Carl C. Nisbet

Carl C. Nisbet, 83, of South Haven, passed away Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at the Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born June 12, 1932 to Neal and Minnie (Brock) Connell in Marianna, Florida and was raised by Mary and Mason Nisbet. Carl earned a bachelor’s degree and Masters in Divinity from Anderson College in Anderson, Indiana and went on to obtain a degree in Guidance Counseling from Western Michigan University. He married Sara Worthington on December 22, 1951 in Paris, Kentucky.

Carl served as a pastor for 48 years leading congregations in Juneau, Alaska, Wingate, Indiana, Marianna, Florida, South Haven, and Lacota, Michigan. Carl was a former pastor at the South Haven Church of God and Lacota United Methodist Church. Carl also worked as a guidance counselor for South Haven Public Schools for 30 years at Central Middle School and Baseline Middle School until retiring in 1994. Carl loved to travel, hunt, and fish.

He is preceded in death along with his parents by his son – Mason “Rusty” Nisbet and eleven siblings.

Carl is survived by his wife of 64 years – Sara Nisbet; children – Kathy (Barry) French of South Haven, Greg (Charlotte) Nisbet of Gray, Georgia, Craig (Pam) Beck of South Haven; eight grandchildren – Sara Nisbet, Adam Nisbet, Avery (Melissa) Nisbet, Brian French, Beth (Franky) Martinez, Elizabeth (Diosdado) Rodriguez, Westley (Cristina) Beck, and Ben Beck; six great grandchildren – Ethan, Vanessa, Ava, Ivy, Laurel, and Logan; brother - Ray (Brenda) Connell; step-mother Frances Connell. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home in South Haven. Funeral services will follow visitation at 11:00 AM at the funeral home with Pastor Steve Starks officiating. Carl will be laid to rest at Lakeview Cemetery in South Haven. Contributions may be made in Carl’s memory to the South Haven Church of God or Lacota United Methodist Church.