Obituaries

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...

Sep 12, 2022

Pamela Rose La Rue, 62, of Paw Paw, passed away Monday, September 12, 2022.

She was born July 22, 1960 in Paw Paw, the daughter of Donald La Rue and Eleanor (Gage) La Rue.

Pam enjoyed working alongside her father at the salvage yard for many years. She had an interest in antiques and enjoyed...

Sep 12, 2022

Raymond (Ron) Mariano Schincariol, 87, of Paw Paw, MI unexpectedly passed away on September 12, 2022 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, MI, surrounded by his family. Ron lived a blessed and full life. He was a loving son, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a generous man of faith and service to his community, an athlete, a loyal friend,...

Sep 11, 2022

James D. Manning, 76, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at his home in Paw Paw, September 11, 2022. Jim was born in Paw Paw on May 31, 1946. He was a 1964 graduate of Paw Paw High School and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Following his return from the Air Force, Jim married...

Sep 10, 2022

Marcus Hall Jr., age 64, of Lawton, passed away September 10, 2022.  He was born May 27, 1958 in Hamilton, Ohio, the son of Marcus Hall Sr.and Opal (Hyde) Hall.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Jo (Munson) Hall, his son, Jesse (Keegan) Hall; sister, Gerogia (Steve) Miracle, two step daughters, Marie (Ron) Short and Anna...

Sep 10, 2022

Herschel Richard Figg, 93, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday, September 10, 2022.

He was born September 10, 1929 in Terre Haute, Indiana, the son of James L. Figg and Bessie (Gasaway) Figg-Stanley.

Herschel was united in marriage to Ethel Mae (Stair) Figg on September 18, 1956 at the Full Gospel Assembly in Hartford. In...

Sep 7, 2022

Martha Ann Willcox, age 79, of Paw Paw, passed away Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at her home.

She was born April 22, 1943 in Kalamazoo, daughter of the late George E. Crippen and Reba (Wagner) Karn.

On November 3, 1993 in Grant County, Indiana, she married Roger Willcox. Martha's family was closest to her heart....

Sep 4, 2022

Kenneth George Merriam, age 79, of Paw Paw, passed away Sunday, September 4, 2022 at his home with his loving family at his side.

Ken was a lifelong area resident, born in Kalamazoo on August 3, 1943, the son of Vernon Merriam and Leeta Mae (Crosby) Merriam. He was a devoted family man. Spending time with his...

Sep 4, 2022

Rev. William Elmer Theaker, age 81, of Mattawan, passed away Sunday, September 4, 2022 at his home.

He was born in Wolverine, MI, on October 7, 1940, the son of  the late William Theaker and Freida Marie (Briggs) Theaker.

Bill spent his life devoted to serving his Lord and Savior. Over the course of his...

Aug 27, 2022

Julian E. “Ed” Hamilton, 92, of Lawton passed away peacefully after a long illness on Saturday, August 27, 2022.

Ed was born in Marshville, North Carolina to Fred and Julia Maude (Thomas) Hamilton. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1947 to 1954 as an Aircraft Maintenance Specialist/Crew Chief and later served in the Michigan Air...