Clark Chapel

Wanda M. Leets, 92, formerly of Dowagiac, passed away Tuesday morning, April 16, 2024, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital in Niles, MI. She was born on October 7, 1931, in South Bend, IN, the daughter of the late Frank and Mary (Misztal) Szymczyk. On November 17, 1951, Wanda was united in marriage to Donald E. Leets in South Bend, who passed away May 13, 1979. Wanda grew up in South Bend, IN as one of six children. Her sisters and brother were Helen Dybala, Joan Stuglik, Alice Szymczak, Ted Szymczyk, Evelyn Herman, and many nieces and nephews dear to her heart. Her Catholic faith was the foundation of her beautiful life. Her grandparents and parents were Polish immigrants that moved to...

Michael "Smitty" Smith, 73, of Dowagiac, passed away Monday, April 8, 2024, with family. He was born on September 2, 1950, in Adiran, MI. Smitty enjoyed attending rock concerts, playing horseshoes and shooting pool. He was an avid NASCAR fan and a devoted fan of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide sports. Roll Tide!! Smitty loved driving the many Harley-Davidson motorcycles he has owned over the years. Surviving are his son - Randy (Peggie) Smith; grandchildren - Jason Weber-Smith, Tori Cook, Nicholas (Tristan) Weber-Smith, Ashley Smith and Olivia Weber-Smith; nine great-grandchildren; and aunt - Barb Baines. Preceding him in death were his father - Dallard K. Smith; mother and...

The Lord put Bruce W. LaRock to rest at home on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Bruce's life journey began on June 28, 1952, born to his parents Erwin Joseph and Bernadette Loretta LaRock in Flint, Michigan. Bruce and Deborah Gunyan were married on August 14, 2004. They joined their families into one with a love like no other. Bruce was a one of a kind Michigan outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing to his core. He waited all winter for the ice to be just thick enough. Before winter's end, he was already talking about the morels and sheds that he was sure to find. Survivors of Bruce's extraordinary family include his wife - Deborah; six children - Harold LaRock, Erich Gebhard, Andy Dazell,...

Graveside service will be at 3:00pm on Tuesday, April 9, at Crane Cemetery, 52965 Decatur Rd, Decatur. Arrangements by Clark Chapel, Dowagiac. A complete obituary is available at www.clarkch.com.

Edith (Tootie) was born in Dowagiac to Matilda and Henry Leitke. She was the youngest of four (4) children. Her sister, Gunda, passed away as a baby. Edith was of German descent and was raised speaking both German and English languages. On September 28, 1946, she married the love of her life. Robert H. Willis. In her younger years, she worked as a nurse's aide at Lee Memorial Hospital - which later, in her retirement years she returned as a volunteer in the gift shop. Throughout her adult life, she worked at Ray's Drive-In, CVS and Harding's Friendly Market. Finding time always to raise their three (3) children and to plant, tend and market their prize tomatoes. She is survived by her...

Debra L. Wood, 64, a lifelong resident of Dowagiac, passed away on Friday afternoon, March 29, 2024, at Cass County Medical Care Facility in Cassopolis, following a lifelong battle with Chron's disease. She was born on July 16, 1959, in Dowagiac, the daughter of Edward and Monna (Vandenburg) Corwin. Debbie was a 1977 graduate of Dowagiac Union High School. She continued her education earning an associate degree from Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac. Debbie worked as a medical transcriptionist for Borgess Heath Systems and Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac. Surviving are two sons - Tyler (Samantha) Wood of Manistique and Zachary Wood of Dowagiac; father: Ed Corwin; sister -...

Betty Ann McWilliams, 87, of Dowagiac, passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Buchanan Meadows Assisted Living facility after a long illness with Alzheimer's Disease. Betty was born in Chicago, IL on November 15, 1936, to Leo and Edith Rasmussen. Leo and Edith moved their family to Dowagiac in 1944. She was preceded in death by her sister Judy in 2017. The Rasmussen family home was on the corner of Colby St. and Marcellus Highway in Dowagiac. Mom and her sister Judy would walk and take the bus to the Oak Street School (now Justus Gage Elementary). Eventually graduating from Dowagiac High School in 1954. During high school Betty worked part-time at Heddon's. Which was a time when...

Richard Curtis Atkinson, 83, of Dowagiac, MI, passed away on Monday, March 25, 2024. Richard was born on August 26, 1940, in Dubuque, Iowa, to Burton and Virginia (Rittenhouse) Atkinson. He graduated from Dubuque High School in 1958 and moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with his family in the early 1960s, where he worked as a cabinet maker. Richard met his future wife, Audrey Bruce, at the 1963 Calgary Stampede. A few months later, Richard received his United States Army draft notice. As a resident of Canada at the time, Richard had to leave Audrey behind and return to the U.S. Richard was drafted in October 1963 and completed his basic training in Fort Gordon, Georgia, before returning...

Rosemary J. Sprague, 95, a lifelong resident of Dowagiac, passed away Thursday morning, March 21, 2024, at Corewell Health Niles Hospital in Niles, Michigan. She was born on June 18, 1928, in Dowagiac, the daughter of William and Hazel (Moore) Trowbridge. Rosemary was a 1946 graduate of Dowagiac High School. She continued her education and earned her bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Michigan in 1950. On June 30, 1950, Rosemary was united in marriage to Robert D. Sprague. She taught music in six rural schools before the schools were annexed into the Dowagiac school system. Rosemary also taught private piano lessons at her home for several years. She was a...

Patricia Hippensteel, 56, of Dowagiac, passed away early Tuesday morning, March 19, 2024, at her home. Patty was born on February 21, 1968, in Niles, MI, the daughter of Herbert and Thelma (Britton) Disterheft. She was a 1986 graduate of Dowagiac Union High School, and she also earned her Associate degree from Southwestern Michigan College. On September 6, 1997, Patty was united in marriage to Jeffrey Hippensteel. She was employed at Myers Super Valu Grocery in Sister Lakes for 12 years. Surviving are her husband of 26 years - Jeff Hippensteel; two children - Tyler Hippensteel and Sarah Hippensteel; two brothers - Gary (Debbie) Disterheft and Larry (Diane) Disterheft; sister - Judy...

Richard 'Dick' Kroepel, 92, of Dowagiac, peacefully passed away in his sleep on Sunday evening, March 17, 2024, at White Oaks Assisted Living in Lawton. He was born on June 20, 1931, in Dublin, MI, the son of the late Arthur and Alice (Nanninga) Kroepel. He enlisted in the US Army in 1948 and was honorably discharge in 1952. On May 30, 1953, Dick was united in marriage to Genevieve 'Genny' Cochrane. In 1974, they built their dream home on Peavine St. and lived there until moving to the White Oaks Assisted Living in Lawton, MI in 2020. Surviving are three children - Laura (Skip) Magee of Three Rivers, Linda (Gary) Craft of Holland and Laird "Larry" Kroepel of Kalamazoo; six grandchildren -...

Donna Louise (Parish) Grover, 81, Cassopolis Mi., passed away on March 16th, 2024 after a year-long battle with cancer. Born January 1, 1943, to Willard Don "Bill" and Gladys Dora (Britton) Parish of Dowagiac, Michigan, Donna was born and lived most of her life in Dowagiac. On October 3, 1959 Donna was united in marriage to Charles Eugene "Joe" Grover in Benton Harbor, MI. Donna and Joe celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in October, 2023. Donna was baptized at Pleasant View Church of Christ in March of 1983. Donna worked many years as a chairside dental assistant beginning her career at Dr. Smith's in Dowagiac until he retired, then for Dr. Burling and Dr. Gillette in Dowagiac. She...

Louise McNelly of St. Joseph, Michigan passed away at Caretel Inns St. Joseph on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the age of 95. A celebration of Louise's wonderful life will be held later in the Summer or Fall of 2024, with a Luncheon Reception to follow. The family requests any Memorial contributions be made to the Dowagiac Historical Museum or the Dowagiac Public Library. Arrangements were entrusted to Clark Chapel and Cremation Services -Starks Family Funeral Homes. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.clarkch.com. Louise was born on the Family Farm in Davis County, Iowa, on a snowy frigid winter day; February 16, 1929, to Wilbur Ross and Vera Larue (Stookesberry)...

Lori J. Schur, 64, of Mishawaka, formerly of Edwardsburg, MI, passed away early Monday morning, February 26, 2024, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka. She was born on January 22, 1960, in Dowagiac, the daughter of Lenard and Joyce (Gould) Schur. Lori was a 1978 graduate of Edwardsburg High School and graduate of Bethel College in Mishawaka. She enjoyed vacationing, especially the cruises and the beaches. She loved animals and had parakeets in her home for many years. Lori was very crafty and, also enjoyed entertaining and shopping. But mostly, she loved spending time with her family and friends. Surviving are her sister - Julie Smith and many extended family. Preceding her...

Services will be at 5:00 PM, Thursday, February 29, at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St, Dowagiac, with visitation from 3-5 PM. For a complete obituary please visit www.clarkch.com.

Visitation will be from 5-7pm on Friday, February 23 at Clark Chapel and Cremation Services, 405 Center St, Dowagiac. For a complete obituary please visit www.clarkch.com.

Robert Carol Elsey, 96, of Marcellus, passed away on Friday, February 16, 2024, with his family at his side. A celebration of life service will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at Calvary Bible Church, 27032 Marcellus Hwy., Dowagiac, MI. Interment will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery, Marcellus. Visitation will take place from 5-8 pm on Tuesday, February 20, at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac. Memorial contributions in Robert's name may be made to Calvary Bible Church. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.clarkch.com. Robert was born on January 15, 1928, to Harvey and Christine (Cowham) Elsey in Dowagiac. He graduated from Marcellus High School...

Jeffery D. Hartman, 62, a lifelong resident of Dowagiac, passed away Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, MI. He was born on March 3, 1961, in Dowagiac, the son of the late Kenneth Hartman and Mable (Krager) Hartman. Jeff was a 1979 graduate of Dowagiac Union High School. He was employed by Michiana Metal Fabrication in Elkhart, IN for many years. Jeff was an avid outdoorsman who especially enjoyed his time on his boat on the water. Surviving is his significant other Karen Bauer; sons - Aaron, Derrek and Kyle Hartman; ten grandchildren - Andrew Hartman, Payton Hirata, Skylee Hartman, Mae Hartman, Wyatt Hartman, Emma Gibson, Eli Hartman, Autumn...

A Memorial Gathering will be held from 2:00pm-5:00pm, Sunday, March 3 at Clark Chapel and Cremation, 405 Center St, Dowagiac. For a complete obituary please visit at www.clarkch.com.

Judith A. Hurle, 79, of Marcellus, passed away on Monday, January 29, 2024, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was born on March 30, 1944, in South Haven, the only child of Paul and Clara (Lietz) Skinner. On October 25, 1990, Judy was married to Leonard Hurle. She was a longtime member of Federated Church in Dowagiac since 1983, where she was active in many church activities, including singing in the choir. In her spare time, Judy enjoyed cross-stitching. Surviving are her husband of 33 years - Leonard Hurle; four step-children - Barry (Brenda) Underwood, Robert (Kay) Underwood, Phyllis (Harry) Sponseller and Mary Shoemaker; and numerous step-grandchildren and...

Joseph I. Garski, 78, of Eau Claire, MI, passed away Sunday afternoon, January 28, 2024, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, Indiana, with his family by his side. He was born on September 8, 1945, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, the only child of Irving H. and Eulah E. (Brant) Garski. Joe attended Benton Harbor Schools and was a 1964 graduate of Benton Harbor High School. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force serving almost 3 years until his honorable discharge in 1967. On September 14, 1968, Joe was united in marriage to Nancy Clark in Dowagiac, MI. Upon returning from the Air Force, Joe returned home and joined the St. Joseph Police Dept. as a full-time officer...