Obituaries

Apr 25, 2021

Virgil Michael Cook, 66, of Hartford passed away Sunday, April 25, 2021, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo.

Mike, as he was known by most, was born Oct. 9, 1954, in Benton Harbor, the son of Gilbert and Elsie (Pointer) Cook, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him are three brothers: Earl Cook, Dennis Cook...

Apr 24, 2021

Matthew Shayne Brown Jr., 18 months old, of Hartford passed away Saturday, April 24th, 2021, at Bronson Children’s Hospital in Kalamazoo, Mich., with family and friends present.

Matthew was born on Oct. 2, 2019, in St. Joseph to parents Savanna Ledesma and Matthew Brown, both of Hartford.

Matthew is survived by his mother, Savanna (Jake)...

Apr 24, 2021

Mary Louise Becktold, 87, of Spring Lake, Mich., passed away Saturday, April 24, 2021 surrounded by her family.

Mary Lou was born Aug. 3, 1933, to the late Harry and Grace Surber. She was raised in Redford, Mich., with her late sister, June Stoutenburg. Mary Lou grew up in church and got to know Jesus Christ as...

Apr 20, 2021

Lori Beth Ketcham, 56, of Hartford passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at her home.

“Lolo”, as she was known by most, was born Dec. 30, 1964, in Berrien Springs, the daughter of Oscar and Ida (Miller) Furgeson. She loved to travel and would just like to get up and go anywhere. Her most precious times were...

Apr 19, 2021

Charles Stewart Rowlee Sr., 65, of Lawrence passed away Monday, April 19, 2021, at home.

Charles was born Sept. 22, 1955, in Watervliet, the son of Clyde and Frieda (Fetke) Rowlee, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him are two brothers: Clyde and Carl Rowlee; a grandson, Jacob McCann; and a great-granddaughter, Maeliegh Hall....

Apr 13, 2021

On Tuesday, April 13th, 2021, Tina Wilson (Metelko), loving wife, mother, and grandmother passed away at the age of 58.

Tina was born on Dec. 7, 1962, in Chicago, to Marko and Winifred Metelko (Rogers). Tina graduated from Lincoln Way High School in 1981. On Dec. 19, 1982, she married Christopher Charles Wilson. In 1988, they moved...

Apr 13, 2021

Harvey Joseph Lewis Jr., 63, of Hartford, was born April 14, 1957, in Grand Rapids, Mich., the son of Harvey Sr., and Norma (King) Lewis.

Harvey passed away Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at his home. He was preceded in passing by his father.

On Oct. 16, 2015, Harvey was united in marriage with Donna Marie...

Apr 13, 2021

Velma (Louise) Cargo, loving wife, mother and grandmother, was born in Searcy, Ark., on Sept. 16, 1933. She was the daughter of Lawrence and Mary (Benson) Cooper. Louise passed away on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at Life Care Center of Plainwell.

She is survived by two sons: George (MaryAnn) Cargo and Donald Cargo; a daughter, Patsy (Jerome)...

Apr 7, 2021

Phil Meachum, 55, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 7, 2021.

Phil was born in Manhattan, N.Y. to Theresa and William (Willie) Meachum. He grew up in Bayside, N.Y., before moving to Michigan at the age of 15. Phil drove tractor trailers both locally and cross-country for over thirty years. During this time, Phil also became involved...

Apr 7, 2021

Wallace Owen Haight, 87, of Hartford passed away the evening of Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Wally was born May 11, 1933, at the Haight family farm in Allegan, Mich., the son of Harold F. and Esther G. Haight (O’Brien).

Wally moved with his family to Hartford in 1939, where he attended Hartford Public Schools, graduating in 1952....

Mar 31, 2021

Terry Ray Dixon, 62, of Hartford passed away Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph.

Terry was born on Oct. 3, 1958, in Benton Harbor the son of Elmer and Norma (Racine) Dixon. He was formerly employed with Pullman Industries in South Haven.

Terry was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son and...

Mar 25, 2021

Sharyn Michal Robbins-Kuempel, 78, formerly of Hartford passed away peacefully after a long illness on Thursday, March 25, 2021, at her home in Bridgman.

Sharyn was born on Oct. 30, 1942, in Watervliet, the daughter of Barney and Louthelle (Heaton) Keech, both deceased. Preceding her in passing were her first husband, Richard Cecil Robbins; two brothers: James...

Mar 8, 2021

Arthur Ray Bozarth Sr. was born Dec. 9, 1926, in Dekoven, Ky. to Elmer and Lillie (Lemon) Bozarth. Arthur passed away Monday, March 8, 2021 at Advent Health Daytona Beach in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Ray, as he was known by most, served his country honorably in the United States Navy during World War II. He was a...

Mar 6, 2021

Haylee Lorraine (Elijah) Caldwell, passed away suddenly on Saturday, March 6, 2021, at home.

Haylee was born Nov. 11, 1993, to Steven and Stacy (Caldwell) Hooper. She was a registered medical assistant, who graduated from Ross Medical School.

Haylee loved and helped everyone and anyone she came in contact with. Although nothing compared to the...

Feb 26, 2021

Marcus Wade DeLoach, went to heaven on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, to be with his parents and brothers.

Marcus (Mark) was born June 2, 1960, in Watervliet, the son of Norman and Zelma (Blevens) DeLoach, both of whom precede him in passing. His brothers: Carl, Randy and Danny have also preceded him in death.

Among...

Feb 23, 2021

Evelyn Ruth (Coats) Wise, 96, was born on March 6, 1924, to Curtis and Nellie (Foos) Coats in Flint, Mich. Evelyn passed away peacefully Feb. 23, 2021.

Evelyn graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1941. She worked for Lawrence Shearer Insurance, Anderson’s Resort and Covel Manufacturing Company.

Evelyn married Horace “Hoddie” Wise on May...

Feb 21, 2021

Bonnie Sue Lindley, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Lawrence Township, at the age of 73, on Feb. 21, 2021. It was a beautiful Sunday morning, the sun was shining and the birds were singing.

Bonnie was born on June 4, 1947, to Bud and Dorothy...

Feb 16, 2021

Mary Wanda Phillips, 89, of Coloma passed away Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, in Hartford Township.

Mary was born April 13, 1931. in Pleasant Grove, Ark., the daughter of Robert and Opal (Rhodes) Southard, both of whom precede her in passing. Also preceding her in passing are her husband, George; two sons: Gary and Kenneth; two sisters; and...

Feb 7, 2021

Rusty Ray Phillips, 41, of Lawrence passed away suddenly Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021.

Rusty was born March 8, 1979, in Berrien Springs, the son of Randy and Sharon (Yawberry) Phillips. He dedicated his life to his children, whom he loved dearly. He loved to fish and hunt.

Rusty is survived by three children: Tarynn, Delaney,...

Feb 3, 2021

Norine Lucille (Bisnett) Arnt went to meet her savior on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021.

She was born on Oct. 1, 1928, in her parents’ farmhouse in Keeler Township. She was the second youngest in a large family of 11 siblings. While they never had a lot of money, there were plenty of hand me downs, food, and...