ELLEN M. PIGGOTT-VIA

Ellen M. Piggott-Via, 88, of Watervliet, passed away, Friday, May 29, 2026, at Woodland Terrace of Paw Paw Lake in Coloma.

A Celebration of Life Service will be planned and announced. Inurnment will take place at Riverview Cemetery Columbarium. Arrangements are entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel in St. Joseph. Those wishing to sign Ellen’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Ellen was born Nov. 7, 1937, in Benton Harbor to John and Lillian Weber. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School, Class of 1955 before earning her cosmetology license from Twin City Beauty College. After graduation, she married her first husband and they raised three children together living in Coloma and Watervliet.

Ellen owned and operated Riverview Beauty Salon on Riverview Drive in Benton Harbor for many years. Later in life, Ellen met her second husband Mike. Together they started their adventures of moving around. They started in Cincinnati, then North Carolina, Arkansas, Alabama, and lastly South Carolina. She returned to Michigan in 2019 to be closer to her family. Ellen cherished the time spent with her loving family and many friends and her many canine companions over the years.

Ellen is survived by her children Sally (Jeff) Brock of Cheraw, SC, Jean (Mike) Litaker of Watervliet, Steve Piggott of Watervliet; step-children Karen (Dean) Noggle and Linda (Bob) Johnston; ten grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; step grand and great-grandchildren; and her sister Jeannette Jeffery.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Thomas Piggott, her second husband Michael Via, and a great-granddaughter Ava Litaker.