Obituaries
Deanna Lynn Combs-Schippers
Jul 26, 2021
Deanna L. Combs-Schippers 56 of Kalamazoo passed away Monday July 26, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Deanna was born July 14, 1965 in Kalamazoo the daughter of Roger and Patricia (Taylor) Combs. She was a volunteer teacher at Centerpoint City Church. Surviving are husband, Mike Schippers; parents Roger (Paula) Combs and Patricia Combs; four children, Taylor Combs, Torri Schippers, Zander...
Richard Anthony Shane
Jul 26, 2021
Richard Anthony Shane, 67, of Bellevue, died Thursday, July 29, 2021, at his residence following a brief illness. He was born Dec. 14, 1953, in Pittsfield, Mass., the son of Robert A. and Martha J. (Mak) Shane. He grew up in Portage, where he attended St. Monica Elementary School in Kalamazoo and later graduated from Portage Central High School in...
Jean Shirley Girard
Jul 18, 2021
Jean S. Girard 96 passed peacefully from this life Sunday July 18, 2021 at New Friends Vibrant Living Care Facility where she was a resident. Jean was born April 22, 1925 in Detroit, the daughter of Stephen & Marie (Saad) Yessian. Upon graduation from Catholic High School with honors shew went on to train as an Air Traffic controller and...
Edward Frederick Bourgeois
Jul 16, 2021
Edward died peacefully on July 16, 2021 at his home surrounded by the love of his family. Ed was born in Kalamazoo on Oct. 30, 1932, the son of Edward F. and Margaret (Fitzpatrick) Bourgeois Sr. Ed had been employed by Saniwax Paper Company, Acme Printing Ink Company, Brown Company and James River as a supervisor. He was a charter...
Anita Louise Campbell
Jul 16, 2021
Anita L. Campbell 75 of Kalamazoo passed away Friday July 16, 2021 at Ascension Borgess Hospital. Anita was born January 23, 1946 in Battle Creek the daughter of Marshall and Pearl (Meyers) Tyler. Anita was a loving and caring woman, always there for family and friends. She enjoyed crocheting, bingo, Yahtzee, gardening, feeding the birds and animals. On January 16,...
Gail Harriet Stewart
Jul 11, 2021
Gail H. Stewart 81 of Kalamazoo passed away Monday July 11, 2021 at Upjohn Community Care Center. Gail was born March 4, 1940 in Chicago, Il the daughter of Joseph and Evelyn (Leguinza) Stewart. She was formerly employed by the Crosstown Inn of Kalamazoo. Gail enjoyed computer games and her animals. She was survived by several nieces & nephews but...
Allan Pearl Tyler
Jul 10, 2021
Passed away July 10, 2021 at home with his family supporting him. Allan was born in Kalamazoo on Dec. 28, 1951, the son of Allan P and Betty (Ronk) Tyler Sr. He was a veteran of the Marine Corp Having served in 1972 and 1973. He was employed for 44yrs by Kalamazoo Public Schools as: Custodian, Carpenter, Supervisor and Director...
Dorothy Jane Gates
Jun 30, 2021
Dorothy Jane Gates 67 of Comstock passed away Wednesday June 30, 2021 at home. Dorothy born August 2, 1953 in Charleston, MS the daughter of Louis and Rita (Lang) Gentry. She enjoyed puzzles, watching TV and coloring. Surviving is her mother Rita Sparks; three children, Michael (Reenee) Gates, David Gates, Robert (Katie) Gates; nephew, Gary (Michelle) Kamrowski; niece, Trisha (Jeramiah)...
Elzora Wagner
Jun 26, 2021
Elzora “Ellie” Wagner 93 of Kalamazoo passed away Saturday June 26, 2021 at Rose Arbor Hospice. Ellie was born May 27, 1928 in Battle Creek the daughter of Robert and Ruth (Boyce) Leiter. She was a member of Parchment United Methodist Church, Founding member of the Friends of the Library in Parchment and she enjoyed quilting, cooking and especially playing...
Priscilla Elaine Stewart
Jun 23, 2021
Priscilla Elaine Stewart passed away June 23, 2021. She was born in Chicago, IL on June 30, 1937, the Daughter of Joseph and Evelyn (Legenza) Stewart. Priscilla is survived by her son, John (Mickie) LeMieux; her Sister, Gail Stewart; Three Grandchildren, Zackary, Tyler and Brett; and several nieces and nephews. Preceded in her death are her Parents; her Brothers, Edward,...
Janet Elizabeth Graham
Jun 21, 2021
Janet died peacefully at home, June 21, 2021, with family by her side. She was a traveler, gardener, writer, and avid reader. She believed that actions speak louder than words and was an activist for social justice her entire life. Janet looked to see the good in all. Janet was predeceased by her parents, brother: Duncan Graham, nephew: Gabe Lepine,...
Barbara Ann DeKam
Jun 21, 2021
Barbara Ann Dekam 71 of Kalamazoo passed away Friday June 21, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Barbara was born March 27, 1950 in Parchment the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Lester) Francisco. She retired after 27 years as a BSN for Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Surviving are three children, Monica Francisco-DeKam, Gabriel...
Steven Engel Pavey
Jun 17, 2021
Pavey, Mr. Steven E. Kalamazoo, MI Steven passed away June 17, 2021. He was born in Kalamazoo on May 13, 1943, the son of George and Kathryn (Engel) Pavey. He was a retired Iron Worker from Austin Company in Portage. He was a member of the Agape Christian Church. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. On December 5, 1964 Steven married...
Bennie Ray First
Jun 15, 2021
Bennie Ray First passed away unexpectedly at his home in Kalamazoo, MI on June 15, 2021. Bennie was born June 8, 1955 to parents Bennie Gene First and Gwendolyn Rae (Crawford) First in Inglewood, California. His parents, grandparents, and special aunt, Kay Wilder proceeded him in death. Bennie is survived by his sister Linda Walker, nephews Louis and Jonathan. And...
Charles Betke
Jun 3, 2021
Charles Betke passed away Thursday June 3, 2021 at Rose Arbor Hospice. Charles was born July 21, 1928 in Chicago, IL the son of Henry & Lucille (Bierbaum) Betke. He was a Korean War Veteran serving in the U.S. Army, and retired as a bricklayer. On March 10, 1956. Charles was united in marriage to the former Joan Thornton who...
Angelina Mary Grindatti
Jun 2, 2021
Passed away peacefully Wednesday June 2, 2021 at Woodside in Friendship Village. Angelina was born February 15, 1921 in Philadelphia, PA the daughter of Caesare and Grace (LaVerghetta) D’Adamo. She was a First Lieutenant Registered Nurse in the Army Nurse Corps during WWII. After moving to Kalamazoo, Angie worked as a nurse in a local pediatrician's office, became a foster...
John David Justice, Jr.
May 27, 2021
John D. Justice, Jr. passed away Thursday May 27, 2021 at home. John was born April 6, 1957 in Flint the son of John and Georgeana (Robarge) Justice. John was a U.S. Navy veteran serving with Attack Squadron 35. He was a truck driver for Williams Trucking and enjoyed playing pool, collecting baseball cards, sports and spending time with his...
Donna Engle Branstner
May 21, 2021
Donna E. Branstner, beloved mother, grandmother and dear friend of many passed away peacefully on May 21, 2021 at her home in Parchment MI. Formerly of Birmingham, MI. Donna was born November 14, 1929 in Elyria, Ohio. At the start of her career, she worked in Administrations for Wayne State University, Detroit. Donna had astute business acumen. She was office...
Margaret "Peggy" Piper Hegel
May 10, 2021
Retired respected Suzuki piano teacher, Peggy Hegel, died on May 10, 2021 after a late-life onset of ALS. Peggy’s piano teaching career began when unbeknownst to her, her second-grade daughter announced during Show-and-Tell “My mother will teach piano lessons to anyone who wants them!” Peggy retired at 80, forty-eight years later. Peggy’s Suzuki piano studio was a family affair with...
Brenda Anne Schaafsma
May 8, 2021
Passed away Saturday 8, 2021 at Rose Arbor Hospice. Brenda was born December 6, 1967 in Nuremberg, Germany; she received her bachelor’s and master’s degree from Wells College in Aurora, NY. Brenda was employed as a Senior ITS Specialist at Zoetis and she enjoyed knitting, puzzles, feeding the humming birds, going to farm the farm market and cooking. On October...