Cassopolis Vigilant & Edwardsburg Argus

Smith, George E., 89 years old, of Edwardsburg, died Wednesday; Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home , Edwardsburg

Billy Jerome Alexander, age 63, of Dowagiac, died peacefully Saturday, July 4, 2020. Family and friends will gather for a private remembrance. Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis.

Alexander, Billy J., 63, of Dowagiac, died Saturday; Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals , Cassopolis

Darlene J. Jones, age 80, of Lansing, Illinois died peacefully early Friday morning, July 3, 2020. She was born February 16, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois, the middle of three children of Charles and Louise Spaulding, Sr. Darlene was a dedicated civil servant, starting in 1972 and spending forty-two years with the U.S. Postal Service, retiring as a Supervisor at one of the large postal facilities in a large southern Chicago suburb. Darlene will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her brother, Charles Spaulding of Cassopolis and many nieces and nephews. Family and friends will gather Wednesday, July 8, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. when we will process to...

Frances May Burmeister passed away peacefully at the age of 99 in her Cassopolis home on Tuesday June 30th, 2020. She is survived by her loving son, Dennis Burmeister, daughter, Judy Hahn and grandchildren, Jeff, Josh, Stacie and Sarah - along with 10 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. Frances was born on October 3rd, 1920. She was born, raised and passed in the same home she lived her entire life on a lovely corner lot in Cassopolis. She enjoyed a life full of travel and art. Frances found her creative side later in life taking up painting, ceramics, organ playing and even becoming a beautician all after the age of 55. Frances suffered a number of losses in her life,...

Richard Leigh Specht, age 75, of Dowagiac, died peacefully Saturday, June 27, 2020 in his residence in the comfort of his family's presence. He was born October 10, 1944 in Dowagiac, Michigan, the youngest of three boys born to Clifford and Marian Specht. He married Geraldine Swartz February 27, 1965 in Cassopolis, Michigan. Richard was an amazing husband and father. He was a hard worker and enjoyed staying busy. He loved farming, woodworking, working on tractors and cars, as he was a skilled mechanic. He had a gentle heart for all animals. Richard enjoyed being outdoors and would go fishing in his younger days. He was a pressman with Simplicity Pattern Company in Niles for...

Graveside service on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. in Poe Cemetery, Newburg Township. Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online.

Clare "Kay" Louise Richard, age 75, of Cassopolis, died Wednesday, June 24, 2020 in her home. She was born May 28, 1945 in Dowagiac, Michigan the second of three children born to Robert Duane and Donna Rose Claussen. She married Timothy Richard July 5, 1990 in Vandalia, Michigan. He survives. Kay had an entrepreneurial spirit selling Mary Kay in her youth, owning and operating a cabinetry and woodworking factory, and finished with being a gifted seamstress and crafter in several areas, including paper crafting and purse making. She loved the Lord and cherished using her gifts and talents to bring joy to others. The desire of her legacy would be that others would find the joy in having...

Richard, Clare L. "Kay", 75, of Cassopolis, died Wednesday; Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals , Cassopolis

Barrett, Gail L., 59, of Edwardsburg, died Wednesday; Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals , Cassopolis

Thomas Allen Dazell, age 70, of Cassopolis, a proud father and hard worker, died peacefully Sunday morning, June 14, 2020 in his residence in the comfort of his family's presence. He was born November 8, 1949 in Niles, Michigan, the middle of five children of Wendell and Jean Dazell. Tom received his Associates Degree from Southwestern Community College. He was a master Plumber and licensed electrician in the state of Indiana and Michigan. He ran a successful business in Cassopolis on Diamond Lake for over forty years. Tom retired from the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 172. He was responsible for maintaining industrial plants in Indiana and neighboring states. In his spare time he...

Dazell, Thomas A., 70, of Cassopolis, died Sunday; Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals , Cassopolis

Clemon House, age 87, of Dowagiac, died Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at his residence. He was born February 25, 1933 in Clarksdale, Mississippi to Clemon Anderson and Nehoma Jones. He married Mary Ellen Fayne in 1961 in Dowagiac, Michigan. She survives. Clemon worked in the Chicago Steel Mill for many years and also the Elkhart Foundry where he retired in the 1970s. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, and having barbeques with family and friends. Clemon will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Mary House of Dowagiac, together they had nine children; Mary Butts of Indianapolis, Indiana, Brenda House of Indianapolis, Indiana, Cynthia Winston...

House, Clemon, 87, of Dowagiac, died Wednesday; Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals , Cassopolis

Ramona Faye Mackey, age 65, of Cassopolis, died Wednesday, June 10, 2020 in her home. She was born December 2, 1954 in Kentwood, Louisiana to Willie Atkins and Mildred Brown. She married Joe Mackey II in the late 1970's and they had three children. Ramona enjoyed baking, cooking, and canning. She loved helping people and always had a home remedy for anything that ailed you. She was an avid gardener and loved reading, having her own small library. She had a magnetic personality and had a way of remembering anyone she came in contact with. Ramona will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her mother, Mildred Brown of Hammond, Louisiana; one daughter, Jonasha...

Mackeky, Ramona, 65, of Cassopolis, died Wednesday; Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals , Cassopolis

Clifford "Cliff" Earl Biggs, age 57, of Cassopolis, died Wednesday, June 3, 2020. Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis.

Biggs, Clifford E., 57, of Cassopolis, died Wednesday; Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals , Cassopolis

Steven Edward Asmus, age 64, of Vandalia, died Monday, June 1, 2020 while working on his farm. He was born October 23, 1955 in Niles, Michigan the second child born to Duane and Lois Asmus. He married Kathy Green July 23, 1977 in Pleasant View Church, Cassopolis. She survives. Steve was a graduate of Niles High School class of 1974 and attended Michigan State University and Michiana College of Commerce. He worked at Michiana Agra, American Axle, and retired from Amtrak, but his true passion was farming and raising cattle. He was the Beef Superintendent for many years at the Cass County Fair and was always an advocate for 4-H and the involvement of youth in agriculture. Steve was an...

Preceded in death by husband Robert.Survived by a daughter Shirley and a sister Sharon. All may gather Monday, June 8th at 1:00 PM in Edwardsburg Cemetery. Mayhew Funeral Home, Edwardsburg.

James William Zimmerman, Sr., age 71, of Dowagiac, died peacefully early Saturday morning, May 25, 2020 in the comfort of his family's presence. He was born August 24, 1948 in Elkhart, Indiana, to Richard and Rosemary (Cox) Zimmerman, Sr. Jim was lovingly raised by his step-mother, Mary Jo Zimmerman. He married Judy D. Magner April 8, 1972 in Elkhart, Indiana. She called him her "Turtle Dove." Judy remembers him as a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather who always stood by his family. Jim was a proud patriot and loved his country. His top three priorities were God, country, and family. He honorably served in the US Army during Viet Nam. As a father, Jim taught his children...