Obituaries

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...

Feb 5, 2019

Wallace Eugene Heuser, aged 90, died on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, in Lawrence. Wallace was born in Hartford on Jan. 12, 1929, to Marjorie and Eugene Heuser. He graduated from Hartford High School in 1946. Wallace graduated cum laude from Michigan State University in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Pomology. He married Laura Lee Riegel on July...

Feb 5, 2019

Kathy Lynn Carpenter was born April 5, 1959, in St. Louis, Mo., the daughter of Wayne and Joyce (Meyer) Burton. Kathy passed away Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, at Ascension Borgess Hospital at the age of 59.

Kathy was a homemaker who loved being at home with her children and grandchildren. Her pastime was playing all...

Jan 22, 2019

William Clifford Smith, 90, of Hartford passed away Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo.

William was born July 22, 1928, in Alto Pass, Ill., the son of William and Gladys (Phillips) Smith, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing are a son-in-law, David Ganus; and 11 siblings:...

Jan 18, 2019

Camilla Joan (Millie) Diebold, 87, of Hartford passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Calvin Funeral Home in Hartford. It will include an Order of the Eastern Star service and will be followed by a luncheon at...

Jan 7, 2019

Vera Janice Wade was born Aug. 15, 1940, in St. Louis, the daughter of Albert and Pearl Meyer. Vera passed away suddenly on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Louisville, Ky.

Vera took up residency in Hartford with her husband, Robert Lee Wade Sr., and was formerly employed as an aid at ALPHA Christian Healthcare of...

Jan 5, 2019

Virginia D. Dyer, 92, passed away Jan. 5, 2019, at Ascension Borgess Hospital following a stroke.

Virginia was the youngest of five daughters born tin Mishawaka, Ind., to John and Bessie (Neupert) Steinhauser. Her sisters: Helen Piercy, Mary Jane Dickens, Betty Brittain, and Ruth Lutes all preceded her in death.

Surviving...

Dec 26, 2018

Claude was born on Aug. 27, 1931, the son of Claude Gorman Sr. and Isabelle Mathews.

Claude passed away at the age of 87 on Dec. 26, 2018, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Oshtemo Township.

Claude served his country proudly in the United States Army during the Korean War. He enjoyed...

Dec 11, 2018

Eva Goodrich was born October 14, 1932 in Denver, Colorado. She was the daughter of Martin and Magdalena (Leitheim) Gaborik. Eva passed away peacefully at Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo on Tuesday December 11, 2018.

On March 3, 1950, Eva was united in marriage to Robert Dale Goodrich Sr. She was formerly employed at LakeView Community...

Dec 7, 2018

John Erland Obermesik Jr. was born May 24, 1961, in Watervliet, one of four children born to John Sr. and Donna (Wismer) Obermesik, both of whom precede him in passing.

John passed away suddenly at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, at the age of 57. On July 6, 1982, John...

Nov 22, 2018

Clyde Junior Hammond, 95, passed from this life on Nov. 22, 2018 at The Willows Assisted Living, St. Joseph.

Clyde was born to Clyde Hammond Sr. and Flossie Fae (Butcher) Hammond on April 15, 1923. Clyde came from a large family and was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Harold, Ralph, Vance, Roger,...

Nov 18, 2018

A beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend, Zoe Phillips Contreras left this world and gained her wings at age 10 on Nov. 18, 2018. She was born in Kalamazoo on March 31, 2008, to Jason Phillips and Augustina Contreras.

Zoe was a lover of crafts, baking and animals. She enjoyed dancing and listening...

Nov 16, 2018

Clarence Bryan Fults Jr. was born on April 24, 1941, in Whitwell, Tenn. He passed away suddenly at the age of 77 on Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, at his home in Hartford.

Sonny, as he was known by everyone who knew him, served his country proudly in the United States Navy for over 12 years,...