Obituaries

May 9, 2016

Willie Frank Nearn Sr. was born on April 10, 1941, in Leachville, Ark., the son of James Daniel and Rosie Mae (Ferguson) Nearn. He was proud of his eight years of service in the Air Force.

Willie passed to his new life on Monday, May 9, 2016, at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.

May 7, 2016

William (Bill) McLaughlin, 87, of Hartford passed away at his home Saturday, May 7, 2016, surrounded by his family. He was born in Detroit, to Russell and Paulette McLaughlin and graduated from Otsego High School in 1946. Bill married Nadine Gren on Feb. 7, 1948. She preceded him in death in 1997. They shared 49 years of marriage and...

Apr 27, 2016

Barbara Loy Brewer, 73, of Hartford went to be with the Lord on April 27, 2016.

Barbara was born Sept. 21, 1942, in Nashville, Tenn., to the late Freda Hanson and Robert Jenkins. She moved to Hartford, where she met the love of her life, Shirl Wayne Brewer, and was happily married for 56 years....

Apr 25, 2016

Douglas Andrew Boze was born July 15, 1946, in Watervliet. He was one of three children born to Andrew and Betty (Anderson) Boze. Doug, as he was known to everyone, passed away at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo on Monday April 25, 2016.

Douglas worked for Benton Harbor Engineering for 25 years, Dean's Foods for...

Apr 21, 2016

Kenneth Wayne Cook was born Dec. 12, 1945 in Flint, Mich. to Gilbert and Elsie (Pointer) Cook. He departed this world on Thursday, April 21, 2016.

He and his wife, Marie, whom he married on Oct. 29, 1965 lived in Dowagiac, where they raised their five children. Kenneth was known for going around and finding...

Apr 12, 2016

Joy Marilyn Edwards, 65, of Lawrence passed away on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, surrounded by family in the comfort of her home.

Friends may visit from 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 15, at Calvin Funeral Home in Hartford. A celebration of life service will be held at the funeral home at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 16,...

Apr 7, 2016

Raymond E. Camp was born Nov. 20, 1921, to Edwin and Marie Camp. He left this world on April 7, 2016, to join Dorothy, his wife of 69 years, to play another round on that big golf course in the sky.

He lived most of his life in Watervliet, where he and Dottie raised their...

Mar 27, 2016

William "Billy" Melvin was born on Jan. 8, 1957, to Maxine and Richard C. Melvin. He went home to his heavenly family Easter morning, March 27, 2016. He was preceded in death by his grandparents; brother, Douglas; nephew, Steffen; and his precious dog and friend, Sam.

Billy loved everyone, especially his family. He was an...

Mar 16, 2016

Wayne Thomas Jones, 80, formerly of Hartford, became an angel in Heaven, at home in the presence of his family, on March 16, 2016.

Wayne had a passion and love for cars. He began his career teaching automotive technology in the New Buffalo school district. He is best known for owning his own company, Jones...

Mar 10, 2016

Marcella Taylor Hoffman, 80, of Hartford passed into the arms of Jesus on March 10, 2016, at Riverview Manor after a long illness.

Marcella was born in 1935 to John and Hilda (Emery) Taylor of Grand Rapids. Their large family often performed at musical events. Her siblings were Marian Derwich, John Taylor, Emmett Taylor, Catherine...

Feb 27, 2016

Martha Jean Gregg, 68, of Hartford passed away Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph.

Martha was born March 13, 1947, in Hastings, the daughter of Richard and Dorothy (Phillips) Easey, both of whom preceded her in passing. She was also preceded in passing by a brother, Allen Easey; and a sister,...

Feb 22, 2016

Aaron Oliver Knight III, 65, of Lawrence passed away Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo.

Aaron was born Feb. 5, 1951, in Watervliet, the son of Aaron Jr. and Barbara (Watson) Knight, both of whom preceded him in passing. Also preceding him in passing was a nephew, Duane Allen Matlock.

...

Feb 19, 2016

Carter Henry Shaw Donovan was born on June 2, 2015. It was a full moon and the world was blessed. Carter loved music, the color red, the ladies and his bouncy seat. He always had a smile on his face and loved to play with other children. His soul was pure. He was an angel sent here to save...

Feb 16, 2016

Joan Keen Trombley was born Feb. 26, 1933, in Salisbury, Mo. She passed away at the age of 82, on Feb. 16, 2016, at her home in Hartford. She was the daughter of Henry and Willie (Gribble) Keen, both of whom preceded her in passing. She was also preceded by two sisters; and three brothers.

...

Feb 9, 2016

On Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, Daniel L. Asaro, 65, of Hartford, was in the loving arms of his wife when he peacefully entered heaven to join his Lord and savior, after a long struggle with cancer. Dan was born on Aug. 11, 1950, in Detroit. After growing up in the suburbs of Detroit, he risked his life from 1968-71...

Feb 7, 2016

Marcelyn Gail Shuler was born Nov. 14, 1959, in Plymouth. She passed away at the age of 56, on Feb. 7, 2016, at Lakeland Medical Center, Saint Joseph. She was the daughter of Leroy and Lynette (Pardee) Bennett, both of whom preceded her in passing. Marcelyn was also preceded by her father-in-law, William Shuler.

Marcelyn...

Feb 3, 2016

Elmer John "Rusty" DeFord, 76 of Hartford, passed away Wed., Feb. 3, 2016 at home.

Elmer was born Nov. 29, 1939 in Tomah, Wis., the son of William, Sr. and Pearl (Burns) DeFord, both of whom precede him passing. Also preceding him in passing were a daughter, Tammy Lyn DeFord and a brother: William "Bill"...

Feb 2, 2016

Frank Edward Johnson, 87, passed away Feb. 2, 2016, at home in Lawrence. He was born May 27, 1928, in Lawrence to Arba and Bertha (Steele) Johnson.

He leaves a very loving family including his wife, Lois Ardith (Arent) Johnson. They had a very happy marriage of 66 years together. He also leaves a daughter,...

Jan 29, 2016

John Martin "Marty" Diebold, 84, of Hartford passed away unexpectedly on Friday Jan. 29, 2016, at Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph.

Visitation will be held from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, at Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford, with dinner at the Hartford United Methodist Church 425 E. Main St., Hartford. Family and friends are...

Jan 24, 2016

Jacqueline Sue Caldwell, 69, of Hartford passed away on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, at her home, surrounded by her family.

The family will welcome friends from 5-6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016, at the Calvin Funeral Home in Hartford, where a celebration of life service to honor Jackie's memory will follow. In lieu of flowers,...