Obituaries

Buford Henry Mann

Sep 22, 2017

Buford Henry Mann of Hartford died at home Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, at the age of 81. Buford was born to Jewell and Silvia (Longhorn) Mann on March 2, 1936, in Hardy, Ark. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers: Bill and Phillip Mann. On Nov. 4, 1994, he and Betty Larabee were united in...

James Edward Bryant

Sep 15, 2017

James Edward Bryant passed away, at the age of 71, on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. James was born Jan. 27, 1946, in Carroll County, Tenn., the son of Bonnie and Bertha Bryant, both of whom preceded him in passing.

James was an avid church goer. He was formerly employed...

Maria Castro

Sep 13, 2017

Maria Castro, 61, of Hartford passed away Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo.

Maria was born Nov. 14, 1955, in Rio Bravo, Mexico, the daughter of Santiago Galaviz and Felicitas Martinez.

Maria is survived by her five children: Jose L. Galaviz, Juan C. Galaviz and Joel A. (Gloria)...

Thomas Ford Moody, Sr.

Sep 11, 2017

Thomas Ford Moody Sr., 51, of Hartford passed away suddenly Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, at home.

Thomas was born May 8, 1966, in Decaturville, Tenn., the son of James and Bonnie (Hayes) Moody, both of whom preceded him in passing. Also preceding him in passing were three brothers, five sisters and his soul mate, Theresa...

Larry Joe Rach

Sep 6, 2017

Larry Joe Rach, of Bangor was born Nov. 3, 1946, in Dowagiac. He was the son of Emil and Lucille (Kelly) Rach. Larry passed away at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Kalamazoo on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017.

Larry was formerly employed at Pullman Industries. He loved his family dearly and would do anything for them....

Gloria May Peters

Sep 4, 2017

Gloria May (Heater) Peters, 89, of Hartford, and more recently Charlevoix, Mich., gracefully and peacefully went to be with her beloved husband, Wilson, and her heavenly Father on Monday, Sept. 4, 2017, surrounded by her loving family.

Gloria was born on Jan. 7, 1928, in Benton Township, Berrien County, to Elsie (Schauss) and Joseph Heater....

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.

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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.

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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...