Obituaries

May 10, 2017

Betty was born July 30, 1952, in Benton Harbor, the daughter of Ivan and Laura (Campbell) Orr. Betty passed away on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, at her home. She was preceded in death by her father, Ivan; a son, Derrick Ray Henagan; a grandson, Cane Raylynn Henagan; and a brother, Larry Orr.

Betty is survived...

May 8, 2017

Billy Ray Morris, 80, of Bangor Township was born on Jan. 2, 1937, to Dencil and Margaret (Branam) Morris. He passed away suddenly on Monday, May 8, 2017, at his home.

At age 80, “Bill” as he was known, was still doing construction work at his own company, Bill Morris Construction which he started in...

May 6, 2017

David Enrique Reyna was born May 27, 1993, in South Haven, the son of Juan Sr. and Rebecca (Esparza) Reyna. David passed away suddenly on May 6, 2017.

David is survived by his parents; two children, Dario and Kattelya Charity Reyna; his grandparents: Marcos and Daria Reyna and Gloria Alvarez and Robert Esparza; 10 brothers...

Apr 29, 2017

Efrain Barrera Maya Sr. was born Aug. 12, 1956, in Sonora, Texas. He was the youngest of 10 siblings. As a child, his family relocated to Detroit, where he attended junior high, and high school, eventually meeting a young girl named Kathy at age 15, who would become the love of his life for the rest of his days....

Apr 29, 2017

Ward Henry Collins was born Sept. 27, 1947, on the family farm in Hartford. He was the son of George and Eleanor (Baird) Collins. Ward passed away suddenly at home on Saturday, April 29, 2017.

Ward was a 1966 graduate of Hartford High School, and graduated from Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree. He...

Apr 23, 2017

Linda Lou Bentley, 69, of South Haven, was born June 21, 1947, in Benton Harbor. She was the daughter of James and Mary (Tilford) Cunningham both of whom preceded her in passing. Linda passed away on Sunday, April 23, 2017, at Bronson, South Haven.

Linda loved making crafts off all kinds, playing bingo and most...

Apr 13, 2017

Kevin William Darling was born July 24, 1984, in Kalamazoo, the son of Jerry Darling and Sharon (Lowe) Miller. Kevin passed away suddenly on Thursday, April 13, 2017.

Kevin was a 2002 graduate of Hartford High School and went on to become a certified welder.

The family will welcome friends from...

Apr 13, 2017

Curtis William Drake was born June 21, 1916, in Bangor, the son of Curtis and Jean (Humphrey) Drake. He passed away Thursday, April 13, 2017 at South Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Community.

Curt, as he was known, grew up on Van Auken Lake. He moved to Chicago after school to work with his uncle, James...

Apr 10, 2017

Fred Kroboth, 81, of Hartford, passed away Monday, April 10, 2017. Fred was lovingly cared for by his wife, Betty, for the past 24 years.

Fred was born Nov. 30, 1935, in Kalamazoo, the son of Fred Sr. and Hazel (Garrett) Kroboth, both of whom preceded him in passing. He was also preceded in death...

Apr 1, 2017

Clotilde Hernandez was born on July 8, 1948, in Raymondville, Texas, the daughter of Jose Chavarria and Amelia Gonzalez. She passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2017, at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Oshtemo Township.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hartford, with...

Mar 18, 2017

Wilma Jean Heflin was born on July 2, 1938, in Bald Knob, Ark., the daughter of Cecil and Sadie (Sarrels) Elder.

Wilma passed to her new life Saturday, March 18, 2017, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

On Aug. 2, 1958, Wilma was united in marriage to L. D....

Mar 17, 2017

Robert E. Buss was born Oct. 8, 1928, in Arlington Township. He was one of three children born to John and Mildred (Jacobs) Buss. Robert passed away suddenly at home on Friday, March 17, 2017.

Robert served his country proudly in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was formerly employed by a house...

Mar 12, 2017

Charles Ellsworth Warkentien, 77, of Hartford Township passed away Sunday, March 12, 2017, at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville.

Charles, or “Chuck” or “Charlie” as he was known by most, was born April 1, 1939, in Star City, Ind., the son of Irvin and Annabelle (Phillips) Warkentien, both of whom preceded him in passing.

...

Mar 12, 2017

Russell Robert Gray, 73, died peacefully at his home in Benton Harbor Sunday, March 12, 2017. He was born April 19, 1943, in St. Joseph. He was a 1962 graduate of Covert High School and attended Southwest Michigan Community College. He was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War serving aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Coral Sea (CVA-43).

Mar 3, 2017

Elizabeth June Rodgers was born June 18, 1923, in Hartford. She was the daughter of Adelbert and Barbara (Wise) Neff. Elizabeth passed away at home on Friday, March 3, 2017.

The family will welcome friends from 12:30-1 p.m. Saturday, March 11, 2017, at the Van Buren Sportsmen's Club, followed at 1 p.m. with a celebration...

Feb 27, 2017

Carol Elizabeth Wilkens, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, surrounded by her family at Pine Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Stevensville.

Carol was born on July 27, 1935, in Benton Harbor, the daughter of Charles and Frances (Tucker) Kozma, both of whom preceded her in passing. Carol was...

Feb 26, 2017

Robert Arthur Garrod, 92, of Lawrence, died Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at his residence, surrounded by his family. He was born July 28, 1924, in Arlington Township, MI, the son of Fred Sr, and Edith Garrod.

Robert was a 1941 graduate of Lawrence High School, and graduated from Michigan State College's Agricultural (East Lansing) short...

Feb 24, 2017

Brian Scott Burfield, 48, of Hartford passed away suddenly on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, at home.

Brian was born Aug. 23, 1968, in Watervliet, the son of Wallace Burfield and Wanda Drane Morse.

On Nov. 26, 1990, Brian was united in marriage with Linda Bisbee and she survives; along with three...

Jan 25, 2017

John Anton Brower was born June 10, 1939, in Brazzaville, Belgian Congo, one of five children born to Angus and Emma (Anderson) Brower, both of whom preceded him in passing. Also preceding him in passing was a brother, Paul Brower. John passed away at home on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017.

The family will welcome friends...

Jan 24, 2017

Nathan Franklin Wright, 76, passed away Jan. 24, 2017, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo. He was born Dec. 30, 1940, in Athens, Ala., to Nathan and Sarah (Adams) Wright.

He leaves a loving family including his wife, Sandra; a daughter, Katie Valtierra of Dowagiac; a son, Johnny Wright of Tucson, Ariz.; three sisters: Ramona (Steven)...