Obituaries

Feb 17, 2014

Douglas Brian Martens was born June 18, 1955, in Watervliet. He was the second son born to Charles and Margaret (Colman) Martens. Doug, as he was known to everyone, passed away at home on Monday Feb, 17, 2014. He was preceded in death by both of his parents.

Cremation has taken place. Burial of both...

Feb 16, 2014

Caroline Julia Matthews, 79, of Hartford passed away Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014, at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Watervliet, of which she was a member. Father John Peter and Father Donald Wieber will be the celebrants....

Feb 11, 2014

Ann Sheridan Beckman (Sharon), 68, of Watervliet passed away Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014 at Lakeland Community Hospital, Watervliet.

Ann was born Oct. 17, 1945, in Caruthersville, Mo., to Vester and Savine (Haney) Cook. She was formerly employed at Sharper Image for 12 years. In her spare time, she loved taking family vacations, enjoyed bowling and...

Feb 10, 2014

Ramona Nell Fuller Pradon was born Oct. 28, 1935, in Hornersville, Mo. She was one of six children born to John and Ruth (Cole) Neighbors.

Ramona passed away peacefully at her home with her family Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, after a battle with cancer. In addition to her parents, Ramona was preceded in death by...

Feb 10, 2014

Dan Leroy Hamilton, 63 of Hartford passed away suddenly Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, at Lakeland Community Hospital, Watervliet.

Dan was born March 8, 1950, in Harrisburg, Ark., the son of Miles and Geneva (Cooper) Hamilton, both of whom preceded him in passing. Also preceding him in passing were a granddaughter, Azure Skie Hamilton, on June...

Feb 2, 2014

Dollie was born Feb. 14, 1948, in Hayti, Mo., the daughter of Ernest and Lorene (James) Robbins. Just a few days prior to her 65th birthday, Dollie passed away suddenly on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, at her home in Sturgis, Mich.

Dollie graduated from Hartford High School and Southwestern Michigan College, where she earned an...

Jan 22, 2014

Donna was born July 23, 1929, in Watervliet, the daughter of John and Maude (Hilts) Frazier. At the age of 84, Donna passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014, at her home.

Clare Beam and Donna Frazier, were united in marriage on July 26, 1946. She was a member of the Hartford Federated Church,...

Jan 17, 2014

Charlotte Catherine Stevens, 88 of Lawrence, MI, passed away on Friday, January 17, 2014 surrounded by family at Bronson Lakeview Hospital from complication of pneumonia.

A memorial will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the Hartford Federated Church. Following the memorial a luncheon will be served where family and friends...

Jan 15, 2014

Jerry Lee Morris, age 44 of Coloma, passed away Wednesday morning, January 15th, 2014 at Lakeland Community Hospital, Watervliet. Jerry was born February 13, 1969 at Mercy Hospital in Benton Harbor.

Jerry Lee was a fun loving person that loved his spirits, herbal treatments, family and friends. He loved to watch sports with friends and...

Jan 14, 2014

Cathy Diane Cloinger was born on February 13th, 1952 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. She is survived by her husband Benny Cloinger of Watervliet, a son Robert Cloinger of Watervliet, a daughter Stacye Cloinger of Watervliet, a brother Charles Allen of Cassopolis, a sister Brenda Badgley of Benton Harbor, a sister Cindy Steffey (Glen) of Lexington, KY. She is preceded...

Jan 12, 2014

David Julian Wild, 85, of Benton Harbor passed away Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, at home.

A celebration of life service to honor David's memory will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, at the Leonard Funeral Home in Lawrence, where the family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service. David...

Jan 4, 2014

Charles "Chuck" Joseph Struzik, 99, of Hartford was called home to heaven Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, at home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Hartford. Father Donald Wieber and Monsignor Leo Cartagena will officiate. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday,...

Dec 15, 2013

Karen Lynne Harmon, 60, of Hartford, passed away Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo.

Karen was born March 23, 1953, in Muskegon, the daughter of Arvin and Valerie (Jackson) Byers, both of whom preceded her in passing. Also preceding her in passing were a grandson, Andrew David Zeiner; and her beloved dog,...

Dec 11, 2013

Longtime area resident and horsewoman Dona Sherman, 85, of Hartford, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph.

Dona was born Dec. 23, 1927, in Hartford, the daughter of Donald and Anna (Gay) Chidester, both of whom preceded her in passing. She was also preceded in passing by her husband...

Dec 8, 2013

Magdaline Pierce, 81, of Hartford passed away Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, at home.

Magdaline was born March 1, 1932, in Marie, Ark., the daughter of Clifford and Gertrude (Alred) Yeager, both of whom preceded her in passing. She was also preceded in passing by three sisters: Clara, Donarie and Orline; and three brothers: George, Billy...

Dec 7, 2013

Samuel Waterlander, 72, of Keeler Township passed away Saturday, December 7, 2013 at his home.

Samuel was born on May 9, 1941, in Decatur, MI., to Evert and Lena (Hempenius) Waterlander. Samuel proudly served his country in the Marines during the Vietnam War. He retired after 25 years as a custodian at the Dowagiac Union...

Dec 7, 2013

Susan Diane Williams, 71 of Hartford, passed away Saturday, December 7, 2013 at her home.

Susan was born Feb. 6, 1942 in Lawrence, the daughter of Gerald and Ruth (Kime) Selters, both of whom preceded her in passing. She loved the times spent with her family, especially the time she spent with her grandchildren.

Dec 6, 2013

John Peter Sell of Sister Lakes was born on April 14, 1934, in Chicago, the son of Karl and Hedwig (Kaushe) Sell. John passed away at The Timbers of Cass County on Dec. 6, 2013.

John married the former Audrey Arnold on Aug, 10, 1957. and she survives along with their two sons, John Sell...

Nov 20, 2013

Earl Wayne Higgins was born to Exell and Roy Higgins on April 24, 1944, in Missouri. Earl went to be with the Lord on Nov. 20, 2013, with his children and grandchildren by his side.

Earl grew up in Missouri, then he went into the Army, where he was a cook and a M.P. He...

Nov 9, 2013

Odena Louise Hansen, 91, dearly loved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, was a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. He was her Savior and Lord, and on Nov. 9, 2013, she met Him face to face.

Odena was born Nov. 27, 1921, in a church parsonage in Allendale, Mich. Most of her childhood was spent in...