Phil Potter

Philip Earl Potter, age 65 years of Berrien Springs, Michigan; husband, father, grandfather, brother, trucker, technology fan, and devout Adventist died peacefully Thursday morning, February 6, 2025 at the Duane L. Waters Hospital in Jackson, Michigan following a months-long battle against cancer.

He was born on January 5, 1960 in Mansfield, Ohio to Earl Amos and Mary Louise (Chavannes) Potter, and attended Andrews Academy in Berrien Springs. He continued his education at Andrews University, focusing on Mechanical Drafting, but was truly a lifelong student, learning something new every day, keeping-up with the latest in electronics, and finding contemporary relevance in the ancient scriptures of daily Bible study.

He was employed at Dalson Enterprises of Buchanan, Michigan, driving oversize truckloads of pre-manufactured trusses and rafters for delivery to construction sites. He had previously been employed at Davidson Industries of Commerce City, Colorado, transporting pre-manufactured mobile offices. While he was skilled at safely operating these over-dimensional rigs, his preferred mode of transportation was the motorcycle, although he often extended the dimensions of the motorcycle, always ready to load on and tie down to the back of the motorcycle a fortuitous roadside find, including once a La-Z-Boy recliner!

Phil was raised in an Adventist home, and was a member of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University. He volunteered at PMC as a Sabbath morning sound technician for twenty years, and with the Neighbor-to-Neighbor ministries, and with the Pioneer Evergreen Pathfinder Club. At The Old Rugged Cross Church in Pokagon, Michigan, Phil designed and installed the sound system in the meditation garden which plays the hymn only when guests are present. He also volunteered with prison ministries, gaining official recognition for an Adventist Christian organization, allowing for weekly Bible Studies and Chapel services.

In addition to motorcycling, he enjoyed camping and SCUBA diving, was a member of the Howard Township Conservation Club where he participated in firearm sports, and volunteered at the Berrien County Youth Fair in the Seventh-day Adventist Health Tent. He was a licensed amateur radio operator (N8WMK “West Michigan Kid”) along with his wife, Betty (KB8SVE) and participated in the National Weather Service SKYWARN® Storm Spotter Program. His interest and proficiency with electronics allowed him to help friends with electronics challenges, being equally comfortable with replacing tubes, transistors, and chips. He also participated in Locks of Love, growing his hair long enough to donate, to help children suffering from medical hair loss.

Phil was a skilled blacksmith, heating the forge, and swinging his hammer at red-hot iron on the anvil. He enjoyed demonstrating and teaching at the History Center at Courthouse Square in Berrien Springs. He also set-up his forge for the annual Berrien Springs “Kindle Your Christmas Spirit”, and for the village scene of PMC’s annual Passion Walk. Another historical skill was rope work and knot tying, which he could successfully complete behind his back. He shared and taught blacksmithing and knot tying to the Pathfinders, and to his grandson’s Cub Scout troop. He was always ready to help-out with any need of his children and grandchildren.

On January 9, 1994 at Pioneer Memorial Church he married the former Marian Betty Bridges with whom he celebrated the thirty-first anniversary of their wedding. They were sadly preceded in death by a 7-month-old grandson, Rowan Matthew Bridges who died on January 8, 2016. Phil was also preceded in death by his parents.

Surviving family includes his wife, Betty Bridges-Potter and their children, Samantha (& Adam) Meyer of Niles and Richard Bridges of Buchanan; grandchildren Katriana Meyer, Brenden Meyer, and Aiden Bridges; Phil’s siblings, Laura (& Tom) Weidner of Benton Harbor, Tim Potter of Benton Harbor, and Alice Mary Potter of Berkley, Michigan, and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Philip Potter will be at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 16, 2025 at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles, Michigan with Pastor Skip MacCarty officiating. His family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday at the funeral home beginning at 2:00 p.m. Committal will be private, on Monday, at Mission Hills.

Contributions in memory of Phil my be made to The Old Rugged Cross Foundation, Post Office Box 41, Niles, Michigan 49120, https://the-oldruggedcross.org/. Memories and condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Phil loved life, enjoying all that he saw whether driving a truck or a motorcycle, fascinated by opening a computer to see what’s inside, and visiting with every person who he met. He was also devoted to daily Bible readings, and to the Adventist faith; all fulfilling the command to love God and love people.