Obituaries in 2008
                                 Hartford Michigan

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Please email the webmaster if you have obituaries of people who have lived in Hartford Michigan, or was active in the Hartford community, at some time during their lives. To find a specific obituary, use the  Search Our Site  feature located on the left menu of every page.  The Obituary section was started January 30, 2008 and current obituaries will be posted as they become available.  Obituaries are from the local newspapers, unless otherwise noted.  If you have an obituary notice (or learn of the passing away of someone who lived in Hartford at one time) of a former Hartford resident from a newspaper away from the Hartford area, please send it. Past obituaries will be added as time permits.  Death notices are also posted in the HHS graduate database.

Many requests are made for obituary notices and this is a good genealogical resource, as well as providing obits to extended family members who may not have an original.  Searching previous year obituaries (mainly prior to 2003) requires a good deal of time.  If you have found this to be a valuable resource and would like to be a sponsor toward keeping the obituaries page updated, send donations to History of Hartford Obituaries, Emma Sefcik, 59320 62nd St, Hartford MI  49057.  Since the History of Hartford website is a voluntary effort, your contribution is much appreciated.

Email the webmaster with any correction of obvious errors that may have occurred in the original newspaper obit.

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John Obermesik, age 70, of Hartford MI, passed away of an apparent heart attack on Friday, May 9, 2008, at his home.  Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

Surviving is his wife, Donna (Wismer) Obermesik; daughters Patti (Dan) McKean, Linda (Robert) Kling, and sons; John Obermesik and David Obermesik.

 John was a 1956 Hartford High School graduate. 

Donna Jean Bailey Pullins, 82, of St. Joseph, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully Monday evening April 7, 2008 at the Willows in St. Joseph.
     Donna was born December 14, 1925 in Hartford, MI, the daughter of Neva (Garrett) and George Bailey. She graduated from Hartford High School in 1943. On May 12, 1945 she married the love of her life, Philip H. Pullins in Benton Harbor, MI.
     Donna was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She is cherished by friends and family and known to all who knew her as a wise, thoughtful, caring and love filled woman. She was considered to be a second mother by many. Donna was an avid storyteller and would captivate her grandchildren and others with stories of her life as a young girl during the depression era. Throughout many health and life challenges, Donna always maintained her strong inspirational faith and positive outlook.
     Left to mourn her loss are her devoted husband of 63 years, Philip; sons Phil G. (Randy) Pullins of Morley, MI; Randy (Barbara) of Jackson, TN; Chris (Cornelia) of Hendersonville, TN; and daughter Debra (Jon) Hermann of Benton Harbor, MI. Donna will be dearly missed by her grandchildren Ronda Pullins , Morley, MI; Benjamin Pullins of Jackson, TN; Mary Pullins of Hendersonville, TN and Bailey and Eric Hermann of Benton Harbor, MI.
     In keeping with Donna’s wishes, she has been cremated. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph, MI at 11:00 AM Friday April 11, 2008, followed by fellowship and visitation to celebrate her life at the Rose Center. Memorials may be made in Donna’s memory to Lake Michigan Catholic Schools. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
 

Venessa Ann Garcia, 21, of Hartford passed away Friday, March 28, 2008, in Cooper Township as the result of an automobile accident.
     Venessa was born Jan. 23, 1987, in South Haven. She was the daughter of Vicente and Diane (Mendoza) Garcia. Venessa was a 2005 graduate of Hartford High School, where she was crowned Miss Hartford in 2005. After graduation, she enrolled at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and was an employee at Burdick’s in Kalamazoo.
     Venessa is survived by her parents, Vicente and Diane Garcia; a brother, Bobby Mendoza; a sister, Deidra Garcia; her grandparents, Ben and Aurelia Mendoza; two nephews, Anthony and Aaron Mendoza; all of Hartford; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, other family members and countless friends.
A Memorial Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 3, at the Immaculate Concep­tion Catholic Church, Hartford. Father Robert Flickinger will be the celebrant.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in Venessa’s name may be made to the family.  The Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford, has been entrusted with handling the arrangements.

Article in the Herald-Palladium 3-31-2008
By JIM DALGLEISH

HARTFORD — Venessa Garcia, who represented Hartford in 2005 Blossomtime festivities, will be sorely missed after her death Friday in a car accident, said the woman who oversaw Hartford’s entry.
“Venessa was a friend to everybody,” said Cathy Morsaw, who chaired the Hartford queen committee in 2005. “She was very nice. The town is devastated. Her parents are devastated.”
     In a Sunday night phone interview, Morsaw said Garcia, 21, had been living in a Kalamazoo apart­ment with her brother. She was a student at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The Kalamazoo Gazette reported a car crashed into a tree about 3:20 a.m. along North Riverview Drive in Cooper Township, just north of Kalamazoo. The car caught fire, and the driver’s identity could not be confirmed at the scene.  However, by Friday afternoon word was spreading through Hartford about the woman’s death, Morsaw said.
     Morsaw, a cafeteria worker and special education aide at Hartford High School, said she learned about the death from Principal Kenny Kent after school Friday. “I’m glad he told me after school because I wouldn’t have been able to concentrate,” Morsaw said.
     Morsaw said Garcia always wore a smile on her face and had a great fondness for her twin nephews, Anthony and Aaron Mendoza of Hartford.
     Her parents, Vicente and Diane Garcia, live in Hartford. A memorial Mass has been scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hartford.

Frances Marie Zemke, age 83, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 27, 2008, at Jordan’s Nursing Home in Bridgman. She was surrounded by her family’s love and the peace and comfort provided by Hospice at Home.
     Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma. The Rev. Devon Allen will officiate. Burial will follow in Hickory Bluff Cemetery in Stevensville. Friends may call on the family Sunday between the hours of 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Those wishing to leave a message of comfort to the family may do so in the online guest book at http://www.duffieldpastrick.com.  Memorial donations may be made to Hospice at Home.

Frances was born on April 25, 1924, in Springfield, Ohio, to Nicholas and Marie Anna (Wagner) Gutsu. She later met Douglas Zemke and the couple was married on Aug. 22, 1945, in Sparta, Wis. They began raising their children on the family farm in Hartford, and eventually relocated to Stevensville in 1963. Franny’s greatest joy in life was her family. She loved spending her time surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and most recently, great­grandchildren. She was also an avid fan of crossword puz­zles and enjoyed playing cards, as well as sharing time with her friends eating at lo­cal restaurants. Franny was known as someone that always had a kind word for everyone.
     Mrs. Zemke is survived by her four children — Edward (Jeanie) Zemke of Gainsville, Ga., Charlene (Greg) Cook of Stevensville, Stanley (Pam) Zemke of Battle Creek, Mich., and Darla Pastrick of St. Joseph; sisters-in-law — Vera Gutsue of Detroit, Mich., and Dorothy Gutsue Michner of Jackson, Mich.; eight grand­children; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
     She was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas in 1996, and three brothers — Jim, John and Chris.
 

Ronald “Smitty” Smith, 86, of Benton Harbor died Monday, March 24, 2008, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph.
     Services celebrating his life will be held at 2 p.m. Thurs­day, March 27, at the Fairplain Presbyterian Church, with Dr. John Munson officiating, with military rites following the service. Cremation will follow the service and burial of the ashes will be held at a later date in Hill Cemetery in Lawrence. The visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Fairplain Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Benton Harbor. A Masonic service will be held at 7 p.m. today at the Fairplain Chapel. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home or to the donor’s favorite charity.
     Smitty was born on Aug. 26, 1921, in Hartford to James and Ruth (Howard) Smith. He married Dolores Logan on Oct. 5, 1940, in Watervliet, and she preceded him in death on April 7, 2006. Together they celebrated 66 years of marriage. Smitty was a motor machinist’s mate first class with the U.S. Navy during World War II and served aboard the LCI No. 24 ship. He participated in the Guadalcanal Campaign (Lunga Beach) with amphibious forces from 1943 to 1945. On returning from the war he started with the Benton Harbor Police Department and retired as detective lieutenant in 1971 after 25 years of service. Smitty then worked for Judge Chester Byrns for the next 14 years as a bailiff. He then worked for Sheriff Nick Jewell as a classification officer and finally with Sheriff Robert Kimmerly as trustee officer.
     Smitty and his wife liked to travel and together they also refinished antiques. Smitty also liked NASCAR racing and enjoyed cooking, but his love was crossword puzzles and could be called a crossword puzzle buff. He was active in the Republican Party over the years. He was a Life Member of Lake Shore Masonic Lodge No. 298, a life member of VFW Post No. 1137 and a life member of DAV Chapter No. 17. He was a member of the Fairplain Presbyterian Church. Smitty was a dedicated, loving man with conviction and integrity and his family was number one with him.
     He is survived by his children, Ronald James (Mary Sue) Smith of Richmond, Va., and Judy (Ted) Zindler of Benton Harbor; son-in-law, Ronald Koster of Holland; half-sister, Joan Meachum of Hartford; 10 grandchildren, Michael Pond, Eric Pond, Marcy (Tom) Simpson, Lora (Mark) Deland, David (Paula) Koster, Greg ( Cheryl) Smith, Karin (Michael) Campbell, Dorothy (Rick) Heffron, Mi­chael Zindler and Roger Zindler; 12 great-grandchil­dren; his friend and compan­ion, Thelma Axom of Eau Claire; and his adored dog, Bingo. He was also preceded in death by one daughter, Patricia Koster, in 2006; two brothers, John D. Smith and Gene Smith.
Note:  Ronald is a 1940 Hartford High School graduate.  Click here for his military profile and photo.
 

EDWARDSBURG - Betty Jo Waterkamp, 75, a homemaker and member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, Edwardsburg, passed to her rest on Sunday, March 9th, after a lengthy illness in her home where she had lived for 28 years.
    She was born in Clinton, Iowa, on Feb. 9, 1933, where she attended school at Mount St. Clair until her enlistment in the U.S. Army (WAC) during the Korean War. While in the Army, Betty Jo Hendricksen served as a dental technician at the Brooke Army Hospital, Fort Sam Houston, TX. She was subsequently assigned to the 4th Army Headquarters where she met her husband, Gary Waterkamp, who was also serving the Army. They were married Sept. 16, 1952, in San Antonio, TX. Betty relocated to Kalamazoo, MI, where her husband attended Western Michigan University. Upon her husband's graduation, his educational career took them to stops in Hopkins, MI, Plainwell, MI, and Hartford, MI, and finally to Edwardsburg were Gary served as the superintendent of the Lewis Cass Intermediate School District. Betty was active in church, community and school activities, including driving a school bus for several years. After moving to Edwardsburg, Betty earned her cosmetology license at Twin City Beauty College, St. Joseph, MI. She worked at Marsha King's Beauty Shop in Edwardsburg, before opening her own business, 'Cut And Curls on Wheels.' She specialized in bringing her craft to local shut-ins in their homes.
     Betty was preceded in death by her parents, William Edward Henriksen and Hazel Irene Curl; her sisters, Rosena Melvin and Gladys Ough; and her brothers, Edward, Elmer and Joseph Henricksen, and Frank Linge. Also, a son, who passed in infancy.
     Surviving Betty are her husband of 55 years, Gary Waterkamp; and their two children, Susan Waterkamp Quinlan and husband, Michael Quinlan of Woodbridge, VA, and William Waterkamp and wife, April Waterkamp of St. Paul, MIN. There are three grandchildren, Quentin Waterkamp and Rose Waterkamp Vomastek and husband, Louis Vomastek, all of St. Paul, and Joseph Quinlan of Springfield, VA.
     Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the social room of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 24832 US-12 East, Edwardsburg. There will be a scripture service on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 13, in Our Lady of the Lake Church, with Father Joe McCormick officiating. Full military burial will take place at 11 a.m. Friday at Ft. Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI. Friends are invited to call one hour before Mass on Thursday in the church. The family requests that, in place of flowers, memorial donations be made to Borgess Hospice, 348 Burdick St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007. The Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, 26863 West Main, Edwardsburg, is assisting the family with these arrangements.
Published in the South Bend Tribune on 3/11/2008.
Note:  Betty's husband, Gary Waterkamp, was Superintendent of Hartford Public Schools from 1965-1970s.
 

Nathaniel W. "Nat" Munro, an ordinary extraordinary American, was born on December 30, 1917, and passed away quietly the morning of February 25, 2008, in Reno, Nev., at age 90. In his final years, he looked like just another old guy in a wheelchair, but he was much more.
     He is survived by a daughter, Marsha, (with husband Gary Hulsey) and three sons: Bruce; Alick (with wife Susan); and Steve (with wife Jinny). Nat's beloved wife of 57 years, Mary Ann (Shafer) Munro, predeceased him on December 11, 2004. Nat and Mary Ann also had 6 grandchildren: Lindsey and Mackenzie Munro; Graham and Haley Munro; and Cameron and Gabriel Hulsey.
     Nat was born in Calgary, Canada, of Scottish immigrant parents, Nathaniel and Isabella (McDonald) Munro. He had three brothers, Graham, Hugh, and Donald. The Munro family immigrated to Chicago in the middle 1920s. They moved to Hartford, Mich., in the 1930s, where he graduated from Hartford High School.
     Nat served in the Army's 32nd "Red Arrow" Division and the 41st Division in the Pacific Theater from April 1941 until August 1945 as a Staff Sergeant. He first fought in New Guinea at the Battle of Buna, known as "Bloody Buna", where the U.S. and Aussies, at a terrible cost, inflicted the first defeat of the war on the Japanese Imperial Army on January 23, 1943, about two weeks ahead of the better-known victory at Guadalcanal. These two victories saved Australia from invasion and the very real possibility of defeat. After several more island-hopping campaigns, he was wounded in the liberation of the Philippines in April 1945. After more than two years of combat duty, one of the longest combat tours of any American soldiers in the war, he returned to American soil on August 14, 1945, the day of the Japanese surrender. Among his decorations were the Purple Heart and four bronze battle stars. Despite his distinguished service record, Nat, like so many other WWII vets, did not speak of the war until the latter years of his life.
     After leaving the service, Nat returned to Hartford where he met Mary Ann Shafer. In 1947, they were married and headed west looking for work. They soon found a home in Henderson, Nev. They started their family in 1949, and shortly thereafter, Nat established his concrete construction company. He made a hobby of searching for old mines and ghost towns, and spent many a happy time in the desert, pursuing his favorite pastime. Nat retired in 1978, traveling the country in a motorhome with Mary Ann, and enjoying his friends, family and grandchildren. He and Mary Ann remained in Henderson until 2004, when she passed away. He then lived in Sacramento and Reno. Nat was a devout Christian, and looked forward to meeting his Lord and rejoining Mary Ann in heaven. He enjoyed attending Faith Presbyterian Church and had many friends at Merrill Gardens in Sacramento. His remains will be interred in Hartford this summer.
     Published in the Sacramento Bee on 3/9/2008.
NOTE:  Nat was a 1937 Hartford High School graduate.
 

Athel Williams, 94, of Hartford, formerly of Hackleburg, Ala., passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008.  Athel was born July 8, 1913, in Hackleburg. He was the son of George and Mollie (Cochran) Williams, both of whom preceded him in passing.
     Athel was united in marriage with Lelar Skidmore on Jan. 5, 1946. Lelar passed away on Oct. 16, 1988. Athel enjoyed farming, fishing, hunting and spending time with his family.  He was an Army veteran of World War II, during which time he became a prisoner of war in Germany.
     Athel will be missed by all who knew him. He was a person always willing to lend a helping hand, whether he knew you or not.
     Athel’s family includes one remaining sister, Hazel Hill of Hackleburg; a son, Mickie (Randee) Williams of Hartford; a daughter, Cheryl Oliver of Arizona; four surviving grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a grandson who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by nine sisters and two brothers.  
     The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 3, at the Calvin Funeral Home in Hartford. The service to honor his memory will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 4, at the funeral home. Pastor Timothy Nyhuis of the Hartford Federated Church will officiate. Interment will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery in Hartford Township, where military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post 362 of Coloma, VFW Post 1137 of Benton Harbor and VFW Post 6803 of Watervliet and the Auxiliary.