2-01-2018 Tri-City Area Obituaries

JAMES JOHN LULL

James “Jim” John Lull, age 96, of Bainbridge Twp. died January 27, 2018, in the comfort of his home, only 100 yards from the house where he was born on January 1, 1922. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Louise (Muth) Lull, and his brother Charles Lull Jr.

Jim attended Brick School, Watervliet High School, and Western Michigan College (University). He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a radar man on the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga CV-3. Jim was interested in and played many sports, attending games for his daughters, grandsons, and great-grandchildren. He was well known for being a great historian and maintained his memory of incidents and people throughout his lifetime. Jim was very active in his community which included being the Bainbridge Township Treasurer for 37 years. He had served on the Cribbs School Board, was an officer of the SW Michigan Growers Association, Post Commander of the Watervliet American Legion Post, and board member of the local Economics and Development Organization. Until his death, Jim was the longest standing member (77 years) of the Legion Post. He was extremely proud of our country and his military service, attending numerous ship-mate reunions with his wife Betty throughout the States. Jim was a fruit and vegetable farmer with his brother and parents. He was a 4-H leader for 18 years, sat on the 4-H Council for 16 years, was the outstanding 4-H leader for Berrien County in 1968; he was also a founding member of the Berrien County 4-H Foundation. Jim is survived by his wife of 75 years Elizabeth (Peters) Lull, daughters Mary Cooper and Jamie Walter, grandchildren Jason (Jeanne) Conkin, Daniel (Angelene) Conkin, and David Walter, as well as great-grandchildren Elizabeth (Nick) Israel, Lucas Walter, Ben Conkin, Jay Conkin, and Clare Conkin. Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 3 from 11:00 a.m. to noon at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet where funeral services will be celebrated at 12:00 noon. Burial will take place privately at Crystal Springs Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Memorials may be made in Jim’s memory to American Legion Post 362 or Hospice at Home. You are invited to share a memory with Jim’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com.

PAUL G. BACHMAN Paul G. Bachman, of Coloma, passed away on Saturday, December 9, 2017, with family by his side, at the residence of his daughter and son-in-law, Eleanor and William Wick of San Diego, CA, three days before his 94th birthday. His wife, Jeanette Runions Bachman of 70 years preceded him in death on July 23, 2017. Also preceded him in death were his parents, Milla (Scott) and Norman Bachman and his five brothers, Harry, Leo, Roy, John, and Norman Jr. Bachman.

Paul is survived by his sister Florence “Bunnie” Bock of Michigan; a daughter Eleanor (William) Wick of California; four grandchildren, Deana Goss of Michigan, Crystal (Fernando) Kenner of Arizona, Stacey (William) Colbert and John (Michelle) Wick of California. Also surviving are 11 great-grandchildren, Brad (Mishelle) Goss, Danielle Goss, Adrian Kenner, Jocelyn (JaMarhi) Lee, Olivia Kenner, Brandon, Travis and Trevor Colbert, Rylee, Tanner, and Tyler Wick; three great-great-grandchildren, Hunter and Maxwell Goss and Chase Caldwell and a special friend to the family, John Carrillo. Paul served in the Army Air Force as a Tech. Sgt. in WWII, where he flew a B-24 Aircraft, while serving his country. During this time he received a Bronze Star and other honorable medals. He was self-employed and retired as a professional home and interior painter. In his free time, he enjoyed working in the back woods of his property, making wood-working projects for his grandchildren and playing cards with family and friends. You could always count on Paul/Gpa to have a funny joke in his pocket to share with others. His celebration of life will be private and at the convenience of the family. He will be honored with a 21-gun salute at the Mira Mesa Military Cemetery in San Diego, CA and will be buried together with the love of his life, Jeanette Runions Bachman.

CONNIE JEAN (FREDRICKS) HAWKS Connie Jean (Fredricks) Hawks of Clarkston, formerly of Benton Harbor and Coloma; passed on to eternal life, January 27, 2018. Connie was born May 23, 1948 in Benton Harbor to Arthur and Elsie (Radke) Fredricks. Connie graduated from Coloma High School in 1966. She married Dale Arthur Hawks Sr. on July 15, 1967. They moved to Clarkston, Michigan in 1970 where they raised their three children and still live today. Connie will be remembered for the love and patience she had for her grandchildren. She enjoyed playing the slot machines at various casinos, and often she was very lucky. Connie also enjoyed watching Family Feud, other game shows and Blue Bloods. Her hobbies include collecting chicken knick knacks, spoons and toy monkeys. She took pride in her garden in Clarkston and enjoyed fishing at the “lake cottage” in Harrison. In her younger days she enjoyed bowling, playing softball and was active in her children’s lives as a cub scout den mother, girl scout troop leader, little league coach and boy scout fundraiser chairman and treasurer. Connie retired from Grand Blanc Printing in 2008 as a Bindery Supervisor. Connie is survived by her husband Dale of 50 years; three children Jeannie Hawks of Clarkston, Dale (Roxie) Hawks of Mt. Pleasant and Neil (Kathy) Hawks of Dacula, GA; six grandchildren Alissa (fiancé Logan Roth), Danielle, Zachary, Imani, Donovan and Julius; and one great-grandchild Rhiannon. Connie is also survived by her brothers and sisters Larry (Mary Jane) Fredricks, Robert Fredricks, Richey Losevs, Dale Fredricks, Walt (Nancy) Fredricks and Julie Ticknor. Also survived by, sister-in-law Margaret Fredricks, the late Judy (John) McCormick, Elaine (Bill) Sanford and many nieces, nephews and other extended family members. Connie was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Richard, Arthur Jr. and Donald. Funeral Service was held Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at Lewis E. Wint & Son Funeral Home, Clarkston. Interment was at Lakeview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Special Olympics of Michigan, P.O. Box 795, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804-0795. Online guest book is available at www.wintfuneralhome.com.

Death Notices William Earl Whitaker Jr., 55, of South Haven died Jan. 23, 2018 at home. Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service, Coloma Sue Duffy died Jan. 25, 2018 at Lakeland Hospital, Niles. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma Yamila “Mimi” Marie Scherer, 67, of Sister Lakes died Nov. 1, 2017.

Edward Schramm, 63, of St. Joseph died Jan. 26, 2018 at home. Starks & Menchinger Chapel, St. Joseph Kenneth James Dykstra, 64, of South Haven died Jan. 29, 2018 at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo. Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, South Haven