Ivan Eugene Layman
October 4th, 1935 - September 14th, 2025
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Ivan's Obituary
Ivan Eugene Layman, 89, passed away September 14, 2025 at 1:11 PM in his living room surrounded by his loving family. His wish was to be cremated. A Celebration of Life will be held at Love Creek Nature Center, 9292 Huckleberry Rd., Berrien Center, MI on May 9, 2026 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Pastor Nathan Bloomfield, of Blue Roof Church, will be officiating a service at 2:30. Friends may visit with the family before and after the service. Memorials may be made in Ivan's name to; St. Jude’s Hospital or Tunnel to Towers.
Ivan Eugene Layman, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many, was born October 4, 1935 to George Dewey Layman and Maude McCrary in Berrien Center, Michigan where he lived most of his life. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School. While working for Dean’s Dairy in Berrien Springs as a delivery man, he met the “Love of his Life”, Barbara Lynne Hoge who worked at the Hinchman Grocery Store in Hinchman, Michigan. They were married in Las Vegas on December 3, 1967 and lived in Las Vegas for a few months. Ivan was a simple man who loved nature and longed to return to his roots. They returned to Berrien Center and bought a small home there. Together they had three beautiful children; Cynthia Lynn Layman of Berrien Springs, Michigan, Bradley Ronald Layman of Highlands Ranch, Colorado and Lori Lalonie (Layman) Agens of Watervliet, Michigan and three awesome grandchildren; twins - Nicholas Logan Layman and Keith Michael Layman of Highlands Ranch, Colorado and Jenna Helene Agens of St. Joseph, Michigan. At this time he worked as a Car Salesman at Herb Gerth Chevrolet and then Tyler Linville Chevrolet where he became their Truck Sales Manager.
His greatest desire was to own and operate his own business. Upon his decision to become a Water Well Contractor it was necessary to work under a licensed contractor for two years. He arranged to have Fred Schutze of Buchanan to mentor him. In gratitude to Mr. Schutze’s mentoring, he started out as Schutze and Layman Well Drilling. After his two years experience he renamed his well business - Ivan E. Layman Well Drilling and was owner and sole proprietor. He installed 4” and 2” galvanized steel wells, many of which are still producing water today. In addition, he serviced existing wells (including 2” wells) and pumps, built custom tools as needed and worked on his own trucks, rigs and equipment. After installing each well he always said a prayer over the well thanking God for producing the treasure of water which he sought. He worked hard for 47 years. He was known in the community as the “H2O” man and among his peers as “The God of Well Drillers.” Everyone knew him and his truck “Old Blue” with the distinguished H2O license plate.
During this period of time he and his wife purchased their dream, a farm on Pucker Street in Berrien Center which has been in the Layman Family for over 150 years. This year it was certified as a Sesquicentennial farm. They worked hard making vast improvements year after year. It was a labor of love. It started with grapes and apples later changed to grain and is still being operated as such today. Ivan and Barb loved to garden and every year would raise beautiful fruits and vegetables. While working in the garden, Ivan would sing his favorite hymn
“In the Garden”. They shared the fruits of their labor with many. Ivan’s specialty was delicious Crimson Sweet Watermelons which were gifted out to any and all. They were so delicious people would ask when and how many would be planted.
He was an outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt. He hunted and raised many breeds of dogs but the Registered Treeing Walkers were his favorite hounds. In 1964, he was named “Sportsman of the Year” by the Southwestern Michigan Coon Hunter’s Association. Ivan had many good hunting and fishing buddies. A local man, Dick Tropp, who he knew all his life, was his fox hunting buddy. All of them, good guys, are now reminiscing in the great hunting ground in the sky. His favorite hunting buddies, however, were his wife, children and grandchildren.
After his retirement he and Barb would go to the Hob Nob Restaurant in Niles for breakfast. They made so many friends Ivan suggested they all sit at the same table. The group became known as the “Hob Nob Gang.” Many good times and friends were made at this table. Some of these friends he will be in seeing in heaven. Eating at home was Ivan’s favorite. After a meal he would always say, “That was a good sandwich Babe, I think I’ll eat here again.”
Among his favorite pastimes, Ivan loved playing cards with his family playing countless games of Hearts. During these times the family learned a lot about him and the legacy he left behind. He shared his rare sense of humor and a vocabulary of words and terms only a Layman would understand.
Ivan is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara, children, grandchildren and many extended family members who he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers; Lloyd, Sheldon, Stanley, Clayton and Nelson.
Ivan was a proud man who loved God, country, family and friends.
Ivan Eugene Layman, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many, was born October 4, 1935 to George Dewey Layman and Maude McCrary in Berrien Center, Michigan where he lived most of his life. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School. While working for Dean’s Dairy in Berrien Springs as a delivery man, he met the “Love of his Life”, Barbara Lynne Hoge who worked at the Hinchman Grocery Store in Hinchman, Michigan. They were married in Las Vegas on December 3, 1967 and lived in Las Vegas for a few months. Ivan was a simple man who loved nature and longed to return to his roots. They returned to Berrien Center and bought a small home there. Together they had three beautiful children; Cynthia Lynn Layman of Berrien Springs, Michigan, Bradley Ronald Layman of Highlands Ranch, Colorado and Lori Lalonie (Layman) Agens of Watervliet, Michigan and three awesome grandchildren; twins - Nicholas Logan Layman and Keith Michael Layman of Highlands Ranch, Colorado and Jenna Helene Agens of St. Joseph, Michigan. At this time he worked as a Car Salesman at Herb Gerth Chevrolet and then Tyler Linville Chevrolet where he became their Truck Sales Manager.
His greatest desire was to own and operate his own business. Upon his decision to become a Water Well Contractor it was necessary to work under a licensed contractor for two years. He arranged to have Fred Schutze of Buchanan to mentor him. In gratitude to Mr. Schutze’s mentoring, he started out as Schutze and Layman Well Drilling. After his two years experience he renamed his well business - Ivan E. Layman Well Drilling and was owner and sole proprietor. He installed 4” and 2” galvanized steel wells, many of which are still producing water today. In addition, he serviced existing wells (including 2” wells) and pumps, built custom tools as needed and worked on his own trucks, rigs and equipment. After installing each well he always said a prayer over the well thanking God for producing the treasure of water which he sought. He worked hard for 47 years. He was known in the community as the “H2O” man and among his peers as “The God of Well Drillers.” Everyone knew him and his truck “Old Blue” with the distinguished H2O license plate.
During this period of time he and his wife purchased their dream, a farm on Pucker Street in Berrien Center which has been in the Layman Family for over 150 years. This year it was certified as a Sesquicentennial farm. They worked hard making vast improvements year after year. It was a labor of love. It started with grapes and apples later changed to grain and is still being operated as such today. Ivan and Barb loved to garden and every year would raise beautiful fruits and vegetables. While working in the garden, Ivan would sing his favorite hymn
“In the Garden”. They shared the fruits of their labor with many. Ivan’s specialty was delicious Crimson Sweet Watermelons which were gifted out to any and all. They were so delicious people would ask when and how many would be planted.
He was an outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt. He hunted and raised many breeds of dogs but the Registered Treeing Walkers were his favorite hounds. In 1964, he was named “Sportsman of the Year” by the Southwestern Michigan Coon Hunter’s Association. Ivan had many good hunting and fishing buddies. A local man, Dick Tropp, who he knew all his life, was his fox hunting buddy. All of them, good guys, are now reminiscing in the great hunting ground in the sky. His favorite hunting buddies, however, were his wife, children and grandchildren.
After his retirement he and Barb would go to the Hob Nob Restaurant in Niles for breakfast. They made so many friends Ivan suggested they all sit at the same table. The group became known as the “Hob Nob Gang.” Many good times and friends were made at this table. Some of these friends he will be in seeing in heaven. Eating at home was Ivan’s favorite. After a meal he would always say, “That was a good sandwich Babe, I think I’ll eat here again.”
Among his favorite pastimes, Ivan loved playing cards with his family playing countless games of Hearts. During these times the family learned a lot about him and the legacy he left behind. He shared his rare sense of humor and a vocabulary of words and terms only a Layman would understand.
Ivan is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara, children, grandchildren and many extended family members who he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers; Lloyd, Sheldon, Stanley, Clayton and Nelson.
Ivan was a proud man who loved God, country, family and friends.
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