03-29-3018 Tri-City Area Obituaries

JENESSA MARIE MACEACHRON Jenessa Marie MacEachron was born Aug. 12, 2011, in South Haven. She was one of three children born to Dennis and Carla (Urquieta) MacEachron II. Jenessa passed away suddenly on March 23, 2018, as the result of a car accident. Jenessa was a first grader at Redwood Elementary School in Hartford. She enjoyed playing with her brother and sister and the times spent with her family.

The family welcomed friends Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hartford, where the Mass of Christian Burial was held. The Revs. German Perez-Diaz and Fabio Garzon served as celebrants.

A Celebration of Life service to honor Jenessa’s short time here on earth will commence at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 29, 2018, at the Truth Church in Paw Paw. The Rev. Steve Green will officiate. Jenessa will be laid to rest at Maple Hill Cemetery in Hartford. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. Memorial condolences for the family can be left at www.calvin-leonardfh.com. Besides her mother and father, Jenessa is survived by her two siblings, Aubree and Carson MacEachron; grandparents Francisco and Ramona Urquieta, Carrie and James Roberts, Dennis and Sherri MacEachron; and great-grandparents Bonnie Fisher, Bill Lindley and Esperanza Urquieta. Jenessa was preceded in passing by her grandparents Silvina and Carlos Meza and Amancio Urquieta.

ARTHUR (ART) ALBERT FILTER Arthur (Art) Albert Filter of Cedarburg, WI passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. He was born on December 15, 1917 in Thiensville, WI to Ludwig and Louisa (Stoecker) Filter. He was raised on the Filter family farm on Holstein/Highland Road with his brothers Frederick and Elmer, and his sister Esther (Filter) Maronde.

Art was united in marriage to Frieda (Weckwerth) on June 22, 1940 and celebrated over 70 years of marriage. His beloved Frieda passed away on April 26, 2011 at age 93. Art is survived by his son Arthur E. (Marlene) Filter of Cedarburg and daughter Celia (Ron) Lechnyr of Eugene, OR. Art was the beloved grandfather of Todd (Toni) Filter of Germantown; Kristin Filter of Jackson; David (Belin) Lechnyr of Eugene, OR; Michelle Lechnyr of Snohomish, WA; Sandra (Geoff) Arsenault of Eugene, OR; and Terri Lechnyr of AZ. Art was the proud great-grandfather of Preston, Tristan, Kristoffer, Emilie and Madeleine. Art is further survived by his sisters-in-law Cecile (David) Walker-Paul of Palatine, IL and Elsie Rantz of Watervliet, MI and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Art was a faithful, lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. He was an avid Packer and Brewer fan. Art started his long career with Standard Oil in 1947 and later became the founder of Filter Oil, working alongside his son Arthur E. and then retiring at the age of 91. Mesa AZ was the winter home for Art and Frieda. Art was an enthusiastic turkey and deer hunter and was an active part of the Filter deer hunting camp in Amherst, WI even at the age of 98! Art entertained everyone he met with hunting stories and tales of his early years working on the fox farm. Kindness and good humor shone throughout his life. He will be fondly remembered by his family and countless friends, including all his special neighbors in Cedarburg, Amherst, and Mesa. The family is grateful to Dr. Goniu, to the many caregivers at Home Instead for their companionship and friendship, and to the staff at Lasata Care Center for their caring attention to Art. Even as his body slowed down his mind and wit stayed sharp. He lived a vigorous and joyous 100 years. His family grieves his loss but celebrates a life well lived. Art’s Celebration of Life service will be held on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at 1 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Cedarburg. Visitation will be at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be at Immanuel Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Cedarburg.

RONALD ORRIN STRAND Ronald Orrin Strand, 68, of Hartford passed away Monday, March 26, 2018 at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. Ronald was born June 10, 1949, the son of Robert and Vera Strand and had lived in the Hartford area for the majority of his life. Ron loved to go deer hunting and also enjoyed fishing. When his children were younger Ron coached little league baseball and softball. Ron had also bowled on many leagues around the area for many years. He also enjoyed going to the casino and playing bingo. More than anything Ron loved spending time with his family and especially cherished time spent with his grandchildren.

Surviving are his three children, Shannon Leigh Mitchell, Shaun Ronald Orville (Amanda) Strand and Shane Juston (Amber) Strand; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Robert (Janet) Strand and Thomas Strand; a sister Marilyn (Bob) Morris. He was preceded in death by his parents, wives, Sharon Strand and Martha Strand, great-grandson Derek Michael Hosier. Following his wishes cremation has taken place. A memorial service will take place at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to the Bangor Chapel, D.L. Miller Funeral Home, www.dlmillerfuneralhome.com.

SUSAN MARIE DEWEY Susan Marie Dewey, 70, of Watervliet, died March 25, 2018 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville after a brief battle with cancer. Susan was a teacher at Coloma Community Schools for 38 years, as well as a professor for Western Michigan University at the LMC Campus. Susan was preceded in death by her beloved Michael James Dewey and both parents, and is survived by her sister Linda (Rick) Fish of St. Joseph, brother John (Sheila) Sila of South Haven, children Jonathan (Stacey) Yetzke of Grand Haven and Jana (Elizabeth ‘EK’) Yetzke of Benton Harbor, stepchildren Michael Scott (Sahnia) Dewey of Watervliet and Candace (Steve) Seawood of Baroda, mother-in-law Mary Baker of Coloma, grandchildren: Ian, Drew, and Colin Yetzke, four step-grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Susan was the eldest of three, born to John and Pauline (Druskovich) Sila in Benton Harbor. She graduated from St. John’s Catholic High School, Lake Michigan College, and Western Michigan University. Her highest degree earned was Master of Art in Education, Reading Specialist. Family was of utmost importance to Sue; her generosity and hospitality overflowed, and became a trait we all admired and strived to emulate. She will always be remembered for her fabulous Christmas parties; to name just one of the many she loved to host. Susan showed her love through the caretaking and tending of those around her, and her high-energy personality left many in breathless awe. This energy was balanced by the quiet serenity of Dewey’s log cabin—a pastoral retreat surrounded by the sounds of a trickling waterfall and the beauty of nature she and Michael Dewey shared. As a widow of a Vietnam veteran, Susan spent much of her late life involved with the local VFW and the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary. She was often seen playing 3-card poker at local casinos and loved to travel; recently returned from a family Christmas in Key West and a cruise on the Pacific Coast. Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at Starks-Menchinger Funeral Home – 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph on Thursday, March 29 at 11:30 a.m. with a one-hour visitation preceding the service from 10:30-11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please host your loved ones for a celebratory meal in Sue’s honor.

CARL LOOMIS Carl Loomis, 76, went to be with his Lord and Savior from his home in Sonora, Kentucky on Sunday, March 25, 2018. He was born on July 19, 1942 to the late Lester Loomis and Myrtle Shultz Loomis of Watervliet. Carl spent a good portion of his life in Michigan and worked for more than 25 years at Watervliet Paper Company prior to their closing.

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Carl leaves behind three brothers, Arthur Loomis (Judy) of Hartford, Alan Loomis (Helen) & Thomas Loomis (Shirley) all of Watervliet. Carl’s proudest accomplishment is the two daughters that he shares with his wife of 44 years, Audrey Loomis of Sonora. They are the late Cassandra Loomis, formerly of Elizabethtown, KY and Carla Loomis-Allen (Curtis) of Sonora, KY that he leaves behind. He also leaves behind six grandchildren, the first three of which he & his wife adopted following their mother’s passing, Alyssa, Amy and Elizabeth Loomis all of Georgia and Carl Loomis-Anderson (Sondra Burden) of Richmond, KY, Audrianna Dawson (Brandon) of Glendale, KY and Jordan Loomis-Anderson (Emilee) of Elizabethtown. He also leaves behind a very special great-granddaughter, Raylin Dawson of Glendale. Carl was a member of Gilead Baptist Church in Glendale and a man of great faith. Kindness, generosity and love were among his strongest virtues. He had a true servant’s heart and loved making people smile with stories of his younger years of unbridled spirit. He spent many years devoted to taking kids to church and even helped start a Girl Scout troop. He understood our responsibility to share the love of Christ and did not take that responsibility lightly. He taught us to love and his love will be missed. The funeral is Thursday, March 29, 2018 at Gilead Baptist Church with Brother Sam Hinkson officiating. Burial will follow in White Mills Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Gilead Baptist Youth Group or Operation Blessings at 700 Club. Condolences may be expressed online at www.brownfuneral.com.

Death Notices Cynthia Marie (Shelton) Leimbach-Johnson, 46, of Coloma died Mar. 18, 2018 at Lakeland Hospital, Watervliet. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford Paul A. Abrams, 91, of Hartford died Mar. 20, 2018 at The Willows, St. Joseph. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph Walter A. Hartman, 93, of Coloma died Mar. 22, 2018 at the VA Hospital, Battle Creek. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma Charlie “CJ” Cannon, 90, formerly of Watervliet died Mar. 22, 2018 at Golden Living Center, Mishawaka IN. Davidson Chapel – Florin Funeral Service, Coloma William “Bill” Drake, 52, of Van Auken Lake in Bangor died Mar. 21, 2018 at home. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford Evelyn M. Stapley, 87, of Sister Lakes and Benton Harbor died Mar. 20, 2018 in Hoffman Estates in Illinois. Ahlgrim Funeral Home, Elmhurst IL Anne Northrop Brockway, 87, of Baroda died Mar. 20, 2018 at Woodland Terrace in Bridgman. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph Julie Dawn Beeman, 53, of Hartford died Mar. 23, 2018 at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence, Kalamazoo. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford