Obituaries

Dec 28, 2021

Janet Gladys Wesner, 85, of Lawrence, passed away Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at her home.

Janet was born September 30, 1936 in Birmingham, England, the daughter of Cyril James and Gladys (Turton) James.

Janet came to the United States when she was 16 years old and gained her citizenship. She was united in marriage to...

Dec 27, 2021

Larry Dean Sparks, 43, of Lawton, passed away Monday December 27, 2021 at Bronson Hospital.

He was born May 30, 1978 in Paw Paw, and was raised by his mother Diane Marie (Ibbotson) Bowman and his step-father Jesse Bowman whom survive. He was preceded by his father Larry Dean Sparks and his grandparents, James and Pauline Ibbotson....

Dec 26, 2021

Jacqueline Carol Baran, 79, of Paw Paw, passed away Sunday, December 26, 2021 at her home.

She was born February 5, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Leonard Trojanowski and Marie  (Garber) Drake.

Jackie was a very supportive mother, always putting her children's need first. She enjoyed tending her garden and raising chickens.

Dec 25, 2021

Larry Matthew Gilley, 56, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday December 25, 2021.

Born in Amarillo, Texas, September 7, 1965,  the son of William Edward Gilley and Charlene (Pulliam) Fialkowski. Larry attended Lawton Schools and was a graduate of Lawton High School. Having a strong work ethic, Larry was employed at a variety of different places throughout...

Dec 24, 2021

Lawrence Fred Waldrop, 74, of Lawrence, passed away Friday, December 24, 2021 at his home.

Fred was born in Berrien Center on September 2, 1947, to the late Louis Wells Waldrop and Annie Ruth (Brown) Waldrop. He retired from the U.S. Navy after years of service. It was in the Navy that Fred was able to express...

Dec 22, 2021

Bruce E. Rigg's life began November 14, 1936 and extended over 85 years.  He was born at home to Marion and Remus Rigg.  He joined their family with Remus, a brother, who was two years older.  He was placed in the Tekonsha schools and lived with aunts, uncles and grandparents during post WWII times.  He was a 5 star...

Dec 21, 2021

Dale Avery, 80, of Paw Paw, passed away Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at his home.

Dale lived his life as a devoted educator and family man. He was born August 29, 1941, in Jackson, Michigan, the son of the late Ronald Avery and Josephine (Lamb) Avery. Following high school, Dale went to Central Michigan University where he...

Dec 20, 2021

Ruth Diane Corey, 81, of Lawrence,  passed away Monday December 20, 2021 at her home.

She was born July 27, 1940 in Detroit, the daughter of the late Daniel Thyne and Lucille (Piper) Thyne.

On December 27, 1977, in Warren, Michigan, she married Harry Russell Corey who survives.

She is also survived by...

Dec 20, 2021

Robert “Bob” Jackson, 92 of Paw Paw passed peacefully on Monday Dec. 20, 2021.  Bob’s life started on the family farm in Decatur, the second son of Elmer Sr. and Aimee Jackson.  He graduated from Decatur High School, a proud member of the class of 1947. He worked at the Hoxie’s Parts Store and then attended Michigan State for...

Dec 18, 2021

Roberta Anne. Allen, 77, of Paw Paw, went home to her Lord and Savior Saturday, December 18, 2021 in Paw Paw at Bronson Lakeview Hospital.

She was born May 15, 1944, in Bremerton, Washington, the daughter of Robert H. Browning and Marye A.(McCloud) Browning.

Roberta sold Avon for many years and was a former monitor...

Dec 16, 2021

William Edward Queen Jr, 70, of Lawrence, passed away Thursday, December 16, 2021 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.

He was born May 19, 1951 in Benton Harbor, the son of  the late William Queen Sr.and Bertha (Phillips) Queen.

On January 16, 1951,  he was united in marriage to Judy Fake Queen who survives.

...

Dec 16, 2021

Sandra Kay Hodgkinson, 71, of Mattawan, passed away Thursday, December 16, 2021, at her home in Mattawan.

She was born May 4, 1950 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of the late Norbert Wayne Kellogg and Eunice (Adams) Kellogg.

Sandy dedicated more than 25 years to Bronson Hospital where she was employed as a RN, working in...

Dec 15, 2021

On Wednesday December 15, 2021, Anna May (Hofstra) Barber, passed away peacefully at home one week prior to her 86th birthday and into the arms of Jesus Christ. Ann was born to Leonard & Elizabeth Auer on December 21, 1935 in Paw Paw.

Surviving are 3 daughters, Bonnie Hofstra (Mike Seibert) of Mattawan, Christina Hofstra (Paul) Khan...

Dec 10, 2021

James Allan Lear, devoted Deputy with the Van Buren County Sheriffs Department, went home to the Lord Friday, December 10, 2021. James was a resident of Galesburg, where he resided with his loving wife, Tricia and their four children. He was born August 15, 1978 in Chicago, to Linda Kravets and James Michael Lear.

James was a...

Dec 9, 2021

Nathan Cole Osborne, age 39, of Battle Creek and formerly of Paw Paw, passed away Thursday, December 9, 2021.

He was born February 11, 1982 in Paw Paw, the son of the late Robert Randall Osborne Jr.and Mary (Guritz) Kalmbach.

Nathan's main interest and passion was in the kitchen cooking. He was a very hardworking...

Dec 6, 2021

Darlene June Orser, 82, of Bangor and formerly of Mattawan, passed away Monday, December 6, 2021 at the Rose Arbor Residence in Kalamazoo.

She was born April 11, 1939 in Bangor, the daughter of Walter Harrison and Mildred (Schultz) Harrison.

Darlene had a strong faith and was a member of the Paw Paw Seventh Day...

Dec 3, 2021

Richard Lula, 80, of Paw Paw, passed away Friday, December 3, 2021 at Borgess Medical Center. Born January 8, 1941 in Hammond, Indiana, Richard Lula was on the go from the start. It was hard to keep up with little "Bill", as he was nicknamed. The family moved from Indiana to Michigan while Richard was still a child. As...

Nov 30, 2021

Dana Gay Craighead, 81, of Lawton,  passed away Tuesday November 30, 2021 at Maple Lake Assisted Living.

Dana was born August 17, 1940 in Page, West Virginia, the daughter of Orville Payne and Catherine Davis.

Dana had a huge compassionate heart. Her care and compassion was reflected in the love she expressed to her family,...

Nov 30, 2021

Evelyn Katherine Freeborn, 100, of Paw Paw, was called to her Heavenly home on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at Maple Lake Assisted Living. She was preceded in death by her parents, six sisters, six brothers, and her loving husband, Carl Freeborn.

She is survived by her two daughters, Sandra (late Edward) Gooding and Deborah Whiteman; one granddaughter,...

Nov 29, 2021

Phyllis Theresa Scaccia, 93, of Paw Paw, passed away Monday, November 29, 2021 at her home.

She was born March 21, 1928 in Chicago, the daughter of Anthony Giangrosso and Mary (Venezio) Giangrosso.

On July 5, 1948 in Chicago, she married Sam Scaccia who preceded in death April 13, 1994.

She is survived...