Obituaries

Sep 30, 2023

Karla Jean Utrup, 65, of Sister Lakes passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. Karla was born on June 28, 1958, in Watervliet to the late John Utrup and to Evelyn Utrup.

Left to cherish Karla’s memory are her mother, Evelyn Utrup; and her sister, Deborah (Gordon) Arent. Also surviving are a nephew, Matthew Arent; several...

Sep 29, 2023

Cary Van De Wiele, 52, of Hartford passed away suddenly on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, at his home.

Cary was born on Nov. 2, 1970, in Berrien Springs, the son of Maurice and Virginia (Watkins) Van De Wiele.

Cary held a paramedic license for 30 years and proudly served the communities of Hartford and Keeler...

Sep 28, 2023

Jesse Lee Howell, 37, of Watervliet was born on Nov. 12, 1985, in Kalamazoo, Mich., the son of Jessie Howell and Betty (Blodgett) Taylor.

Jesse passed away suddenly on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at his home in Watervliet. Jesse was a drywall installer by trade. He enjoyed the time he spent with his family and friends. He...

Sep 23, 2023

Patricia Ruth Ryder, of Elkhart, Ind., formerly of Hartford passed away on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at Hubbard Hill Retirement Community in Elkhart at the age of 90.

Pat, as she was known by most everyone, was born in Jackson, Mich., on Aug. 26, 1933, the daughter of William and Eva (Ludwig) Ryder. She was formerly employed...

Sep 21, 2023

Richard Eugene ‘Rick’ Wheaton, 70, of Benton Harbor passed away on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph, with his loving wife, Marie, by his side.

Rick was born on Feb. 11, 1953, in Tampa, Fla., to George and Nadine (Summers) Wheaton. He attended Hawaii State University and served in the U.S. Army...

Sep 18, 2023

Vera Mae Skinner was born Jan. 13, 1934, in Breedsville, the daughter of Bryon and Pansy Goodrich. Vera passed away on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, at her home in Lawrence Township, at the age of 89.

On May 4, 1965, she was united in marriage to Frank Skinner. Frank passed away on Oct. 19, 2000. Also preceding...

Aug 29, 2023

Thomas Michael Collins was born Nov. 16, 1943 on the family farm in Hartford. He was the son of George and Eleanor (Baird) Collins. Thomas passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023.

Tom, as he was known, served his country in the United States Army. He was a semi-truck driver by trade. He was formerly employed at...

Aug 24, 2023

Juanita Mae Petty, 73, of Hartford was a caring mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She left this world suddenly on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023.

She was born in Huntingdon, Tenn., on Jan. 19, 1950, to Bonnie and Bertha Bryant. Juanita became a housewife at a young age and raised three children: Harold, Mark, and Bonnie.

Aug 23, 2023

Lonnie Kyle Nutting of Kalamazoo, Mich., formerly of Bangor, was born on July 2, 1953, in Coloma, the son of Darold and Eileen (Kass) Nutting, both of whom precede him in passing.

Lonnie passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, at the age of 70, at Vibrant Life Senior Living in Kalamazoo.

On Dec. 4,...

Aug 18, 2023

Santiago Moreno Jr., "Papi", was born on Feb. 20, 1954, in Chicago Heights, Ill., to Maria Esperansa Santiago and Santiago Moreno Rivera.

Santiago attended and graduated Rich Thorn High School in Chicago Heights. Santiago later went on to a trade school, where he mastered fixing watches. Santiago stayed in Chicago Heights, meeting the love of his life,...

Aug 11, 2023

Roger Lydell Trumps, 61, of Bangor passed away suddenly on Aug. 11, 2023, at his home.

Roger was born on Aug. 12, 1961, in Buchanan, the son of Varney and Thelma (Smith) Trumps. Both of his parents precede him in passing along with four siblings: Danny Trumps, David Trumps, Rosie Trumps and Kathy Conlin.

Roger...

Aug 1, 2023

Jeffrey A. Mack, 79, of St Joseph, formerly of Hartford passed away on Aug. 1, 2023, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. The family has entrusted Calvin Funeral Home of Hartford with cremation and funeral arrangements. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences may do so at http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com. Celebration of life service will be at 2 p.m. on...

Jul 30, 2023

Ronnie Fill ‘Ron’ Burleson, 72, of Hartford passed away suddenly on Sunday, July 30, 2023, at home.

Ron was born April 22, 1951, in Coloma, the son of George and Irene (McFarland) Burleson, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing are a brother, James McFarland; and two sisters, Glinda Gilliam and Linda...

Jul 26, 2023

Jason Allen Phillips was born on Jan. 4, 1985, in St. Joseph, the son of Rodney and Sandra (Head) Phillips.

Jason passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, Mich. Jason was employed at Shafer Lake Fruit in Hartford, he was an Ohio State Buckeye and Chicago White Sox fanatic; however, his most...

Jul 17, 2023

Cindy Lou Birmele, 65, of Hartford passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family following an extended illness.

Cindy was born on May 6, 1958, the daughter of Dale and Yvonne (Goodrich) Leonard. Cindy graduated from Hartford High School in 1977. Cindy met her husband, Gerald Birmele, when she “skipped on...

Jul 15, 2023

Paula A. Pool, 69, of Coloma was born on Dec. 6, 1953, in Watervliet. Paula passed away after a lengthy illness on Friday, July 15, 2023, at her home.

Paula received a degree from Spring Arbor University in 2004 where she was also on the Dean’s list. She worked many years for the State of Michigan at...

Jul 13, 2023

Charles “Chuck” E. Hadley, 73, of Hartford died on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph.

Charles was born on Aug. 2, 1949, the son of Elmer “Gene” and Betty Gene (Root) Hadley. Charles graduated from the Hartford High School in 1967, and later attended Michigan State University. Charles met his wife, Linda...

Jul 12, 2023

Randy Lee Costner, 65, of Dowagiac passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, Mich.

The family will receive friends from 4-5 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, at the Calvin Funeral Home in Hartford, followed by a celebration of life service to honor Randy’s memory. Pastor Thomas Fuller will officiate. Cremation will follow...

Jul 7, 2023

Donald Eugene Harte, 91, of Hartford passed away on Friday, July 7, 2023, at South Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

A celebration of life service to honor Donald’s memory will be at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, July 12, at the Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hartford. Pastor Frederick S. Adrian will officiate. The family will welcome friends...

Jun 25, 2023

Ronald Gale Moser, 77, of Hartford Township passed away on Sunday, June 25, 2023.

Ronald was born on July 20, 1945, in Watervliet, the son of Frank and Ruby (Frazier) Moser, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing are his wife, Carol, on June 24, 2016; a daughter, LeeAnn Gaston; two sons:...