Bruce Barrett Prillwitz

Obituary

Bruce B. Prillwitz, 74, of Rochester, Michigan, passed away on August 3rd. He was born on March 13, 1950, in Niles, Michigan, to Glenn and Bettie Jack (Barrett) Prillwitz. Bruce spent his childhood in Berrien Springs as the oldest son of a farming family, and he graduated from Berrien Springs High School in 1968. Bruce earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan in 1973, a Juris Doctorate from Valparaiso University in 1976, and a Master of Laws from Wayne State University in 1981. He met his best friend and the love of his life, Carol Ann Baker, in the fall of his senior year at Berrien Springs High School. The two married on December 21, 1974, at St. Anthony’s in Buchanan. After Bruce completed law school, they relocated to the Detroit area, where he practiced law. Bruce and Carol raised their three children in Rochester, Michigan, but never stopped longing for their hometown of Berrien Springs.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 49 years, Carol Ann Prillwitz; his daughter, Autumn (Jeff) Penney; his son, Aric Prillwitz; his daughter-in-law, Nicole Prillwitz; and his grandchildren, Jack, Elizabeth, Keira, Maxwell, and Emily.
He was preceded in death by his son, Aaron J. B. Prillwitz; his brothers, Ladd, Scott, and Todd; and his parents, Glenn and Bettie Jack Prillwitz.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Love Creek Nature Center in Berrien Center. A memorial service will begin at noon, with a luncheon immediately following the service. A private interment will take place at South Union Cemetery, Berrien Center. Memorials in Bruce’s name may be made to the Berrien Springs Community Library, 215 W. Union St., Berrien Springs, MI 49103.

Gallery

Memory wall

August 19, 2024

I am so sorry to hear of Bruce's passing. I was lucky enough to attend all of my school years in Berrien Springs with Bruce. Bruce was our class president many years, as well as our graduation year from Berrien Springs High School in 1968. Bruce led our class with kindness, natural leadership, and wisdom and knowledge beyond most of our years. Bruce gave us a leader to look up to and become a great class to represent our wonderful schools. I loved his smiles and humorous expressions. I was especially happy that he married an amazing underclassman, Carol, which guaranteed that I would see her as well at least every 5 years at our class reunion. Bruce and Carol always made an effort to join the gatherings in Berrien Springs and I will miss that so much. I love you Carol, and am here for you, with just a phone call away. We can still kick up a good time, and I hope we can do that real soon! My condolences to to you, Carol, your family, Autumn and family, Aric, and Nicolle and family. Carol always made sure that we knew what her grandchildren (Angel Babies as she called them) were doing, and I am so glad that they will have memories of Bruce to carry with them always. This photo is one of many great memories of gatherings we had at our all-time favorite Tosis about 2012. Bottom row L to R: Sue Dougan Barlow, Anne Bennett Snyder, Barb & Paul Sprung, Pat Brown Bradfield & Gary. Top row L to R: Greg Green & Maureen Bedinger Green, Mary Ellen Kesterke Pluss & Scott, Carol Baker Prillwitz & Bruce .

Maureen Bedinger Green

August 19, 2024

I was so sad to hear of Bruce’s death. He was one of my first friends when I moved to Berrien Springs in 1963. A girl who’d only been in Catholic school and knew nothing about Junior High. Bruce walked me home from school and made me feel welcome. We went on to adventures in high school and out Free Thought Society was part of my political growth. I was ready for U of M in 1968 in part because of our group discussions. My thoughts are with Carol, Aric, Autumn, Nicole and his grandchildren. I will never forget him.

Lynn Liston