11-09-2017 Tri-City Area Obituaries

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CHARLENE WALTER

 Charlene’s life began December 18, 1936 in Benton Harbor, Michigan.  She grew up on her family’s farm in Twelve Corners, attended Martindale Elementary and graduated from St. John’s Catholic High School.

Charlene loved being a part of the farming community and spent her entire life living on one of two farms.  She worked for the USDA as a fruit and vegetable inspector for many years until retirement.  Charlene enjoyed her job and she was passionate about gardening, she had multiple gardens and grew fields of beautiful sunflowers.  Charlene also had a knack for indoor plants and enjoyed sharing them with everyone.  When she wasn’t working or tending to her plants Charlene took every opportunity to volunteer through the soup kitchen, her church St. Joseph Catholic in Watervliet, 4-H, or any where needed.  Charlene lived a beautiful life.

Charlene’s greatest joy was her loving family which includes her two children, James Joseph Walter and Victorin “Vicki” (John) Hyzny. She was super grandma to six grandchildren Katie, Elizabeth, Jolene, Jennifer, Tom and Mike; five great-grandchildren; a sister Margie (Jack) Herman; many brothers and sisters-in-law; several nieces and nephews; and countless friends.

Charlene died Friday, November 3, at Woodland Terrace of Paw Paw Lake in Coloma.  Her loving husband of 63 years James Walter, a brother Lawrence Schultz, and her parents Lawrence and Alice Schultz precede Charlene in death.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday, November 8, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Watervliet.  Burial followed in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made in Charlene’s memory to Sarett Nature Center or Carmelite Nuns of Iron Mountain Michigan.  You are invited to leave a message for Charlene’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com.

BARBARA L. GALE

 Barbara L. Gale passed away on November 5, 2017 at age 85.

Barbara was predeceased by her brother, Howard and her parents, Hyldred and Irving Gale.  She is survived by a number of cousins.

After receiving her Bachelor of Science from Wayne State University, her RN degree from Western Michigan Bronson Hospital School of Nursing and her Masters from University of Iowa, she worked as a Public Health Nurse for Berrien County Health Department.

Barbara was a resident of Coloma all her life.  She kept up with the activities of her extended family and looked forward to the Adams and Gale reunions.  For 30 years Barbara was the Secretary-Treasurer for the Adams-McKain family from Marcellus, MI which just had their 100th anniversary this summer.  Barbara was very pleased to be able to attend. Barbara was an active member of her church choir and also enjoyed volunteering in the church library.  Barbara enjoyed traveling and traveled to many places in the states including a car trip on the Alcan Highway with a friend to Alaska.  She also traveled to England and Costa Rica. The last few years she resided at Woodland Terrace in Coloma and was very appreciative of the excellent care.

Family will receive friends between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 at Midway Baptist Church, 7517 Red Arrow Hwy, Watervliet, prior to the 11:00 funeral. Burial will follow at the Coloma Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations to Midway Baptist Church or Michigan Heart Association would be appreciated. Arrangements have been handled by the Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service, Coloma. Please share memories, messages or photos at www.florin.net.

DENNIS GLENN ROOT

 Dennis Root, 50, of Otsego MI, passed away Oct. 20, 2017 after a long illness. Born Oct. 6, 1967, a graduate of Hartford High, Dennis lived much of his adult life in Hazel Park, MI where he was a supervisor in several areas of the auto foundry and prototype industry.

Dennis moved to Otsego in 2011 where he eventually worked in transportation at Allegan Schools. He had an extraordinary love for his son, fiancé, family, friends, music, animals and the CUBS.

Dennis is survived by his fiancé Kelly Trow, son Aaron, parents Jerry and Judy, brother Greg (Julie) all of Plainwell, sister Kim (Dan) Willoughby of Caledonia, several aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and a niece.

Graveside services were held Oct. 27 in Otsego with eulogies by his father, brother, sister, fiancé and best friend Jimi Williams of Hartford. In attendance were family, Hartford classmates, friends and numerous Allegan School coworkers.

Dennis will be remembered for his love of mUSiC, woodworking, cooking, his story telling wit, his passion for guitar and his ability to surround you with his hugs. He is sorely missed indeed.

Memorial donations can be made to Shelby’s Place, a resale shop to benefit Harbor Humane Society, 616-392-6050, at 12360 Felch St., Holland, MI 49424.

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DEBORAH MAY KREITNER

 Deborah May “Debbie” Kreitner, age 69, died Friday, November 3, 2017 at her home in Greenville.  She was born January 12, 1948 in Benton Harbor, the daughter of Harold and Brenda (Spearritt) Nitz.  On February 11, 1967, she married Wayne W. Kreitner.

Her beloved husband and best friend, Wayne preceded her in death on January 28, 2015.  She was also preceded in death by her brother, Dennis Nitz.

Debbie was an active part of the Greenville community.  She was a member of the Thalia Club and was very involved in the Montcalm County Commission on Aging.  One of the primary focuses of Debbie’s life was service in Lions Club.  She served in many local and district capacities, and was the current president of the Greenville Lions Club.  She was also a lifetime member of the Coloma Lioness Club.

She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  She will be deeply missed, especially by her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Julie Kreitner of Grand Rapids; precious grandson, Logan Kreitner; sisters, Margot (Butch) Mason and Ruth (Bob) Gearing; brother, Bruce (Leanne) Nitz; and siblings-in-law, Dale (Jeane) Kreitner and Debi Nitz.

A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 11, 2017 at Hurst Funeral Home, 1801 W. Washington Street, Greenville, MI with visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. prior to the service.  Rev. Jason Dillingham of the First Congregational Church of Greenville will serve as officiant.  Private interment in Coloma Cemetery will take place in the spring.

In Debbie’s honor, memorial contributions may be made to the Greenville Lions Club, and memories and messages of condolence may be shared at www.hurstfh.com.

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SHERMAN GENE HONEA Sr.

 Sherman Gene Honea Sr., 75, of Hartford passed away on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017.

Celebration of life will be held by the family at Lakeshore Christian Church, 5565 Washington Ave., St. Joseph, at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com.

Sherman was born July 29, 1942, in Ravenden Springs, AR, to the late Frank and Eva Honea. He had been retired for several years. He loved hunting and fishing back in the day. Several years back he found the love for karaoke, good old country music. He loved his old western movies, gardening and feeding the squirrels and birds. Most of all he loved his family and friends.

Sherman is survived by his beloved daughter Becky (Lew) Olsen; grandkids Amanda and Matt Mollett all of Stevensville, and Heather (Tony) Chesser of Baroda; beloved daughter Tammy Honea of Independence, MO; beloved son, Sherman (Jackie) Honea Jr.; grandson Tony of Paw Paw; sisters, Betty (Frank) Howart-Dockter, Estell Wilson of Hartford; brother, James Honea of Coloma; and many nieces and nephews.

Sherman was preceded in death by father, Frank Honea; mother, Eva Honea; and stepbrother Preston Honea.

Death Notices

 Mary Gay “Fay” Bassett, 54, of Lawrence Twp. died Oct. 17, 2017 at home. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford

Joseph Okay, 67, formerly of Watervliet died Oct. 29, 2017.

Meryl G. Cross, 95, of Lawrence died Nov. 7, 2017 at home. D.L. Miller Funeral Home, Bangor

Betty Lorraine “Lori” Cole Heuser, 58, of Hartford died Nov. 2, 2017 at home. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford