Obituaries

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...

Oct 19, 2022

Nancy C. Carrington, 91, passed away at Oakview Terrace/Park Village Pines in Kalamazoo, Oct. 19, 2022.

Nancy grew up in Paw Paw, eldest child of Andrew and Grace Murch. She studied piano for 8 years, played pipe organ for the Episcopal Church on Sundays, and graduated from Paw Paw High School in 1949.

She spent...

Oct 18, 2022

Kenneth R. Geren, 70, of Mattawan, passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at the Rose Arbor Residence in Kalamazoo.

He was born November 24, 1951, in Kalamazoo, son to the late Alfred R. Geren and Jacqueline (Bright) Geren.

As a lifelong Kalamazoo area resident, Ken enjoyed being self employed. He operated Geren Irrigation for many...

Oct 16, 2022

Dr. Thomas Bennett, 79, of Paw Paw, Michigan, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, October 16, 2022. Thomas, the son of the late Scott and Arlene (Warner) Bennett, was born in Detroit, MI. He graduated from Walled Lake High School in 1961 and then began his service in the United States Army as a...

Oct 15, 2022

Doris Carole Stembaugh, 89, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday October 15, 2022, at White Oaks in Lawton.

She was born April 11, 1933, in Benton Township, Michigan, the daughter of the late Arthur B. Rowley and Lillian (Tetlock) Rowley.

Doris excelled in academics and was the Valedictorian of Hartford High School. She married Bill...

Oct 15, 2022

Linnea M. Dietz, age 75 of Lawton, died peacefully at home under hospice care on October 15, 2022, with all of her family by her side. She was born on June 10, 1947, in Gary, Indiana, the daughter of Owen and Lorraine (Thoesen) Bray. She attended Lawton High School and grew up on a farm in the area.

Oct 11, 2022

Barbara Louise (Meads) Bay, 74, of Kalamazoo passed away peacefully on October 11th, 2022. Barbara was born on January 27, 1948 to Jimmie L Meads and Ruth I Meads (Tipton) in Joplin, Missouri.  Barbara was raised in Flushing, Michigan along the Flint River.  Barbara was the middle child.  She had an older brother, Michael, and a younger sister Deborah. ...

Oct 9, 2022

Judith Ann Franks, 77, of Paw Paw, passed away Sunday, October 9, 2022, at her home in Paw Paw.

Judy was born June 25, 1945, in Portage, the daughter of Ralph Curtis Markley and Erlabell (Ellenwood) Markley.

Showering those around her with care and love is how Judy lived her life. She was a dedicated...

Oct 9, 2022

Bertha's life began in South Bend, Indiana, on August 21, 1929, born Bertha Juanita Hale, daughter to the late Harry and Jessie (Crow) Hale. Growing up in South Bend, Bertha was affectionately known as "Nita". She was raised in the Methodist Church in South Bend and remained a faithful Methodist her entire life. She was a graduate of South...

Oct 6, 2022

Donna Louise (Reed) McIntyre, 67, passed away of natural causes Thursday morning, October 6, 2022, at her home in Paw Paw Michigan where she lived with her daughter and grandson.

Cookie, as called by most, was born November 18, 1954, in Orleans, France, the daughter of the late James and Irmgard (Ubel) Reed of Lawrence, Michigan. She...