Obituaries

Apr 21, 2023

Maryellen Faye Meachum, 98, formerly of Lawrence passed away Friday, April 21, 2023, at Alamo Nursing Home.

Maryellen was born Feb. 8, 1925, in Arizona, the daughter of Fred and Amy (Chaplin) Winn, both of whom precede her in passing. Also preceding her in passing were her first husband, Newton Bolen; second husband, Arland Meachum; two children:...

Apr 20, 2023

Edmund Lee Schmalfeldt, 63, of Hartford passed away suddenly on Thursday, April 20, 2023.

Edmund was born on Aug. 15, 1959, in Benton Harbor, the son of William and Ida (Burns) Schmalfeldt, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing were two brothers: Fred and Bill; and two sisters: Ida and June.

Apr 19, 2023

William "Bill" G. Lindley passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, Mich., after a brief illness. Bill was born on Feb. 2, 1952, in Benton Harbor, he was the only son of William D. Lindley and Goldie V. (Meachum) Lindley. Bill spent most of his childhood playing in the neighborhoods of Benton Harbor and...

Apr 12, 2023

Betty Ruth Cress, 89, of Bangor passed away on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at home.

Betty was born on Feb. 23, 1934, in Plant City, Fla., the daughter of Thomas and Odessa (Blair) Hall, both of whom precede her in passing. Also preceding her in passing are her husband, Floyd Cress; a son, Terry Totherow; three daughters:...

Apr 7, 2023

Nancy Louise Vann, 84 of Paw Paw, passed away Friday, April 7, 2023, at Centrica Rose Arbor Place, Oshtemo Township.

Nancy was born March 31, 1939, in Coldwater, Mich., the daughter of Charles and Mildred (Lett) Goble, both of whom precede her in passing. Also preceding her in passing are a daughter-in-law, Sharon Vann; sister, Carol Hetzler;...

Apr 7, 2023

Kenneth Lee Briley Jr. passed away on Apr. 7, 2023 unexpectedly. He was born on Aug. 27, 1975, to Vicki (Pepple) and Kenneth Briley Sr. He met his wife, Sarah, at the Marathon station in Hartford, on June 18, 1999. Thanks to Michelle Mattimore, he married her on Aug. 23, 2002. They welcomed their first child, Kendra on Nov....

Apr 5, 2023

Josh Wayne Tanner, of Baroda, was born July 25, 1973, in Saint Joseph, the son of Jerry and Marlene (Accardi) Tanner, both of whom precede him in passing. Josh was also preceded in passing by a brother, Rick Tanner.

Josh passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at Corewell Lakeland Hospital, Saint Joseph.

Josh is...

Mar 21, 2023

Henry Carlton Atchley, 74, of Watervliet passed away suddenly on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at his home.

The family will receive friends from noon-2 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, at the Redemption Church of Eau Claire, where at 2 p.m. a celebration of life service to honor Henry’s life will commence. Pastor John Saylor will officiate. As...

Feb 26, 2023

Elvira Mae Rush, of St. Joseph, formerly of Hartford was born on May 8, 1920, in Chicago, the daughter of Milo and Lilli (Steimle) Schieber.

Elvira passed away on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, at the Caretel Inn of Lakeland, at the age of 102.

On Oct. 26, 1940, Elvira was united in marriage with Robert...

Feb 9, 2023

Laura Mae Campbell, of Benton Harbor, was born Oct. 21, 1933, in Walkerton, Ind., the daughter of Frank and Lela (Ford) Campbell. Laura passed away on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, at the Hanson Hospice Center, in Stevensville, at the age of 89.

Laura was formerly employed as the food service manager at Whitcomb Towers for over 35...

Jan 31, 2023

Donnalee Marie Houser, 88, passed away Jan. 31st, 2023.

Donnalee was born Dec. 1st, 1934, in Hartford, the daughter of George and Dorothy Kabel, who preceded her in death. She worked for the Indiana Michigan Power company. Donnalee attended Hartford High School. Donnalee married her true love, Richard Houser, on Jan. 4th, 1964, who also preceded her...

Jan 29, 2023

Sandra Kay (Vliek) Schlieter, 72, of Hartford passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, at Rose Arbor Hospice of Kalamazoo.

Sandy was born in Benton Harbor, to Henry Vliek and Eleanor Orr, on June 25, 1950. She grew up in Keeler with her 7 siblings. Sandy graduated from Hartford High School in 1968. Sandy married Rick...

Jan 16, 2023

Lewis Earl Pritchard, 81, of Hartford passed away suddenly on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, at home. He was reunited with his beloved wife, Brenda, of 52 years, who he was devoted to, even after her passing on Aug. 27, 2012.

Lewis was born on June 2, 1941, in Dell, Ark., the son of Homer and Minnie (Barrett)...

Jan 11, 2023

Bobby Joe Williamson, 76, of Hartford was born on March 3, 1946, in Butler, Ala., the son of James and LouElla (Todd) Williamson. He passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph.

Bobby served his country proudly in the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam War. He formerly owned and operated Central...

Dec 16, 2022

Dianne Marie Haney was born Feb. 10, 1940, in Muskegon, the daughter of Andrew and Gertrude (Ludwig) Dresen. Dianne passed away suddenly at her home, in Lawrence, on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, at the age of 82.

On March 16, 1957, Dianne was united in marriage with LeRoy Haney. She was formerly employed at the Du-Well Corporation...

Dec 15, 2022

James David Lewis was born on Aug. 11, 1958, in Hartford, the son of James and Mary (Alexis) Lewis, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing was a brother, Michael Lewis.

James passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, at West Woods of Bridgman, at the age of...

Dec 1, 2022

Deborah Gretchen Bedwell, 64, of Hartford went home to be with her Lord and Savior, on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2022.

Deborah was born on March 17, 1958, in Mansfield, Ohio, the daughter of Arthur and Talma (Gorman) Boggs, both of whom precede her in passing. She was also preceded by her nephew, David Perry.

On...

Nov 26, 2022

Gonzalo Victoria Horta, 68, of Hartford passed away on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph.

Gonzalo was born on March 26, 1954, in Mexico, the son of Pedro Victoria and Manuela Horta, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing are two children: Ernesto Victoria and Alberto Victoria....

Nov 24, 2022

Ernest Lee Goodson, 71, of Hartford passed away on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Ernest was born on May 21, 1951, in Lawrence. He was the owner of Wiltse Fencing in Watervliet for many years. On many weekends, you could find him drag racing at the U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin,...

Nov 14, 2022

Norma Lee Wright was born on May 16, 1951, in Eloise, Fla. The daughter of Nathan and Sarah (Adams) Wright, she spent most of her life in Van Buren County.

Sadly, Norma passed away on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, at her home in Sister Lakes at the age of 71. She had been bravely fighting a long...