Joan B. (Shimer) Gernaat
Died Monday afternoon June 20, 2016. Joan was born June 5, 1936 in Watervliet, Michigan the eldest daughter of Earl and Ruth (O’Riley) Shimer. She resided in Portage most of her adult life and was employed by the Portage Public Schools for 39 years, retiring in 1997. Joan was also a long serving President of the Portage Education Association, holding that position for 19 years. Like her mother, she was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Being a very creative person, she was known for her ceramics and her poetry. She looked forward to time spent with friends, from her past coworkers from West Middle School to her ceramics classmates. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Kaye Smithley; and a brother-in-law, Roy Smithley. Joan is survived by 3 children, Deborah (David) Hughston of Canandaigua, NY, Catherine Gernaat of Kalamazoo, and Mark (Traci) Gernaat of Portage; 3 grandchildren, Sarah Hughston, and Sydne and Carter Gernaat; a brother, Earl “Chip” (Gwen) Shimer Jr. of St. Joseph, MI; and many very special nieces, nephews, and cousins. A memorial service will be held 1 o’clock Saturday, August 13 at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave. Friends may meet the family one hour prior to the service at the chapel. Private burial will take place at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Rose Arbor Hospice. Please visit Joan’s personalized webpage for directions, online guestbook, or to leave a condolence. www.langelands.com.
Walter E. Johnson
Walter E. Johnson, 86, of Coloma, passed away on August 7, 2016 at Pine Ridge Nursing Home in Stevensville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma. Burial with Military Rites will follow at Coloma Cemetery. Visitation took place Wednesday evening from 6 – 8 p.m. Memorial donations in Walter’s memory may be made to the Coloma American Legion. Those wishing to leave a message or share a memory with the family online may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com. Walter was born September 27, 1929 in Coloma to Emil and Demarius (Healy) Johnson. He graduated from Coloma High School prior to joining the U. S. Marines, where he proudly served his country during the Korean War. Upon returning to Coloma, Walter worked on the family centennial farm raising produce. In the off season, he worked at the Cook Nuclear Plant as a carpenter.Walter is survived by his daughter Pam (Rob) Darnell of Mound, MN; two brothers, Don (Jean) Johnson of Kalamazoo and Martin Johnson of Dallas, TX and one sister Sandra (Gordon) VanDrasek of Watervliet. Also surviving is a sister-in-law Dorothy Johnson and several special nieces and nephews, Keith, Susan, Jeffery, Sonja, Julie, Caroline, Deborah, Michelle and Daniel. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother Elwood Johnson; his niece Karen and his nephew Steven.
Death Notices
Joanne Bruff, 81, of Coloma died August 3, 2016 at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma. James Demis Sr., 87, of St. Joseph died August 2, 2016 at his home. Michelle White, 45, of Coloma died August 4, 2016 at home. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma. Joanne P. Bruff, 81, of Coloma died August 3, 2016 at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Jane Anne McKenzie, 94, of Coloma died August 6, 2016 at West Woods of Bridgman. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma. Dorothy “Dot” Bauschke, 76, of Sodus died August 5, 2016 at Royalton Manor, Royalton Township. Fairplain Chapel of Florin Funeral Service, Benton Harbor. Walter E. Johnson, 86, of Coloma died August 7,2016 at Pine Ridge Nursing Home of Stevensville. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma.
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