New Buffalo – Sharon Hamann, 62, of New Buffalo, Michigan died Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at her home. Sharon was born December 5, 1949, along with her twin sister Susan, in Michigan City, IN to John and Viola (Hejda) Semenic. Following her graduation from River Valley High School in 1968, Sharon married Gerald Price and they shared 20 years together. Sharon’s life was again blessed when she met and married Stephen Hamann, on June 29, 1996. Sharon enjoyed sharing the word of God with anyone she met. She was a…

Galien – Florence Zbacnik, 91, formerly of Baroda, Michigan and Galien, Michigan died Tuesday morning, January 31, 2012 at Royalton Manor, St. Joseph, Michigan. Florence was born May 21, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois to Andrew and Antoinette (Bienias) Szczech. She attended Business School after graduating from high school . On April 24, 1957 she married Joseph T. Zbacnik. He preceded her in death on November 5, 1993. Florence and Joseph raised their two sons in Galien, Michigan where Florence worked at the O’Malley Clinic. She was a member of St.…

MaryJane Clara Carlson, 83, of New Buffalo, Michigan died Sunday afternoon, January 29, 2012 at West Woods of Niles. MaryJane was born January 31, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois to Clarence and Marie (Freislinger) O’Grady. After graduating from high school, she continued her education at Secretarial School. MaryJane was a woman who kept busy at work and volunteering. She was employed as a telephone operator in New Buffalo for many years and during some of those years she also drove school bus. She raised her family in New Buffalo and was…

George H. Swanson, 70, of Three Oaks, Michigan went to be with his Lord, January 11, 2012, at his home. George was born May 19, 1941, in Elmhurst, IL to Arthur and Alice Swanson and graduated from Three Oaks High School in 1959. He attended Concordia College and Elmhurst College. George worked for TWA and Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. After moving back to the Three Oaks area he participated in Music in the Park,  Harbor Arts, TWA Windy City Retirees, and was president of the Berrien County Association of Churches.…

Buchanan – Shirley “Lee” Bradley, 81, of Buchanan, Michigan died Saturday, January 7, 2012 at Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles. Shirley May was born May 20, 1930 in Alhambra, CA to Harold and Verle Emma (Stafford) Hinchy. On February 14, 1950 she married Roland Bradley in Osceola, IN, he preceded her in death on January 3, 2011. Lee’s life work was caring for her family, and she loved every moment with them. She was talented in the arts; playing the guitar and piano, singing, publishing children’s stories and poetry. Lee enjoyed…

Galien – Thomas Longfellow, age 77, of Galien, Michigan died unexpectedly Thursday morning, January 5, 2012 at his home. Tom was born May 8, 1934, in Galien to the late Lena (Miller) and Howard Longfellow. He graduated from Galien High School in 1952. Tom served his country stateside in the US Army. On August 10, 1957, he married Pauline Freehling. For over 35 years, Tom worked as a casting inspector for Bosch in St. Joe, Michigan, retiring in 1996. He cherished every moment he spent with his family. For 37…

Richard “Dick” Novacek, 68, of Lakeside, Michigan died Sunday morning, January 1, 2012 at his home. Dick was born January 13, 1943 in Michigan City, Indiana to Anton and Virginia (O’Donnohue) Novacek. He graduated from New Buffalo High School in 1961 and continued his education at the IBM College in Chicago. Dick was employed by the US Postal Service in Union Pier and then in New Buffalo for 38 years. He drove school bus for the New Buffalo Public Schools and also served on the School Board. He enjoyed sitting…

Virginia Beldorth, 90, of Three Oaks, Michigan died Sunday, January 1, 2012 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph. Virginia was born July 22, 1921 in Marion, Michigan to Elmer J. and Lolita (Dewey) Rohen. She graduated from Three Oaks High School in 1939. On November 22, 1945 she married Jacob Beldorth in Three Oaks, he preceded in death on June 14, 1980. Virginia was employed as a secretary for E.K. Warren and also at Clark Equipment Company. Although not fond of cooking, her children enjoyed her unique dinner choices…

Charles “Sonny” Ackerman, 88, of Galien, Michigan died at his home Saturday evening, December 31, 2011, surrounded by his loving family. Sonny was born November 1, 1923 in LaPorte, Indiana to Rollin and Julia (Jeffery) Ackerman and graduated from Three Oaks High School in 1941. Sonny attended Michigan State University until he was called to serve his country in the US Army during WWII. On September 15, 1945 he married Donna Albertson in Hudson Lake, Indiana, she preceded him in death on June 22, 1990. Sonny was an entrepreneur and…

William V. Russell Sr, 82, of Lakeside, Michigan died Friday night, December 30, 2011 at the Life Care Center of Michigan City. William, known to his family as “Jeff” was born June 19, 1929 in Portland, Tennessee to Ira B. and Lizzie L. (Haase) Russell. He served his country in the US Army following WWII. On January 8, 1949 he married Verniece Brown in Michigan City, Indiana. She preceded him in death on October 12, 2009 after 60 years of marriage. Jeff was an equipment operator, employed by the State…