Obituaries

Sep 3, 2014

Leo Joseph "Bud" Latus was born March 3, 1930, at Memorial Hospital in Benton Harbor and died at his home in Hartford on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014.

Bud was the son of Dr. and Mrs. Leo F. Latus, who preceded him in death, as did a sister, Mary Ellen Learner. Bud graduated from Hartford High...

Sep 2, 2014

Edward Frank Cotman, 58, of Hartford passed away Sept. 2, 2014, at his home.

Frank Jr., as he was known to most, was born Jan. 4, 1956, in Watervliet. He was the son of Frank and Lucy (Calabrese) Cotman, both of whom preceded him in passing.

Frank graduated from Hartford High...

Aug 25, 2014

Betty Jo Massey, 77 of Watervliet, passed away suddenly Monday, August 25, 2014 at her home.

Betty was born January 6, 1937 in Boise, Id., the daughter of Howard and Ruth (Daniel) Hatfield, both of whom precede her in passing. She was also preceded by a grandson, Christian Carl Burch and a brother, Robert Hatfield....

Aug 13, 2014

Theresa Ann Morris, 65, of Hartford passed away Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014, at Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo.

Theresa was born Sept. 7, 1948, in Watervliet, the daughter of Jay and Charlene (Kaylor) McFarland. Her father preceded her in passing.

Theresa worked in the automotive business early on, but later had her...

Aug 11, 2014

Carlos Jovani Moreno, 9 years old, of Hartford, passed away suddenly Monday, Aug. 11, 2014, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.

Carlos was born Sept. 11, 2004, in Watervliet, the son of Filiberto Moreno and Esperanza Rakins. He was a third-grader at Woodside Elementary in Hartford. He loved soccer, scooters and riding his bike.

Aug 1, 2014

Thomas James McConnell, 63, of Keeler Township passed away Friday, Aug. 1, 2014, at home.

Per Tom's wishes, cremation has taken place, and a memorial celebration to honor his memory will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Keeler Church of God, with Pastor Boyd Saylor officiating. The family has requested that those wishing...

Jul 18, 2014

Lois Lorraine Blyly was born Aug. 31, 1932, in Hartford. She passed away suddenly at the age of 81, on July 18, 2014, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph.

Lois grew up on the family farm south of Hartford and graduated from Hartford High School in 1950. She was very active in 4-H and...

Jul 18, 2014

Darlene Doris Tate, 75, of Hartford, passed away suddenly, Friday, July 18, 2014 at her home.

Darlene was born Dec. 15, 1938 in Hartford, the daughter of Luella (Wesaw) Lewis. She was the loving mother of seven children, seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Darlene was a tribal member of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi...

Jul 6, 2014

Joann T. Athey was born February 16, 1923 in Hartford, Michigan and passed away suddenly at the age of 91, on July 6, 2014 at her home in Portage. She was the daughter of Gaylord and Grace (Johns) Thompson.

Joann grew up in Hartford, graduated from Hartford High School, received her undergraduate degree after attending...

Jul 2, 2014

Lena Edna Strefling, 100, of Lawrence, passed away Wednesday, July 2, 2014, at Countryside Nursing and Rehabilitation Community, South Haven.

Lena was born Nov. 16, 1913, in Benton Harbor, the daughter of Gustave and Bertha (Schmidt) Geik, both of whom preceded her in passing. Also preceding her in passing were her husband, William Strefling; two...

Jun 23, 2014

Joseph John Klackle II, "Coach Klackle," 68, of Hartford passed away peacefully with his daughters at his side Monday, June 23, 2014, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.

Joseph was employed at the former Bendix Corp. for 30 years as a hydraulic repairman, but his true love was coaching football and track. He was an...

Jun 13, 2014

Gary Eugene Huffman, 68, of Hartford passed away Friday, June 13, 2014, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph.

A celebration of life service to honor Gary's memory will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 21, 2014, at Hartford United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Jeffrey Williams officiating. Gary will be laid to rest...

Jun 13, 2014

Mary Louise Kendzior, 94, of Hartford, was called home to heaven on Friday, June 13, 2014, at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 17, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Hartford. Deacon Arthur Morsaw and Monsignor Leo Cartagena will officiate. The family will receive...

Jun 13, 2014

Kathleen Ann "Kathy" Killingsworth, 60, of Decatur, was born June 25, 1953. She went to be with her Lord on June 13, 2014. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at home.

Kathy loved her guinea pig, Noel, with all her heart. Her favorite pastimes and hobbies were her family, especially her children, grandchildren and...

Jun 2, 2014

George Washington Thornburg, 88, formerly of Hartford, passed into his heavenly Father's arms Monday, June 2, 2014, at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo with his children by his side to help with his journey home. For almost two years, he resided at New Friends Dementia Care, Kalamazoo, until his passing. The family is very thankful for the wonderful care he...

Jun 1, 2014

Roger Edward Hallgren, 87, of Hartford passed away June 1, 2014, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Roger was born March 3, 1927, in Norway, Mich., the only child of Edward and Ellen (Franson) Hallgren. Both his parents preceded him in passing, along with his wife, Muriel, in 1997.

...

May 27, 2014

Paul Wayne Brink, 82 of Lawrence, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at his home.

A celebration of life service to honor Paul's memory will be held at 4 P.M. on Saturday, May 31, 2014 at the Calvin Funeral Home in Hartford. The family will welcome friends from 3 to 4 P.M. prior...

May 17, 2014

Donald Dale Summerhill, 54, of Portage, Mich., passed away suddenly Saturday, May 17, 2014, at his home.

A celebration of life service to honor Donald's memory will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 22, 2014, at Calvin Funeral Home in Hartford. The family will welcome friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at the...

May 11, 2014

Erma Elizabeth Buskirk was born April 23, 1930, in Decatur. She was the daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Martin) Keene. Erma passed away peacefully at Meadow Woods Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Bloomingdale on Sunday, May 11, 2014. In addition to her parents, Erma was preceded in death by her husband, Dion Buskirk Sr.; a son, Dion Buskirk Jr.;...

May 4, 2014

Linda Rae Ament, 66, of Lawrence was born April 28, 1948, in Kittson, Minn. She was the daughter of Raymond Meagher and Helen (Skjordal) Wright. Linda passed away suddenly at her home Sunday, May 4, 2014. Linda was preceded in passing by her father and a brother, Wayne Wright.

Linda is survived by her husband,...