Obituaries

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...

Nov 2, 2013

Louis Aguinaga, 63, of Watervliet passed away suddenly Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013, at his home.

Louis was born Dec. 30, 1949, in Detroit. He worked for 30 years at Kit Molters' Farm. He loved raising animals, planting in his garden and, most importantly, spending time with his family, especially his daughter and grandchildren.

...

Nov 1, 2013

James Lewis Preston of Kalamazoo was born Oct. 17, 1986, in Paw Paw to James and Lorraine (Stawiszynski) Preston. He was a graduate of Lawrence High School and was employed by Pfizer Corp. James passed away suddenly on Friday, Nov. 1, 2013, as the result of an automobile accident.

James is survived by his parents,...

Oct 30, 2013

Curtis Gene Welty was born on March 21, 1939, and passed away peacefully at his home Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013. He was the youngest of seven children born to Basil and Maggie (Cook) Welty.

Curtis married the former Betty Jane Maddox on May 17, 1958. He was a devoted husband and father who truly enjoyed...

Oct 28, 2013

Evelyn Marie Davis, 76, of Lawrence passed away suddenly Monday, Oct. 28, 2013, at Bronson LakeView Hospital, Paw Paw.

Evelyn was born March 14, 1937, in Detroit, the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Watkins) Burns, both of whom preceded her in passing.

A legal secretary by occupation, she compassionately dedicated close...

Oct 17, 2013

Ronnie Gale Willoughby, 63, of Paw Paw passed away suddenly on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013, at his home.

Ronnie was born May 3, 1950, in Wardell, Mo., to James and Virginia (Phillips) Willoughby.

Ronnie married the former Mary Farley on Nov. 13, 1981, and she survives along with two daughters, Ronda...

Oct 9, 2013

Ken "Pete" Jordan, 77, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, at Royalton Manor in St. Joseph. A life-long resident of Hartford, he married the former Judy Kopus at the Federated Church on April 25, 1964, in Hartford. For the next 49 years they shared their love for each other as they worked together to enjoy a very good life....

Sep 23, 2013

Ronald M. Smithley, 79, ascended into Heaven on Monday morning, Sept. 23, 2013, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph.

Ron, as he was known by most, was born Nov. 24, 1933, in Marion, Ind., the son of Melvin and Agnes (Herreld) Smithley. During the Depression, Ron spent 18 months in the Mary Freebed Rehab...

Sep 20, 2013

Richard Corliss Bouma (Corky), 84, of Watervliet, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 20, 2013 at his home.

Richard was born June 3, 1929 in Watervliet, to Dowey and Helen (Rooker) Bouma, both of whom precede him in passing.

Richard owned and operated the Watervliet Gulf Station for a number of...

Sep 14, 2013

Aage Woodrow Larsen, 91, of Hartford went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph.

Aage was born Feb. 22, 1922, in Benton Harbor, the son of Aage and Ruth (Sturm) Larsen, both of whom preceded him in passing. He was also preceded...

Sep 11, 2013

Sandra Marie Jones Avery, 69, of Hartford, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, September 11, 2013. She was being comforted loved ones at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo, Michigan at the time of her passing.

Sandra was born October 2, 1943 in Washington, D.C. at Freedman's Hospital, a hospital established in 1862 to cater to the medical...

Sep 11, 2013

Aaron R. Tio, 76, of Coloma went to be with the Lord early in the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013, at his home. He fought a hard battle with cancer and stayed positive and upbeat all the way until the end.

He was loved by many and respected by all with whom he came...

Sep 1, 2013

Jean Marie Arant, 84, of Hartford passed away Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013, at Countryside Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, South Haven.

Jean was born Nov. 26, 1928, in Benton Harbor, the daughter of William and Georgia (Tetsworth) Thornton, both of whom preceded her in passing. She was also preceded in passing by her husband, Lester Arant...

Aug 19, 2013

Kathryn Violet (Brady) Bauer, 44 of Alton, Ill., passed away suddenly Monday, Aug. 19, 2013, at her home.

Kathryn was born Oct. 17, 1968, in Watervliet, the daughter of Richard D. and Anita M. Brady. Her husband, Gary; her father, Richard; and her grandparents preceded her in death.

Kathryn graduated from...