Barbara Ellen Latchaw
March 7th, 1936 - December 31st, 2022
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Barbara's Obituary
Barbara Ellen (Koerner) Latchaw passed away at the Holland Hospital on December 31, 2022 at 3:35 pm at the age of 86 due to complications of diabetes. She loved our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and believed in him with all her heart.
Barb’s life began on March 7, 1936, born in Joliet, Illinois, the second child born to parents Jacob Henry II Koerner and Alice (Shafer) Fitzgerald Koerner. She grew up in Pearl, Michigan and attended Pearl and Fennville Schools.
She met and married George Milton Latchaw upon his returning from Korea on September 18, 1953 and they shared 56 years of marriage before his passing on December 6, 2009 from stomach cancer. Together they owned and operated a large fruit farm and grew all kinds of fruit and vegetables and crops. They also raised chickens, turkeys, pork and beef. She was a true “Farm Gal” at heart and not afraid to milk the cows, actually enjoying it. We always had fresh milk, handmade butter and real whipped cream! She loved baking/cooking/canning and had the fresh fruits, vegetables and meat they raised to do it. We would not be able to count how many pies she made in her lifetime. She also enjoyed going to the Holland and Allegan Farmer’s Markets, where they were one of the first vendors on the market and they did this for many years, where they sold the fruit and vegetables they raised on their farm.
Together they had 6 children: Barbara Ann (Leister W. II) Perrin, George James (Laura) Latchaw, Thomas Brian (Regina) Latchaw Sr, Judy Lynn Latchaw, Deborah Marie (Bill) Saintz and Ruth Ellen (Michael) Zuroske all of Pullman, MI.
The couple had 19 Grandchildren: Leister William III Perrin, James Milton Perrin, Richard Duane Perrin, Travis Paul Latchaw, Mary Coon, Jimmy Latchaw, George James Latchaw, Amanda Nead, April Manikham, Christine Sisson, Thomas Brian Latchaw Jr., Ashley Latchaw, Billy Latchaw, Hayley Saintz, Ryan Saintz, Shanice Bosombath, Morgan Zuroske and twins Bailey and Hayden Zuroske. Also are 47 great- grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
Barbara is survived by four daughters: Barbara Perrin, Judy Latchaw, Deborah Saintz and Ruth Zuroske and one son: Thomas Latchaw Sr., all of Pullman, MI.; a sister: Alice Farage Ludlow of Grand Rapids, MI., one brother-in-law: Russel (Cathy) Latchaw and sister-in-law: Mary Latchaw of Pullman, with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, cousins, nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband: George Milton Latchaw (12-06-2009), a son: George James Latchaw (10-28-1990), brothers: John Fitzgerald Koerner in infancy, at birth, and Russel Eldon Koerner.
Also deceased are 14 half siblings from her father’s first marriage, sisters: Helen Hornan, Anna and Clara Koerner, Elizabeth Bode, Marion Paul, Dorothy Ostafin, brothers: Jacob Henry III, Lawrence, Harry, Donald, Kenneth, Elmer, Richard and William John Koerner in infancy, at birth, all from Illinois.
Plus deceased are 2 half siblings from her mother, Alice Marie (Shafer) Fitzgerald Koerner’s first marriage, sisters: Margaret Irene (Fitzgerald) Miene from Pearl and June Elaine (Fitzgerald) Crowner Spitsbergen from Grandville, MI. Her father had 18 biological children (of which 16 survived to adulthood) and 2 stepchildren. Mom was next to the youngest of these 18 children.
Visitation will be Tuesday, January 3, 2023 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm with a Celebration of Life Service to follow starting at 2:00 at the Casco United Methodist Church (corner of 66th St. & 109th Ave.) South Haven, MI., with Reverend David Meister officiating. Burial will take place at McDowell Cemetery on 107th Avenue. Following is a luncheon at the church and all are invited.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel of Starks Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 269-637-0333.
Barb’s life began on March 7, 1936, born in Joliet, Illinois, the second child born to parents Jacob Henry II Koerner and Alice (Shafer) Fitzgerald Koerner. She grew up in Pearl, Michigan and attended Pearl and Fennville Schools.
She met and married George Milton Latchaw upon his returning from Korea on September 18, 1953 and they shared 56 years of marriage before his passing on December 6, 2009 from stomach cancer. Together they owned and operated a large fruit farm and grew all kinds of fruit and vegetables and crops. They also raised chickens, turkeys, pork and beef. She was a true “Farm Gal” at heart and not afraid to milk the cows, actually enjoying it. We always had fresh milk, handmade butter and real whipped cream! She loved baking/cooking/canning and had the fresh fruits, vegetables and meat they raised to do it. We would not be able to count how many pies she made in her lifetime. She also enjoyed going to the Holland and Allegan Farmer’s Markets, where they were one of the first vendors on the market and they did this for many years, where they sold the fruit and vegetables they raised on their farm.
Together they had 6 children: Barbara Ann (Leister W. II) Perrin, George James (Laura) Latchaw, Thomas Brian (Regina) Latchaw Sr, Judy Lynn Latchaw, Deborah Marie (Bill) Saintz and Ruth Ellen (Michael) Zuroske all of Pullman, MI.
The couple had 19 Grandchildren: Leister William III Perrin, James Milton Perrin, Richard Duane Perrin, Travis Paul Latchaw, Mary Coon, Jimmy Latchaw, George James Latchaw, Amanda Nead, April Manikham, Christine Sisson, Thomas Brian Latchaw Jr., Ashley Latchaw, Billy Latchaw, Hayley Saintz, Ryan Saintz, Shanice Bosombath, Morgan Zuroske and twins Bailey and Hayden Zuroske. Also are 47 great- grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
Barbara is survived by four daughters: Barbara Perrin, Judy Latchaw, Deborah Saintz and Ruth Zuroske and one son: Thomas Latchaw Sr., all of Pullman, MI.; a sister: Alice Farage Ludlow of Grand Rapids, MI., one brother-in-law: Russel (Cathy) Latchaw and sister-in-law: Mary Latchaw of Pullman, with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, cousins, nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband: George Milton Latchaw (12-06-2009), a son: George James Latchaw (10-28-1990), brothers: John Fitzgerald Koerner in infancy, at birth, and Russel Eldon Koerner.
Also deceased are 14 half siblings from her father’s first marriage, sisters: Helen Hornan, Anna and Clara Koerner, Elizabeth Bode, Marion Paul, Dorothy Ostafin, brothers: Jacob Henry III, Lawrence, Harry, Donald, Kenneth, Elmer, Richard and William John Koerner in infancy, at birth, all from Illinois.
Plus deceased are 2 half siblings from her mother, Alice Marie (Shafer) Fitzgerald Koerner’s first marriage, sisters: Margaret Irene (Fitzgerald) Miene from Pearl and June Elaine (Fitzgerald) Crowner Spitsbergen from Grandville, MI. Her father had 18 biological children (of which 16 survived to adulthood) and 2 stepchildren. Mom was next to the youngest of these 18 children.
Visitation will be Tuesday, January 3, 2023 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm with a Celebration of Life Service to follow starting at 2:00 at the Casco United Methodist Church (corner of 66th St. & 109th Ave.) South Haven, MI., with Reverend David Meister officiating. Burial will take place at McDowell Cemetery on 107th Avenue. Following is a luncheon at the church and all are invited.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel of Starks Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 269-637-0333.
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