SARAH JANE CALVERT

 Heaven gained a jewel on April 26, 2017.  Sarah Jane Calvert was born in St. Joseph, Michigan to Charlene (Shuburte) Calvert and Eugene Calvert.

Janie leaves behind her daughter, Kaitlynn Elizabeth Ritchie, mother, Charlene Calvert Reinhardt, stepfather George Reinhardt, sisters Terry Calvert, Mary (Calvert) Koretsky, Libby Calvert, and a brother, Charlie Calvert.

Jane was raised and went to school at Watervliet, Michigan. Janie loved baseball and played catcher and pitcher in Jr. High School.  Jane also played JV basketball.  After high school, Jane earned her diploma in cosmetology and eventually went on to become an accomplished master stylist and color specialist. Later on, Jane went back to college at Everest Institute and earned her degree as a certified medical assistant.  But her true passion was being a stylist which she excelled in her entire adult life.  Jane was also a member at New Hope Lutheran Church in Melbourne, Florida.

Janie always had a smile on her face no matter how she felt.  The apple of her eye was her daughter, Katie who inherited Jane’s red hair and infectious smile and laugh.  Jane enjoyed spending time with her family.  To know Jane is to love Jane.   She had the most wonderful sense of humor and loved to sing and dance.  Janie was naturally funny with unbelievable charm and grace.  She never had a bad word to say about anyone and was always there to lend a helping hand when needed.  Jane touched the lives of everyone she met.  Once you met Jane, she was absolutely unforgettable.  Jane made an incredible impression on you.  If you ever had the pleasure of meeting Jane, you’d know what we are talking about.

Waiting with open arms to welcome Janie into heaven was her father Gene Calvert, uncle Sam Shuburte, aunt Essie Shuburte Culver, grandmother and grandfather Shuburte and grandmother and grandfather Calvert.  Jane is also reunited in paradise with her uncle Danny Shuburte, uncle David Brown, uncles Tony and Rueben Calvert, and uncle Richard Driscoll.

Jane also is cherished by her nephews Andrew Diener Jr. and Daniel Norris II, brother-in-law Andrew Diener Sr., her niece Jackie and grand nephew Robert Gene Diener. Until then, may God cradle you Janie, in His loving arms, and we will see you very soon our beloved daughter, sister, aunt, great aunt and scores of aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services were held May 2, 2017 at New Hope Lutheran Church, West Melbourne, Florida. The family was serviced by Davis Seawinds Funeral Home, Melbourne.

CARLYLE JOHN BROWN

 Carlyle John Brown of Watervliet was born September 2, 1943 to Stanley and Irene Brown, both who precede him in passing.  John passed away April 29, at the University of Michigan.

 John lived his life to the fullest surrounded by his family.  He leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Carlene (Stuart) Brown.  John also leaves his children; Michael (April) Brown of Riverside, MI, Richard (Jennifer) Brown of Macomb, MI and Sherry (Leon Toriz) Stuart of Watervliet.  John also has a brother Harvey Brown of Benton Harbor and a sister Penny Lewis of Nekoosa, WI.

He was the original “Papa John.”  The grandchildren he leaves behind to cherish his memory are Amanda (David) Paine, Darcy Kirby, Tori Brown, Taylor Brown, Ashley Brown, Lauren Brown, Emily Brown, Jordyn Brown, Jasmine Stenske and Crystal Stenske.  For the last nine months of his life John got to enjoy his first great-grandchild Lennox Paine.

Anyone that knew John knew he was a man that was proud of his military service. He was a member of the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He continued to serve his fellow veterans and community as a member of VFW Post 6803 in Watervliet where he served as Chaplin; he was a member of the Coloma Legion, and the North Berrien Military Rites Honor Guard.

John retired from Bosch Braking in St. Joseph. He also worked for several years for the Moore Theatres until he received a kidney transplant in 2017. Even then, he could still be found at theatres visiting or getting his popcorn supply.  John was quiet, yet didn’t know a stranger. He spoke quietly but his laughter would fill a room.  John loved people and enjoyed volunteering. To honor his memory, pay it forward.

Funeral services will be celebrated Thursday, May 4, at 11:00 a.m. at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet. Burial will follow with military rites at Watervliet Cemetery. Donations may be made in John’s memory to VFW Post 6803.  You may leave a memory for John’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com.

JOSEPH F. LITTLETON

 Joe’s life began January 18, 1919 in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in the Chicago area graduating from Parker Pine High School in 1938.  After high school, Joe proudly served his country in the U.S Army Air Force during World War II.  Upon returning home from the war Joe went to work in advertising until his retirement from Mail-O-Graph in 1984.  After retirement, Joe and his wife Mary relocated to Coloma where one of their children lived.

He was an active member of the American Legion, Coloma FOP, Lest We Forget, Catholic War Veterans, the Knights of Columbus, and Twin City Camera Club.  Joe loved being around people, the outdoors and music.

His greatest joy was spending time with his loving family which includes six children, Denise (George Romeo) Littleton of Baroda and her children Jovonna Paolilli (Jake Salvati) and James Morrison (Jenny Foster), Diane Littleton-Kiefer of Illinois, Dona (Chuck) Busch of Wisconsin, Debra Wall of Stevensville, Daniel Littleton and David Littleton both of Illinois; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren with another on the way; and his four-legged friends.

Joe died Saturday, April 29, enjoying the outdoors camping with his family in Indiana.

His wife Mary Littleton, son-in-law Frank Kieffer, and very special friend Delores Daly precede Joe in death.

Friends may visit with Joe’s family Thursday, May 4, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, May 5, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Watervliet. Burial with military rites will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Watervliet. You are invited to leave a message for Joe’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com.

RALEIGH W. ANDERSON

 Raleigh W. Anderson, 82, of Coloma died Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at his home.

Services celebrating his life will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 8, at North Shore Memory Gardens where military rites will be conducted.  Memorials may be made to the SW MI Humane Society.  Arrangements are by the Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Coloma.  Please share memories, messages or photos at www.florin.net.

Raleigh was born on Nov. 12, 1934 in Chicago to August and Ellen (Johnson) Anderson.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.  Raleigh was a photographer for the Whirlpool Corp. for more than 30 years before his retirement in 1996.  He was involved in photography his whole life.  Raleigh also enjoyed gardening and was a member of the Coloma American Legion Post.

He leaves behind his children, Rhonda (Scott) Farley of Sidney, OH and Renee (Carl) Wood of Little Rock, AR; his three grandchildren, Christopher, Steven, and Brandie; and his nephew, David Weeden. Preceding him in death were his parents and a sister, Helen Weeden Taylor.

Death Notices

Roy Clinton Oakley Jr., 84, of Watervliet died April 24, 2017 at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph

Regil Jay Mattson, 55, of Watervliet died April 28, 2017. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph

Mollie Jean Kirby, 77, of Benton Harbor died April 25, 2017. Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan

Ward Henry Collins of Hartford died April 29, 2017 at home. Calvin Leonard Funeral Home, Hartford

John R. Farrish, 75, of Watervliet died April 30, 2017 at Royalton Manor. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph

Alfonso “Moe” Davino Jr., 91, of St. Joseph died May 1, 2017 at home. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph

Arlin Zell Stockwell, 82, of Buchanan died April 27, 2017 at home. Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan

Jamie J. Hudson, 40, of Coloma died April 28, 2017 at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma

Lisa Ann (Divine) Jewell, 54, of Coloma died April 29, 2017 at Borgess Regional Medical Center, Kalamazoo. Purely Cremations – Starks Family Funeral Homes, Benton Harbor