Obituaries

Dec 18, 2023

Dale Dea Leonard, 88, of Hartford passed away from his life on earth to eternity in heaven on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Dale was born on Dec. 3, 1935, in Lawton, Mich., the son of Richard and Margaret (Blanchard) Leonard.

Dale graduated from Lawton High School in 1955, Lake...

Dec 7, 2023

Ann Louise Wade was born on July 29, 1964, in Niles, the daughter of Martin and Mina (Wycoff) Cadwell, both of whom precede her in passing. Also preceding her in passing was a daughter, Marie Wade.

Ann passed away at the age of 59 on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, Mich.

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Nov 28, 2023

Jessica Renee McDonald, 34, of Hartford passed away Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo.

Jessica was born Jan. 15, 1989, in Berrien Center, the daughter of Milton McDonald and Charlene Clark.

Jessica is survived by her mother, Charlene (Billie) Sikes of Hartford; her father, Milton (Carol) McDonald of Hartford; siblings: Joseph (Norma)...

Nov 28, 2023

Felipe Gomez Ortega, 79, of Hartford was born on Nov. 11, 1944, to Martin and Ramona (Ortega) Gomez, both of whom preceded him in passing. Also preceding him in passing were two brothers and two sisters.

Felipe passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, at his home.

Felipe was united in marriage to the former...

Nov 17, 2023

Robert Leon Cantrell of Bangor, Mich., was born on Aug. 20, 1962, the son of Lester and Neoma (Keller) Cantrell. Robert passed away on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, at his home in Arlington Township, Mich.

On Oct. 9, 2005, Bobby, as he was known by most, was united in marriage with Donna Whittker and she survives along...

Nov 15, 2023

Tamara Jean Mendoza, 60, of Hartford passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023 at home.

Tamara was born Oct. 21, 1963, in Benton Harbor, the daughter of Louis Carroll and Alice Woodard. She was employed at Great Lakes Eye Care, Memorial Hospital in St. Joseph, as a waitress at the Panel Room and Waffle House and with...

Oct 14, 2023

Rigoberto Calvillo Diaz, of Hartford, was born on Oct. 29, 1974, in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico, the son of Nicolasa Calvillo.

Rigoberto passed away at the age of 48, on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at his home.

Rigoberto leaves behind to cherish his memory his life partner, Tereza Antonio-Andres; five children: Diana Mateo, Carmen Calvillo, Rigoberto...

Oct 10, 2023

Jeffery David “JD” Conner, 70, of Hartford, formerly of Houston, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at home.

JD was born on May 6, 1953, in Kalispell, Mont., the son of Walter and Margaret (Johnson) Conner, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing are his father and mother-in-law: Carol and...

Oct 9, 2023

Irene (Glasgow) Emery, 96, of Hartford went to meet her Lord and Savior on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023. She was born May 25, 1927, in Dunklin County, Mo., to William Jackson and Myrtle Eaton.

Irene is survived by her children: Linda Gray of Benton Harbor, Janice (Jerry) Summerford of Coloma, Pat (Gary) Purcell of Coloma, Myra (David)...

Oct 8, 2023

Susan Jean Smith, of Hartford, was born on Jan. 26, 1950, in Madison, Ill., to Eugene and Ruea (Covey) Williams.

Susan passed away on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph, at the age of 73.

On March 19, 1983, she was united in marriage with William Smith. She was formerly...

Oct 2, 2023

Richard Nathaniel Drane Sr., 67 of Hartford passed away on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at home.

Richard was born on Dec. 18, 1955, in Kalamazoo, Mich., the son of Clarence and Lassie (Harris) Drane, both of whom precede him in passing. He was also preceded in passing by a grandson, Jacob; brother, Coy Drane; and a sister,...

Sep 30, 2023

Karla Jean Utrup, 65, of Sister Lakes passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. Karla was born on June 28, 1958, in Watervliet to the late John Utrup and to Evelyn Utrup.

Left to cherish Karla’s memory are her mother, Evelyn Utrup; and her sister, Deborah (Gordon) Arent. Also surviving are a nephew, Matthew Arent; several...

Sep 29, 2023

Cary Van De Wiele, 52, of Hartford passed away suddenly on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, at his home.

Cary was born on Nov. 2, 1970, in Berrien Springs, the son of Maurice and Virginia (Watkins) Van De Wiele.

Cary held a paramedic license for 30 years and proudly served the communities of Hartford and Keeler...

Sep 28, 2023

Jesse Lee Howell, 37, of Watervliet was born on Nov. 12, 1985, in Kalamazoo, Mich., the son of Jessie Howell and Betty (Blodgett) Taylor.

Jesse passed away suddenly on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at his home in Watervliet. Jesse was a drywall installer by trade. He enjoyed the time he spent with his family and friends. He...

Sep 23, 2023

Patricia Ruth Ryder, of Elkhart, Ind., formerly of Hartford passed away on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at Hubbard Hill Retirement Community in Elkhart at the age of 90.

Pat, as she was known by most everyone, was born in Jackson, Mich., on Aug. 26, 1933, the daughter of William and Eva (Ludwig) Ryder. She was formerly employed...

Sep 21, 2023

Richard Eugene ‘Rick’ Wheaton, 70, of Benton Harbor passed away on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph, with his loving wife, Marie, by his side.

Rick was born on Feb. 11, 1953, in Tampa, Fla., to George and Nadine (Summers) Wheaton. He attended Hawaii State University and served in the U.S. Army...

Sep 18, 2023

Vera Mae Skinner was born Jan. 13, 1934, in Breedsville, the daughter of Bryon and Pansy Goodrich. Vera passed away on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, at her home in Lawrence Township, at the age of 89.

On May 4, 1965, she was united in marriage to Frank Skinner. Frank passed away on Oct. 19, 2000. Also preceding...

Aug 29, 2023

Thomas Michael Collins was born Nov. 16, 1943 on the family farm in Hartford. He was the son of George and Eleanor (Baird) Collins. Thomas passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023.

Tom, as he was known, served his country in the United States Army. He was a semi-truck driver by trade. He was formerly employed at...

Aug 24, 2023

Juanita Mae Petty, 73, of Hartford was a caring mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She left this world suddenly on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023.

She was born in Huntingdon, Tenn., on Jan. 19, 1950, to Bonnie and Bertha Bryant. Juanita became a housewife at a young age and raised three children: Harold, Mark, and Bonnie.

Aug 23, 2023

Lonnie Kyle Nutting of Kalamazoo, Mich., formerly of Bangor, was born on July 2, 1953, in Coloma, the son of Darold and Eileen (Kass) Nutting, both of whom precede him in passing.

Lonnie passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, at the age of 70, at Vibrant Life Senior Living in Kalamazoo.

On Dec. 4,...