Obituaries

Aug 15, 2020

Evelyn Locena Arrans, 95, was born Oct. 14, 1924, and passed away Aug. 16, 2020, at her home in Paw Paw. Evelyn was the daughter of Guy and Hazel (Crankshaw) Smith, who preceded her in death.

In January of 1941, Evelyn was united in marriage to Gilbert LeRoy Arrans who also preceded her in death along with...

Aug 9, 2020

Christopher Keech of St. Joseph played his final encore and passed away Aug. 10, 2020.

A lifetime resident of Southwestern Michigan, Chris entertained us all with his talent as a musician and performer. His talent for music led him to teach, conduct, and share his talent both locally and around the world.

A Hartford High...

Aug 5, 2020

William Wayne Bennett, 42, of Battle Creek passed away suddenly on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, at home.

William was born Dec. 21, 1977, in St. Joseph, the son of Vern and Irene (Rhinehart) Bennett.

William is survived by a daughter, Carri (Jacob) Pelfry of Paintsville, Ky.; two sons, William Bennett and John Bennett, both of...

Aug 4, 2020

James Keech, 87, of Keeler, Mich., peacefully made his final curtain call Aug. 4, 2020.

A lifelong resident of the area, his travels circled the earth several times. A Hartford High School graduate of 1951, James was named a Class C All-State football player. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in the Korean War....

Aug 3, 2020

Raymond Lee Yates, 71, of Niles passed away Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, at Ascension Borgess Hospital, Kalamazoo.

Raymond was born Dec. 1, 1948, in Watervliet, the son of Clarence and Nellie (Skaggs) Yates, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing are two brothers: Lloyd Francis Yates and Clarence Yates; and four sisters:...

Aug 3, 2020

Carol Sue King, 79, passed away Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, at River Ridge Retirement Village in South Haven. Carol was born March 5, 1941 in Watervliet. She is the daughter of Carl and Florence (Shingledecker) McNees. Carol was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

On May 12, 1962, Carol was united in marriage with Lucius...

Aug 1, 2020

Don Edward Mills, 76, of Hartford passed away Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020 at Caretel Inns of Lakeland, Royalton Township.

Don was born July 16, 1944, in Watervliet, the son of Edward and Bessie (Hickman) Mills, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing are a son, Kevin Mills and a sister, Anna Lee...

Jul 21, 2020

Jonathan Samuel Casey, 53, of Paw Paw passed away suddenly Tuesday, July 21, 2020, at his home.

A full obituary will not be published. Cremation has taken place, and no public services will be held. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford, is assisting the family with arrangements. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so...

Jul 20, 2020

Mathew Eric Efting, 25, of Hartford passed away suddenly on Monday, July 20, 2020, in Bangor Township.

Mathew, known to many as “Mat Man,” was born Sept. 2, 1994, in St. Joseph, the son of Eric and Tamara (Burfield) Efting.

Mathew was a business partner with his father at Eric Efting Construction. He had a...

Jul 19, 2020

Jerry Dean Tanner, 74, of Hartford passed away suddenly on Sunday, July 19, 2020, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.

Jerry was born on May 19, 1946, in Bradford, Ark., the son of Carl and Madeline (Robertson) Tanner. He served his country proudly in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was carpenter by trade....

Jul 8, 2020

Rodrigo Rios Hernandez, 20, passed away suddenly Wednesday, July 8, 2020, at Spectrum Health Lakeland, St. Joseph.

A full obituary will not be published. Rodrigo's body will be taken back to Mexico for burial, and no public services will be held in Michigan. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford, is assisting the family with arrangements. Those wishing to leave...

Jul 3, 2020

William Foster Sr., 93, of Keeler passed away on Friday, July 3, 2020, in Dowagiac.

Bill entered the world on Nov. 9, 1926, in Benton Harbor. He was the son of Dean and Ruth Meachum Foster of Hartford.

Bill graduated from Dowagiac Union High School and completed an agricultural short course from Michigan State University....

Jun 29, 2020

Louise Ann McCoy of Dowagiac passed away at the age of 88 on Monday, June 29, 2020, at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Louise was born on July 23, 1931, in Parkers Prairie, Minn., the daughter of Charles and Ella (Minders) Miller.

Louise loved working crossword puzzles and watching her favorite sports teams, the Detroit Tigers and...

Jun 25, 2020

Beverly Jane Davis, 85, of Hartford passed away Thursday, June 25, 2020, at home.

Beverly was born May 31, 1935, in Decatur, the daughter of Albert and Mildred (Robinson) Sorensen, both of whom precede her in passing. Also preceding her in passing are a son, Douglas Davis; one grandchild; and two brothers.

Beverly graduated from...

Jun 7, 2020

Shirlene Luese Carmichael of Watervliet went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 7, 2020, at the age of 80, in Portage, Mich. Shirlene was born Aug. 22, 1939, in Bangor, the daughter of Horace and Hilda (Shugars) Hindes, both of whom precede her in passing. Also preceding her in passing were a daughter, Anita Davis;...

Jun 6, 2020

Gayl Patrice Dennany was born June 20, 1945, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Edwin and Joan (Thompson) Athey.

Gayl passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, June 6, 2020, at home.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father; her husband; Charles J. Dennany Sr.; and her beloved aunt and uncle, Gloria...

May 30, 2020

Luis Manuel Zapata, 73, of Lawrence was born June 21, 1946, in Brownsville, Texas. Luis was surrounded by his family when he passed at his home on Saturday, May 30, 2020.

Luis is the son of Manuel and Guadalupe (Castaneda) Zapata, both of whom preceded him in passing. Also preceding him in death were two brothers, Alberto...

May 26, 2020

Julie Mae Burfield, 26, of Hartford suddenly passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.

She was born Feb. 10, 1994, in Benton Harbor, the daughter of Jeffery and Linda (Viscuso) Briney.

Julie was a soft spoken, free spirit with an eternally giving heart. She loved being outdoors and always seemed to be on an adventure....

May 24, 2020

Dianna Kay Lakey, 70, of Lawrence passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2020 at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph.

Dianna was born Feb. 4, 1950, in Cardwell, Mo., the daughter of Miles and Essie (Smith) Carter. Dianna was a loving wife and mother who loved flowers, working in her garden, cooking and listening to gospel and country...

May 12, 2020

Gertrude “Trudy” (Cross) Rowe, 98, of Lawrence passed away peacefully on May 12, 2020, at home, surrounded by her family.

Trudy was a lifelong resident of Lawrence and she was loved by all who knew her. Graduating as the Lawrence High School Class of 1940 Valedictorian, she went on to attend County Normal (Now Western Michigan University)...