Obituaries
Leslie Stanley Wotta
Oct 29, 2019
Passed away Tuesday October 29, 2019 at Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. Leslie was born April 23, 1940 in Kalamazoo the son of Stanley and Stella (Smoker) Wotta, who preceded him in death. He was a veteran of the US Army during the Vietnam War era. A very proud Polish man, he had a deep love of Polish food, and...
Jean Ellen Schmitt
Oct 29, 2019
Jean Ellen Treash Schmitt, 88 died peacefully on October 29th after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Jean was born on January 6, 1931, to Oliver and Delia (Baron) Treash the fifth child of that family. All of her siblings have predeceased her. Jean was a loving, caring, outgoing person and a wonderful wife, mother of five, grandmother of six and great...
Larry Eugene Norris
Oct 28, 2019
Larry Eugene Norris died peacefully at his home in Paw Paw, Michigan on October 27. He was 78 years old. Larry was born on June 20th, 1941 in Lawrence. He attended Lawrence Public Schools and graduated from Lawrence High School in1959. He went on to attend Benton Harbor Junior College and graduate from Western Michigan University with a business degree....
Fr. Michael Joseph Howell
Oct 27, 2019
Michael Joseph. Howell, born of the love of Clara (Mager) and Henry in the railroad town of Ottawa, Kansas, on February 11, 1937, came with his parents to Michigan's water wonderland at the end of "The Great Depression" to grow up in and around the farm town of St. Johns. Michael attended St Joseph Catholic Grade School staffed by the...
Margaret C. Connell
Oct 26, 2019
Margaret Cleary Connell, 62, fortified with the sacraments of Holy Mother Church, passed away on Saturday, October 26 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Maggie was dearly beloved by family and friends for her big heart, her delightful sense of humor, and her steadfast faith. Born and raised in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Maggie received her degree in chemistry from Notre Dame College...
Mary Hermitta Ramsey
Oct 25, 2019
Mary H. Ramsey of Plainwell formerly of Parchment passed away Friday October 25, 2019 at home. Mary was born April 10, 1930 in Byron Center the daughter of George and Jeanette (Jocelyn) Cassady. Mary enjoyed flower and rock gardening, reading, making jewelry, crafts, crocheting, dancing, the outdoors, and she was a stand-up comic performing at party venues and the State...
Robert "Bob" Carl Kiefer
Oct 19, 2019
Robert Carl Kiefer passed away Saturday, October 19, 2019 at home surrounded by his family. He was born on December 23, 1924 in Sharon, PA to Julia and Paul Kiefer. Bob was a disabled Vet having served in WWII after joining the Navy Air Corp in 1942. He was the flight director on the USS Wake Island and saw action...
Vanda Leah Harris
Oct 12, 2019
Vanda L. Harris passed away Saturday October 12, 2019 at home. Vanda was born February 16, 1932 in Kalamazoo the daughter of Amby and Beatrice (Sudman) Sines. She was a lifelong resident of Kalamazoo. Vanda worked at the City News Agency, Shakespeare Company, and Bower’s Lighter Company in the 1950’s and at Redwood & Ross in the 1970’s. On May...
Peter Charles Bastien
Oct 8, 2019
Peter Charles Bastien Passed away Wednesday, October 11, 2019 at Ascension Borgess Hospital. Peter was born October 28, 1953 in Belmar, New Jersey the son of Victor and Faith (Payne) Tooze. He was a man of strong faith and was called a “Prayer Warrior” by his family for his constant thoughts and prayers. Peter is Survived by a brother, Gregory...
Margaret Mary Mosher
Oct 8, 2019
Mosher, Margaret Mary (McAlear), age 85, of Flushing, formerly of Bay City and Kalamazoo Michigan, died Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at her home. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday , October 15 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Kalamazoo. Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11:00 a.m....
Thelma Pauline Harrison
Oct 7, 2019
Thelma Pauline Reinoehl Ickes Harrison was born November 15, 1916 on a farm in Constantine, Michigan. She was the third child of Silvanus and Elma Reinoehl. When she was eleven years old they moved to Schoolcraft, Michigan. She married Raymond Ickes on August 22, 1936. He was an award winning farmer. They had two daughters, Beverly and Vivian. Raymond and...
Thomas Lee Olson
Oct 6, 2019
Thomas Lee Olson passed away Sunday October 6, 2019 at Upjohn Nursing Home. Thomas was born June 4, 1951 in Kalamazoo the son of Irving and Elizabeth (Tait) Olson. He was a Vietnam veteran serving in the U.S. Army, member of St. Monica Catholic Church, and was a master gardener, enjoyed writing poetry, storytelling, and an avid fisherman. Surviving are...
Corneilus "Corky" Rex Nieuwenhuis
Oct 5, 2019
Cornelius "Corky" Rex Nieuwenhuis of Kalamazoo was born October 28, 1952 in Kalamazoo the son of John and Adrianna (Robol) Nieuwenhuis. Cornelius was the owner and operator of his own lawn care business. He was a family man and will be remembered for being a great Husband, Dad and, Grandpa. Surviving is his wife of 44 years Anne Nieuwenhuis; Two...
John Richard Bittner
Sep 29, 2019
Passed away September 29, 2019 in his home with his family in attendance. He was preceded in death by his parents Anna (Peters) & Leo Bittner; sisters, Katherine Owel, Dorothy Krank, Jean Baugh-O’Neil; brother, Robert Bittner and baby Boy Bittner. Surviving is his wife of 64 years Laura Bittner, two daughters Barbara (Gary) Loney, Jane (Wayne) Steele; three sons, Stephen...
Patricia Ann Shannon
Sep 27, 2019
Passed away Friday September 27, 2019 at Borgess Place. Patricia was born September 9, 1929 in Detroit, the daughter of Charles and Mildred (McClelland) Reynolds. On September 30, 1950, in Detroit, Patricia was united in marriage to James Shannon, who preceded her in death on July 23, 1996. The couple was blessed with five children. Anyone who knew Jim and Pat knew...
Betty Jane Cleland
Sep 26, 2019
Betty J. Cleland passed away peacefully on September 26, 2019 at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was born on August 17, 1927 in Jonesville, Michigan to Lee and Marcella (Branigan) Bender. Following her graduation from Jackson High School, Betty went to work for Michigan Bell as a telephone operator. She married the love of her life and best friend...
Gilbert Howell Jackson
Sep 9, 2019
Gilbert H. Jackson 99 of Kalamazoo passed away Monday September 9, 2019 at Park Place Assisted Living. Gilbert was born July 23, 1920 in Racine, WI the son of Gilbert and Clarebelle (Lightner) Jackson. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving in WW II receiving two Bronze Stars. Gilbert retired after 30 years from Eaton Mfg and was an avid...
David Almeron Thornton
Sep 6, 2019
David A. Thornton 72 of Plainwell was born December 25, 1946 in Battle Creek the son of Almeron and Mildred (Pierce) Thornton. David was retired as a millwright for II Stanley in Battle Creek and enjoyed fishing, camping, and hiking. Surviving are a son, Gerald Thornton of Battle Creek; two daughters, Jennifer (Paul) Bykowicz of Bellevue, Victoria (Mike) House of...
Paul Orson Williams
Sep 2, 2019
Paul O. Williams passed away Monday September 2, 2019 at Bickford of Portage. Paul was born March 5, 1918 in Greenville, MI the son of George and Grace (Riley) Williams. He was retired as the inventory control/shipping and receiving manager for Allen Test Products and was a member of St. Monica Catholic Church, Elks Lodge of Ormond Beach, FL, he...
Esther Rose Holmes
Sep 2, 2019
Passed away on Monday, September 2, 2019, at home. Esther was born on July 27, 1930, in Kalamazoo the daughter of Nicholas and Rose (Capitano) Cekola. On October 21, 1950 in Kalamazoo Esther was united in marriage to the Love of her life, John C. Holmes who preceded her in death on September 7, 2007. Also preceding her was her...