Salvatore “Sam” Tavolacci

Salvatore “Sam” Tavolacci of Watervliet was born January 20, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois.  Sam grew up in Chicago where he graduated high school and met the love of his life Diane who preceded him in death.  Sam and Diane married November 20, 1966; they made their home in Chicago until 1972 when they joined Sam’s family in Watervliet.  Upon moving to Watervliet Sam went to work at Gast Manufacturing and with his parents running their farm. Sam was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Watervliet.  Outside of work he could be found following his grandchildren to their events or building hot rods with his grandson Dominick. His greatest joy was his loving family which includes: two children Jeffery (Kristin) Tavolacci of Watervliet and Bridget (Christopher) Prince of Stevensville; grandchildren Nathaniel and Sammy Prince, Gabby, Dominick, and Sophia Tavolacci and their mom Kellie Tavolacci, and Ava Hanko; his girlfriend Cynthia Rittase; and many nieces and nephews.  Sam died Wednesday, August 24, at St. Joseph Health System in Mishawaka, IN.  His wife Diane,  parents Lawrence and Anna (LoPresti) Tavolacci and two sisters, Anna Coburn and Patricia Franklin, precede Sam in death.  Friends visited with Sam’s family Sunday, August 28 with the Rosary being prayed at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, August 29 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Watervliet with burial following in North Shore Memory Gardens.  Memorials may be made in Sam’s memory to Heartland Hospice in Mishawaka, IN. You are invited to leave a message for Sam’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com

James Joseph Hinckley

The family of James Joseph Hinckley announce his day of final rest was August 20, 2016 in Hartford. Jim was born on September 21, 1942 in Watervliet. He is preceded in death by his father Russel Hinckley, mother Dorothy Hinckley, sister Barbara Baker, and step-sister Leota Zemlicka. He will be remembered by his sister, Shirley and John Adams and his brother, Harold and Sionie Hinckley. Surviving Jim are his children: Michael and Melissa Hinckley, Mark and Dina Hinckley, and Courtney Hafer. Jim was blessed with seven grandchildren. Special friends include Dakota Oliver, Bonnie Craig, and his pup Toot. Jim was a simple man who lived a simple life. He was an active participant in the Hartford American Legion. Jim will be placed to rest at the Freeport Cemetery in Freeport, Michigan following his request for no funeral services. Respecting Jim’s request, please submit any donations in remembrance to the Watervliet Fire Department.

Thomas Leonard

Mr. Thomas Leonard, age 70, passed away on Sunday, August 21, 2016, in Muskegon.  He was born on March 19, 1946, in South Haven, Michigan, to Loren and Grace (Prevost) Leonard. In 1970, Tom married Pamela Krall, and while employed for 30 years with Pitney Bowes, the two traveled the world together and lived in numerous places throughout the United States.  Tom was a fun-loving, very generous and caring man, who loved his family and friends. An avid golfer, in recent years as a member at Stonegate Golf Club, he got his first hole-in-one in 2010. He is survived by his wife, Pam; brothers, Jack (Diane) Leonard of Webberville, MI, Robert (Michele) Leonard and Dick Leonard of Cloverdale, CA; sisters, Kaye Walker of Bay City, MI, Karen Richards of Norton Shores, MI, and Mary Leonard of Webberville, MI; along with several nieces, nephews, and many, many wonderful friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.  A mass will be said in Thomas’s name at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 1110 Dykstra Rd., North Muskegon, MI, on September 18, 2016 at 10:30 a.m.  A Celebration of Life event will be held at a future date. Memorial contributions may be directed to Prince of Peace Catholic Church, St. Basil’s Catholic School of South Haven, MI, or the Krall Family Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Berrien Community Foundation in St. Joseph, MI.  Please visit the family’s online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com

Death Notices

 Dorothy L. Clemons, 79, of Riverside died Aug. 24, 2016 at Countryside Nursing Home, South Haven. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma.  Colleen E. Fischer, 47, of Coloma died Aug. 23, 2016 at University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma.  Roseanne (McKinney) Sears, 73, of Salisbury, MD formerly of Bangor died Aug. 23, 2016 at the Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, MD. Holloway Funeral Home, Salisbury, MD.  Sharon Kay Butenuth, 79, of Watervliet died Aug. 27, 2016 at the Forest Beach Adult Foster Care, Watervliet. Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, South Haven.  Lori Ann Rachac, 53, of South Haven died Aug. 27, 2016 at Hanson Hospice Center, St. Joseph. Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, South Haven.  Beverly Faraone, 87, of St. Joseph died Aug. 29, 2016 at Pine Ridge Nursing Home, Stevensville. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma.  Gary Philip Moore, 64, of Hartford died Aug. 29, 2016 at home. Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, South Haven.  Valorie Cowgill of Watervliet died Aug.27, 2016 at West Woods of Bridgman. Hutchins Funeral Home, Watervliet.