Obituaries

Robert “Bob” J. Latus, 81, lifelong resident of Hartford was born Feb. 10, 1938, at his family home at 208 East Main Street. Bob left his earthly home suddenly on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. He was the sixth child of the late Dr. Leo and Rosaline Boland Latus. Preceding him in death are siblings: Mary Ellen Learner, Leo J. “Bud” Latus, Frances Del Pizzo, Dr. Thomas Latus and Peter Latus; and son-in-law, Larry Kesselring. Bob is survived by wife, Elizabeth...

Daniel Arthur Baker was born Jan. 15, 1957, in Watervliet, the son of Arthur and Grace (Vermillion) Baker, both of whom precede him in passing. Danny, as he was known by everyone, passed away suddenly at the age of 62 on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, at Lakeland Hospital, Watervliet. On June 29, 2012, Danny was united in marriage to Pamela Davis, and she survives; along with a sister, Diana Gregory of Hartford; a brother, Kenny Baker of Hartford; and numerous other family members and...

Calvin Wayne Shirley, 61, of Pullman passed away suddenly Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, in Hartford Township. Calvin was born Jan. 4, 1958, in St. Joseph, the son of Trues Jr. and Mary (Hines) Shirley, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing was a sister, Laura Shirley. Calvin loved watching football, especially his team, the Raiders, but his most important times were spent with family, who will miss him dearly. Calvin is survived by two sons, Kevin (Amy) Shirley...

Elbert Elwood Jones was born July 9, 1923, in Surrounded Hill, Ark., the son of Hiram and Delia Jones. Woody, as he was known to all, passed away at the age of 96 on Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville. He was the first recipient of an American Flag blanket given to a veteran who passes away at their facility. Woody worked at the Van Buren County Fruit Exchange in Hartford, from which he retired. He was a member of the Hartford Fire Department for 35 years and a...

Terry Ronald Franklin was born March 19, 1948, in Mason, Miss., the son of James and Venus (Alexander) Franklin. Terry passed away on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at his home in Grand Junction at the age of 71. On Jan. 5, 1987, Terry was united in marriage with Bonnie Fisk. They had one son, Ronald Franklin of Bangor, who is left here on earth to cherish his memory. Also left here to cherish his memory are two sisters, Eunice (Terry) Bryant and Diane (James) Clark, both of Union, Mo.; two...

Robert Louis Kling, of Hartford was born on July 28, 1931, in Benton Harbor, one of four children born to Louis and Minnie (Thar) Kling. Robert passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, at Vineyard Assisted Living Community in Kalamazoo. Robert is survived by a daughter, Linda (Garry) Kanyuh of Bangor; and two sons, Robert (Linda) Kling of Hartford and David (Tamara) Kling of Watervliet. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren (with two on the way), a...

Patricia Ann Gomez, 48, of Edwardsburg, passed away suddenly Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, at Spectrum Health Lakeland Hospital, Niles. Patricia was born Feb. 7, 1971, in Goshen, the daughter of Larry Sr. and Glenda (Spafford) DuVall. Patricia loved remaining active on the move, never being one to sit still. She enjoyed going to the casino and listening to George Jones’ songs. Most importantly, she enjoyed spending quality time with her family, who will miss her dearly. Patricia is...

Theodore Clark Johnson, former mayor of Hartford, passed away at home on Nov. 29th, 2019, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 83. He was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., on May 15, 1936, to Eloise Fay Parker and Nelson Van Brunt and raised by Arthur Carl Johnson. He was lovingly taken care of by his mother and grandparents Clinton Clark and Eleanor Belle (Hardenbrook) Parker. He grew up in Breedsville, went to school in Bangor and graduated from South Haven High School in 1954. Ted...

Jean Alice Walker was born on June 20, 1937, in Hartford, the daughter of Donald and Alice (Siebert) Rush. Jean passed away at the age of 82 on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019, at White Oaks Retirement Residence in Lawton. On Feb. 7, 1959, Jean married Harold Walker II. Jean earned an associate's degree at Lake Michigan College. She was formerly employed at Shoppers Guide in Hartford, Whirlpool Corporation in Benton Harbor and Miller Thermometer in Hartford. Jean had a love of sewing,...

Ann was born on July 16, 1931, in Hastings, Mich., the daughter of Errol and Beatrice (Hicks) Wells. Ann went home to be with the Lord, at the age of 88, on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, at Graceway at Countryside, South Haven. Ann married Elvin Nyhuis on Nov. 4, 1950, and for the last 69 years, they served together in the Gospel ministry at several churches. At an early age at her grandmother's church in Nashville, Mich., Ann made her testimony to God and asked him to forgive her of her...