Wesley Robert Prillwitz

EAU CLAIRE – Wesley Robert Prillwitz, 81, of Eau Claire, passed away on Saturday, May 19, 2007, at home following a lengthy illness. A service celebrating his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 22, at Napier Parkview Baptist Church, Benton Harbor, with Dr. J.O. Hosler officiating. A private family burial will take place in Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home in St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Napier Parkview Baptist Church or the Borgess Visiting Nurse and Hospice. Wesley was born on September 29, 1925, in Eau Claire, to Arthur and Martha (Piedt) Prillwitz. He attended Eau Claire schools and graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1943. He attended Michigan State University where he majored in agriculture. In 1950, Wesley married the love of his life, Viola VanOsdal. Together, through 57 years of marriage, they established, acquired, and developed their farm land. In 1962, while digging an irrigation pond, the remains of an extinct mammoth were unearthed which led to the farm land being named, “Mammoth Farms.” The mammoth remains were donated to the Andrews University Museum and were named, “The Prillwitz Mammoth.” Wesley was known for his aggressive farming in the Berrien County area as well as in Lake Placid, FL, where he was a citrus grower. His exceptional progress in agriculture and contributions to his community were recognized by the Junior Chamber of Commerce as Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year. Throughout his career, he served on various boards and committees. In 1985, he was recognized for his many years of devoted service with the Berrien County Farm Bureau Oil Company of which seven years were spent as President. He was also honored for his valuable service as a member of the board of directors of Farmers Petroleum Cooperative and Farmers Crude Production Company on which he served for 16 years. Additionally, he served as president for many years with the Eau Claire Fruit Exchange. He was a charter member and attended Napier Parkview Baptist Church and was an associate member of the First Baptist Church in Lake Placid, FL. Wesley was also known to encourage family and others to better themselves vocationally and educationally. His interest in better education was displayed through his active role in serving on the Eau Claire School Board. Outdoor land and nature played an intricate role in his avid love for fishing and hunting as well as traveling to beautiful scenic wonders throughout our country. His goal and motto was often heard to be, “This is God’s land and I want to leave it in better condition than when I received it.” He is survived by his beloved wife, Viola Prillwitz; three sons, Greg (Karen) Prillwitz, Phil (Teri) Prillwitz, and Rod (Beth) Prillwitz, all of Eau Claire; three granddaughters, Christine Prillwitz, Beverly (Jeff) Shembarger, and Dawn Prillwitz, all of Eau Claire; three great-grandsons, George Smallbone, Gregory Shembarger, and Jeffrey Shembarger; two great-granddaughters, McKenna Smallbone and Casey Shembarger; a sister, Ruth (Robert) Bluschke; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Henry Prillwitz.