SHIRLEY J. SMITH

 Shirley J. Smith, 80, of Hartford, passed away at her home on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, December 21 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Watervliet, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Memorials may be made to Well of Grace Ministries or Hospice At Home. Those wishing to leave a message or share a memory with the family online may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.

Shirley was born May 2, 1936 in Bainbridge Township. She was one of three children born to Robert and Mildred (Feller) Smith. Shirley lived her life as a simple woman but a hardworking one. She was a long time member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She and her son Tom own Tom Smith Tractor Sales in Hartford which opened in 1965. In her free time Shirley enjoyed playing bingo and blackjack. Most of all she will be remembered by her family as a great mother and grandmother.

Shirley is survived by her two children, Thomas (Lori) Smith of Hartford and Beth (Butch) Rhode of Eau Claire; three grandchildren, Lindsay Smith, Kimmy (Francis) Aboagye and Jennifer (Timothy) Fields; and her great-granddaughter, Karinna Martinez.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Robert C. Smith; and her sister Sandra Smith.

JUDITH “URNESS” SARDELLA

 Judith “Urness” Sardella, 75, formerly of Coloma, died December 11, 2016. She was born on September 10, 1941 in Seattle, Washington to parents Lorraine & Clarence Urness. He was a career man in the Navy. They lived between Minnesota and Michigan, settling in Coloma.

Preceding her in death are her parents as well as sister, Barbara Hinkelman and brother, Peter C. Urness.

Surviving Judy are sisters, Beverly Peeters of Coloma and Robin Bachman of California; sons, Tom (Kim) Kimbro Jr. and Tim Kimbro of Phoenix, AZ; and “pride and joy” grandsons, Matt and Andrew Kimbro also of Phoenix.

Cards can be sent in care of Matt Kimbro, 518 Utopia Rd., Phoenix AZ 85022.

Judy graduated from Coloma High School in 1959. She previously worked for Butzbaugh & Dewayne Law Firm. She currently was employed by Turf Paradise Race Track in Phoenix, AZ where Byron, Vickie & Tim, and Sandy shared 17 years of friendship. Judy leaves behind friends Sandy & Bud, Carter, Sandy & Jack G. and others of Coloma, too many to name all, a few special: Joy & Jerry, Pam, Alice, Eddy, Dot Mae, Donnie, Linda, Joann and Lady Bug Dress Shop owned by Barbara & Janie Staggers. Also surviving are many nieces, great nieces, nephews, great nephews and cousins in Minnesota. Of course, all got two dollar bills in cards with love from Aunt Judy.

She is a member of New Freedom Life Church, Mountain Rd. in Coloma. Pastor and friend, Wade Blankenship will lead a Celebration of Life service for Judy at a later date, in March, hosted by Beverly and various loving family members. Service will be announced for all to attend.

God Bless Judy till we meet again!

GAYLORD “JACK” CLARK

 Gaylord “Jack” Clark, 85, of Coloma, passed away Friday, Dec. 16 at his residence.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Watervliet. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Visitation at Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma will be Tuesday, Dec. 27 from 5-8 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 7:30 p.m. Memorials in Jack’s memory may be made to the Humane Society of SW Michigan or Hospice at Home. Those wishing to leave a message or share a memory with the family online may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.

Jack was born October 22, 1931 in Durand, Michigan to Alfred and Reva (Allen) Clark. He and Carmel Malone were married on June 26, 1954. The couple moved to southwest Michigan in 1964 whereupon Jack and Carmel purchased Custom Built Brush Company in Watervliet from her parents. After 52 years it remains a family owned business run by their son, Jack and daughter, Cindy. Jack had a love for animals, especially dogs. He was someone who was always willing to help others.

Jack is survived by his wife Carmel; two sons, Jack (Denise) Clark of St. Joseph and James (Paula) Clark of Charlottesville, Va.; his daughter, Cynthia “Cindy” (Richard “Skip”) Utter of St. Joseph; his sister Jean Buckner of Battle Creek; seven grandchildren, Johnathan, David, Joshua, Adam and Zach Clark and Justin and Lucas Utter. The family would like to thank Lisa Quiroz, Erin Wojcik and others that helped serve as caregivers for Jack over the years.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Alfred, Jason, and Dale Clark.

Death Notices

Teresa D. Wilcoxson, 52, of Hartford died Dec. 11, 2016 at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.

Allen “Al” Clauser Jr., 73, formerly of Hartford died Dec. 12, 2016 at Medilodge of Holland, MI. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford.

Edward Eugene Eggers, 62, of Watervliet died Dec. 13, 2016 at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph. Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, St. Joseph.

Elsie Needham-Fleming, 91, of Coloma died Dec. 12, 2016 at home. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma.

Cynthia Marie Carlock, 65, of Hartford died Dec. 14, 2016 at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo. Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford.

Mary C. Kugler, 83, of Kalamazoo, formerly of Coloma died Dec. 16, 2016 at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma.

Imogene Owens, 84, of Coloma died Dec. 15, 2016 at home. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma.

Anne Louse Stenske, 80, of Reidsville, NC, formerly of Southwest Michigan died Dec. 9, 2016 at Annie Penn Hospital in Reidsville. Boone & Cooke Inc. Funeral Home and Crematory, Reidsville.

Evelyn (Valle) Smith, 88, of Benton Harbor died Dec. 15, 2016 at home. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma.

John Victor Grynwich, 61, of New Buffalo died Dec. 14, 2016 at Porter Regional Hospital in Valparaiso, IN. Sommerfeld Chapel and Cremation Services, New Buffalo.

Barbara Hiler, 85, of Eau Claire died Dec. 15, 2016 at home. Hutchins Funeral Home, Watervliet.

Natalie R. Shearer, 96, of Benton Harbor died Dec. 18, 2016 at the Hanson Hospice Center in Lincoln Twp. Fairplain Chapel of Florin Funeral Services, Benton Harbor.