Search Archived Marriage Records
Naomi Matrau
HARTFORD - Naomi Matrau, 80, of Hartford and Keeler, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at New Orchard Grove Extended Care Centre, Benton Township. Naomi has gone to be with family in heaven.
Naomi was born Feb. 16, 1929, in Hoxie, Ark., the daughter of Claude and Dora (Riddle) Trowbridge Sr. She came to Michigan with her parents in 1940, and was a life time resident of the Hartford and Keeler area. She loved being in the outdoors and working with her flowers in her garden.
Naomi is survived by two daughters, Blanch Diane Flippo of Bangor and Melissa Matrau and one son, Steve (Debbie) Matrau of St. Joseph. Also surviving are seven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, along with sisters, Mildred Fardello of Coloma, Claudetta (Elbert) Prevatte of Kalamazoo, Nancy (Warren) Walters of Battle Creek, Mary Williams of South Haven, Carol (Alfredo) Rivera of Ohio; and a brother, Donald Trowbridge Sr.
Naomi was preceded in passing by three daughters, Barbra Ann, Betty Sue and Bonnie Jane, a granddaughter, Susan, parents, Claude and Dora, two husbands, Hank Matrau and Roy Fuller, one brother, Claude Trowbridge Jr., and a sister, Nellie Smith.
Naomi was loved by her family and will be missed.
A graveside service to honor her memory will commence at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3, at the Keeler Cemetery with the Rev. Ronald Hansen of the Hartford United Methodist Church officiating. The family has entrusted the Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford, with handling the arrangements.
Loretta Belle Shafer
SOUTH HAVEN - Loretta Belle Shafer, 93, of South Haven died on July 25, 2009, at Countryside Nursing and Rehabilitation Community. Loretta was born on May 11, 1916, in South Haven, to Adelbert and Eva (Baker) Cummins. She married Willis "Bill Curly" Shafer on Aug. 9, 1963, at the First Congregational Church in South Haven. Loretta worked for Williams Jewelry Store, Michigan Fruit Canners, Overton's and Dr. Reid Optometrist. Loretta enjoyed cooking; her family's favorites were her fudge and potato soup. Loretta also enjoyed spending many hours crocheting, fishing, watching the sunset and being with family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husbands, Cyrus Kuipers, December 1961, and Bill Shafer, May 2001; one daughter, Lee Ann Dibble, June 2008; one brother, Adelbert Cummins; and one sister, Mildred Anna Lind.
Loretta is survived by two daughters, Linda Holub of Fruitland Park, Fla., and Sharon (Butch) Gould of Leesburg, Fla.; two sons, Larry (Charlotte) Kuipers of Bangor and Ronald (Barb) Kuipers of South Haven; son-in-law, Morton Dibble of South Haven; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Friday, July 31, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, South Haven, with a graveside service beginning at 3 p.m. at Lakeview Cemetery with the Rev. Carl Nisbet officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Lacota United Methodist Church.
Harold R. Hambley
PULLMAN - Harold R. Hambley, 78, of Pullman passed away Monday, July 27, 2009, at Hospice of Holland. Harold was born May 15, 1931, the son of George Verne and Ruth (Sharp) Hambley in Niles. He resided in Lee Township the majority of his life and served as a pastor at several churches, Pullman Bible Church, Horseshoe Community Bible Church, Kilbourne Baptist Church in Kilbourne, Ill., and Cormant Community Church in Blackduck, Minn.
Surviving are his wife, the former Barbara Reed, whom he married June 6, 1952; two sons, Douglas (Rebekah) of Pullman and Roger of South Haven; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three brothers, George Verne of Bangor, Arthur (Judy) of Vicksburg, Russell (Sara) of Holland.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Doris Cutler; and a brother, Delbert.
The family will meet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Bloomingdale Chapel, D. L. Miller Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Bloomingdale Christian Church, with interment at Lee Township Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to Horseshoe Community Bible Church.
Louise A. LaMantia
ST. JOSEPH - Louise A. LaMantia, 72, of St. Joseph passed away suddenly on Sunday, July 26, 2009, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 30, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 555 Delaware St., Benton Harbor, with Fr. William Jacobs officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Watervliet. Visitation with the family will be today, July 29, from 5 to 8 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to St. John & St. Bernard's Catholic Parish.
Louise was born on April 2, 1937, to Anthony and Lillian (Sorce) Mammina in Benton Harbor. She married John LaMantia on April 12, 1958, at St. John's Catholic Church in Benton Harbor. A lifelong resident of Benton Harbor, she raised four children, Lori, Debbie, Anthony and Angela. Louise loved her family and her friends including those at St. John and Bernard Parish. She was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother and will be missed by all those she touched.
Louise is survived by her husband, John; her daughters, Lori (Don) DeWitt of Holland, Mich., Debbie (Pat) Curtis and Angela (Ben) Donaldson, both of St. Joseph; and her son, Anthony LaMantia of St. Joseph; grandchildren - Kyle, Brittany, Joe P., Michael, Tyler and Joe D.; brothers, Ben (Grace) Mammina of St. Joseph and Isadore (Mary Ellen) Mammina of Benton Harbor; sister-in-law, Annette (John) Falkner of St. Joseph; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Anthony and Lillian Mammina.
William V. 'Kech' Kechkaylo
BERRIEN SPRINGS - William V. "Kech" Kechkaylo, 82, of Berrien Springs went to be with the Lord and Savior on Tuesday, July 28, 2009.
Kech was born Jan. 6, 1927, in Benton Harbor, the son of Michael and Sophie Kechkaylo. He graduated in 1944 from Benton Harbor High School, and then served his country with the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he started employment as a machinist with the House of David, then pursued dairy farming in Dowagiac.
He had resided in Berrien Springs for 46 years, where he started a successful career as a Real Estate broker and developer in the late 1950s. He owned and operated Kechkaylo Real Estate Company in Berrien Springs until his death, and he developed numerous subdivisions in the tri-county area, including Hidden Acres, Echo Valley, and Peach Ridge.
He also owned and operated Wicklewood Hall, raising British Labrador retrievers, with pups sent throughout the United States. Kech was an avid fisherman, hunter and loved the outdoors.
Kech is survived by his wife of 59 years, the former Norma Getterson; a daughter, Karen Anne of Mishawaka, Ind.; sons, William, Jr. (Kathleen) of Niles, Michael of Berrien Springs, David (Christine) of Carmel, Ind., and Timothy (Karen) of Delphi, Ind.; 19 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter, Gwyneth; and a sister, Helen Edgar of Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and three sisters, Nodja, Olga and Vera.
Friends are invited to visit with the family at Allred Funeral Home, Berrien Springs, on Friday, July 31, from 10 a.m. until noon, with services following at noon. Burial will be in Crystal Springs Cemetery, Benton Harbor. Online messages may be left at www.allredfuneralhome.com.
Lilly Smith
WATERVLIET - Lilly Smith, 62, of Watervliet passed away Monday, July 27, 2009, at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.
Funeral services celebrating her life will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 31, at the Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service, 249 E. Center St., in Coloma. Burial will follow in Watervliet Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family.
Lilly was born March 21, 1947, in Hayti, Mo., to Alvin and Maggie Vales. She married Thomas Smith on May 31, 1986. She and her husband enjoyed traveling within the U.S. In her leisure time, Lilly enjoyed doing crafts and going for rides in the county. Most of all, Lilly cherished time spent with her family - particularly with her grandchildren.
Lilly is survived by her husband, Thomas; daughters, Linda (Jack Copeland) Huff of Watervliet, Karen (Rusty) Grubb of Berrien Springs and Tiffany (Mark) Whelan of Watervliet; granddaughters, Danielle and Miranda Huff, Ashley and Sonny Grubb, and Josephine Whelan; great-granddaughter, Delilah; and by her siblings, Don (Lucy) Vales of Niles, Alvin (Easter) Vales of Kentucky, Kenny Vales of Coloma, Sandy (Duane) Reist of Dowagiac, David Vales of Niles and Jackie Goodwin of Stevensville.
In addition to her parents, Lilly was preceded in death by her brother, Lester Vales.
Vesley 'Wes' Vicini
BENTON HARBOR - Vesley "Wes" Vicini, 80, of Benton Harbor died Friday, July 24, 2009, at his home.
Graveside services celebrating his life will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 31, at Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Arrangements are by the Fairplain Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Benton Harbor.
Wes was born on Nov. 12, 1928, in Chicago to George and Veronica Vicini. He was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Wes was a longtime member of the SS John-Bernard Parish. He retired from Whirlpool in 1989. He also enjoyed farming, polka dancing and playing his accordion.
He is survived by his several nieces and nephews, many great-nieces and nephews, and his longtime friend, Lorraine Ackerson of LaPorte, Ind.
He was preceded by his parents, a brother, Roy Vicini, and a sister, Vivian Rogers.
Alejandro 'Alex' Rosales
BENTON HARBOR - Alejandro "Alex" Owen Rosales, 7, of Benton Harbor passed away Friday, July 24, 2009, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, July 31, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 619 Market St., St. Joseph, with the Rev. Michael Roth officiating. Private family committal services will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens in Hagar Shores. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alex Rosales Memorial Fund c/o Bank of America, 3125 Cleveland Ave., St. Joseph, MI 49085.
Alex was born Feb. 17, 2002, in Watervliet to Julio and Lisa (Thornton) Rosales. He was a student at Trinity Lutheran School in St. Joseph, having completed first grade. Alex loved cars and he loved to read, thanks to his special teacher, Mrs. Kim Kelly. He loved playing with his cousins and doing "boy stuff" with his dad. He looked forward to weekend visits from Grandpa Thornton and loved his Grandma Rosales' tacos. He loved playing with his sisters and video games too.
Alex is survived by his parents, Julio and Lisa Rosales; three sisters, Hailey Smith, Gabriella and Brianna Rosales, all at home; his grandparents, Larry (Janet) Thornton of Coloma, Miguel (Asuncion) Rosales of Sodus; and his great-grandparents, Jose (Maria) Gasca of Sister Lakes; his aunt, Lori (Ken) Wenger, his uncles, Jose (April), Jesus (Beatriz), Noe (Veronica), Arturo and Rodolfo Rosales, and many cousins.
Alex was preceded in death by his grandmother, Linda Thornton Baum.
