Obituaries

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:...

Jun 24, 2023

Brian James Peterson, 67, passed away from COVID-19 complications on Saturday, June 24, 2023, in the company of his wife, Heather Peterson, and daughter, Kelsea Lange.

Brian absolutely loved his job at Countryside Academy Lower Elementary, in Millburg, Mich., where he did maintenance and custodial work since 2016. You could see the pride on his face when...

Jun 17, 2023

Deloris Jane Wesaw was born March 3, 1965, the daughter of Thomas Sr. and Marian (Medawis) Wesaw. She passed away suddenly at the age of 58 on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at her home in Coloma.

The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, June 23, 2023, at the Calvin Funeral Home in...

Jun 14, 2023

Virginia "Ginny" Lea Black, 85, of Hartford passed away on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at home.

Ginny was born on Aug. 6, 1937, in Benton Harbor, the daughter of Allen and Marie (Eiserman) Clauser, both of whom precede her in passing. Also preceding her in passing were two brothers: Allen Clauser Jr., and Irving Clauser; and a...

Jun 10, 2023

James Ray Wilson, 30, of Lawrence passed away on Saturday, June 10, 2023, in a tragic accident.

James was born Jan. 1, 1993, to James and Tammy Wilson. On June 16, 2017, James married his high school sweetheart, Melanie Wilson. He enjoyed spending time with his family, which included fishing, being outdoors, attending his kids sporting events,...

May 29, 2023

Jose Antonio Hinojosa, 50, of Decatur passed away suddenly Monday, May 29, 2023.

Jose was born July 24, 1972, in San Diego, Texas, the son of Leonel and Aurelia (Trevino) Hinojosa.

Jose is survived by four siblings: Yessenia Hinojosa, Juan Trevino, James Trevino and Gloria Hinojosa; half-siblings, Leon Hinojosa and Rebecca Rivera; and numerous other...

May 28, 2023

Andrew Lee Chambers, 42 of South Haven, was born on Jan. 9, 1981, in St. Joseph.

Andrew passed away suddenly on Sunday, May 28, 2023, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Andrew grew up in Hartford and graduated from Hartford High School in the Class of 1999. He was previously employed at Big C Lumber...

May 27, 2023

Norman Lyle Boyer Jr., of Lawrence, passed away on May 27, 2023, on his family farm.

Lyle was born on Dec. 28, 1931, to Norman Lyle and Mabel Ivy, and lived his entire life on the farm he loved, a fact he was very proud of.

Lyle is survived by his four children: Deborah (Lamarr)...

May 11, 2023

Douglas James Musick, of Coloma, was born Oct. 1, 1956, in Benton Harbor.

Doug passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by family, on Thursday, May 11, 2023.

Doug was a Tool and Die Maker. He loved the outdoors, camping, hunting, and being with his family. He loved the Lord and his life reflected this,...

Apr 24, 2023

Anna Rose Ulrath, 54, of Bangor Township passed away Monday, April 24, 2023, at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Anna was born Nov. 6, 1968, in Goshen, Ind., the daughter of Robert and Emily Dean. She was the manager for Elias Brothers Restaurants (Big Boy) in South Haven.

Anna is survived by her...

Apr 21, 2023

Maryellen Faye Meachum, 98, formerly of Lawrence passed away Friday, April 21, 2023, at Alamo Nursing Home.

Maryellen was born Feb. 8, 1925, in Arizona, the daughter of Fred and Amy (Chaplin) Winn, both of whom precede her in passing. Also preceding her in passing were her first husband, Newton Bolen; second husband, Arland Meachum; two children:...

Apr 20, 2023

Edmund Lee Schmalfeldt, 63, of Hartford passed away suddenly on Thursday, April 20, 2023.

Edmund was born on Aug. 15, 1959, in Benton Harbor, the son of William and Ida (Burns) Schmalfeldt, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing were two brothers: Fred and Bill; and two sisters: Ida and June.

Apr 19, 2023

William "Bill" G. Lindley passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, Mich., after a brief illness. Bill was born on Feb. 2, 1952, in Benton Harbor, he was the only son of William D. Lindley and Goldie V. (Meachum) Lindley. Bill spent most of his childhood playing in the neighborhoods of Benton Harbor and...

Apr 12, 2023

Betty Ruth Cress, 89, of Bangor passed away on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at home.

Betty was born on Feb. 23, 1934, in Plant City, Fla., the daughter of Thomas and Odessa (Blair) Hall, both of whom precede her in passing. Also preceding her in passing are her husband, Floyd Cress; a son, Terry Totherow; three daughters:...

Apr 7, 2023

Nancy Louise Vann, 84 of Paw Paw, passed away Friday, April 7, 2023, at Centrica Rose Arbor Place, Oshtemo Township.

Nancy was born March 31, 1939, in Coldwater, Mich., the daughter of Charles and Mildred (Lett) Goble, both of whom precede her in passing. Also preceding her in passing are a daughter-in-law, Sharon Vann; sister, Carol Hetzler;...