12-13-2018 Tri-City Area Obituaries

WAYNE HEDMAN Wayne Hedman, 83, of St. Joseph passed away Monday, December 10, 2018 at Caretel Inns of Lakeland. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 17, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 609 Court St., St. Joseph with Pastor Michael Roth officiating. A private burial will follow at Millburg Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church in Wayne’s name. Those wishing to share a memory of Wayne online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Wayne was born September 26, 1935 in Evanston, IL. It is there that he met a young registered nurse who would become his wife of 59 years, Edythe Scheffler. The young couple moved to southwest Michigan with two children in tow, where they stayed and called it home with the addition of two more boys. Wayne worked for Yeske Appliance Company, was a fleet manager for Michigan Fruit Canners Corporation and ultimately retired from LECO Corporation. He was a quiet man of faith who found joy in his wife, children, and grandchildren along with his love of nature and the University of Michigan and Michigan State sports teams. Wayne is survived by his wife Edythe Hedman; brother Robert (Jill) of Northbrook, IL; sons, Wayne (Kim) of St. Joseph, Brett (Lisa) of Bainbridge Twp., Mike (Amy) of Arlington, Texas and Bron (Jackie) of Sacramento, CA; grandchildren, Kristyn (Dustin) Rose, Bailey Hedman, Kelsey Hedman, Max Hedman and Paul Hedman; and many nieces and nephews. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Helmer and Olga (Stack) Hedman of Evanston, IL; brothers, Curt (Rita) of Livonia, MI, and Ted (Charlotte) of Littleton, CO.

JAMES A. KOLOSOWSKY James A. Kolosowsky, 90, of Watervliet, passed away at Lakeland Hospital in Niles on Wednesday, December 5, 2018. James was born on January 6, 1928, to the late Alex and Rose Kolosowsky in Watervliet, Michigan. After graduating from St. Joseph High School in 1946, Jim went on to become a mechanical engineer. He worked for several companies in the area including Clark Equipment. While working at Clark he met Eileen Hutchison and the two wed July 25, 1964. Together they enjoyed 54 wonderful years together. They spent their time farming and raising their three children.

He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife, Eileen Kolosowsky; children, Karen (Randy) Palmiter, James Jr. (Melanie) Kolosowsky, Andrew Kolosowsky; grandchildren, Maggie, Maddie, and James III; siblings, Julius Kolosowsky, Virginia Lis, and Alex Kolosowsky; and many extended family members and close friends. In keeping with the family’s wishes Jim has been cremated and his family will be remembering him privately. A memorial will take place at a later date. Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.

JOHN ERLAND OBERMESIK Jr. John Erland Obermesik Jr. was born May 24, 1961 in Watervliet, one of four children born to John Sr. and Donna (Wismer) Obermesik, both of whom precede him in passing. John passed away suddenly at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph on Friday, December 7, 2018 at the age of 57. On July 6, 1982 John was united in marriage with Tami Walker. He was currently employed at Vail Rubber for five years, worked for Quality Packaging for over twenty years and for JVIS Manufacturing. John loved being outdoors, especially when he was hunting, fishing and working in his yard. He was a real jokester, was a little league coach for over ten years, however, his most precious time was spent with his wife and son.

The family welcomed friends on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at the Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford. A celebration of life service to honor John’s memory was on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at the funeral home, with Les Sexton officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society. Memorial condolences for the family can be left at www.calvin-leonardfh.com. John is survived by his wife, Tami; a son, Nicholas (Allison) Obermesik of Benton Harbor; two sisters, Patricia (Dan) McKean, Linda (Bob) Kling; and a brother, David Obermesik, all of Hartford; along with numerous other family members and friends.

ALICE M. KERSTETTER Alice M. Kerstetter, age 102, of Coloma died Friday, November 23, 2018, at the Willows in Royalton Township. Services celebrating her life were held on Tuesday, Nov. 27, at the Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Coloma. Burial followed in Coloma Cemetery. Alice was born on Oct. 17, 1916 to Don and Nora Northrup. She married her husband, Victor Kerstetter, on June 30, 1939 and he preceded her in death on Aug. 20, 1991. Together they celebrated 52 years of marriage. Alice was employed for many years as a technical illustrator at Heath Company. She was a former member of the Coloma Christian Science Church. She enjoyed oil painting, gardening, crocheting, and sewing. She always did her best on everything she did. Alice was honest and upright and she was willing to help everyone. Her family includes her daughter, Kaye Kerstetter, of Coloma and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Welland, and her sisters, Olive, Harriet, and Helen. Death Notices Sandra Lou Hale, 67, of Stevensville died Dec. 1, 2018 at home. Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, South Haven Anna Leitz, 87, of Niles died Dec. 7, 2018. Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Niles Phyllis Jeanne (Siler) Logan, 87, of Watervliet died Dec. 7, 2018 at home. Purely Cremations – Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Benton Harbor James Louis Mayes, 74, of Hartford died Dec. 8, 2018 at home. Hutchins Funeral Home, Watervliet Junior Bogart, 85, of Hartford died Dec. 11, 2018. Hutchins Funeral Home, Watervliet Terry Romeo, 72, of Buchanan died Dec. 6, 2018. Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, Niles