Maurice Colombel

Maurice Colombel
August 10, 1924—February 17, 2012

Maurice “CB” Colombel was hard-working family man with a spirit of generosity, a ready sense of humor, a concern for the future and the abilities of children, and a sense of compassion for those less fortunate than himself. He was a man in motion; he loved sports. While baseball was his favorite, he also enjoyed roller skating, ice skating, tennis, and bowling.
Maurice Colombel, Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois August 10, 1924 to his parents, Maurice and Josephine (Thomas) Colombel. He was the second of six children. Maurice graduated from Morgan Park High School and joined the Army. He was a combat veteran of World War II who fought in England, France and Germany.
After the war, in 1948, Maurice moved to Covert, Michigan and the South Haven area. Like many veterans, he was one who successfully overcame the pain and personal trauma of the war experience to become a strong contributor to his family and his community.
He worked at Bohn Aluminum and Brass Company in South Haven. Being the active man that he was, Maurice played on their softball team and they became a championship team that was featured in the local South Haven paper. He also had an interest in photography which was very compatible with his love of sports.
He retired from Whirlpool as a Supervisor of the Photography Department.
Maurice served on the Van Cas Cap Board, a human services agency which gleaned crops from farms and other food sources. He volunteered to deliver food to those in need on a regular basis.
Maurice was married to Betty Anderson for fifty-eight years. A very family-oriented couple, they started their family with the birth of their son Craig Colombel who was followed by another son Keith Colombel, and a daughter Allison Colombel.
Maurice started attending Covert High School basketball games and taking pictures for the team. After many years of photographing the basket ball team, he officially became the school photographer. He taught photography and also worked as an athlete trainer and equipment manager.
His involvement with the schools and the activities of his children, led to his leadership in the Covert Public Schools as a member of the School Board. He served the Board for two terms years and as Board President for two of those years. He was an active member of the Booster Club.
Maurice took over Boy Scout Troop 83 in Covert and became the Scout Leader. During his time in Boy Scouts he received two of the highest possible awards. He received the Order of the Arrow and the Silver Beaver in Boy Scouts of America.
Maurice Colombel is survived by his wife Betty Colombel; his sister Jeanne (Colombel) Mitchell and brother Pierre Andre Colombel; his children Craig (Stacey) Colombel of Burien, Washington; Keith Colombel of South Haven; Allison Colombel of Washington, DC.

He is survived by grand children: Keittra Casmir Colombel, Kamille Colombel, Kyla Colombel, Keith Colombel, Jr., Shanona Nichols, Noelle McDougle and one great-grandchild, Kynnia Colombel,
Maurice was preceded in death by his parents Maurice Colombel, Sr. and Marie Josephine (Thomas) Colombel; his sisters Florence Colombel and Josephine Marie Colombel Logan-Woods, and his brother Phillip Colombel.

Visitation will be Saturday, Feb. 25, from 12 to 1:00 PM at the Lily of the Valley Church in Covert (30600 M-140 Highway, 49043). A Memorial Service will begin at 1:00 pm at the church with Rev. Wilfred Brown Jr. officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Maurice Colombel Photography Scholarship Fund, PO Box 50294, Kalamazoo, MI 49005. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guest book at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.

The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven 637-0333.