09-19-2019 Tri-City Area Obituaries

WILLIAM E. OTTE William E. Otte, 93, passed away on Friday, Sept. 13, 2019 at his home in Coloma, surrounded by his family. He was born June 27, 1926 in St. Joseph to Alfred and Lettie (Brightup) Otte. He attended Benton Harbor High School. He was drafted in the United States Army in 1944 and proudly served his country until he was honorably discharged in 1946. On July 4, 1953, William married Frances Voit at a ceremony in Benton Harbor.

William worked for Teledyne Peer in Benton Harbor as a tool and die maker for 35 years. He had a strong work ethic and enjoyed maintaining his yard, vegetable garden and his wood shop. He also took pleasure in cheering for his favorite baseball team, the Detroit Tigers. William was an avid fisherman and enjoyed going fishing with his family at numerous inland lakes in the area. William leaves behind to cherish his memories: his loving wife, Frances; his children: Kathryn (Klaus) Buenger of Coloma, Robert (Georgia) Otte of Coloma, William (Gail) Otte of Middleville, Mary (Robert) Memmott of Delton, and his son-in-law Mark Pecoraro of Riverside. Also surviving: a sister, Athalie Hansen of Watervliet; a brother, Allen “Pat” Otte of Port Charlotte, Fla.; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren by marriage. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Elizabeth “Betsy” Pecoraro; sister, Lorayne Dahms; and four brothers: Robert, Richard, James, and Wayne.

THOMAS J. POWERS A Memorial Mass for Tom J. Powers, 77, of Coloma, Michigan, will be held on Monday, September 23, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 157 Lucinda Lane, Watervliet. Tom, a devoted husband, father, brother and friend, passed away on January 9, 2019, in Naples, Florida.

The son of Joseph C. and Hannah (Nan) (Nugent) Powers, Tom was born on August 25, 1941 in Painesville, Ohio, and was raised there. He was a 1959 graduate of St. Joseph High School, Cleveland, Ohio. He furthered his studies at DeVry Technical Institute in Chicago, completing his studies in June, 1961. Tom began as a radio engineer in 1961 at WREO in Ashtabula, Ohio. In May, 1965, he began as a radio engineer at KYW in Cleveland. He remained there and transitioned into TV engineering at WKYC in Cleveland. Tom served in several management capacities at WKYC. In 1991 he had the opportunity to advance his career at WMAQ in Chicago, with various management positions over ten years. After a thirty-six year career at NBC, he retired in 2001. Tom was devoted to his Catholic faith. He served as a Eucharistic Minister for over thirty years. Over the years in Ohio, he was president of Bingo and a member of Parish Council. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #4055 in Watervliet and was a former member of Council #947 in Painesville, Ohio. He was a member of Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, Father Baroux Assembly 0476 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, & formerly of the Cardinal Newman General Assembly in Ohio. He served as Grand Knight in Watervliet, from 2004-2006. He is a member of the Bishop Baraga Association. He was a longtime member of the Painesville Elks Lodge 549. He was a member of the Paw Paw Lake Yacht Club. He was a director of the Paw Paw Lake Foundation. Family was important to Tom. He was a devoted son & brother who was always ready & willing to help. He was married for forty-nine years to his wife, Loretta (Lipovich) whom he married on August 30, 1969. Together they raised their two children, Martin & Jen. Upon retirement in 2001, they settled in Coloma, Michigan, on Paw Paw Lake where they enjoyed boating, and spending time with family and friends. They wintered in Naples, Florida for the past thirteen years where Tom was president of their phase of the Homeowners Association. Tom is survived by his wife, Loretta (Lipovich); son Martin J. Powers; daughter Jennifer L. Powers (Judith Scharli) of Chicago; sister, Kathleen P. Dolney; niece Meghan (Adam) DeLange; brother-in-law Ronald (Phyllis) Lipovich; niece Lesley Lipovich all of Ohio. He is also survived by many cousins. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents; brothers Martin J. Powers and Edward C. Powers; and sister Martha Sabol. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to: St. Joseph Catholic Church, Watervliet, Michigan; Edward C. Powers Memorial Scholarship Foundation; Paw Paw Lake Foundation, Inc.

Death Notices Patrick Callahan, 69, of Hartford died Sept. 12, 2019 at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph.

James H. Case, 69, of Sister Lakes died Sept. 10, 2019 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville.

Frances M. Hammer, 84, of Watervliet died Sept. 16, 2019 at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, St. Joseph.

Thomas G. Lafayette, Jr., 63, of Arizona, formerly of Benton Harbor, died Aug. 2, 2019. Fairview Memorial Cemetery, Watervliet.

Vivian N. Neff, 86, of Coloma, died Sept. 14, 2019 at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma.

Hans Schulz, 91, of Berrien Springs died Sept. 10, 2019 at Jenny’s Place in Berrien Springs. Heritage Chapel, Berrien Springs

Melissa Spica, 50, of Arizona, formerly of Coloma, died Feb. 15, 2019.