May 7, 1935 — May 3, 2017

Vernon O. Nothdurft, 81, of Dowagiac, passed away after a long illness on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, at his home.

A celebration of life service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 6, 2017, at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac, with Pastor Jeffrey Weber officiating. Burial will follow in Mission Hills Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 5, 2017, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Great Lakes Caring Hospice, 6120 Stadium Drive, Ste. 100, Kalamazoo, MI 49009, or to St. John’s Lutheran Church of Dowagiac, where Vernon was a member. Those wishing to sign Vern’s guestbook may do so online at clarkch.com.

Vern was born May 7, 1935, in Watervliet, to Raymond and Gladys (Seel) Nothdurft.

He graduated from Watervliet High School in 1953.

On Aug. 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 a broken clock to roof repair. He took great pride in his meticulous garden. Vern loved spending time with his family, watching NASCAR races, Michigan State games and Western films. 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, John (Jamie) Krohne of Dowagiac and Mark Nothdurft of St. Joseph; daughters Tammy (Nothdurft) Walters of Zeeland, Michigan, Lori (Casey) Cauffman of Three Rivers and Lisa (Lennie) Slack of Eau Claire; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren (with a 10th on the way); and sister Marilyn Kraklau of Sodus.

He was preceded in death by his parents.