Obituaries

Dec 11, 2022

Polly Cross, 96, of Paw Paw, went home to her Lord and Savior Sunday, December 11, 2022, at The Rose Arbor Residence in Kalamazoo.

She was born November 10, 1926, in Moulton, Alabama, the daughter of the late Garth E. Goodwin and Mallie M. (Heflin) Goodwin.

Polly was a longtime member of 12th Street Baptist...

Dec 10, 2022

Joan Marie Waitas (Belanga) passed in peace on Saturday December 10th, 2022.  Joan was born to Theron and Audrey Belanga in the Fall of 1934 in North Carolina.  Joan had three brothers: Glen (D), Bruce (D) and Ron (L).

She grew up and graduated high school in the town of Paw Paw, MI. It was there she...

Dec 8, 2022

Mildred L. "Millie" Sitar, 102, of Kalamazoo, passed away Thursday, December 8, 2022, at her home.

She was born April 7, 1920, in Paw Paw, daughter of Robert Bruce Terrell and Maude L. (Green) Terrell.

Millie loved bowling in Kalamazoo in previous years, she also took pride in knitting, crocheting, making pottery items and working...

Dec 4, 2022

Karl Albert Porth, 78, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2022 at his home at Lake Cora Hills Golf Course.

Karl was a loving and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother. His relationship with his wife Judith (Judy) was 54 years of happiness, joy, and near constant companionship. His greatest pride was his daughter Kellie Bagne and...

Dec 2, 2022

Anne E. Coombs passed away on December 2, 2022, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her loving family. Known affectionately as “G.G.” or “Gram,” Anne was a mother of six, grandmother of eleven, and great-grandmother of fifteen. Her legacy, however, isn’t just defined by her role as wife, mother, and grandmother but by her many years as...

Dec 1, 2022

Philip Michael Shannon went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 1, 2022. He was born in Springfield, OH, on March 28, 1941, to Vernal and Faith (Bedford) Shannon. His childhood was spent in many different states, as his family moved often. Philip graduated from high school in Detroit, MI, and joined the Coast Guard, serving from...

Nov 30, 2022

Julie passed away November 30, 2022 due to complications of Crohn's disease.  Julie was born March 2, 1949, in South Bend, Indiana, to the late Raymond and Frances Hendrickson.

After high school in South Bend, Julie attended Ferris State College, graduating as a pharmacist.  While in college, Julie met and married her husband, Philip E. Rotzien.  As...

Nov 26, 2022

David Allen McDaniel, 58, of Lawrence, passed away Saturday, November 26, 2022, in Saint Joseph, Michigan.

He was born January 11, 1964, in Paw Paw, Michigan, the son of William McDaniel and Bernita (Damaske) Marko.

Dave was a simple and loving family man. Over the years before his health declined, he enjoyed sporadic getaways with...

Nov 26, 2022

Edward Duane Cornelius, 78, of Mattawan, passed away Saturday, November 26, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born November 16, 1944, in Reed City, Michigan, the son of the late Lloyd Cornelius and Sylvia (Ripley) Cornelius.

Ed was employed with General Motors in Kalamazoo for over 37 years as a maintenance...

Nov 24, 2022

Our beloved, Tammera Lynn Hoekstra-Ouzoonian, made her earth side appearance on August 4, 1974, in Dowagiac, MI, to her loving parents, Jacob Hoekstra and Vickie Hillhouse.

In early adulthood she became a mother to Jacob Painter and Kaylee Painter. Shortly after she married their father Jeff Painter.

Later in life, on June 7, 2008 she...

Nov 20, 2022

A Celebration of Life for Verna Joy Carroll of Lawton, MI, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday March 11, 2023, at the Lawton Evangelical Church.  A time for family visitation will precede the service starting at 9:30 a.m. and will continue with a luncheon following the service. Joy will be placed to rest during a private family...

Nov 18, 2022

Kenneth Eugene Walden, age 86, of Lawton, passed away November 18, 2022, at the Rose Arbor Residence in Kalamazoo. Ken was born in Calvin Township, Michigan, on July 12, 1936, son to the late Clarence and Elvira (Lawson) Walden.

Ken was a longtime staple in the Lawton and Paw Paw community. He was a dedicated member and...

Nov 18, 2022

James Francis Johnson, 67, of Lawrence, passed away Friday, November 18, 2022 at his home in Lawrence.

He was born September 29, 1955 in Lapeer, Michigan, the son of Francis Johnson and Marlene (Jahn) Johnson.

Jim began his youth in Ovid, Michigan, where he attended grade school and before the family moved to Brighton. Jim...

Nov 15, 2022

With much sadness, the family of Rebecca Steele announces her passing on 11/15/2022 at The Vineyard, in Texas Corners, Kalamazoo, MI.  Rebecca was diagnosed with glioblastoma in May 2021, which she fought diligently since.  During this time, she took the opportunity to draft some of her own obituary:

“How could I pass up the opportunity to have...

Nov 14, 2022

Judy Mae Thompson, 73, of Watervliet, passed away Monday November 14, 2022 at her home with her family by her side.

She was born July 12, 1949 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, the daughter of Wilbur Daily and Frieda (Neely) Daily.

Judy was a loving and caring wife and mother. She loved the outdoors and working...

Nov 5, 2022

Gloria Anne (Decker) South was born on November 13, 1937, in Pontiac, Michigan. She passed into the loving arms of her Savior on November 5, 2022.

Gloria married the love of her life, Neil, on May 12, 1961, and they shared 61 years together. Strong-willed and passionate, visionary and caring, she had a fire in her heart...

Nov 4, 2022

Richard “Dick Kruso” Kruszewski, surrounded by adoring and loving family, passed away on November 4th, 2022, just one month shy of his 88th birthday.

Pages could be filled with thoughts and memories of Richard. He lived a phenomenal, full life, and he was the best father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband, friend, and mentor one could imagine. To everyone...

Oct 30, 2022

Edwin Thrasher Jr., 83, of Gobles, passed away Sunday October 30, 2022.

He was born April 10, 1939 in Kalamazoo, the son to the late Edwin Rhodes Thrasher Sr.and Olevia Pearl (Chambers) Thrasher.

Edwin enjoyed the outdoors, he loved to go hunting and fishing, as well as going to the races with his brother, and...

Oct 24, 2022

Christine Jane Reed passed away while fighting cancer on October 24, 2022.  She was born March 20, 1972, in Kalamazoo, Michigan to James and Patricia Reed.  Christine grew up in Paw Paw, Michigan, with her two siblings, and resided there for most of her life.

Christine is a graduate of Paw Paw High School and Western Michigan...

Oct 23, 2022

Arlene (Halliday) Schultz passed away of natural causes on October 23, 2022, in Kalamazoo Mi, where she lived with her son.

Arlene was born in Kalamazoo on November 22nd, 1933 to Walter and Mildred Halliday. Arlene was one of four children. She grew up in the Kalamazoo area where she met her soon to be husband when...