LEONARD FLAGEL Leonard was born Dec. 30, 1935, in St. Joseph, Michigan. He grew up in Benton Harbor where he graduated high school. After high school Leonard proudly served his country in the United States Army. While working on cars with his friend Lynn, Leonard needed a date so Lynn set him up with his sister Barbara Howard and they would go on to marry in December of 1956 and enjoy over 60 years together. He worked as a mechanic and at the Watervliet Paper Mill until he moved to the U.P. where he was an equipment operator and maintenance supervisor for 25 years for MDOT’s Cedarville Garage. After retiring from MDOT they gifted him with a trip to the top of the Mackinac Bridge. Outside of work Leonard enjoyed woodworking/ carpentry, gardening, hunting, traveling with Barb, camping, and leading church youth group in his early married years. He also enjoyed giving his time to Habitat for Humanity, Boy Scouts of America, and FFA. Leonard leaves behind a loving family which includes: four daughters, Kathy Flagel (Melvin VanLuven), Betty (Andrew) Grootendorst, Jennifer (Chris) Griffen, and Jean McCann; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a brother Harry Flagel; two sisters, Deanna Flagel and Marlene Flagel; and many nieces and nephews. Leonard died Thursday, Oct. 1, in Brimley, Michigan. His wife Barbara, parents Gustave and Marion (Sells) Flagel, and three siblings, Rose Hayes, Robert Flagel, and Linda Mead precede Leonard in death. Funeral services will be celebrated Thursday, Oct. 8, at 2:00 p.m. with visitation prior starting at 12:30 p.m. at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet. Memorials may be made in Leonard’s memory to Habitat for Humanity or Hospice of the EUP. You are welcome to leave a message of comfort for Leonard’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com.

JOSEPHINE ANNETTE STONE Josephine Stone was called home on Sept. 26, 2020. Jo was born on August 24, 1923 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, the daughter of Ransom Reed and Luella Van Riper Reed. Jo married the love of her life Marvin Stone “Stoney”. Together they built and ran Jo’s Fruit Market in Hartford. They specialized in fruits and vegetables from southwest Michigan.

Jo’s love for the Bible and religious beliefs came from her foster parents, Ma and Pa Bellgoens. Jo loved to keep herself busy with many hobbies. She loved to crochet, read, travel, bake, decorate cakes, walking and just staying fit. Jo also had a passion for taking care of animals, her pets, and her flock of wild birds she fed. She loved them all. Recently when her great-nephew Joseph Reed visited her he asked her, “How do you stay so young?” She simply replied, “At my age you got to keep moving!” Jo was preceded in death by her husband Marvin Stone, her mother Luella Reed Swisher, her father Ransom Reed, stepfather Chester Swisher, sister Opal Rhinehart Thompson, brother James Reed, sister Glenna Sanders, brothers Chet Swisher, James Swisher, Charlie Swisher, William Swisher, Gerald Swisher, Floyd Swisher, sisters Helen Swisher, Luella “sissy” Swisher, Veronica Snodgrass, Deanna Bassett, Audrey Wilson and Ethelyn Pasterick. Jo is survived by sister Belle Gilbert and stepbrother Arthur Swisher. She is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces whom she loved dearly. Rest in peace at 97, you deserve it. Cremation has taken place and a private burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Jo’s name may be made to Caring Circle Hospice. The Calvin Funeral Home in Hartford is assisting the family with arrangements. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so on our website at http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com.

Death Notices Vincent A. DiMaggio, 76, of Coloma died Oct. 5, 2020 at Lakeland Hospital, Watervliet. Starks and Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, St. Joseph June Huff, 90, of Watervliet died Sept. 30, 2020. Purely Cremations – Starks Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma Travis E. Barker Sr., 86, of Hartford died Sept. 29, 2020 at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma Jane Marie (Hadley) Daisy, 80, of Coloma died Sept. 29, 2020 at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville. Purely Cremations – Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Benton Harbor

Memorial Service for Bonna Vanderlyn followed by community center dedication A Memorial Service for Bonna Vanderlyn of Hartford is being held on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020 beginning at 1:30 p.m. Bonna passed away on May 5, 2020. The service is being conducted at the Hartford United Methodist Church, 425 E. Main Street. Following the Memorial Service will be a Dedication & Ribbon Cutting for the Arthur and Bonna Vanderlyn Community Center / Hartford Public Library at 3 p.m. in the community rooms at 12 Church St., Hartford. Please R.S.V.P to hartfordlib@yahoo.com or (269)621-3408.