03-21-2019 Tri-City Area Obituaries:

ALBERT R. STEFFENS Albert R. Steffens Jr., 85 of Portage, formerly of Watervliet and Rockport, Texas passed away March 9, 2019 at Vineyard Assisted Living in Kalamazoo. Graveside services with Honors have been held at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church, 2010 N. Nichols Rd., Kalamazoo. Donations in memory of Al may be made to the American Cancer Society, Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, or the Animal Rescue Project of Kalamazoo Michigan. Those wishing to leave an online message of remembrance may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.

Al was born October 7, 1933 in Chicago to Albert and Adele (Johnson) Steffens Sr. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant from the army and retired in 1992 from Hartford Public Schools after 23 years of service. He also had been employed by Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Coloma. Al was Past Master of Henry Chamberlain #308 F & AM, life member F & AM and AASR, and life member of Brotherhood of St. Andrew. He also was a former mayor of Watervliet, Watervliet City Commissioner, secretary of the Sewer Board, volunteer firefighter and EMT for the Watervliet Fire Department, and a volunteer at the Texas Maritime Museum in Rockport, Texas. Survivors include three daughters, Susan Jane (Dennis) Hollar and Margaret Adele (Era) Snyder of Kalamazoo, and Mary Ellen (Donald) Hunt of Ada, Michigan. Also surviving is a brother Jon H. Steffens of Gurley, Ala., and four granddaughters Cameron Hunt, Rebecca Snyder, and Meghann and Kaitlin Tang. Al was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey, whom he married September 3, 1955.

LUELLA KNIGHT Luella Knight, 88, of Hartford, daughter of James Rhoten and Edna (Rife) Rhoten, passed away March 20, 2019, at Royalton Heights Nursing Home in St. Joseph, Michigan. She was a past member of the Hartford Federated Church. Her children, siblings and their families will keep her memory in their hearts, as well as extended family and friends. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions in Luella’s name may be made to the Hartford Federated Church. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.clarkch.com.

Death Notices Roger C. Leach, 87, of Decatur died March 13, 2019 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. Newell Chapel, Decatur Alice M. Weschgel, 92, formerly of Grand Rapids died March 13, 2019 at Shangrila Adult Foster Care, Berrien Springs. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph Jamie L. Juergensen-Mastandrea, 62, of Sister Lakes died March 15, 2019 at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph Terry Ray Henagan, 65, of Hartford died March 11, 2019 at Spectrum health Lakeland, St. Joseph. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford Katrina Marie Johnson, 59, of Hartford died March 11, 2019 at home. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford Pamela S. Froeber, 64, of Lawrence died March 13, 2019 at home. Adams Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Paw Paw