08-26-19 Tri-City Area Obituaries

ARRIE LEE MELVIN Karrie Melvin was born September 21, 1973 in Okinawa, Japan, the daughter of Douglas and Brenda (McFarlin) Melvin. Karrie passed away on Sunday, July 22, 2018 at her home in Grand Rapids. Karrie was a graduate of Hartford High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University. She was formerly employed as an assistant manager for Elder-Beerman in Saint Joseph. She loved to read, watch movies, plays, and play with her cats. Karrie enjoyed the Girl’s Nights Out, loved her nieces and nephews and just being with all of the family. The family will welcome friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 27, 2018 at the Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford. A celebration of life service to honor Karrie’s memory will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at the Hartford United Methodist Church. Pastor Ryan Wenburg will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Diamond Blackfan Anemia Foundation, Post Office Box 1092, West Seneca, N.Y. 14224. Memorial condolences for the family can be left on our website at http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com. Karrie leaves behind a loving family that includes her mother, Brenda of Grand Rapids; her grandparents, Richard and Maxine Melvin of Hartford; a sister-in-law, Jennifer Melvin; a brother-in-law, Jeff Dawes; three nephews, Christian Snipes and Nicholas Melvin of Surprise, Arizona and Joshua Dawes of Grand Rapids; a niece, Lindsey Dawes of Grand Rapids and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Karrie was preceded in passing by her father, Douglas; a sister, Lorrie Dawes; a brother, Steffen Melvin and her grandparents, James “Bob” and Dorothy McFarlin.

REX ALWAYNE WATKINS Rex Alwayne Watkins went home to be with the Lord Friday, July 20, 2018. Rex was born March 14, 1928, in Lexington, Tennessee. He was the son of Ray Alva and Ollie Lena (Scates) Watkins. He had four sisters and four brothers. The family worked seasonally in Michigan, moving here during his teen years. He grew up doing hard manual work on farms. Rex left school in the ninth grade to help support his family. He served honorably in the United States Army Air Corps. He held numerous jobs, including Bell Telephone in Chicago. He also worked at the paper mill in Watervliet, Michigan, and New Products in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Rex married his wife of 67 years, Sophia Regina Lewandowski, on August 5, 1950. They were blessed with two sons and two daughters.

In 1955, Rex and Sophia founded Rex Auto Parts in Benton Harbor and remained involved until they sold the business and retired in 1994. His business was founded on honesty, fairness, and customer service. Rex most recently attended First General Baptist Church in Coloma. He was interested in many things, including music, auto racing, hunting, and fishing. He also enjoyed feeding and watching wild birds. His highest priorities, however, were his Christian faith and his family. Rex was a homebody, liking nothing more than to be home playing music, watching sports on television and visiting with family. Rex is preceded in death by his wife, Sophia; parents, Ray and Ollie; his baby son, Mark Andrew; three sisters, Jewel Fay Watkins, Rue Mel Watkins Frederick, and Martha Jo Watkins Hennessee; and three brothers, Ray Vaughn Watkins, Jerry Paul Watkins, and John Randall Watkins. He is survived by his daughter Susan (Don) Stewart; son, Rex (Debbie) Watkins Jr.; daughter, Bonnie (Jeff) Joseph; grandchildren, Katrina (Jarrod) Hankins, and Grant and Hudson Joseph; great-grandchildren, Madison, Ethan and Olivia Hankins; his brother, James Carland Watkins; his sister, Carol Jane Watkins Baker; and his brother-in-law, Marvin (Pearl) Lewandowski. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was dedicated to his family, who stayed by his side until he was called home by the Lord. Services with Military Honors will be held 11 a.m. Monday, July 30 at Midway Baptist Church in Watervliet. Visitation will be Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma and again one hour prior to the service Monday at the church. Private entombment next to his wife will take place later at North Shore Memory Gardens. Donations in memory of Rex may be made to Caring Circle Hospice. Those wishing to leave an online message of remembrance may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.

GORDON VANCE DELL Gordon V. Dell, age 87, of Kokomo, Indiana went to heaven to be with our Lord on July 11, 2018. Gordon was born June 25, 1931 in Covert, Michigan, the son of the late William Henry Dell and Laura (Pumfery) Dell. He lived in Kokomo since 1957. On June 5, 1965 he married Dianna (Schwarz) Dell, his beloved wife, who preceded him in death on December 16, 2004.

Gordon graduated from Watervliet High School. He was employed at Chrysler Casting plant in Kokomo, Indiana for 30 years in management. He was a member of Meridian Street Christian Church in Greentown, Indiana and was a trustee for many years. Gordon was an army veteran and proudly served during the Korean War. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed fishing. Gordon was a loving husband, father, brother and grandfather. He loved spending time with his family. He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Catherine and James Hallock of Avon, Indiana, and Charlotte and Timothy Renfroe of Batesville, Indiana; four grandchildren, Travis Renfroe, Hannah and Rachel Hallock and Elizabeth (Joshua) Gentner; one brother and sister-in-law, Merton and Donna Dell of Watervliet; two sisters, Jeanette Kraklau of Watervliet and Lucile Van Duzer of Illinois; cousins, nieces and nephews. Besides his parents and wife he is preceded in death by one brother, Donald Dell. Services for Gordon were held Monday, July 16 at Meridian Christian Church in Greentown, Indiana with Pastor Jimmy Soblotne and Pastor Bruce Mughmaw officiating. Burial followed in Greenlawn Cemetery with military rites proved by the Greentown American Legion Post 317. Family and friends visited with family July 15 at Hasler-Stout Funeral Home, Greentown. Memorial contributions may be made to Meridian Street Christian Church. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.hasler-stout.com.

Death

Notices David M. Eby, 80, of Coloma died July 20, 2018. Connelly Chapel, Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis

Jack Carl Gnewuch, 81, of Lakeland FL, formerly of Coloma, died April 26, 2018.

Marcella Jean (Gast) Schalon, 92, of St. Joseph died July 18, 2018. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph

Thomas “Bud” Kiely Jr., 82, of Dowagiac died July 20, 2018 at home. Clark Chapel, Dowagiac

James Dunning, 76, of Sodus died July 20, 2018 at his daughter’s home. Purely Cremations – Starks Family Funeral Homes, Benton Harbor

Joseph Ernest Pratl Sr., 65, of Coloma died July 21, 2018 at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville. Purely Cremations – Starks Family Funeral Homes, Benton Harbor