06-22-2017 Tri-City Area Obituaries

MADGE L. PHILLIPI

 Madge L. Phillipi of Watervliet was born on March 10, 1927 in Galien, Michigan.  She grew up in Galien and graduated from Galien High School.

While working at her uncle’s tavern, Wolverine Gardens, she met Lavon “Mike” Phillipi. They married May 27, 1945, in Baroda.  Madge and Mike moved to Jackson where she had a day care while raising their children.

In 1960 they moved back to Southwest Michigan making their home on Paw Paw Lake in Watervliet.  Madge cleaned houses while raising their family and later helped watch grandchildren. In 1989 Mike and Madge moved to their dream home in Branch, Michigan. They enjoyed 12 years living in their paradise.

When she wasn’t working Madge enjoyed sewing, working in her flowerbeds, crafting, fishing with Mike and keeping her family in line. Madge’s greatest joy was gathering with her loving family which includes: four children Loretta (Roland) Hutchins, Judith Phillipi, Michael (Kathy) Phillipi, and Kim (Marvonne Burggraaf) Phillipi; a daughter-in-law, Pamela Phillipi; 11 grandchildren Lynne Phillipi, Roland (Veronica) Hutchins, Rachel (Warren) Kent, Rebecca Yazel (John Oliphant), Lisa Phillipi, Andrea Hutchins, Emily Hutchins, Lance Phillipi (Patty Williams), Alfatirra Phillipi, and April Phillipi; 14 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; a sister Nancy (Willard) Thomas; and many nieces and nephews.

Madge died Thursday, June 15, 2017.  Her husband Mike Phillipi, a son Gary Phillipi, a grandson Michael Phillipi, three brothers Bill, Bob, and Jim Lintner, a sister Joyce Lintner, and her parents Eldon and Gwendolyn (Seal) Lintner precede Madge in death.

Funeral services were celebrated Monday, June 19. Burial followed in North Shore Memory Gardens.  Memorials may be made in Madge’s memory to Hospice at Home, American Cancer Society, or American Heart Association.  You are invited to share a memory with Madge’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com

RUTH ELLEN BROWERS

Ruth Ellen Browers, 68, of Coloma died Friday, June 16, 2017, at the Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph.

Services celebrating her life were held on Tuesday, June 20, at the Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Coloma.  Burial followed in North Shore Memory Gardens. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.  Please share memories, messages or photos at www.florin.net.

Ruth was born on Nov. 19, 1948 in Benton Harbor to Alex and Mary Okay.  She married her husband, Earl Browers, in 1992 and together they have celebrated 25 years of marriage.  Ruth was the manager at the VFW Post 1137 for a long time.  She was also a former officer of the Ladies Auxiliary of 1137.  She enjoyed traveling to see relatives, playing Bingo, and playing with her grandchildren.  Ruth was a strong, calm, sweet lady who loved being a mother and grandmother.

Her family includes her husband, Earl; her children, John (Alisha Goebel) Bailey of Highland, IL, Spencer (Samantha) Bailey of Coloma, Edward Okay of Battle Creek, Shelly (Timothy) Trout of Ridgedale, MO and Bill (Gina) Browers of Greenfield, IL; her brother, Joseph Okay of St. Joseph; her sister, Mary Wabindato, of Battle Creek; her 13 grandchildren and her 15 great-grandchildren.

DORLENE J. NEELEY

 Dorlene J. Neeley, 69, of Covert, died Friday, June 16, 2017 at the Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.

Service celebrating her life was held on Wednesday, June 21, at the Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Coloma.  Burial followed in Fish Cemetery in Covert Township. Please share memories, messages or photos at www.florin.net.

Dorlene was born on May 21, 1948 in Benton Harbor to Gilbert and Elsie Cook.  She married her husband, Jesse “Tom” Neeley and together they have celebrated 49 years of marriage.  She was a homemaker.  Dorlene attended the Covert Congregational Church.  She enjoyed fishing, going to yard sales and coloring.  Dorlene was a quiet and caring person who loved her family.

Her family includes her husband, Tom; her children, Jesse Neeley Jr. of Covert and Joy Burse of Covert; her brother, Mike Cook of Hartford and her grandson, Donald Burse Jr.  She was preceded by her parents, her three brothers, her one sister and her grandson, Tiger.

Death Notices

John Mumaugh, 60, of Watervliet died June 13, 2017 at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville. Clark Chapel and Cremation Services, Dowagiac

Carol Ann Blastick, 83, of Coloma died June 4, 2017 at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo. Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan

1. Eddie Watson, 74, of Pipestone Township died June 10, 2017 at home. Fairplain Chapel, Florin Funeral Service, Benton Harbor

Richard “Dick” Williamson, 83, of Coloma died June 12, 2017. www.petkusfuneralhomes.com

Michael Andrew Harper, 55, of Watervliet died June 16, 2017 at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville. Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles

David Lagrow, 68, of Coloma died June 20, 2017 at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville. Hutchins Funeral Home, Watervliet