Obituaries

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...

Oct 5, 2022

Brenda Jane Russ, 65, of Paw Paw, passed away Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at her home.

She was born February 25, 1957, in South Haven, the daughter of the late Floyd Marvin Goodrich Jr. and June Carol (Madsen) Goodrich.

Brenda was active with the Paw Paw United Methodist Church in earlier years, where she participated...

Oct 3, 2022

Carol Joy Grudecki, 84, of Kalamazoo, passed away Monday, October 3, 2022 at Bronson Hospital. Carol was born in Paw Paw August 11, 1938, daughter to the late Boyd G. Bessey and Carol (Dornan) Bessey.

Carol was a talented artist and musician from her childhood. In high school she played the piano and was active in the...

Sep 28, 2022

Paul (Cookie) Juriga, age 80, of Lawton, peacefully departed from this world on September 28, 2022, to be with the Lord, surrounded by his wife and children in love in his last hours.  Paul was born March 11, 1942, in Munster, Indiana, the oldest son of Paul W. and Dorothy (Keselowski) Juriga. Paul graduated from Lawton High School in...

Sep 27, 2022

James Brunet began his life in Manistique, Michigan, February 3, 1944. He was the son of the late Russell Brunet and Helen Jane (Goudreau) Burnet. Jim grew up with his sister Jane and his brother Wayne David. As a young man, Jim enlisted in the Army National Guard. He had a 15 year career with Palisade's and then spent...

Sep 27, 2022

Paul John McFarland , 67, of Paw Paw, passed away Tuesday, September 27, 2022.

He was born October 18, 1954, in Worcester, Massachusetts, the son of Irving J. McFarland and Harriet T. (Carey) McFarland.

Paul grew up in Newburyport, Massachusetts, where he attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School until the 8th grade. He went on to...

Sep 25, 2022

After struggling with health issues for over four years, Rhonda McGrew Ryan passed away on September 25, 2022.  She was born on August 8, 1953, to the late Arnold and Vernena (Hall) McGrew.

Rhonda grew up in Paw Paw, Michigan, graduating from Paw Paw High School in 1971.  She lived in several different states and had a...

Sep 23, 2022

Pamela Jean Thorn, 56, of Decatur, passed away Friday, September 23, 2022, at the Rose Arbor Residence in Kalamazoo.

She was born November 16, 1965, in Paw Paw, the daughter of Michael Bombrys and Elizabeth (Darda) Bombrys.

Pam was very hardworking and dedicated to her job in the factory for more than 30 years. She...

Sep 22, 2022

Wanda Fay Nolen, 87, of Mattawan, passed away on Thursday, September 22, 2022 at her home with her daughters by her side.

There will be a celebration of life held at the Paw Paw Eagles on October 15, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 30, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the...

Sep 21, 2022

Kevin Ray Tackett, 50, of Gobles, passed away suddenly on Wednesday September 21, 2022.

He was born October 8, 1971, in Saint Joseph, Michigan, the son of Donald Tackett and Joan  Lee (Garrison) Tackett.

Growing up in Southwest Michigan, Kevin was an all around outdoorsman. He enjoyed many bike rides, walking the many trails, playing...

Sep 21, 2022

Mildred Arlene Sparks, age 87, of Lawton, passed away on September 21, 2022 at Bronson Hospital. She was born January 19, 1935 in Kalamazoo, daughter of the late Warren and Marion Corey, sister of MaryJo (Scott) Hendrixson and her brother, the late James Corey. She grew up on a farm in Lawton and graduated from Lawton High School, then...

Sep 15, 2022

Virginia Mae Stimac, 97, longtime Paw Paw resident passed away Thursday, September 15, 2022.

She was born June 21, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of John DePierre and Bernice (Olsted) DePierre. In 1947, she moved to Paw Paw with her family. She was united in marriage to the late John Stimac and the couple had three...