Susan Marie Dewey, 70, of Watervliet, died March 25, 2018 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville after a brief battle with cancer. Susan was a teacher at Coloma Community Schools for 38 years, as well as a professor for Western Michigan University at the LMC Campus.
Susan was preceded in death by her beloved Michael James Dewey and both parents and is survived by her sister Linda (Rick) Fish of St. Joseph, brother John (Sheila) Sila of South Haven, children Jonathan (Stacey) Yetzke of Grand Haven and Jana (Elizabeth ‘EK’) Yetzke of Benton Harbor, stepchildren Michael Scott (Sahnia) Dewey of Watervliet and Candace (Steve) Seawood of Baroda, mother-in-law Mary Baker of Coloma, grandchildren: Ian, Drew, and Colin Yetzke, 4 step-grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.
Susan was the eldest of three, born to John and Pauline (Druskovich) Sila in Benton Harbor, MI. She graduated from St. John’s Catholic High School, Lake Michigan College, and Western Michigan University. Her highest degree earned was Master of Art in Education, Reading Specialist.
Family was of utmost importance to Sue; her generosity and hospitality overflowed, and became a trait we all admired and strived to emulate. She will always be remembered for her fabulous Christmas parties; to name just one of the many she loved to host. Susan showed her love through the caretaking and tending of those around her, and her high-energy personality left many in breathless awe. This energy was balanced by the quiet serenity of Dewey’s log cabin—a pastoral retreat surrounded by the sounds of a trickling waterfall and the beauty of nature she and Michael Dewey shared. As a widow of a Vietnam veteran, Susan spent much of her late life involved with the local VFW and the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary. She was often seen playing 3-card poker at local casinos and loved to travel; recently returned from a family Christmas in Key West and a cruise on the Pacific Coast.
Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at Starks-Menchinger Funeral Home – 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI on Thursday, March 29 at 11:30am with a one-hour visitation preceding the service from 10:30-11:30am. In lieu of flowers, please host your loved ones for a celebratory meal in Sue’s honor.