PAULA A. POOL

PAULA A. POOL

Paula A. Pool, 69, of Coloma, was born on Dec. 6, 1953, in Watervliet, Michigan. Paula passed away after a lengthy illness on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at her home.

Paula received a degree from Spring Arbor University in 2004 where she was also on the Dean’s List. She worked many years for the State of Michigan at the Department of Human Services in Van Buren County as an Intake Specialist. She attended Hartford General Baptist Church.

Paula was fun loving and loved Garth Brooks. She took much pleasure in raising her three granddaughters and particularity enjoyed watching them exceed at bowling.

Paula was married to the love of her life, John Pool in 1986 until his death in 2000. Paula is also preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Mildred Chambers, sister Verna Sue Tucker (Chambers) and nephew Andrew Chambers.

Paula is survived by her brother, Kenneth (Leslie) Chambers; one son, Corey (Melissa) Chambers; and three granddaughters, Abigail, Emily and Isabelle Chambers, plus various extended family members.

Viewing took place on Wednesday, July 19 at Calvin Funeral Home in Hartford. A graveside service is on Thursday, July 20 at 11 a.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery located in Hartford with Pastor Steve Bisbee officiating. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that any donations be made to the American Kidney Foundation.

KENNETH L. WENDZEL

Kenneth Lee Wendzel, 91, of Benton Harbor went to be with his Heavenly Father on July 14, 2023 while surrounded by his loving family.

Kenneth “Ken” was born on Nov. 28, 1931, in Watervliet to the late Robert and Pauline (Roekle) Wendzel. He was a lifelong resident of Bainbridge Township and graduated salutatorian from Watervliet High School in 1949. He attended Kalamazoo College for a year before he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952. He attended basic training at what is now Fort Gordon, in Georgia where he trained to be a radio operator. He was assigned to ship FS-212 in Fort Eustis, Virginia where he served until he was honorably discharged. After his discharge he farmed two years in partnership with his father and his brother Alton.

In 1956, he married Leola Weston, and they purchased an 80-acre farm where they raised their five children. During his lifetime he served as president of the Penn Yan grade school until it consolidated with Watervliet Public Schools. In 1960 Ken went back to college at Indiana University to study income tax preparation and proceeded to run his own tax consulting business for 42 years. For 20 years, he also worked summers as a field man for Greg Orchards and Coloma Frozen Foods. In 1977, he sold the farm in order to concentrate on his tax business.

Ken was elected a Berrien County commissioner in 1969 and served residents of his district for 30 years, including 20 years as chairman of the finance committee. As a commissioner, he worked to bring the Michigan State University Southwest Michigan Research and Extension to its current location in Berrien County. He also served as a member of the Berrien County Building Authority and was a lifelong member of Farm Bureau, as well as the Michigan State Horticultural Society.

A member of Salem Lutheran Church, Ken served as a Sunday school teacher as well as treasurer and president of the congregation. In 1981, he and his wife Leola transferred to Grace Lutheran Church where he served on the endowment committee and head usher for the 8 a.m. service. In his free time, he enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s activities and sporting events and also enjoyed playing golf and fishing with his brother Alton.

Ken is survived by his loving wife of nearly 67 years, Leola; daughters, Debra (Jerrold) Grieser of Benton Harbor, Lois Wendzel of Benton Harbor, Kimberlee (Douglas) Lane of Watervliet; twin sons Thomas (Nancy) Wendzel of Benton Harbor and Timothy (Kimberly) Wendzel of Rexburg, Idaho; brother Alton (Mildred) Wendzel of Watervliet; twelve grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Pauline Wendzel; brothers, Walter and Norman Wendzel; and sisters, Eleanor Klug, Luella Winkel and Virginia Brewer.

A visitation was held on July 19 at Starks Family Funeral Homes in St. Joseph. Pastor Joshua Bishop will officiate the Celebration of Life service on Thursday, July 20, 11 a.m., at Grace Lutheran Church, in St. Joseph. Military Rites will be conducted at the church by the North Berrien Military Rites Team, following the Celebration of Life. Those wishing to sign Ken’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church and Caring Circle of St. Joseph or North Berrien Senior Center in Coloma. The family would like to thank the staff at Woodland Terrace for the loving care Ken received during his stay.

BEVERLY M. HOADLEY (GOSS)

Beverly May Hoadley went home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 6, 2023, at the age of 91 years young.

She was a loving wife and mother, loved by so many who were drawn by her wit, wisdom, and warmth.

She is survived by her six children and spouses, Cindy McOsker (Kenneth McOsker), Jerry W. Hoadley Jr. (Loretta L. Hoadley), Debbie Griffis (David Griffis), Tammy Hoadley, Jeffery Allen Hoadley Sr., Lisa Thomas (Dan Thomas), and their many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Beverly was preceded in death by Jerry W. Hoadley Sr., her husband of over 50 years, as well as her parents, Leo and Madalon Goss, brother Hanky Goss, sister Doris Goss Davidson, and great-grandson Ross Schutze.

A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held Friday, July 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Oak Island United Methodist Church in San Antonio, TX.

The family kindly requests that no flowers be sent. Cards of condolence are welcomed. Any donations can be made in Mom’s name to either the American Cancer Society at https://www.cancer.org/donate/memorial-giving.html or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html.

Death notices

Denise Ginani, 60, of Coloma died July 14, 2023 at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph. Starks & Menchinger Chapel, St. Joseph

Rhonda Lee Dent, 62, of Stevensville died July 9, 2023. Starks & Menchinger Chapel, St. Joseph

Eric S. Kreitner Sr., 53, of Benton Harbor died July 7, 2023 at home. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma

JoAnn Marsala, 85, formerly of Riverside, died April 13, 2020 in Long Island, NY. Mount Pleasant Cemetery Association, Center Moriches, NY