08-06-2020 Tri-City Area Obituaries; Community Calendar

WARREN KRAUSE Warren’s life began December 5, 1940, in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Warren was a lifetime area resident making his home in Bainbridge Township for most of his life. He retired from Kaywood Shutter Company in Benton Harbor after 38 years. Warren enjoyed being outdoors, horses, and building, if he was inside you could find him watching wrestling or cowboy movies. His greatest joy was his large loving family which includes: his wife of 58 years, Arvie (Humphreys) Krause; six children, Warren (Barbara) Krause of Ripley, MS, Karen Foster of Dover, AR, Laurie (Donald) Orth of Elkhart, IN, Jennifer (Edward Soltesz) Young of St. Joseph, Vernon Krause of Savannah, GA, and Kerry Krause of Houston, TX; over 30 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Donald Krause and William (Lavone) Krause; a daughter-in-law Genevieve Krause; and many nieces and nephews. Warren died unexpectedly Sunday, August 2, 2020 at Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph. His parents Carl and Olive (Shinn) Krause and siblings Gladys, Violet, Fred, Carl and Lillian precede Warren in death. A graveside service celebrating Warren’s life will be Thursday, Aug. 6, at 1:30 p.m. at North Shore Memory Gardens. You are invited to leave a message of comfort for Warren’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com.

THOMAS VanNIEL Tom’s life began December 10, 1940, in Lorain, Ohio. As a young adult a new job brought him to Southwest Michigan where he made Watervliet his home. Tom worked as a plumber until his retirement from LECO Corporation. He loved his community of Watervliet. Tom was a permanent fixture at Hays Park for many years; he was either coaching or watching his children and grandchildren playing baseball and softball. If he wasn’t at Hays Park you could find him catching a game in Panther Stadium or somewhere on Panther grounds. Tom was a giver; he donated to anyone or any organization he could find to help from the random person on the street to Post Prom, Recreational Sports, or even the Miss Watervliet Organization just to name a few.

Tom’s greatest joy came in spending time with his family which includes: four sons, Tommy (Joyce) VanNiel, Randy (Pam) VanNiel, Ryan (Jen) VanNiel, and Cory (Gloria) VanNiel; eight grandchildren, Justin, Taylor, Blake, Kade, Tanner, Sophia, Karol, and Sophia; and close friends who were always checking on him, Michelle Edmonds and Rex and Raelene Stickney. Tom died Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at home. His brother George VanNiel precedes Tom in death. Hutchins Funeral Home is assisting Tom’s family with cremation. You may visit with Tom’s family Saturday, August 15, 2020 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet. Memorials may be made in Tom’s name to Humane Society of Southwest Michigan. You are invited to leave a message of comfort for Tom’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com.

ELLA MAE LIDBERG Ella’s life began January 11, 1938, in Manilla, Arkansas. As a child her family moved to Michigan where she enjoyed growing up and graduated from Eau Claire High School. Shortly after graduating she married the love of her life Lenard Lidberg and they enjoyed raising their four daughters. Ella was an active member of Midway Baptist Church, leader for Midway’s Pioneer Girls, she taught knitting for 4-H and was a leader for the 4 Flags group, and Ella enjoyed working and volunteering for Watervliet Community Hospital.

Ella’s greatest joy was her family which includes: four daughters, Pamela (Jim) Rodriguez of Watervliet, Deanna Baker of Las Vegas, Christina Martin of Hartford, and Alicia Lidberg (Roger Bryant) of Coloma; seven grandchildren, Jimmy Rodriguez, Theresa (Ahmad) Davis, Beth (Steve) Wooley, Matt (Tanya) Rodriguez, Scott Marks, Brittany (Kyle) Duncombe, and Nikki Bryant; 14 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Bernice Zachary and Darlene Stinnett; and many nieces and nephews. Ella died peacefully Wednesday, July 29, 2020. Her husband Lenard Lidberg, a brother Harold Fleming, and her parents Odell and Estell (Stanfill) Fleming precede Ella in death. Ella’s family celebrated her life Monday, August 3, with visitation prior at Midway Baptist Church in Watervliet. Hutchins Funeral Home is assisting Ella’s family with arrangements. You are invited to leave a message of comfort for Ella’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com.

RAPHA JEAN CAMPBELL Rapha Jean Campbell, 87, of Russell Arkansas, passed away Sunday, July 25, 2020 in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Rapha Jean was born in Russell on February 19, 1933 to Ralph Lea and Dorothy Harper Pearce. Jean graduated from Russell High School where she played basketball. She attended the former Benton Harbor Junior College (now known as Lake Michigan College) where she studied business and accounting. Jean married Justin Schnebly in 1951. After Justin’s unexpected death in 1962, she married Thomas Campbell in 1964. Throughout her life, Jean worked part time but devoted most of her time to being a homemaker, mother, and grandmother. While living in Michigan Jean spent her time raising her children and supporting them in their many activities. She was a scout Mom, a sports Mom, and a music Mom. Jean was also an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star before returning to Russell in the early 1980s. Living in Russell, Jean was an original member of the Russell School Restoration Committee where she held many key positions. Jean attended the Russell United Methodist Church. Jean was preceded in death by her first and second husband, Justin Leo Schnebly (1964) and Thomas Edward Campbell (1989), brother, Don Lea (2012), brother, Roger Lea (2016), her mother, Dorthy (Harper) Pearce and her father, Ralph Lea. Her beautiful life will be forever cherished by the lives of her surviving family, son, Mike (Dawn) Schnebly of Mesa, AZ; daughter, Judy Schnebly of St. Joseph, MI; and son, Scott (Billie) Schnebly of Cabot, AR; grandchildren, Jordan Schnebly, Noah Love, Chris Wilcox, Jessie Etheridge, Cassie Bonura, Vince Rohde; nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Jerry Lea of Tennessee, Eddie Lea of Arkansas, Jim Lea of Texas, Janet (Lea) Mathis of Arkansas, and Madelyn (Lea) Hopper of Kensett; step-mother Nellie Lea of Judsonia. Visitation was held at Powell Funeral Home, Bald Knob on Thursday, July 30, 2020. Arrangements entrusted to Powell Funeral Home, Bald Knob-Judsonia (www.powellfuneralhome.net).

ROBERT EARL GILBERTSEN Robert (Bob) Earl Gilbertsen, 94, entered eternal rest on August 3, 2020.

Bob was born and raised in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood where he enjoyed bowling, roller skating and other sports. At 17, he enlisted in the Navy where he served aboard the Battleship USS Indiana as an Electrician’s Mate until the end of WWII. He was recalled and served at the Great Lakes NTS during the Korean Conflict. Bob and Carmela were married in 1951. Raising three sons, Bob became involved in scouting, boating, water skiing, camping, golfing and spent time sharing his knowledge of the trades with his sons. He worked as an electrician for 40 years. During that time he and his family spent summers at Paw Paw Lake, ending each with a Labor Day Pizza Party. After retirement, he and Carmela split their time between Watervliet, Michigan and Naples, Florida. They also enjoyed cruising and traveling to Europe. He was twice Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge, Commodore of Paw Paw Lake Yacht Club and ushered at church. The thing Bob loved most was spending time with his loving family which includes: his wife of 68 years Carmela (DeLuise) Gilbertsen; three sons, Kim Gilbertsen of Highland, UT, Kenneth (Margaret “Peggy”) Gilbertsen of Chicago, IL, and Kurt (Ingrid) Gilbertsen of Lockport, IL; six grandchildren, Carl (Danielle) Gilbertsen, Lynn (Joe Troutman) Gilbertsen, Claire Gilbertsen, Anne (Rob Dann) Gilbertsen, Nolan Gilbertsen, and Connor Gilbertsen; three great-grandchildren, Max and Beth Troutman, and Sophie Gilbertsen-Dann; and many nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Edythe (Jacobson) Gilbertsen; two brothers, Carl Gilbertsen and Thomas Gilbertsen, and two sisters Charmaine Yates and Thelma Ryan. Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet is assisting Bob’s family with cremation and his life will be celebrated later. You are invited to leave a message of comfort for Bob’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com. Donations may be made in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.

Death Notices James Heaton Keech, 87, of Keeler Township died Aug. 4, 2020 at White Oaks in Lawton. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford

Don Edward Mills, 76, of Hartford died Aug. 1, 2020 at Caretel Inns of Lakeland. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford

Katherine Anne Elizabeth Hass Postman, 94, of Berrien Springs died July 31, 2020 at home. Allred Funeral Home, Berrien Springs

Joy Lynn (Boyd) Healy, 60, of Watervliet died July 30, 2020 at home. Purely Cremations – Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Benton Harbor

Chandra D. Gould, 53, of Watervliet died July 29, 2020 at home. Allred Funeral Home, Berrien Springs

Community Calendar

July 1-31 “VIRTUAL FISH BOIL FUNDRAISER” hosted by Michigan Maritime Museum, South Haven. $10 suggested donation (all donations welcome); visit www.michiganmaritimemuseum.org/fishboil Thu, Aug 6, 7pm “CONCERT IN ELY PARK” hosted by Hartford Lions Club featuring Joe Jason (acoustic 70s); Free popcorn Fri, Aug 7, 11am-3pm “COVID-19 MOBILE TESTING” in the Watervliet public parking lot on Main St. next to Jot Liquor. Open to public. To pre-register call 269-308-9296. Wed, Aug 12, 3-7pm “BERRIEN COUNTY HOUSEHOLD RECYCLING EVENT” at Love Creek County Park, 9292 Huckleberry Rd., Berrien Ctr. Participants must remain in their vehicle. Visit www.berriencounty.org Recycling Services or call Jill Adams 269-983-7111 x8234 with questions. Thu, Aug 13, 7pm “CONCERT IN ELY PARK” hosted by Hartford Lions Club featuring Wyatt & Shari Knapp (folk music); Free popcorn Wed, Aug 19, 4-7pm “WELLNESS COUNTS” Census promotional event at Watervliet District Library (rain date Aug 26); complete Census online, Red Cross CPR demonstrations, sign-up for drawings, & giveaways Thu, Aug 20, 7pm “CONCERT IN ELY PARK” hosted by Hartford Lions Club featuring Exit 41 Acoustic Group (4-pc variety band); Free popcorn Fri, Aug 21 “PHOTO CONTEST DEADLINE” N.B. Historical Museum Photography Contest open to Michigan residents of northern Berrien County; for more information, rules & entry form visit northberrienhistory.org/photographycontest or call 269-468-3330 Sat, Aug 22, 9-4 “YARD SALE” hosted by Coloma American Legion Auxiliary Unit 362 at corner of St. Joseph Ave. & Sassafras in Coloma. Space rental & tables available – call Christine at 269-325-2865. Hot dogs, chips and pop for $3 will be served all day. Thu, Aug 27, 7pm “CONCERT IN ELY PARK” hosted by Hartford Lions Club featuring Blue Shoes Jazz (not your typical jazz band); Free popcorn Tue, Sept 1, 5-7pm “OPEN HOUSE” at Fusion Center for Dance, 6777 Paw Paw Ave., Coloma to introduce 20-21 dance season. Open to public