Obituaries

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A full obituary will not be published.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...

Mar 12, 2020

Reta Jane Geisler was born Aug. 29, 1929, the daughter of Clarence and Hazel Pomeroy. She passed away at the age of 90 on March 12, 2020, at Caretel Inns of Lakeland in St. Joseph.

On Dec. 30, 1951, Reta was united in marriage with David Geisler. She was a beloved mother and grandmother, farm wife and...

Mar 9, 2020

John Ray Gipson, 63, of Lawrence passed away Monday, March 9, 2020 at home. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford, is assisting the family with arrangements. A full obituary will be released at a later date.

Mar 4, 2020

Stan Downey, 63, of Dowagiac entered into rest Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind.

Stan was born May 15, 1956, in Watervliet, to Woodrow Wilson Downey and Dovie Marie (Crowder) Downey. He attended Coloma Public Schools. Stan met the love of his life, Diana, and they were married July 25,...

Mar 1, 2020

Bill Michael Purchase, 75, of Lawrence Township was born on Aug. 28, 1944, to Gerald and Genevieve (Kowalski) Purchase, both of whom precede him in passing. Bill, or Mike as he was known by most all whom knew him, passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2020, at his home.

On June 22, 1974, Bill was united in...

Feb 25, 2020

Carmen Elaine Goodson, 65, of Hartford passed away suddenly on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo.

Carmen was born March 10, 1954, in Sturgis, the daughter of Elroy and Audra (Babcock) Bupp, both of whom precede her in passing.

Carmen was formerly vice president and secretary of Wiltse Fencing in Watervliet for...

Feb 25, 2020

Christopher Frederick Lovelace, 59, of Dowagiac passed away suddenly on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, at his home.

Christopher was born Dec. 22, 1960, in South Bend, Ind., the son of Otho and Virginia (Francis) Lovelace, both of whom precede him in passing.

Christopher was employed with North American Forest Products in Edwardsburg.

Christopher...

Feb 21, 2020

Juanita Nelson, 87, of Plainwell, Mich., went home to be with our Lord on Feb. 21, 2020, after a brief illness.

Born to Walter and Gladys (Mann) Morgan on May 23, 1932, in Sitka, Ark., Juanita married Clyde W. Nelson on Feb. 4, 1949. He passed away on Feb. 1, 1990. Also preceding her in passing are...

Feb 19, 2020

Virginia R. Barnes, 88, of Allegan, formerly of Decatur passed away Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, at Ely Manor, Allegan.

Virginia was born Dec. 23, 1931, in Louisville, Ky., the daughter of Wyman and Rosa (Kirby) Pettit, both of whom precede her in passing. Also preceding her in passing were her husband, Kenneth Barnes Sr., on July 8,...

Feb 18, 2020

Mike Downey was born on Sept. 22, 1949, in Black Oak, Ark., to Woodrow and Dovie Downey. He left this world on Feb. 18, 2020, at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph.

Mike was married to Florence (Sue) Brinsfield on Oct. 25, 1969. Two weeks after their wedding, Mike left to serve his country in Vietnam. He was...

Feb 17, 2020

David Bruce Brown was born June 7, 1950, in Watervliet, the son of Clyde and Edith (Coker) Brown.

David passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, Feb. 17, 2020. Preceding David in passing were his parents; and a brother, Steven Brown.

Dave, as he was known by most, is survived by his children: Duane...

Feb 12, 2020

Shirley Wayne Brewer, 80, of Marcellus, formerly of Hartford and Dowagiac passed away Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, at Ascension Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo.

Shirley was born Sept. 28, 1939, in Lake City, Ark., the son of Samuel and Mary Brewer. Also preceding him in passing were his wife, Barbara, on Apr. 27, 2016, and a son, Lloyd...

Feb 11, 2020

Paul R. Wilcoxson Sr., 78, of Hartford went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, at Caretel Inns of Lakeland in St. Joseph.

Paul was born Sept. 13, 1941, in Jonesboro, Ark., to Woodrow and Vivian (Sidenstricker) Wilcoxson, the oldest of three children. He moved to St. Joseph with his family as...

Feb 10, 2020

Barry Lawrence Johnson, 78, of Hartford passed away Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville.

Barry was born Oct. 5, 1941, in Pasadena, Calif., the son of Joseph and Frances (Campbell) Johnson, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing is a brother, Bruce Johnson.

Barry served his country...

Feb 10, 2020

Genevieve Irene (Dade) Conklin, age 97, entered the presence of her Lord and Savior on Feb. 10, 2020.

Born Sept. 19, 1922, in Hartford, to parents Orlen and Ethel Dade, Genevieve graduated from Hartford High School in 1940. She attended Western State Teachers College where she studied secretarial skills and accounting. She worked for many years in...

Feb 8, 2020

Leanora Mildred Duck, 63, of Hartford passed away suddenly on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, at her home.

Leanora was born Dec. 2, 1956, in Benton Harbor, the daughter of Billy and Mary (Starback) Copeland, both of whom precede her in passing. Also preceding her in passing was a beloved dog, Caesar.

Leanora was formerly employed...

Jan 24, 2020

Bernece Burdette Frazier was born Jan. 24, 1922, the daughter of Walter and Mable (Walter) Broadhurst. She passed away at the age of 98 on her birthday on Jan. 24, 2020, at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Oshtemo Township.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, at Calvin Funeral Home...

Jan 15, 2020

Manuel Estrada, 88, of Weslaco, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020. Manuel was born July 15, 1931 in Mexico.

Manuel is survived by daughters, Concepcion (Luis) Figueroa, Lucia (Javier) Hernandez, Josefina (Jim) Hutchins, Teresa Estrada, Angelina (Octavio) Villanueva; sons, Toribio (Wendy) Estrada and Victor (Chely) Estrada; 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Manuel was...