Obituaries

Oct 23, 2017

Maria Antonia Aranda was born Sept. 9, 1933, in Saltillo, Mexico, the daughter of Antonio and Maria (Martinez) Rocio. She passed away at the age of 84, on Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, at her home in Hartford Township, with her family by her side.

Maria is survived by her children: Ricardo Aranda, Lydia Aranda, Luis...

Oct 22, 2017

Barbara Allen Stair was born Jan. 1, 1933, in Reeves, Ark., the daughter of Hughie and Pearl (Griffen) McNail. Barbara went to be with the Lord on Oct. 22, 2017, at home at the age of 84.

Barbara retired as a cook from Hartford Public Schools after many years of employment.

...

Oct 17, 2017

Mary G. Bassett was born July 23, 1963, in Watervliet. She passed away at the age of 54, on Oct. 17, 2017, at her home in Lawrence Township. She was the daughter of Everett and Fay Bassett, both of whom preceded her in passing. Also preceding her in passing was a daughter, Christina Johnson; a sister, Jorene Getz; and...

Oct 16, 2017

Ruth Esther Boothby, 91, of Paw Paw passed away Monday, Oct. 16, 2017, at Bronson Hospital. Ruth was born Feb. 19, 1926, in Takoma Park, Md., the daughter of John and Viola (Reichenbach) Schmidt. She was preceded in passing by four brothers: John Schmidt, Paul Schmidt, Robert Schmidt, Uriah Schmidt, and one sister, Martha Kinsey.

...

Oct 14, 2017

Donald Richard Strefling passed away on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at his home in Lawrence at the age of 80.

Donald was born on Nov. 27, 1936, in Galien, the son of William and Lena (Geik) Strefling. He served his country proudly in the U.S. Army. Upon his honorable discharge, he joined the Hess Eastman...

Oct 8, 2017

Louise Dorothy Weeden passed away at the age of 97 on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, at the home of her daughter in Paw Paw. Louise was born May 16, 1920, in Flint, Mich., the daughter of Henry and Marie (Keitzman) Meida.

Louise was co-owner of the Hartford Shopping Center in Hartford with her husband, Merritt....

Sep 22, 2017

Buford Henry Mann of Hartford died at home Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, at the age of 81. Buford was born to Jewell and Silvia (Longhorn) Mann on March 2, 1936, in Hardy, Ark. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers: Bill and Phillip Mann. On Nov. 4, 1994, he and Betty Larabee were united in...

Sep 15, 2017

James Edward Bryant passed away, at the age of 71, on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. James was born Jan. 27, 1946, in Carroll County, Tenn., the son of Bonnie and Bertha Bryant, both of whom preceded him in passing.

James was an avid church goer. He was formerly employed...

Sep 13, 2017

Maria Castro, 61, of Hartford passed away Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo.

Maria was born Nov. 14, 1955, in Rio Bravo, Mexico, the daughter of Santiago Galaviz and Felicitas Martinez.

Maria is survived by her five children: Jose L. Galaviz, Juan C. Galaviz and Joel A. (Gloria)...

Sep 11, 2017

Thomas Ford Moody Sr., 51, of Hartford passed away suddenly Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, at home.

Thomas was born May 8, 1966, in Decaturville, Tenn., the son of James and Bonnie (Hayes) Moody, both of whom preceded him in passing. Also preceding him in passing were three brothers, five sisters and his soul mate, Theresa...

Sep 6, 2017

Larry Joe Rach, of Bangor was born Nov. 3, 1946, in Dowagiac. He was the son of Emil and Lucille (Kelly) Rach. Larry passed away at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Kalamazoo on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017.

Larry was formerly employed at Pullman Industries. He loved his family dearly and would do anything for them....

Sep 4, 2017

Gloria May (Heater) Peters, 89, of Hartford, and more recently Charlevoix, Mich., gracefully and peacefully went to be with her beloved husband, Wilson, and her heavenly Father on Monday, Sept. 4, 2017, surrounded by her loving family.

Gloria was born on Jan. 7, 1928, in Benton Township, Berrien County, to Elsie (Schauss) and Joseph Heater....

Sep 4, 2017

Bruce Albert Varnau passed away suddenly at the age of 62 on Monday, Sept. 4, 2017, at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Bruce was born March 18, 1955, in Watervliet, the son of Albert and Geraldine (Edwards) Varnau, both of whom precede him in passing.

Bruce graduated from Hartford High School in 1973 and was...

Sep 2, 2017

Phyllis Idell DeFord, 81, of Hartford passed away Sept. 2, 2017. She was preceded in death by her parents, Maurice and Clara (Miller) Slesnick; and her husband, William A. DeFord Jr.

She leaves behind her siblings: Roberta Landberg of New York, Shirley Rainford of Indiana, Carol Schuldt of California, Dr. Toby (June) Mayer of California,...

Aug 27, 2017

April Annette Gauthier of Eau Claire, was born Oct. 8, 1956, in Watervliet, the daughter of James and Hazel (Morrison) Dale. April passed away on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, James Clarence Dale Jr.

April is survived by a daughter,...

Aug 18, 2017

Richard Douglas "Dick" Reynnells, 94, of Lawrence died Aug. 18, 2017, at his home. He was born Nov. 16, 1922, in Lawrence, not far from his current residence. Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Helen (Sirks), also a graduate of Lawrence High School class of 1941, in 2003; his parents, S. Newton and Retha B. (Meabon) Reynnells;...

Aug 15, 2017

A graveside service celebrating the life of Karen L. Sanborn (Staffen), age 55 of Lawrence will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at Hill Cemetery in Lawrence. A visitation and luncheon will follow at the Lawrence Lions Club. Karen died in her home on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, surrounded by family.

Karen was born...

Aug 13, 2017

Cole Benjamin Birkhead, 16, of Hartford went to be with the Lord on Aug. 13, 2017. Cole was born on Nov. 7, 2000, to Nicole Nevins and Gary Birkhead.

Cole enjoyed the outdoors, playing a variety of sports, including football, basketball and baseball. Cole was happy to be with his friends and family, namely his...

Aug 8, 2017

Maria De Lourdes Aviles Armenta, 62, of Decatur passed away Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017, at her son's home.

Maria was born Aug. 20, 1954, in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico, the daughter of Isabel and Dominga (Armenta) Lopez, both of whom preceded her in passing. She was also preceded in passing by a sister.

Aug 3, 2017

Ruth Ann Garrod was born Aug. 31, 1964, in Kalamazoo. She was one of three children born to William and Irene (Gillete) Garrod. Ruth passed away on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017, at Bronson Methodist Hospital.

Ruth worked at numerous places throughout her life. She was formerly employed at Lake Michigan College, Duffy Motts and Coloma...