Vernon Nothdurft

Vernon O. Nothdurft, 81, of Dowagiac, passed away, Wednesday, May 3, 2017, at his home after a long illness.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, May 6, 2017, at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac, MI with Pastor Jeffrey Weber officiating. Burial will follow at Mission Hills Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., Friday, May 5, 2017 at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions can be made to Great Lakes Caring Hospice, 6120 Stadium Dr., Suite 100, Kalamazoo MI 49009 or to the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Dowagiac, where Vernon was a member. Those wishing to sign Vern’s guestbook may do so online at www.clarkch.com.  Vern was born on May 7, 1935, in Watervliet, MI to Raymond and Gladys (Seel) Nothdurft. He graduated from Watervliet High School in 1953. On August 30, 1968 he married Patricia M. (Cooke) Krohne in Cassopolis. Vern worked at Heath Company, prior to Retiring from Rudys/Sunstrand/National Copper/Modine in 1999. Vern was known for being able to fix anything from broken clocks to repairing a roof. He took great pride in his meticulous garden. Vern loved spending time with his family, watching NASCAR Races, Michigan State Games and Western’s. He also enjoyed attending Watervliet high School Football games with his best friend Jim Danneffel in his later years.  Vern is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Nothdurft of Dowagiac; sons, Gary Nothdurft of San Francisco, CA, John (Jamie) Krohne of Dowagiac, MI and Mark Nothdurft of St. Joseph, MI; daughters, Tammy (Nothdurft) Walters of Zeeland, MI, Lori (Casey) Cauffman of Three Rivers, MI and Lisa (Lennie) Slack of Eau Claire, MI; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren (a 10th on the way); sister, Marilyn Kraklau of Sodus, MI.  He was preceded in death by his parents.