Obituaries

Bruce Albert Varnau

Sep 4, 2017

Bruce Albert Varnau passed away suddenly at the age of 62 on Monday, Sept. 4, 2017, at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Bruce was born March 18, 1955, in Watervliet, the son of Albert and Geraldine (Edwards) Varnau, both of whom precede him in passing.

Bruce graduated from Hartford High School in 1973 and was...

Phyllis Idell Deford

Sep 2, 2017

Phyllis Idell DeFord, 81, of Hartford passed away Sept. 2, 2017. She was preceded in death by her parents, Maurice and Clara (Miller) Slesnick; and her husband, William A. DeFord Jr.

She leaves behind her siblings: Roberta Landberg of New York, Shirley Rainford of Indiana, Carol Schuldt of California, Dr. Toby (June) Mayer of California,...

April Annette Gauthier

Aug 27, 2017

April Annette Gauthier of Eau Claire, was born Oct. 8, 1956, in Watervliet, the daughter of James and Hazel (Morrison) Dale. April passed away on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, James Clarence Dale Jr.

April is survived by a daughter,...

Richard Douglas Reynnells

Aug 18, 2017

Richard Douglas "Dick" Reynnells, 94, of Lawrence died Aug. 18, 2017, at his home. He was born Nov. 16, 1922, in Lawrence, not far from his current residence. Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Helen (Sirks), also a graduate of Lawrence High School class of 1941, in 2003; his parents, S. Newton and Retha B. (Meabon) Reynnells;...

Karen Louise Sanborn

Aug 15, 2017

A graveside service celebrating the life of Karen L. Sanborn (Staffen), age 55 of Lawrence will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at Hill Cemetery in Lawrence. A visitation and luncheon will follow at the Lawrence Lions Club. Karen died in her home on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, surrounded by family.

Karen was born...

Cole Benjamin Birkhead

Aug 13, 2017

Cole Benjamin Birkhead, 16, of Hartford went to be with the Lord on Aug. 13, 2017. Cole was born on Nov. 7, 2000, to Nicole Nevins and Gary Birkhead.

Cole enjoyed the outdoors, playing a variety of sports, including football, basketball and baseball. Cole was happy to be with his friends and family, namely his...

Maria De Lourdes Aviles Armenta

Aug 8, 2017

Maria De Lourdes Aviles Armenta, 62, of Decatur passed away Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017, at her son's home.

Maria was born Aug. 20, 1954, in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico, the daughter of Isabel and Dominga (Armenta) Lopez, both of whom preceded her in passing. She was also preceded in passing by a sister.

...

Ruth Ann Garrod

Aug 3, 2017

Ruth Ann Garrod was born Aug. 31, 1964, in Kalamazoo. She was one of three children born to William and Irene (Gillete) Garrod. Ruth passed away on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017, at Bronson Methodist Hospital.

Ruth worked at numerous places throughout her life. She was formerly employed at Lake Michigan College, Duffy Motts and Coloma...

Teresa Victoria Struzik

Jul 27, 2017

Teresa Victoria Struzik, 89, of Hartford passed away Thursday, July 27, 2017, at Pine Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation, Stevensville.

Teresa was born Jan. 31, 1928, in Hammond, Ind., the daughter of Anthony and Tekla Goray, both of whom preceded her in passing. She was also preceded in passing by her husband of 62 years, Charles...

John Allen Martin, Sr.

Jul 25, 2017

John Allen Martin Sr., 68, of Hartford passed away Tuesday, July 25, 2017, at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph.

John was born June 3, 1949, in Watervliet, the son of George and Anna (McCarthy) Martin, both of whom preceded him in passing. He was also preceded in passing by two brothers, Horace and Tom Martin....

Jean Carol Wessendorf

Jul 21, 2017

Jean Carol Wessendorf was born March 23, 1945, in Benton Harbor. She passed away at the age of 72, on July 21, 2017, at her home in Keeler. She was the daughter of Albert and Virgil (Shire) Wessendorf, both of whom preceded her in passing. Also preceding her in passing was a brother, Chaplain Forrest Wessendorf.

...

Donald Dean Rose

Jul 11, 2017

Donald Dean Rose, 87, of Hartford passed away Tuesday July 11, 2017, at Caretel Inns of Lakeland.

Don was born Aug. 3, 1929, in Hartford, the son of Donald and Delta (Rassette) Rose. He attended Hartford Public Schools and then served his country proudly in the United States Navy, where he was an electrician. Upon...

Bruce Andrew Wright

Jul 4, 2017

Bruce Andrew Wright was born August 9, 1935, in Piggott, Ark., the son of Herbert Sr. and Ettie (Allman) Wright, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing were one grandchild and two brothers: Paul and Kenneth Wright.

Bruce passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2017, at his home in Sister...

Peter Aaron Thomas

Jul 3, 2017

Peter Aaron Thomas was born Nov. 28, 1961, to John H. Thomas and F. Ruth Thomas. He passed away Monday, July 3, 2017, at his home in Watervliet Township.

He was a graduate of Lawrence High School and Beulah Heights Bible College. He served as a Chaplains Assistant first in the Army National Guard, then...

Bruce Randall Knowlton

Jul 2, 2017

Randy went to be with his Lord on Sunday, July 2, 2017. He was loved by everyone who knew him and will be greatly missed by all.

He met the love of his life, Bonnie, in 1995; they were married in 2002. Besides his wife, he is survived by his mother, Casilda Rice; four brothers:...

Harold William Walker, Jr.

Jun 5, 2017

Harold William Walker Jr., 82, of Hartford, was born on Dec. 24, 1934, in Hartford, the son of Harold and Beatrice (Manley) Walker, both of whom preceded him in passing. He was also preceded in passing by a brother, James. Harold passed away suddenly on Monday, June 5, 2017.

Cocky, as he was known by...

Naomi P. Beeching

Jun 2, 2017

Naomi P. Beeching, 94, of Lawrence went to be with the Lord Friday, June 2, 2017. She was born Nov. 18, 1922, in Lawrence, Mich., the daughter of Arthur and Mildred (Sutherby) Moses. She was united in marriage to Charles W. Beeching on Oct. 31, 1939. He preceded her on Sept. 23, 2009. Also preceding her were her parents;...

David Ray Crest

May 31, 2017

David Ray Crest was born April 7, 1962, in Poplar Bluff, Mo., the son of Donald and Sylvia (Traughber) Crest. David passed away suddenly Wednesday, May 31, 2017.

David is survived by his mother; four children: Michael (Stephanie) Fain of LaPorte, Ind., Shontai (Jacob) Kuhens of Kalamazoo, Zachariah Crest of Hartford and George Crest of...

Randall Webster Howard

May 25, 2017

Randall was born Oct. 31, 1949, in Benton Harbor, the son of Everett and Virginia (Casselman) Howard, both of whom preceded him in passing. Also preceding him in passing were his stepfather, Leslie Miner; a sister-in-law, Rose Ann Howard; and a brother-in-law, David Tober.

Randall married the former Cynthia Tober on May 25, 1980. He...

Margaret Cornelia Stromeyer

May 24, 2017

Margaret Cornelia Stromeyer was born May 22, 1925, in Lawrence Township. She passed away at the age of 92, on May 24, 2017, at her home. She was the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Stafford) Wild, both of whom preceded her in passing. Margaret was also preceded by four siblings.

After graduating from high school,...