Obituaries

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 the cities of Hartford and Bangor. Tamara is survived by her husband, Ramon Mendoza; two sons: Zachary Kincaid and Matthew (Stephanie) Kincaid; a grandson, Colton; a...

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 Calvillo Jr., Evelin Calvillo and Elide Calvillo Pena; four grandchildren; his mother, Nicolasa Calvillo Diaz; two sisters: Angelica...

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 Ruby Parker; a sister-in-law, Debra Parker Whipple, and a nephew, Andy Chambers. He was formerly employed at Liberty Plant Maintenance in Liberty,...

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) Kelley of Hartford and Earnest ‘Lucky’ Glasgow Jr., (Lonna Adams) of Keeler. She is also survived by two sisters: Mary Jackson and Rose Sexton; 11...

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 employed at ES Enterprises of Keeler, worked at Burns Security, loved working in her flower garden, but most of all taking care of her grandkids. Susan leaves behind to cherish her...

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, Mary Ann McNeal. Richard served in the U.S. Marines. In his spare time, he loved fishing and traveling, but most importantly, he was a family man, whose most special times...

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 great and great-great nieces and nephews; and a number of cousins. Additionally, she leaves behind her best friends: Fay Richmond DeNeve and Martha...

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 fire and rescue departments. He was employed at the Four Winds Casino as a security/first responder for the last 10 years. Cary was a lifelong Trekkie and Metal Head. Cary is survived by...

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 especially loved spending time with his beautiful daughters. Jesse had a heart of gold and loved to aggravate and make people laugh. Jesse leaves behind to cherish his...

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 as a school teacher. She was an avid Michigan State fan, who loved gardening and spending time watching the wildlife at her farm in Michigan. Pat is survived by two...