Obituaries
Emma Lois Swadling
Jul 18, 2017
Emma L. Swadling of Kalamazoo passed away Tuesday July 18, 2017 at Butterfly Oasis Assisted Living. Emma was born September 17, 1925 in Springfield, IL the daughter of Nils and Coralee (Landin) Reistad. She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church, and was formerly employed by united Nursing Services, was a foster grandparent for Croydon School, and a 4-H Leader....
Virginia M. Keesling
Jul 14, 2017
Virginia was born at home in Augusta, Michigan to Bessie (Marvin) Gifford and Clayton Elyhu Gifford on October 30, 1919. She died at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo at the age of 97, on July 14, 2017.Virginia’s eldest son, Jeffrey is deceased. Her son, Jesse Keesling, Jr (wife Marsha), her daughter, Suzanne Anderson (husband Dan) and daughter Cynthia Carpenter (husband...
Maria Z. Karamalegos
Jul 13, 2017
Maria Karamalegos passed away July 13, 2017. She was born in Kalymnos, Greece on May 16, 1929 the daughter of Themelis and Kalotina (Saroukou) Zervos. She was a member of the Greek Orthodox Churches in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. She was preceded in death by her husband Zacharias on February 2, 2001, brother: Nicolas Zervos and sister: Niki Zervos. Maria...
Elizabeth Jean Gloor
Jul 13, 2017
Betty passed away July 13, 2017 at home. Betty was born in Chicago Heights, IL on May 19, 1932 the daughter of Lester and Harriet (McMurray) Gloor. She lived briefly in Minneapolis and Chicago Heights before settling with her parents in Kalamazoo which she lovingly called home. Betty graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1950. She then went on...
John J. Steve
Jul 12, 2017
John Steve Junior passed away at home on July 12, 2017, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. John was born in Battle Creek, MI on February 2, 1955 the son of John E. and Marjorie (Pierce) Steve. He worked for Hammond Roto Finish for 33 years. He enjoyed camping and having a beer while sitting around the bonfire with family...
Harry Albert Thomas, Jr.
Jul 11, 2017
Harry A. Thomas, Jr. of Portage passed away in the loving arms of his sister, Dorothy Sisson, Tuesday July 11, 2017 in Kalamazoo. Harry was born July 30, 1946 in Brooklyn, NY the son of Harry and Frances (George) Thomas. He attended Lawton High School and was a Vietnam veteran serving in the U.S. Army. Harry was a life-long truck...
Sean Liam Harter
Jul 10, 2017
Sean L. Harter of Kalamazoo passed away Monday July 10, 2017 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Sean was born September 30, 1974 in Kalamazoo the son of John and Kimberly (Canfield) Harter. Sean enjoyed comics and gaming, especially enjoyed Comic-Con, Dungeons & Dragons and going to IMAX movies. Surviving are his father, John Harter of Kalamazoo; sisters, Shannon (Kiwarn) Harter-Hunt of...
DeLouise Florence VanEck
Jul 6, 2017
DeLouise F. VanEck of Portage passed away Thursday July 6, 2017 at Brookdale of Portage. DeLouise was born September 9, 1927 in Albion the daughter of John and Clara (Fernholz) Finnegan. She was a member of St. Monica Catholic Church where she put in many volunteer hours and mission work, she enjoyed making rosaries, gardening, synchronized swimming, quilting, crocheting and...
Paul Francis Bresnahan
Jul 4, 2017
Passed away suddenly Tuesday July 4, 2017 at home. Paul was born June 24, 1960 in Chicago, IL the son of John P. “Jack” Bresnahan and the late Claire Marie (Rutz) Bresnahan. Paul was a graduate of Portage Northern High School. He was a long time employee of Arvco Container Corp in Kalamazoo. Surviving are his father, John P. Bresnahan...
Gary R. Thomas
Jul 3, 2017
Gary R. Thomas of Kalamazoo, passed away Monday July 3, 2017 at Metro Health Hospital in Grand Rapids. Gary was born in Saginaw on January 28, 1952 the son of Milton and Marilyn (Marsh) Thomas. He graduated from Arthur Hill High School and lived in Kalamazoo the last 22 years and was employed for Tuffy Muffler then retired as a...
Frances Catolica Alewine
Jul 2, 2017
Frances Catolica Alewine, 85, of Bradenton, Florida, formerly of Houston, Texas and Kalamazoo, Michigan native passed away peacefully Sunday July 2, 2017 in Bradenton. Fran was born December 26, 1931 to the late Victor and Mary (Milan) Catolica Jordan in Kalamazoo. She remained a resident of Kalamazoo/Vicksburg until she married a Southern gentleman, W. Gerald Alewine on August 15, 1967...
Debra Jean Keown
Jun 27, 2017
Debra Jean Keown 59 of Comstock passed away Tuesday June 27, 2017 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Debra was born July 1, 1957 in Kalamazoo the daughter of Robert and Joyce (Worden) Skees. Anyone who knew Debra knows of her big heart, forgiving nature, and fierce love for her family and friends. She was united in marriage to Kerry A. Keown...
Audrey June Bowditch
Jun 20, 2017
AUDREY JUNE BOWDITCH (nee Koskella) was born July 25, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan. As a baptized follower of Jesus, she trusted in Him who, through His death and resurrection, offers all who believe the free gift of salvation and eternal life. A faithful and joyful worshipper, she knew her Bible well and even selected all of the hymns and Scripture...
Joseph A. Byrne, Sr.
Jun 19, 2017
Joseph A. Byrne, Sr. (Joe) was born October 26, 1926 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Thomas and Margaret (Ahern) Byrne. He was the fourth of five children and he is the last of his siblings to pass away. Joe was raised in a strong Irish Catholic environment and remained a man of great faith his entire life, passing his...
Carol Ann Stickler
Jun 12, 2017
Carol Ann Stickler passed away Monday June 12, 2017 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Carol was born January 22, 1936 in Kalamazoo the daughter of Elton and Gladys (Pallett) Day. She was a member of St. Augustine Cathedral and owned a daycare business; Carol was a devoted mother and grandmother. Surviving are four children, Ron (Carlene) Stickler, Randy Stickler, Robin (Bob)...
Kenneth Tobias Sr.
Jun 11, 2017
Kenneth Tobias Sr. passed away peacefully June 11, 2017, following a long fight after a stroke in 2012. He was born February 25, 1930 in Mancelona, MI, the second son of ten children of Milo and Edith Tobias. He was united in marriage to Toolie (Doris) Rosenburg on June 20, 1947. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and bowling for many...
Travis W. Gates
Jun 11, 2017
Travis W. Gates of Kalamazoo passed away unexpectedly Sunday June 11, 2017 in Kalamazoo. Travis was born December 8, 1989 in Monticello, IN the son of James and Catherine (Marlatt) Gates. He enjoyed music and spending time with family and friends. Surviving are his children, Riley Corbin of Vicksburg, Travis Gates, Jr of Deland, FL; mother, Catherine (Orne) Marshall of...
Sr. Martha Ann Oldani, CSJ
Jun 11, 2017
Josephine Oldani was born in Detroit Michigan on September 14, 1925, the daughter of Louis and Lillian (Grambusch) Oldani. She was a member of Guardian Angels Parish in Detroit at the time of her entrance into the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth on July 1, 1950. Josephine received the name Sister Martha Ann at her reception...
Josée Dakia Germay
Jun 3, 2017
Josée Dakia Germay went to meet her beloved Jesus on June 3, 2017. Josée was born in Rutshuru, Zaire, Africa on August 1, 1963, the daughter of Pierre-Claver Nkusi and Maria Mukabatsinda. A selfless soul , she was always about making others feel loved and feel special. A devout Catholic all her life, she was constantly praying for everybody and...
Lana Sue Speyrer
Jun 1, 2017
Lana Speyrer, of Kalamazoo, Michigan passed away on Thursday, June 1, 2017 while receiving care in Chicago, Illinois. Lana was born March 7, 1953 in Port Arthur, Texas the daughter of Clifton and Bertha Lee Breaux. She enjoyed holidays and spending time with her family and often wrote in her journal. She was also very strong in her faith in...