Obituaries

Apr 7, 2023

Kenneth Lee Briley Jr. passed away on Apr. 7, 2023 unexpectedly. He was born on Aug. 27, 1975, to Vicki (Pepple) and Kenneth Briley Sr. He met his wife, Sarah, at the Marathon station in Hartford, on June 18, 1999. Thanks to Michelle Mattimore, he married her on Aug. 23, 2002. They welcomed their first child, Kendra on Nov....

Apr 5, 2023

Josh Wayne Tanner, of Baroda, was born July 25, 1973, in Saint Joseph, the son of Jerry and Marlene (Accardi) Tanner, both of whom precede him in passing. Josh was also preceded in passing by a brother, Rick Tanner.

Josh passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at Corewell Lakeland Hospital, Saint Joseph.

Josh is...

Mar 21, 2023

Henry Carlton Atchley, 74, of Watervliet passed away suddenly on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at his home.

The family will receive friends from noon-2 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, at the Redemption Church of Eau Claire, where at 2 p.m. a celebration of life service to honor Henry’s life will commence. Pastor John Saylor will officiate. As...

Feb 26, 2023

Elvira Mae Rush, of St. Joseph, formerly of Hartford was born on May 8, 1920, in Chicago, the daughter of Milo and Lilli (Steimle) Schieber.

Elvira passed away on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, at the Caretel Inn of Lakeland, at the age of 102.

On Oct. 26, 1940, Elvira was united in marriage with Robert...

Feb 9, 2023

Laura Mae Campbell, of Benton Harbor, was born Oct. 21, 1933, in Walkerton, Ind., the daughter of Frank and Lela (Ford) Campbell. Laura passed away on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, at the Hanson Hospice Center, in Stevensville, at the age of 89.

Laura was formerly employed as the food service manager at Whitcomb Towers for over 35...

Jan 31, 2023

Donnalee Marie Houser, 88, passed away Jan. 31st, 2023.

Donnalee was born Dec. 1st, 1934, in Hartford, the daughter of George and Dorothy Kabel, who preceded her in death. She worked for the Indiana Michigan Power company. Donnalee attended Hartford High School. Donnalee married her true love, Richard Houser, on Jan. 4th, 1964, who also preceded her...

Jan 29, 2023

Sandra Kay (Vliek) Schlieter, 72, of Hartford passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, at Rose Arbor Hospice of Kalamazoo.

Sandy was born in Benton Harbor, to Henry Vliek and Eleanor Orr, on June 25, 1950. She grew up in Keeler with her 7 siblings. Sandy graduated from Hartford High School in 1968. Sandy married Rick...

Jan 16, 2023

Lewis Earl Pritchard, 81, of Hartford passed away suddenly on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, at home. He was reunited with his beloved wife, Brenda, of 52 years, who he was devoted to, even after her passing on Aug. 27, 2012.

Lewis was born on June 2, 1941, in Dell, Ark., the son of Homer and Minnie (Barrett)...

Jan 11, 2023

Bobby Joe Williamson, 76, of Hartford was born on March 3, 1946, in Butler, Ala., the son of James and LouElla (Todd) Williamson. He passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph.

Bobby served his country proudly in the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam War. He formerly owned and operated Central...

Dec 16, 2022

Dianne Marie Haney was born Feb. 10, 1940, in Muskegon, the daughter of Andrew and Gertrude (Ludwig) Dresen. Dianne passed away suddenly at her home, in Lawrence, on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, at the age of 82.

On March 16, 1957, Dianne was united in marriage with LeRoy Haney. She was formerly employed at the Du-Well Corporation...

Dec 15, 2022

James David Lewis was born on Aug. 11, 1958, in Hartford, the son of James and Mary (Alexis) Lewis, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing was a brother, Michael Lewis.

James passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, at West Woods of Bridgman, at the age of...

Dec 1, 2022

Deborah Gretchen Bedwell, 64, of Hartford went home to be with her Lord and Savior, on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2022.

Deborah was born on March 17, 1958, in Mansfield, Ohio, the daughter of Arthur and Talma (Gorman) Boggs, both of whom precede her in passing. She was also preceded by her nephew, David Perry.

On...

Nov 26, 2022

Gonzalo Victoria Horta, 68, of Hartford passed away on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph.

Gonzalo was born on March 26, 1954, in Mexico, the son of Pedro Victoria and Manuela Horta, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing are two children: Ernesto Victoria and Alberto Victoria....

Nov 24, 2022

Ernest Lee Goodson, 71, of Hartford passed away on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Ernest was born on May 21, 1951, in Lawrence. He was the owner of Wiltse Fencing in Watervliet for many years. On many weekends, you could find him drag racing at the U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin,...

Nov 14, 2022

Norma Lee Wright was born on May 16, 1951, in Eloise, Fla. The daughter of Nathan and Sarah (Adams) Wright, she spent most of her life in Van Buren County.

Sadly, Norma passed away on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, at her home in Sister Lakes at the age of 71. She had been bravely fighting a long...

Nov 5, 2022

Kenneth Alan Wilson Sr., 90, of Hartford passed away on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, at Caretel Inns of Lakeland.

Kenneth was born on March 8, 1932, in Chicago, the son of Michael and Cecile (Brauch) Wilson, both of whom precede him in passing. Also preceding him in passing are a daughter, Shirley Haggard; seven grandchildren; two sisters:...

Nov 3, 2022

Phyllis Jean Conklin, 96, of Lawrence passed away comfortably on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, surrounded by family at home.

Phyllis was born Nov. 1, 1926, in Kankakee, Ill., the daughter of Harry and Nellie (Beauvais) Wright, both of whom precede her in passing. Also preceding her in passing are her late husband, Melvin James ‘M.J.’ Conklin, on...

Oct 30, 2022

David Warren Lake, 73, of Benton Harbor was born April 30, 1949, in Fort Worth, Texas, the son of Matthew Jr. and Norma (Robertson) Lake, both of whom precede him in passing.

David passed away on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

David was a police officer for many...

Oct 11, 2022

Thomas Ray Spangler Sr., was born on March 26, 1966, in Paw Paw, the son of Janet (Spangler) Morris, whom preceded him in passing. Also preceding him was a grandson, Chase Hall Jr.

Thomas passed away suddenly, on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, in Watervliet Township.

Thomas attended Bangor schools. He worked at M140 Auto Parts...

Oct 9, 2022

James Daniel Fuller, 49, of Hartford passed away suddenly on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, at home.

James was born Oct. 5, 1973, in St. Joseph, the son of Harry and Elizabeth (Lurline) Fuller.

James loved his family, fishing, good music and playing the guitar. He was loving, caring and protective of the ones he loved....