Obituaries

Marie Jestine Thomas was born Aug. 28, 1936, in New Madrid, Mo., the daughter of Len and Gladys (Jackson) Manning. Jestine, as she was known by most, 85, went to her home in heaven on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, at her home in Hartford, surrounded by her loving family. On July 19, 1954, Jestine was united in marriage with Daniel Thomas. She was a faithful and long time member of the Hartford Church of God, where she served as a Sunday School teacher for many years. Jestine and Dan grew...

Rachel Gertrude Garrod, 93, of Lawrence, died Saturday, Oct. 9th at her home on the farm, surrounded by her family. She was born Feb. 7, 1928, in DeWitt, MI., the daughter of Theodore and Gertrude Lietzke. She was a 1945 graduate of DeWitt High School, and a 1950 graduate of Bronson Methodist Hospital School of Nursing, Kalamazoo where she became a registered nurse. She worked for several years in a doctor's office in Kalamazoo, and later at Watervliet Community Hospital. Rachel,...

Frederick Leo Leach was born on Oct. 4, 1943, in Hopkins, Mich., the son of Thomas and Christine (Provacki) Leach, both of whom precede him in passing. Fred, as he was known, passed away suddenly at his home in Hartford on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021, at the age of 78. Fred was formerly employed in construction with Spartan Asphalt and Wyoming Asphalt. He was a member of the Coloma American Legion Post 362, where he performed with the North Berrien Military Rites Team for a number of years....

Roscoe Emerson Gulliver, 78, of Dowagiac passed away Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, at home. “Rocky”, as he was known by most, was born April 13, 1943, in Benton Harbor, the son of Roy and Wilma Gulliver, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing are his wife, Cheryl “Chris” Gulliver on March 17, 2014; and a brother, Donald Gulliver. Rocky’s passion for the sport of bowling led him and his late wife to own and operate Lakes Bowl of Sister...

Nancy Susan Shelton, of Hartford, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at Caretel Inns in St. Joseph, after an eleven month battle with stage four brain cancer. Susie, as she was known by all, was born on July 14, 1950, in St. Joseph to Louis and Jewel (Teague) Vaughn. On August 14, 1968, she was united in marriage to Denny Shelton. She was a graduate of Hartford High School, proudly served twelve years in the U.S. Naval Reserve, worked in sales most of her life, owned and operated...

Carol Leroy Parker, 89, of Hartford passed away Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, at home. Carol was born March 1, 1932, in Holcomb, Mo., the son of Raymond and Una Marie (Jackson) Parker, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing are his loving wife of nearly 70 years, Ruby on July 11, 2019; a daughter, Debra Whipple; and two brothers: Willie Parker and Larry Parker. Carol served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked at Rudy Manufacturing of...

Andrew Kim Muday, 38, was born on March 6, 1983, in Seoul, Korea. He arrived home to the loving arms of Andrew and Mary (Lhotka) Muday, who survive him along with a sister, Kathryn B. Goodrich (Alex) of Lawton, Mich.; five nieces: Jaden, Riley, Skylar, Kailee and Charli; and boyfriend, Ricky Eden in Nashville, Tenn. He is also survived by many aunts and uncles. Andrew passed away suddenly on Sept. 18, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Herbert and...

Grethel Ozell Stafford Herron, 92, resident of Somerville, Tenn., and wife of the late Arley “Red” Herron, departed this life Sunday afternoon, Sept. 12, 2021, at her home. Grethel was born Dec. 14, 1928 in McKenzie, Tenn., the daughter of the late Jiles Edgar Stafford and Mary Lee Rochell Stafford. She was a resident of Keeler/Hartford, Mich., for 66 years, Coloma, for 16 years, and Somerville, for 11 years. Grethel was employed as a cook for Hartford Public Schools before...

Jeffery Allen Fries, 63, formerly of Hartford, passed away on Sept. 8, 2021, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Mich., from complications of COVID-19. Jeff was born May 27, 1958, in Watervliet to John and Barbara Fries of Hartford. Jeff attended Bangor Public Schools, and later, Hartford Public Schools, where he graduated in 1976 and assumed the role of bus mechanic. He then attended Southwestern Michigan College, earning his airframe and power plant mechanic’s license....

Rose Ann Greter, 92, of Hartford passed away Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021, at Caretel Inns of Lakeland in St. Joseph. Private graveside services will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Hartford. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hartford. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com. Rose was born March 9, 1929, in Baroda to the late Harry and Anna Mead. A 1947 graduate of Baroda High...