James "Jim" Michael Rodell, 74, of Eau Claire, passed away at his home on Dec. 2, 2020. Jim was born in Benton Harbor to the late Victor and Leota (Robinson) Rodell. He grew up in Eau Claire, graduating from Eau Claire High School in 1965. He also attended Lake Michigan College. He worked for IBM and Kodak as a customer service representative, retiring after nearly 25 years. After retirement he worked for Berrien RESA as a driver license tester, and later was shop manager at Berrien Buggy in Berrien Springs. Jim was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in April 1970 after serving in Germany and Vietnam. He enjoyed woodworking, riding motorcycles, decorating for Halloween and time spent...

Priscilla Demske, 92, of Eau Claire, passed away peacefully with family by her side on June 27, 2020, at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville. Due to COVID-19, a private family gathering will take place at a future date. Online messages may be shared at www.bowermanfuneral.com. Memorial donations may be made to Hanson Hospice Center. A special thank you to all the staff at Hanson for keeping her safe and pain free. Priscilla's deep faith in God always carried her through life's troubled times. She was a kind-hearted, hard-working "farmerette". She and Art, along with daughter Kim, grew many fruits and vegetables and sold them to the patrons of the South Bend market for 48 years. She was...

Virginia Elizabeth Michael Martin, 90, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at Spectrum Health Lakeland-Niles. She was born July 15, 1929, in Eau Claire to Albert and Elizabeth ("Lizzie" Zech) Michael. As a young girl Virginia attended Maple Grove one-room school and later graduated from Eau Claire High School. After high school she went to nurses' training in Detroit and Chicago for a short time. In lieu of a nursing career, she married Henry Thomas Martin on August 8, 1948, and went to work as a secretary, spending most of her career with Packard Industries in Niles. Hank and Virginia had 59 wonderful years together until his passing in 2007. "Ginny" was never one to let...

Vicky J. Clayton, 61, of Berrien Center, died Sunday, April 12, 2020 at Spectrum Health Lakeland in St. Joseph. Private graveside services will be held, with a public Memorial Service at a later date. Online memories and messages may be left for the family at www.bowermanfuneral.com. Donations in Vicky's name may be made to the National Kidney Foundation. Vicky was born April 9, 1959 in Midland, Mich., the youngest of nine children of Robert and Aletha (Carrigan) Card. She earned a Bachelor's degree from Andrews University, and she married Mark Clayton March 9, 1986 in Eau Claire. She dedicated her life to raising their son and caring for her family. Vicky enjoyed gardening, the beach, and...

Sterling E. Bailey, 95, of Eau Claire, died Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, at Forest Glen Assisted Living in Dowagiac. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at Bowerman Funeral Home, Eau Claire, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Caldwell Cemetery, Eau Claire. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Online messages www.bowermanfuneral.com. Sterling was born Sept. 6, 1924, in Keeler, Mich., the son of Sterling R. and Eda (Zech) Bailey. He graduated from Dowagiac Union High School in 1944, and he married Beatrice (Stockwell) Bailey on Aug. 29, 1944. Sterling served his country with the Merchant Marines, and he owned and operated...

Gerald Lee Keesler, 76, also known as JK or Jerry to his friends, passed away Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019 in South Bend. Jerry was born July 30, 1943 in Cassopolis to Lloyd and Leta (Playford) Keesler. He resided in Dowagiac and married Linda Eileen (Huston) Keesler in 1978. Jerry owned and operated JK Enterprises where he hauled livestock, which was truly a passion for him. He also enjoyed visiting the casino, riding motorcycles and visiting with friends. He was one of five children and was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Linda; and sister, Jeanette (Keesler) Allen of Dowagiac. He is survived by siblings: Loretta (Keesler) Misicsh of Dowagiac, Mary Lou (Keesler) Toy of...

Stephen Hartman, 77, of Berrien Center, died Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at West Woods of Bridgman. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 29, at Bowerman Funeral Home in Eau Claire, where friends are invited to visit beginning at noon. Memorial donations may be made to Caring Circle Hospice, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Online memories may be shared at www.bowermanfuneral.com. Stephen worked as a pipefitter for AM General in Mishawaka.