Obituaries

Jul 11, 2022

Mary Jean Utter, 75, of Lawrence passed away Monday, July 11, 2022, at Cass County Medical Care Facility.

Mary was born March 7, 1947, in Watervliet the daughter of Charles and Jean (Markillie) Sill, both of whom precede her in passing.

Mary graduated from Lawrence High School in 1965. Mary and John Utter were united...

Jun 29, 2022

William Arthur Minshall (Bill), of Hartford passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. He enjoyed over 94 years of a full, active life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Cornelia Minshall (nee Hurlbut); his aunt, Katharine Minshall; his wife, Kathleen O’Malley Minshall; and his brother, Jim Minshall. Surviving are his children, Julaine...

Jun 21, 2022

Richard Garry Melvin, 70, of Bangor Township passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Garry was born Aug. 22, 1951, in Flint, Mich., the son of Richard and Maxine (Gourdie) Melvin. He was a 1970 graduate of Hartford High School and worked for many years at Watervliet Paper Mill...

Jun 19, 2022

Bessie Mae Sinclair was born Aug. 10, 1927, in Hornbeak, Tenn., the daughter of Grant and Odie (Prince) Rainey. Bessie passed away on Sunday, June 19, 2022, at Rose Arbor Hospice Residency in Kalamazoo, Mich.

On June 7, 1947, Bessie Rainey and Arthur Sinclair Sr. were united in marriage. She was formerly employed at Rudy’s Manufacturing of...

Jun 19, 2022

Allan Clark Blum was born Aug. 30, 1929, in Detroit, the son of Marceau and Beth (Clark) Blum, both of whom preceded him in passing. Allan passed away peacefully, on Sunday, June 19, 2022, at his home in Hartford.

Allan retired from the Van Buren County Road Commission after 35 years of faithful employment. He was also...

Jun 15, 2022

Manley Robert Walker, 84 of Hartford, was born on July 3, 1937, in Hartford, the son of Harold and Beatrice (Manley) Walker.

Manley passed away suddenly on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at his home.

Bob, as he was known by most everyone, started working at the age of fourteen by washing cars at the Calvin...

Jun 8, 2022

Donnie Lee Tanner, of Hartford, was born on Aug. 28, 1937 in Bradford, Ark., the son of Carl and Madeline (Roberson) Tanner.

Donnie passed away on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph, at the age of 84.

On April 15, 2000, Donnie was united in marriage to Oneeta Grimsley....

Jun 2, 2022

Barbara Jeanne Olds, 97, of Hartford, passed away on Thursday, June 2, 2022 at the Timbers in Dowagiac.

Her life began July 10, 1924, the only child of John M. and Mildred Sholl. Barbara graduated from Calumet High School in Chicago, Ill. She married Lawrence E. Olds, in Chicago, in 1947. They met at Paw Paw Lake...

May 24, 2022

Marjorie Lucille Wolfe, 75, of Hartford transitioned to her heavenly home on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

Marjorie was born in 1946, in Hartford to William Franklin Wolverton and Mattie (Mitchell) Wolverton. She attended Hartford Public Schools, and later, while raising her children, worked for the school as a bus driver for 26 years. She took pride as...

May 11, 2022

Tracy Lee Callahan of Keeler Township was born on Sept. 2, 1972, in Watervliet, the daughter of Bob Crosby and Laura Shirley. Tracy passed away at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Mich., on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at the age of 49.

Tracy was an avid fisher women who also enjoyed baking chocolate candies, doing funny things...

May 5, 2022

Jasper Clouse Jr., was born Oct. 7, 1963, in Shelbyville, Ind., the son of Jasper and Florence (Hensley) Clouse.

Jasper passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at his home.

Jasper loved the outdoors especially when he was either fishing or hunting. He also loved working on cars.

Jasper leaves behind to...

May 3, 2022

Rachel P. Perez was born Feb. 22, 1939, in San Antonio, Texas, the daughter of Ralph and Guadalupe Perez. Rachel passed away at Spectrum Health Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph, on Tuesday, May 3, 2022.

Rachel helped her husband with his construction business for many years.

Rachel is survived by her husband, Joe M. Perez:...

May 1, 2022

Kristin Lee Fuller, 41, of Covert Township, was born on March 22, 1981 to John and Debra (Tackett) Fuller. She passed away suddenly Sunday, May 1, 2022, at her home.

Kristin graduated from Covert High School and went on to work at the Coloma Harding’s for years eventually becoming manager of the deli. She loved music (Tupac),...

Apr 29, 2022

Sylvia Jean Hall was born Oct. 4, 1945, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Bert Sr. and Geraldine (Day) Sturgeon. Sylvia passed away, at the age of 76, at her home in Coloma, on Friday, April 29, 2022.

Sylvia was a care giver for the elderly, taking care of numerous patients. She was a long time member of...

Apr 24, 2022

Carliss Allen McNew, 78, of Coloma passed away suddenly Sunday, April 24, 2022.

Carliss was born Feb. 7, 1944, in Kennett, Mo., the son of George and Marion (Palmer) McNew, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing was a brother, Jack McNew.

Carliss is survived by three daughters, Krystal Hash...

Apr 21, 2022

Frances Juanita Bisnett was born Aug. 28, 1927, in Coloma. She was the daughter of Stanley and Josephine (Peach) Suwarske. Frances passed away at A Place Called Home in Stevensville on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at the age of 94.

Frances was a loving mother and just loved her grandchildren dearly. She was formerly employed by Joe...

Apr 6, 2022

Robert Melvin Moore, age 87, of Hartford, Mich., passed away April 6, 2022, at Pine Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marjorie Moore; children, Roberta (Dan) Durso of Florida and David (Ann) Moore of North Carolina; sister, Clara Demske of Coloma; one grandchild; two step-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; and one step-great-great grandchild....

Mar 29, 2022

Bonnie Lee Boyer was born April 6, 1933, and lived the first 18 years of her life in New Troy, Mich. She married Norman Lyle Boyer, Jr., on July 7, 1951, and moved to the family farm in Lawrence, Mich. There, she raised four children. She delighted in spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, rarely missing a school...

Mar 28, 2022

Peter John Stromeyer, 64, of Hartford passed away suddenly March 28, 2022, at his home.

Peter was born Jan. 5, 1958, in South Haven, the son of Steve Sr., and Margaret (Wild) Stromeyer, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing was a brother, Hank Stromeyer.

Peter was formerly employed as...

Mar 27, 2022

Ruth Marie Frazier, 97, of Hartford passed away Sunday, March 27, 2022, at Ely Manor in Allegan, Mich.

Ruth was born April 28, 1924, in Bangor Township, the daughter of Walter and Etta (Clinard) Smith, both of whom precede her in passing. Also preceding her in passing are her late husband, Glenn Frazier; a daughter, Sharon Zordan;...