Clarence Van Mott

Clarence Van Mott, Sr., 88 of Lawrence, passed away February 4, 2020, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born January 26, 1932 in Steele, MO, the son of the late Herman and Stella (Raymond) Mott. On June 29, 1974, in Lawrence, he married Jerri (Burton) Mott who survives. He is also survived by his daughter, Glenda (Mark) Mott-Long of Watervliet, 2 sons, Van Mott of Coloma, Aaron Mott of Benton Harbor, three grandchildren, Tasha, Trey and Nicole, six great grandchildren, Jordyn, Jaedyn, Liam, Jac, Noah and Nathan, two brothers, Charley (Faye) Mott of Benton Harbor, Lee (Linda) Mott of Stevensville, sister, Polly (Ray) Rankin of Iron Mountain along with many nieces and nephews. Clarence was preceded in death by his 3 brothers, Carl, Roy and Edward Mott, four sisters, Mildred Clemens, Dessie Kennedy and Bonnie Hayes and Virginia Mott.

Clarence served in the Korean War in the U.S. Army and retired after 32 years as 1st Sgt. He was a member of the American Legion Hess Eastman Post 174 Lawrence and was a member and past Master of the Masonic Lodge 25 Paw Paw and St. Joseph. He and his brother owned the Jokers Club and had a country music traveling band. Clarence was a very loving, kind, generous and forgiving person. He was the owner of I.B.I.D. County Electric in Benton Harbor, where he earned a Small Businessman of the year award. For many years he sponsored children’s sports. He was one of 16 men out of 4,000 picked to volunteer for Desert Storm. Clarence was a member of ROPE (Reunion of Professional Entertainers in Nashville).

The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Midway Baptist Church, Watervliet, Monday February 10, 2020, where a memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Hess-Eastman American Legion Post 174 in Lawrence.