Obituaries

Apr 6, 2024

William Edward Wagner, of Decatur, was born on Aug. 19, 1934, in Watervliet, the son of Lloyd and Thelma (Burg) Wagner, both of whom preceded him in passing. He was also preceded in passing by his wife, Betty and four brothers. Bill, as he was known, passed away at the age of 89 on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at...

Apr 5, 2024

Helen Virginia “Ginny” Wheeler (Cantrell), 77, of Hartford passed away suddenly on Friday, April 5, 2024.

Ginny was born on Aug. 15, 1946, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the daughter to Fred and Margie Cantrell. She married Ronald “Ron” Wheeler on Dec. 12, 1964. She retired from the Hartford School District after over 30 years of service.

Mar 17, 2024

Dirk Edward Knuth was born on June 4, 1960, in St. Joseph, the son of Arthur and Eunice (Smith) Knuth.

Dirk passed away at his home in Hartford on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at the age of 63. As to Dirk's wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, March...

Mar 17, 2024

Pauline Rutha Stainbrook was born Oct. 5, 1943, in Little Rock, Ark., the daughter of George and Essie (Ledbetter) Cullum. Pauline passed away on Sunday; March 17, 2024, at Hanson Hospice Center. She was a loving mother who did her best.

As to Pauline’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no services will be held. Those wishing...

Mar 16, 2024

Elvin Guy Nyhuis was born Oct. 15, 1929, in Hudsonville, Mich. and entered his eternal home in heaven on March 16, 2024, at the age of 94.

He was preceded in death by his beautiful wife of 69 years, Ann Nyhuis; his son, Timothy Nyhuis; his parents; three brothers; his son-in-law, Joey Walker; and his daughter-in-law, Jean...

Mar 13, 2024

Jerry Dean Conklin, 71, of Lawrence passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Centrica Rose Arbor Place, Kalamazoo.

Jerry was born Dec. 3, 1952, in Paw Paw, the son of Melvin and Phyllis (Wright) Conklin, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing are a granddaughter, Emersyn Conklin; and a brother, James Conklin....

Mar 1, 2024

Faye Eleanor Blum was born March 11, 1937, in Waverly Township, the daughter of Frank and Gail (Palmer) Campbell. Faye passed away on Friday, March 1, 2024, at her home in Hartford.

Faye was a stay-at-home Mom. She was a talented piano player, who played for many years at her church and the Calvin and Leonard Funeral...

Feb 23, 2024

Veronica Selena Cardoso, 25, of Lawrence passed away on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Born on July 16, 1998, in Battle Creek, Mich., to Arnulfo “Morris” and Erica (Adams) Cardoso. She was a 2016 graduate of Edwardsburg High School. Veronica dedicated her life to her family and friends. Always loving, reliable, and...

Feb 22, 2024

Sharon Kay Bassett was born on Oct. 17, 1938, in Dowagiac, the daughter of Robert and Esther (Abbs) Iliff. Sharon passed away peacefully at the age of 85 on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at her home in Dowagiac.

Sharon was united in marriage to Stanley Bassett on Aug. 3, 1957. She was a loving stay at home...

Feb 15, 2024

Keith Alan Yerington, 67, of Dowagiac, formerly of Hartford, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, at Corewell Health Niles Hospital, Niles.

Pete, as he was known by most, was born on Nov. 2, 1956, in St. Joseph, the son of Frank and Florence (Hartke) Yerington, both of whom preceded him in passing.

On Nov....

Feb 7, 2024

Emma Ray-Ann Darling, of Coloma was born on Dec. 10, 2004, in Watervliet, to Michael Darling and Nicole Summerton. Emma passed away unexpectedly and peacefully in her sleep, at the age of 19, on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.

Emma was a ray of light to her family and friends. She was always smiling and making everyone laugh....

Jan 30, 2024

Richard Lawrence Weston, 79, of Hartford passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, at his home in Hartford Township.

Dick, as he was known by most, was born on Dec. 25, 1944, in Watervliet, the son of Lawrence and Beatrice (Smith) Weston.

Dick married the former Debra Davis on April 12, 1987. For many years,...

Jan 21, 2024

Theola Lavada Langston-Sharpe, formerly of Hartford, was born on Nov. 29, 1931, in Marmaduke, Ark., the daughter of Elzora Jarvis.

Theola passed away on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, at Caretel Inn in St. Joseph, at the age of 92.

Theola is survived by her children: Ron (Linda) Langston, Patti (Fred) Amundsen and Stanley (Jan) Langston....

Dec 24, 2023

Douglas Berton Smith passed away on December 24, 2023 after a long fight with Lyme and Parkinson’s diseases. His last days were spent at home, surrounded by family, singing worship songs to his Savior.

A life-long Michigan native, Doug was born on February 19, 1959 to Gerald and Beverly Smith in St. Joseph. After graduating from St....

Dec 23, 2023

Thomas Fred Bennett was born on Sept. 12, 1942, in Chicago. He was the son of Vernie and Violet (Wolf) Bennett. Thomas passed away on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, at Rose Arbor Hospice Center, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Tom, as he was known, served his country in the U.S. Army National Guard during the VietNam War. In his spare...

Dec 18, 2023

Dale Dea Leonard, 88, of Hartford passed away from his life on earth to eternity in heaven on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Dale was born on Dec. 3, 1935, in Lawton, Mich., the son of Richard and Margaret (Blanchard) Leonard.

Dale graduated from Lawton High School in 1955, Lake...

Dec 7, 2023

Ann Louise Wade was born on July 29, 1964, in Niles, the daughter of Martin and Mina (Wycoff) Cadwell, both of whom precede her in passing. Also preceding her in passing was a daughter, Marie Wade.

Ann passed away at the age of 59 on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, Mich.

...

Nov 28, 2023

Jessica Renee McDonald, 34, of Hartford passed away Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo.

Jessica was born Jan. 15, 1989, in Berrien Center, the daughter of Milton McDonald and Charlene Clark.

Jessica is survived by her mother, Charlene (Billie) Sikes of Hartford; her father, Milton (Carol) McDonald of Hartford; siblings: Joseph (Norma)...

Nov 28, 2023

Felipe Gomez Ortega, 79, of Hartford was born on Nov. 11, 1944, to Martin and Ramona (Ortega) Gomez, both of whom preceded him in passing. Also preceding him in passing were two brothers and two sisters.

Felipe passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, at his home.

Felipe was united in marriage to the former...

Nov 17, 2023

Robert Leon Cantrell of Bangor, Mich., was born on Aug. 20, 1962, the son of Lester and Neoma (Keller) Cantrell. Robert passed away on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, at his home in Arlington Township, Mich.

On Oct. 9, 2005, Bobby, as he was known by most, was united in marriage with Donna Whittker and she survives along...