Carol Ann Waterlander
September 2nd, 1944 - March 29th, 2026
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Carol's Obituary
Carol Ann Waterlander, 82, formerly of Watervliet, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at Royalton Manor in Saint Joseph. She was born September 2, 1944 in Cass County, MI and adopted and raised by Guy and Helen Shellenbarger, in Decatur Michigan.
The family will celebrate Carol’s life at 11am, Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Newell Chapel, 83313 M-51, Decatur, with visiting time a half hour prior. Interment to follow at Harrison Cemetery, Decatur. Memorial contributions may be given to LADD, Inc., www.laddinc.net or 300 Whitney St., Dowagiac, MI 49047. Carol Ann’s son, Scott, is a resident at the LADD home in Niles, MI.
Carol Ann was a 1962 graduate of Decatur High School, where she met and fell in love with Samuel Waterlander. He went to serve as Private First Class in the US Marine Corps from 1961 to 1965. After his military discharge , happy engagement and wedding plans were made. They were married on July 18, 1966 at the First Reformed Church in Decatur Michigan. They made their home in Watervliet. Carol Ann worked as a secretarial staff member of the Berrien County Department of Social Services from 1963 to 1972. In August, 1972 they welcomed the birth of a son, Scott Allan Waterlander. Carol Ann then took the role of the traditional home maker. Her hobbies were reading, crossword puzzles, and word games. Samuel worked for 25 years on the custodial staff at the Dowagiac Public Schools before his retirement.
On January 13, 2021, Carol Ann and Scott survived a house fire that destroyed their home in Watervliet. The family is grateful to the professionals and community members who assisted them through this distressful event and helped them rebuild their lives afterwards.
Carol is survived by her son, Scott Waterlander; her sister, Maxine Brundige; a sister-in-law, Maggie Waterlander; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Waterlander; many siblings; and her parents.
The family will celebrate Carol’s life at 11am, Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Newell Chapel, 83313 M-51, Decatur, with visiting time a half hour prior. Interment to follow at Harrison Cemetery, Decatur. Memorial contributions may be given to LADD, Inc., www.laddinc.net or 300 Whitney St., Dowagiac, MI 49047. Carol Ann’s son, Scott, is a resident at the LADD home in Niles, MI.
Carol Ann was a 1962 graduate of Decatur High School, where she met and fell in love with Samuel Waterlander. He went to serve as Private First Class in the US Marine Corps from 1961 to 1965. After his military discharge , happy engagement and wedding plans were made. They were married on July 18, 1966 at the First Reformed Church in Decatur Michigan. They made their home in Watervliet. Carol Ann worked as a secretarial staff member of the Berrien County Department of Social Services from 1963 to 1972. In August, 1972 they welcomed the birth of a son, Scott Allan Waterlander. Carol Ann then took the role of the traditional home maker. Her hobbies were reading, crossword puzzles, and word games. Samuel worked for 25 years on the custodial staff at the Dowagiac Public Schools before his retirement.
On January 13, 2021, Carol Ann and Scott survived a house fire that destroyed their home in Watervliet. The family is grateful to the professionals and community members who assisted them through this distressful event and helped them rebuild their lives afterwards.
Carol is survived by her son, Scott Waterlander; her sister, Maxine Brundige; a sister-in-law, Maggie Waterlander; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Waterlander; many siblings; and her parents.
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