Obituaries

Mar 27, 2022

Carol-Lu Frances Specht, 84, of Lawton, passed away Sunday March 27, 2022 at the Rose Arbor hospice residence in Kalamazoo.

She was born August 31, 1937 in Evanston, Illinois, the daughter of Joseph and Lucille Schelsky.

Carol enjoyed operating her own hair salon from her home for many years. While she was in beauty school,...

Mar 24, 2022

Betty Austin age 84, of Lawrence (also from Paw Paw 1961 - 1995), passed away Thursday evening March 24, 2022 at White Oaks Retirement Residence in Lawton, MI with family at her bedside following a 20+yr. battle with Alzheimer’s. Betty was born June 3, 1937 in Howell, MI to Donald & Lois Marjorie (Johnson) Carpp.  She graduated from Lawrence...

Mar 24, 2022

Renoma Elizabeth Westphal, 71, of Gobles, passed away March 24, 2022 at her home.

She was born January 3, 1951 in Buffalo, New York, the daughter of Harry Brooks and Aileen (Berciunas) Brooks.

On June 5, 1970 Liz married Richard H. Boyer who preceded her in death October 16, 2001. She later was united in...

Mar 23, 2022

Mark Eugene Schuster, 62, of Paw Paw, passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at his home in Paw Paw.

He was born August 26, 1959, in Kendallville, Indiana, the son of Eugene J. Schuster and Laurella M. (Fike) Schuster.

He is survived by his son, Joseph E. (Rebecca) Schuster, grandchildren; Austin J. Schuster, Robert M....

Mar 21, 2022

Steven Kuchek was born in Midland, Michigan, on May 11, 1956, the son of the late Leonard and Phyllis (Price) Kuchek. He graduated from Bay City Western High School, class of 1975. Steve and his brother Roger decided to attend the Gemological Institute of America where they became Graduate Gemologists. He was very proud of more than a 30...

Mar 21, 2022

Esther (De La Torre) Mihelich, of Paw Paw, Michigan, passed away March 21, 2022 at White Oaks Assisted Living in Lawton. Esther was born June 18, 1934 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. She met Jack Mihelich in Puerto Rico, while he was serving in the Navy. The couple were married shortly thereafter on June 4, 1960. Esther and Jack...

Mar 17, 2022

Nellie “Joyce” Sturrus Webb of Kalamazoo, MI, was born on August 8, 1938, the youngest of four children, to Catherine (DeWaal) and Marinus Sturrus in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Not one to complain, Joyce faced physical challenges that would seem insurmountable to most, but with the help of her devoted caregivers, family, and friends, she led a life of purpose...

Mar 10, 2022

David Kelly Stephayn was born on October 6, 1943, to Andrew Sr and Viola (Kelly) Stephayn. He passed away peacefully at Rose Arbor Hospice in the evening hours of March 10, 2022, just moments after a final prayer was said for God to welcome him home from his journey.

David grew up and lived most of his...

Mar 5, 2022

Geraldine Agnes Whitworth, 83, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday, March 5, 2022.

Geraldine was born in Claypool, Indiana, March 25, 1938, daughter to the late Paul and Bernice (Berkowitz) Ziegler. She was united in marriage on October 7, 1961, to Franklin Fay Whitworth, who preceded her in death August 25, 2017.

Geraldine had been...

Mar 1, 2022

Malcolm (Mal) D. Scott, passed away on March 1, 2022, at the age of 89.  The son of Dr. Paul and Gladys Scott.  Mal was born in New Market, Indiana on August 19, 1932.

Mal grew up in New Market and graduated from high school in 1950, where his fondest memory was the year he and his...

Feb 24, 2022

Shirley Jean Mearing of Paw Paw, Michigan, passed away peacefully, Thursday, February 24, 2022, at the age of 86. She was the daughter of Richard Shaw and Virginia Wiley. She was a graduate of East Jackson High School, Jackson Michigan in 1954. She retired from Paw Paw Wine Distributers after many years of loyal service. She took great care...

Feb 23, 2022

Delores Eileen Butcher-Evink, 93, of Lawton, passed away peacefully Wednesday, February 23, 2022.

She was born August 4, 1928 in Marcellus, Michigan, the daughter of Harold Westphal and Georgia (Boyer) Westphal.

Delores enjoyed camping with her children when they were younger, she was a hard worker, working as a waitress, Paw Paw Plating and Welch...

Feb 22, 2022

Mark Andrew Dulik, 51, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away Tuesday February 22, 2022 at his home. Mark was born in Paw Paw on February 1, 1971, and was raised by his grandparents Ann and Jerry Hofstra. He enjoyed fishing and boating and relaxing by the lakeside. Mark enjoyed the outdoors and was the master of the grill in...

Feb 21, 2022

Bernadette Marie Filip (McGann), 59, of Paw Paw, formerly of Rolling Prairie IN,  passed away Monday February 21, 2022.

She was born October 18, 1962 in LaPorte, Indiana, the daughter of the late Paul McGann and Martha (Scott) Webber.

The highlight of  Bernie's life was time spent with her family and grandchildren. She enjoyed reading...

Feb 14, 2022

Frederick Alan Snell was born March 18, 1927, in Evanston Illinois, the third child to the late Fred and Edith (Walker) Snell, and he passed away February 14, 2022, in Lawton, Michigan.

Fred graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1945 and went on to serve in the Merchant Marine Corp where he was a Cadet-Midshipman and...

Feb 11, 2022

Darryl Charles Schoudt, 59, of Paw Paw, passed away Friday, February 11, 2022 in Paw Paw.

He was born January 18, 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Wayne Schoudt and Geraldine (Saxton) Woodruff.

Darryl, an avid sports fan, also enjoyed keeping in shape as he was an athlete, always keeping up on...

Feb 10, 2022

Raina Flynn Taylor, born August 27, 2021, fell asleep on February 10, 2022, and woke up in heaven in her grandmother's arms. Although Raina's time with us on earth was brief, her smile was infectious to everyone she met. She had a great personality, loved cuddling her family and playing with her bright colored toys!

Raina was...

Feb 10, 2022

Larry Allen Wheeler, 76, of Decatur, passed away Thursday, February 10, 2022 at the Rose Arbor Residence in Kalamazoo.

He was born September 15, 1945 in Moline, Illinois, the son of Chester Wheeler and Caroline (Keegan) VanDerHayden.

Larry enjoyed a longtime career with John Deere in East Moline, IL, where he retired after 30 years...

Feb 9, 2022

Ruth Elizabeth Heinzen was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She left this world suddenly from her home in Paw Paw, MI on Wednesday February 9, 2022 at the age of 82.  Ruth was born to Guy & Kathryn Allen on August 29, 1939 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  On June 29, 1997, Ruth married her husband and lifelong...

Feb 9, 2022

Dirk Edward Wellington, 76, of Paw Paw, passed away Wednesday, February 9, 2022.

He was born February 25, 1945 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of Budd Wellington and Lucille (Terpstra) Wellington.

Dirk served in the Navy during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Ozbourn, DD-846. He was united in marriage to Diane Taylor February 5,...