Obituaries

JUNE M. GRAVITT

June M. Gravitt died peacefully on May 11, 2018 at her home. She was born to Joseph M. and Mayme (Templeton) Hendrix in Mattoon, Illinois on January 9, 1922.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 21 from 5-7 p.m. at Duffield and Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma. The Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Coloma Congregational Church followed by a luncheon at the church. Those wishing to leave a message of comfort for the family online may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.

June was born a musician and began piano lessons at the age of three. She attended Oberlin College and after receiving her Bachelor of Music, she accepted a position as professor of music at Otterbein College where she met her future husband Sam.  After marriage, June continued her career as a church organist in each town she lived. She retired from the Congregational Church in Coloma after 28 years of service. Beginning in 1945, she also taught privately, ending that portion of her career in January of 2018, giving her 73 years as a piano teacher. She frequently remarked that, in later years, she was teaching the grandchildren of former students.

June and Sam were introduced to two favorite vacation spots in the early 1970s, Sanibel Island, Florida and “copper country” in the Upper Peninsula. June continued to travel to both spots after Sam’s death, filling several lamps and display cases with shells, agates and copper samples.

She also loved working in the yard and frequently had strangers pull in the drive to ask about a particular plant or just compliment her on her flowers. June never lost her interest in current events, following the news and reading two newspapers daily. She was always ready to go to estate sales, antique stores, rock shops/shows and particularly loved attending piano concerts such as the Gilmore series. June loved dogs and rescued several over the years. Many students were greeted before their lesson by Larry, Duchess, Warren, Bo and her current dog Sunny.

June is survived by her daughters Linda Dorse of Lapeer, Michigan and Elizabeth Hosnedl of Sodus. Also surviving are five grandchildren Todd (Talitha) Shamaly, Tim (Cheri) Shamaly, Tiffany (Kevin) Barnes, Traci (Bryan) Beaune and Tyler Shamaly; five great-grandchildren Briahna Furneaux, Estevan Bielak, Kaleb Beaune, Grace Belmont and Lincoln Shamaly; one nephew Joseph (Joann) Orndorff, a great-niece once removed Courtney (Steve) Witt and one great-niece twice removed Caetey Witt.

Also left to mourn her passing are dear friends Mary Francis Styers, Sandy Purchase, Mary Harte and Jack Grantham whose friendship extended over 75 years.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Samuel Gravitt, two brothers Virgil (Esther) Hendrix and Joseph N. Hendrix and her sister Virginia (Eugene) Orndorff.

GENE LAWRENCE AVERY

Gene Lawrence Avery was born July 18, 1925 in Dowagiac. He was one of four children born to Bert and Lela (Van Auken) Avery. Gene peacefully went to be with his Lord, on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at Maple Lake Assisted Living in Paw Paw.

The family will welcome friends from 2 to 4 p.m., on Sunday, May 20, 2018 at the Hartford Federated Church, followed by a celebration of life service to honor Gene’s memory. Chaplin Larry Avery will officiate. As to his wishes, cremation will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church or to the donor’s choice. The Calvin Funeral Home in Hartford is helping the family with arrangements. Memorial condolences for the family can be left on our website at http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com.

Gene was a graduate of Lawton High School and was employed by MDOT for many years until his retirement. He then worked at Kellogg’s Hardware in Hartford for a number of years and helped at the Calvin Funeral Home in Hartford for a short period of time. He was a member of the Hartford Federated Church for over 50 years. Gene loved his family dearly and will be truly missed by all who knew him.

On July 19, 1946, Gene was united in marriage to Donna Garrod, and together they raised their two children, Larry (Carol) Avery of Anderson, Indiana and their daughter, Maxine (Gary) Carlson of Hartford. He also leaves behind four grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

His wife Donna passed away on August 9, 2016. Gene was also preceded in passing by his parents, a sister Helen Fuller and two brothers George and Wayne Avery.

The family would like to send special thanks to Maple Lakes Assisted Living and Great Lakes Hospice for the great care given.

RICHARD A. MORLOCK

Richard August Morlock, age 84, passed away in Willis, TX on April 15, 2018.

He was born in Watervliet, Michigan on March 29, 1934. He is preceded in death by his father, Ward Morlock and mother, Dorothy Fern Piersall Morlock, and infant son, Steven Morlock. He is also preceded in death by his brothers, Donald Morlock and Robert Morlock and sister, Norma Grace Morlock Hutchins.

He is survived by his daughters, Denise Morlock McClung and significant other, Larry, Michele Morlock Forbes and husband, Scott, Tracey Morlock Brodeur and husband, Mark and Lisa Morlock Stokes and husband, Jerry. Richard is also survived by eight grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Richard especially loved his hometown of Watervliet, Michigan and all his nieces and nephews. Richard was known for his athleticism at Watervliet High School where he was awarded the 1953 Herald-Palladium Athlete of the Year and was called a “great competitor.” He earned 10 of 12 sports letters offered by Watervliet High School and played football, basketball and baseball. In the spring of 2018 he was inducted into the Watervliet High School Athletics Hall of Fame.

Richard was married to Marlene Franzel Morlock Davis for 21 years and continued to stay in touch.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 5 at Cashner Funeral Home in Conroe, TX at 12:30 p.m. A memorial service will also be held in Watervliet, Michigan at Hutchins Funeral Home on Saturday, May 19 at 11:00 a.m. with graveside services to follow.

Death Notices

Lucille Esther Brunals, 94, of Hartford died May 8, 2018 at home. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford

Anne Northrop Brockway, 87, of Baroda died Mar. 20, 2018. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph

Berneice M. Schinske, 96, of Eau Claire died May 10, 2018 at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Fairplain Chapel – Florin Funeral Service, Benton Harbor

Joseph Robert “Bob” Wildeman, 88, of St. Joseph died May 13, 2018 at home. Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, Niles

Lucille Esther (Scott) Brunais, 94, of Hartford died May 8, 2018 at home. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford

Dorothy Stella (Brownell) Pullano, 89, of St. Joseph died May 13, 2018 at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph