s life began August 20, 1969, in Berrien Center.  She was a lifetime area resident who enjoyed spending time with her friends and family.

Cindy’s loving family includes three children, Robert Saenz, Joshua Burgess and Kacee Burgess all of Watervliet; 10 grandchildren, Jayden Saenz, Elanore Burgess, Mar’Keyshia Burgess, Kate’lynn Burgess, Gabby Burgess, Keeper Burgess, Elijah Burgess, Annasteishia Burgess, Danni Saenz, and Anna’bella Hope Burgess; her mom Connie Harry from Watervliet; brother Robbie Harry from Hartford; and her boyfriend Mario.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 14, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet.  Cremation will follow visitation.  Memorials may be made in Cindy’s memory to her family.  You may leave a memory of Cindy at hutchinsfuneral.com.

ANNETTE BOLIN

Annette Bolin of Watervliet died Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at Bronson South Haven Hospital.  Annette’s life began December 10, 1937, in Colt, Arkansas.

She spent most of her childhood in Coloma.  As a young lady she met A.C. Bolin and they married in January of 1957.  Annette worked as a bookkeeper for many years for Sears and Hilltop Grocery in Coloma. Her favorite job was helping her husband run Bolin Furniture Store and Annette’s Antique Store both in Watervliet.

Annette enjoyed sewing and making dolls, mostly Raggedy Anne dolls, in her spare time. Annette was the most giving, strongest, and loving person you could meet.

Her greatest joy was spending time with her loving family which includes her husband A.C Bolin; three children, Mark Bolin, Christopher (Carmen) Bolin, and Linda (Thomas) Gargano; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three siblings, Maxine Salmon, Gerald Taylor, and Darrell Taylor; and many nieces and nephews.  Her son Donald Bolin, parents Grover and Francis (Williams) Taylor, and nine siblings precede Annette in death.

Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet is assisting Annette’s family with cremation and a memorial service will be celebrated at a later date.  You may leave a message of comfort for Annette’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com.

AUDREY M. ELSNER

 Audrey M. Elsner, 90, of St. Joseph died April 7, 2017 at her home surrounded by family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 13 at Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma with visitation beginning one hour prior. Entombment will take place at North Shore Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of SW Michigan. Those wishing to leave an online message for the family may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.

Audrey was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on January 2, 1927 to Gladys (Nelson) and Theodore Elsner Sr. She was a lifelong resident of Berrien County and graduated from Watervliet High School. Audrey was a long time employee of VM Corporation and retired from Gast Manufacturing. Her many hobbies included ceramics, leather craft, skiing, flying, stamp and coin collecting, league bowling and golfing, and going to the casino. She also enjoyed family outings and loved to dance. Audrey was a devoted daughter and cared for her mother all of her life. She loved life, was generous to many people and will be missed by her family and friends.

Survivors include her sister, Mary Ann Fisher, nephews Tom (Janice) Fisher, Gary (Peggy) Fisher, David Fisher, Brian (Pam) Elsner and Michael (Katherine) Elsner and her niece, Beth (Jim) Eisbrenner. Also surviving are several great nieces and nephews, her dear friends Gloria, Doris, and Ruby and her angels.

Audrey was preceded by her parents, brothers Millard and Ted, sister-in-law Gwen, brother-in-law George Fisher and nephew Bruce Fisher.

Death Notices

James Ross Bradshaw, 60, of Coloma died April 4, 2017 at home. Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan

Brian Kniebes, 52, of Berrien Center died April 8, 2017 at home. Hutchins Funeral Home, Watervliet

Kathryn B. Jensen, 66, of Coloma died April 7, 2017 at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Family Funeral Home, Benton Harbor