Obituaries

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)...

May 11, 2020

Christopher Monroe Dasse was born April 29, 1948 in Benton Harbor, the son of Lester and Betty (Monroe) Dasse, both of whom precede him in passing.

Chris, as he was known, passed away suddenly at the age of 72, on Monday, May 11, 2020 at his home in Lincoln Township.

Chris was formerly employed at...

May 8, 2020

Marcella Ann Puckett was born March 18, 1944, in Howard City, Neb., the daughter of Lester and Mary (Kepple) Maxim, both of whom precede her in passing. She was also preceded by a granddaughter, Lexi Puckett.

Marcella passed away at the age of 76 on Friday, May 8, 2020, surrounded by her loving family, at her daughter’s...

May 7, 2020

Elisa Maria Gutierrez was born July 14, 1979, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was the daughter of Martin and Caroline (Good Buffalo) Gutierrez. Elisa passed away at home on Thursday, May 7, 2020, at the age of 40.

The family will welcome friends from 10 a.m.-noon on Thursday, May 14, at Hartford General Baptist Church, followed at...

May 5, 2020

The family of Dr. Roy "Bud" Davis shares the sad news of his passing on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, at his home, the Vineyard Assisted Living Community in Kalamazoo, surrounded by many who loved him.

Bud was born to Edith and Leland (Lee) Davis on July 24, 1924, and raised in Hartford with his sister, Wilma, spending...

May 5, 2020

Bonna Jean Vanderlyn was born on July 21, 1931, in Hartford, the daughter of Fred and Vera (Vernon) Modro. Bonna passed away May 5, 2020.

Bonna graduated from Hartford High School as part of the class of 1949. She married Arthur Vanderlyn and together they built, owned and operated the Hartford Harding's Market. Art passed away on...

May 4, 2020

Maria Cristina Acevedo Vasquez was born Aug. 24, 1976, in San Juanito de Escobedo, Jal., Mexico, the daughter of Victoriano and Rocina Acevedo.

Maria passed away on Monday, May 4, 2020, at her home, at the age of 43, surrounded by her loving family.

Maria was formerly employed at Shafer Lake Fruit Exchange in Hartford....

Apr 28, 2020

On Tuesday, April 28, 2020, Lisa Foster, wife, mother, daughter, sister and grandmother, passed away after a very courageous battle with cancer. Lisa was lovingly taken care of in her last days by her lifelong friend, Julie Soumis. Lisa will be forever remembered by her husband and best friend, Bill Foster Jr.; her son, Vaughn Jacob Stecker, and Bill’s...

Apr 24, 2020

Long time Hartford resident, Betty “Jeanie” Burlingham passed from this life Friday, April 24, 2020. Jeanie died surrounded by love in her home that she loved in rural Bangor.

Born to Guy and Edna (Thomas) Estes in Manila, Ark. April 15th, 1943, she moved to Hartford at an early age. Jeanie had five children, fifteen grandchildren, and...

Apr 23, 2020

Barbara Mae Lumley, 78, of Lawrence passed away Thursday, April 23, 2020, at home.

Barbara was born June 13, 1941, in East Prairie, Mo., the daughter of Robert and Mary (Wallace) Griffin, both of whom precede her in passing.

Barbara is survived by her two children, Sheila Renfer and Alfred Renfer, both of Lawrence; five...

Apr 14, 2020

James Arthur Hammond, 64, passed from this life on April 14, 2020, at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph.

Jim proudly served in the U.S. Navy at the end of the Vietnam War. He was an active member of the Coloma F.O.P. and championed multiple charitable causes. Jim had great respect for police and all first respondents, considering...

Apr 13, 2020

Dwayne Allen Boughner, 42, of Hartford passed away suddenly on Monday, April 13, 2020.

Dwayne was born Oct. 18, 1977, in Wichita, Kan., the son of James and Cheryl Boughner. He was employed at the Orchard Hill Landfill in Watervliet. He was a kind man with the biggest heart who loved his dog, fishing, and most importantly,...

Apr 13, 2020

Richard Arthur “Dick” Smith, 85, of Lawrence passed away from cancer on Monday, April 13, 2020, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo. Dick was born Dec. 18, 1934, in Hartford, to William Arthur and Myrtle (Chenery MacLeod) Smith. In 1962, he married Mary Jo Wiles. They were blessed with a long marriage and partnership, working hard to raise four children...

Apr 9, 2020

Harold Walter Reed, 87, of Dowagiac passed away Thursday, April 9, 2020 at The Timbers of Cass County, Dowagiac. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford, is assisting the family with arrangements. A full obituary will be released at a later date.

Apr 9, 2020

Ronald Edward Taylor, 61, of Holland, Mich., passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2020, at his home.

Ronald was born on Nov. 26, 1958, in Abilene, Kan., the son of Clarence and Ona (Pritchard) Taylor, both of whom precede him in passing.

On March 22, 1980, Ronald was united in marriage with Rebecca Bassett. He...

Mar 30, 2020

Christopher Allen Birmele, 59, of Decatur passed away suddenly Monday, March 30, 2020, at his home.

A full obituary will not be published. As per Chris' wishes, 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...

Mar 30, 2020

Walter Lyle “Bud” Baker, 74, of Coloma went to heaven “a shoutin’” on Monday, March 30, 2020, at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph.

Bud was born Oct. 7, 1945, in Berrien County. He served our country proudly in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, and was one of Berrien County’s most decorated veterans. During the...

Mar 25, 2020

Stephen Bryan Zuhl, age 67, of St. Joseph passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 25, 2020. Steve, as he was known, was the son of the late Dorothy and Frank Zuhl; loving and devoted father of Megan (Raquel) and Andrew Zuhl; and soulmate to Peggy Radom. He is also survived by his loving caregiver and sister, Beverly...