Obituaries

Aug 13, 2023

Sylvia Anne Wroblewski, 87, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday, August 12, 2023, peacefully at her home.

She was born November 4, 1935, in Chicago, the daughter of the late Joseph J. Surdy and Victoria L. (Grudecki) Surdy. Sylvia and her family moved to Paw Paw when she was a young girl. She attended Saint Mary School...

Aug 7, 2023

Ruth Louise Westcott, 73, of Paw Paw, passed away Monday, August 7, 2023, at her home.

She was born November 2, 1949, in Paw Paw, the daughter of the late Francis Dorstewitz and Eleanore (Schmidt) Dorstewitz.

Ruth will be remembered as a lady with great artistic flair. She was very talented with embroidery and quilting...

Jul 22, 2023

Dorothy Elizabeth Potter, 94, of Kalamazoo, passed away Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Borgess Place in Kalamazoo.

She was born March 17, 1929, in Decatur, the daughter of William Hansen and Signe Marie (Nystrom) Hansen.

Dorothy enjoyed spending her time reading and watching the birds.

She is survived by her two daughters, Brenda...

Jul 22, 2023

Linda Marie Weston, 66, of Kalamazoo, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, July 22, 2023, at her home.

She was born October 27, 1956, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the daughter of the late Donald Giddings and Katherine (Rowley) Asenbauer.

Linda was a devoted wife and loving mother and grandmother. She married her high school sweetheart, Russ, on August...

Jul 21, 2023

Joyce Ann Root, 79, of Lawton, passed away Friday, July 21, 2023. Joyce was born April 5, 1944, in Moulton, Alabama, the daughter of James and Inez (Standridge) Washburn.

Joyce had a deep love for her family and her happiest times were spent making memories with her family.  Her favorite hobbies included sewing, quilting, and reading.

Jul 20, 2023

Charles Howard Edwards, 73, of Lawrence, passed away Thursday, July 20, 2023, at Bronson Hospital after a recent illness.

He was born January 26, 1950, in Chicago, the son of Everett Edwards and Stella (Filipczyk) Edwards.

Charles had many hobbies and interests. He enjoyed woodworking, grocery shopping, motorcycles and his photography. However, his favorite pastimes...

Jul 17, 2023

Irene Katharine Pacula, age 92, of Kalamazoo, formerly of Paw Paw, passed away on July 17, 2023. Irene was born March 23, 1931, in Chicago IL, the daughter of Matthew and Sofia Kwasniak.

Irene was a longtime member of St. Marys’s Catholic Church.  She enjoyed working for Paw Paw High School for 18 years.

On...

Jul 14, 2023

Robert "Bobby" Harold Palmer Jr., 83, of Paw Paw,  passed away Friday, July 14, 2023, at Douglas Cove in Douglas. He was born February 5, 1940, in Paw Paw, son to the late Robert Harold Palmer Sr.and Barbara (Wilder) Palmer.

For many years, Bobby enjoyed living in Florida where he enjoyed working on a golf course. He...

Jul 11, 2023

While there are no words to express our profound loss, the family of Marlen Boothby announce his unexpected passing at home, surrounded by loved ones, on July 11, 2023.

Marlen was born on December 1, 1941, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to parents Doctor Paul and Dixie Boothby. Soon after his birth he and his family moved to...

Jul 6, 2023

Ronald Leroy Nagy of Punta Gorda, FL, passed away after a short illness on July 6, 2023, at ShorePoint Health Center in Punta Gorda, FL. Ronald was born on July 22, 1937, in Elkhart, Indiana. He was the second of three boys born to Alex and Pearl Nagy. After graduating from Elkhart Central High School, Ron enlisted in the U.S. Navy....

Jul 4, 2023

Patrick Lynn Bentley, 72, passed away in his home in Mattawan on July 4th, 2023.  He was born March 6, 1951, in Paw Paw the son of the late Robert Bentley and Lenore (Martin) Bentley. Patrick was a 1969 graduate of Lawton High School where he was a standout track and field athlete and football player, including All State...

Jul 2, 2023

Gloria Virginia DeGraaf, 94, of Lawton, passed away Sunday, July 2, 2023 at her home.

She was born March 16, 1929 in Lawton, Michigan, the daughter of the late Robert Hamel and Marie (Hall) Johnson.

As a lifelong Lawton resident, Gloria graduated from Lawton High School in 1947. She then went to work at the...

Jun 29, 2023

Doris Leone Filer, age 81, formerly of Lawrence, Michigan, passed away on June 29, 2023, at Adler Center for Caring in Aldie, Virginia.

Doris was born on April 2, 1942, in Lawrence, Michigan, where she was raised on the family farm by parents Louis and Grace (Hopkins) Robbins. She attended Lawrence schools where she sang in the...

Jun 28, 2023

Matthew Leo Edward Melson, 37, of Paw Paw, went to be with the Lord June 28, 2023. Matt was born April 7, 1986, in Kalamazoo. He grew up in Paw Paw and graduated from Paw Paw High School in 2005. Matt was a member of Freshwater Community Church and New Beginning Church. He was baptized June 21, 2021. He...

Jun 24, 2023

Dawn Marie Hogmire, 76, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday, June 24, 2023, at The Timbers of Cass County in Dowagiac.

She was born October 16, 1946, in Paw Paw, the daughter of Cornelius Cole and Leona (Francoise) Cole.  For several years Dawn was a volunteer EMT for Sister Lakes.

She is survived by her...

Jun 16, 2023

Ronald Everett Burza, age 65, of Gobles, passed away peacefully at his home Friday, June 16, 2023. He was born in Paw Paw, August 6, 1957, to Everett and Wilma (Haley) Burza.

Ron learned at age 16 that he had muscular dystrophy. He lived with progressive weakness and increasing intense, chronic pain all his life. Ron had...

Jun 13, 2023

Sierra Elizabeth-Ann Loughrin, 19, of Mattawan, passed away suddenly Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

She was born July 18, 2003, in Kalamazoo, to parents Matthew and Janine (Rigg) Loughrin. From a young age, Sierra's parents knew she possessed an extreme talent for the performing arts. All throughout school, Sierra acted in the school musicals and plays. She secured...

Jun 2, 2023

Agnus Grace Conklin, one year old of Paw Paw, died following a car accident on June 2, 2023. She was born May 20, 2022, the daughter of Kenneth and Sasha (Ramsey) Conklin. Born with bright blue eyes and a radiating smile, she was adored by her family. Agnus loved being outside with the sunshine on her face. She loved...

Jun 2, 2023

Raymond A. Barber, age 70 of Gravel Lake in Lawton, died at home under hospice care on June 2, 2023. He was born May 14, 1953, in Portsmouth, Virginia, the son of Raynold and Loretta (Judd) Barber. After his father’s retirement from the U.S. Navy, the family settled in Portage. Ray was a 1972 graduate of Portage Central High...

May 25, 2023

Ann Ellen Fenton, 82, of Paw Paw, passed away Thursday, May 25, 2023, at the Rose Arbor Residence in Kalamazoo. Born in Kalamazoo, March 28, 1941, the daughter of Loyal Fenton and Estina (Sherrod) Fenton.

Ann had a lifelong love for horses. She worked for Duo-Tang in Paw Paw for 40 years until they closed for business....