Obituaries

Jun 24, 2019

Laura Margaret Winkel, 96, of Hartford, was born Oct. 9, 1922, in St. Joseph, Minn. She was the daughter of Michael and Frances (Shablow) Barchalk. Laura passed away on Monday, June 24, 2019, at Pine Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Stevensville.

Laura is survived by her four children: Barbara (Robert) Blocker of Hartford, Ronald...

Jun 23, 2019

Viola Ruth Drake was born March 21, 1921, the daughter of Francis (Frank) Ziba Bisbee and Cora Lee Benedict. Viola passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2019, at her home in Bangor Township at the age of 98.

On Dec. 31, 1948, she was united in marriage to Virgil Drake. Virgil passed away on June...

Jun 19, 2019

Elmer Horn, 82, was born Oct. 3, 1936, in Clarksville, Tenn., the son of William and Ethel (Spivey) Horn. Elmer passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at his home in Lawrence.

For many years Elmer drove farm tractors for numerous farmers in Indiana. He was an avid fisherman, enjoyed listening to the old country and...

Jun 15, 2019

Raymond Eugene Wiltshire was born Nov. 6, 1943, in Angleton, Texas, to Raymond and Bertha (Williams) Wiltshire. He left this world on June 15, 2019, at the age of 75, at the VA Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Ray, as he was known, was united in marriage to Paula (Richards) Wiltshire, who survives along...

May 26, 2019

Brant Anthony Koshar, 25, of Hartford passed away suddenly on May 26, 2019, in Hamilton Township.

Brant was born on July 13, 1993, to Timothy and Robin Koshar. He attended Hartford schools his whole life and graduated in 2011. Brant enjoyed and played football, basketball, baseball and wrestling. Brant loved his family and friends and...

May 21, 2019

Willie Albert Mize was born Jan. 2, 1933, in Senath, Mo., the son of Clyde and Fannie (Mattox) Mize. He passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at his home.

On Jan. 17, 1981, Willie and Connie Hozian were united in marriage. She survives along with two sons; Joe Mize of Collinsville, Ill., and Eric...

May 17, 2019

Barbara Ann Hobdy was born March 21, 1937, in Paw Paw, the daughter of William Warren and Ila Marguerite (Spikings) Smith. Barbara passed away suddenly on May 17, 2019, at the age of 82, at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph.

On Aug. 25, 1956, Barbara and William Hobdy were united in marriage. William passed away...

May 15, 2019

Patricia Diane (Trish) Rasmus, 60, passed away at Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, after losing her battle with cancer.

Mrs. Rasmus was born in Benton Harbor, on March 17, 1959, to Velma and Walter (Ed) Milliken. She attended Hartford High School and spent the majority of her life living...

May 10, 2019

Evelyn Marie Miller, 81, of Hartford passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Friday, May 10, 2019, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.

Evelyn was born on Nov. 21, 1937 in Dowagiac, the daughter of Joseph and Alvina (Alexis) Morsaw, both of whom preceded her in passing. She is also preceded in passing...

May 6, 2019

Roger William Gibbs, 56, of Hartford passed away Monday, May 6, 2019, at home.

Roger was born Jan. 23, 1963, the son of Donald and Margaret (Laberdie) Gibbs, both of whom precede him in passing.

Roger was formerly employed with Duffy Mott Company and Van Buren County Animal Control. He loved...

May 5, 2019

Lorenzo Romero, of Hartford, was born June 25, 1963, in Edinburg, Texas. He was one of eight children born to Manuel and Oralia (Garza) Romero. Lorenzo passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2019, at Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph.

The family will welcome friends from 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, May 9, at the Hartford United...

May 5, 2019

Anthony Gerard Meloche, 68, of Hartford, was born June 20, 1950, in Detroit, one of seven children born to Norman and Anna Jean (O'Grady) Meloche, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing were a brother. Mike; brothers-in-law: Dick Peters and Les Easa; sister-in-law, Suzy Meloche, and niece, Sabrina Black.

Anthony...

May 4, 2019

Douglas Allan Clark, of Dowagiac, was born June 11, 1954, in St. Joseph. He was one of seven children born to Wayne and Rose (Wagner) Clark. Doug, as he was known to everyone, passed away at the Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

Doug was formerly employed by his father’s business,...

Apr 18, 2019

Robert Ernest Cheek, 65, of Watervliet was born on June 1, 1953, in Osceola, Ark., to Ernest and Theodora (Noles) Cheek. He passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2019, at his home. His parents and a sister, Roxy McCrary, precede him in passing.

On Sept. 7, 1991, Robert was united in marriage with Phyllis Easley,...

Apr 15, 2019

Stanley Leroy Head was born Sept. 11, 1954, in Watervliet, the son of James and Joyce (Snyder) Head. He passed away peacefully at the age of 64 on April 15, 2019, at his home in Covert Township.

Stan as he was known, married Linda Peterson on March 3, 2019. He was formerly employed at Banic...

Apr 14, 2019

Brenda Kay Lawson was born May 2, 1956, in Plant City, Fla. She was one of three children born to James and Christine (Hall) West. Brenda passed away suddenly on Sunday, April 14, 2019, at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.

As to Brenda's wishes a private family celebration of life service will be...

Mar 27, 2019

Ethelyn Marie Pastrick, 82 of Hartford went to be with her Lord and Savior Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo.

"Chub", as she was known by most, was born May 16, 1936, in Allegan, the daughter of Chester and Luella (VanRiper) Swisher, both of whom precede her in passing. Also preceding her...

Mar 11, 2019

Katrina Marie Deckard Johnson was born Dec. 21, 1959, in Watervliet, the daughter of Charles and Jean (Estes) Deckard. Katrina passed away suddenly, on Monday, March 11, 2019, at her home, at the age of 59.

Katrina was a graduate of Hartford High School in the class of 1978. She was formerly employed at the...

Feb 21, 2019

Helen Sue Gasca, 53 of Dowagiac passed away suddenly Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo.

Helen was born March 2, 1965, in Holland, Mo., to Barney and Betty (Cannon) Elliott, both of whom precede her in passing. Also preceding her in passing are five brothers: Roger Elliott, Barney Elliott Jr., Stanley Joe...

Feb 11, 2019

Seward "Bubs" Lightner Jr., 91, of Hartford passed away Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville.

A visitation will be at the Calvin Funeral Home in Hartford from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, including a brief service to be officiated by Brian Lightner of the Hartford United Methodist Church. Interment will be at...