05-03-2018 Tri-City Area Obituaries

LOIS R. BABCOCK

Lois’ life began August 24, 1921 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. She grew up in Benton Harbor and eventually made her home in Coloma. Lois went to work at the age of 16 at the State Theatre, babysitting and cleaning houses, when she became an adult she found herself working retail at V-M, Sears, and JC Penney’s. Lois also worked for Whirlpool and managed a drug store during her working career. Many will remember her from her years of managing at Shopper’s Fair.

When she wasn’t busy in the retail world Lois helped manage the farm with her husband and would take fruit and vegetables to market. Outside of her busy work schedule Lois would relax through crocheting, making dolls, and enjoying her dogs. Lois’ greatest joy came in spending time with her loving family which includes: two daughters Sandy (Bud) Carter and Roxanne (Bill) Pitcher; four grandchildren Mark (Teri) Carter, Michael (Peggy) Carter, Robin (Bruce) Livesay, and Heather (Aaron) Trapp; several great- and great-great grandchildren; a sister Gladys Finehout-Murphy; and many nieces and nephews. Lois died Sunday, April 29, at Countryside Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in South Haven. Her husband Raymond Babcock, son Robert Babcock, siblings Thirza Emery, David Finehout, and Cora Mae Lindemann, and parents Chester and Jeanette (Gillem) Finehout precede Lois in death. Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet is assisting Lois’ family with cremation. A celebration of Lois’ life will be held Friday, May 25, at Lake Michigan Hills Golf Club; family will greet friends at 4:30 p.m. with a service beginning at 5:00 p.m. You are invited to share a message of comfort with Lois’ family at hutchinsfuneral.com.

RUTH ANNE (FLETCHER) TALLMAN

Ruth Anne (Fletcher) Tallman, 80, of Coloma, Michigan died peacefully April 27, 2018 surrounded by family. Ruth was born February 25, 1938 in the rural county of Cohocton, Ohio. After graduating high school she moved to Columbus, Ohio where she met the city boy who was to become her husband.

Cliff and Ruth were married April 6, 1958 at Isleta Methodist Church of Ohio. Ruth obtained a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University after starting a family of three children and became certified as Home Economics teacher, but used her skill to manage the Tallman household. In the first 30 years of their marriage, Cliff and Ruth lived in seven different communities within Ohio and spent the last 30 years “settled” in their home in Michigan. Ruth was an avid quilter, reader and enjoyed traveling with Cliff across the U.S. especially visiting national parks and botanical gardens. Ruth, a member of The Chapel of St. Joseph, was very engaged in church worship. In addition, Cliff and Ruth are active with Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). For the past 15 years they would travel to San Antonio for the month of February and volunteer at BSF headquarters, often celebrating her birthday with the numerous friends that they made there. Ruth is survived by her husband Cliff, children Martin (Maria) Tallman of Coloma, MI; David (Silke) Tallman of Hofheim Germany; Kathy (Mike) Haines of Cincinnati, OH and grandchildren James of Perrysburg, OH; Rachel of Auburn Hills, MI; Nathaniel, Jacob, Autumn all of Coloma, MI; and Mark, Johann, Charlotte, Katherine all of Hofheim Germany, Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Ed and Kaye Fletcher of Newcomerstown, OH. A Celebration of Life Service was held May 2 at the Chapel in St Joseph. Visitation was at Starks & Menchinger, St. Joseph on May 1. Ruth will be interned at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek. Contributions in memory of Ruth may be made to The Chapel or the Caring Circle (Hospice) of St. Joseph. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

NANCY GOMEZ

Nancy’s life began July 11, 1944 in Blytheville, Arkansas. When she was a child her family moved to Southwest Michigan and she called it home ever since. Nancy worked for many years at Woolen Products until retiring. She loved her church and reading her Bible. She had a heart for animals and took in many strays. At one time she even had ducks, chicken, geese, and roosters in her back yard along with many cats and dogs. As her health declined she ended up with just her dogs that she loved very much. It broke her heart when she had to give them up. Nancy’s greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren.

Nancy leaves behind a loving family to cherish her memory which includes: her husband of 25 years Frank Gomez; three children Cheryl (Leon) Smith, Austin McCarver, and Thomas (Dorthey) Dickey; five step-children Rene Gomez Dixon, Francesca Gomez Guest, Frank Gomez Jr., Joel Gomez, and Sylvia Gomez; five grandchildren Haruka, Aryenne, Jeremy, Samantha, and Aaron; many step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister Judy (Danny) Boyer; and several nieces and nephews. Nancy died Wednesday, April 25, at Lakeland Hospital, Watervliet. Nancy is preceded in death by a daughter Lisa Shoemaker, her parents Bert and Lola (Wafford) French, and a brother Ronnie French. Funeral services will be celebrated Friday, May 4, at 2:00 p.m. with visitation prior starting at 1:00 p.m. at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet. Cremation will follow the funeral service. You are invited to leave a message for Nancy’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com.

JENNIFER K. RUDELL

Jennifer was born May 29, 1952 in Watervliet to William and Bettie (Wilson) Mack. She was a lifetime area resident and graduated from Watervliet High School. Jennifer took over the operations of Rudell Real Estate when her mother-in-law Bernice Rudell retired and then also started Van Buren County Property Management. She loved baking cookies for her grandchildren, liked trying her luck on the slot machines, and gathering friends and family together. Jennifer will be remembered for her giving spirit, she found great joy in helping everyone she met.

Jennifer’s greatest joy was her loving family which includes: her husband Gregory (Rocky) Rudell whom she married May 6, 1972; two children Lynn (Scott) Summers and Joseph (Jennifer) Rudell, both of Watervliet; seven grandchildren John, Lyvia, Julie, Lilly, Jessica, Jane, and Lucy; her dad William Mack; her sister Nancy (Henry) Zausner; two nephews; and her mother-in-law Bernice Rudell. Jennifer died Monday, April 23, surrounded by her family, at University of Chicago Medical Center. Her mom Bettie Mack precedes her in death. Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet is assisting Jennifer’s family with cremation arrangements. Her family will celebrate her life this summer. Memorials may be made in Jennifer’s memory to St. Jude Research Hospital. You are invited to share a message of comfort with Jennifer’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com.

Memorial Service

MARY L. McELRATH-COLLINS

There will be a memorial service for Mary L. McElrath-Collins at Plymouth Congregational Church on Saturday, May 12 at 11:00 a.m. Mary went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 7, 2017. Please attend to share your favorite memories. A luncheon will follow the memorial service in the fellowship hall of the church.

Death Notices

John Bernard Vargo, 84, died Apr. 21, 2018. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford David H. Russell, 75, of Coloma died Apr. 26, 2018 at home. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma Domenico Amodeo, 85, of Coloma died Apr. 30, 2018 at home. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma