Obituaries

Sep 25, 2021

Richard Wayne Colbert, "Uncle Rick" 70, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday September 25, 2021 in Kalamazoo.

He was born July 24, 1951 in South Bend, the son of Cecil Colbert and Alice Joyce (Bulla) Smith.

Rick was an outgoing and simple man, he enjoyed being around people and never met a stranger. He had...

Sep 24, 2021

Glenn Mark Sjoerdsma, 59, of Lawrence, passed away Friday September 24, 2021.

He was born March 17, 1962 in Blue Island, Illinois, the son of the late Peter Sjoerdsma and Janice (Blocker) Sjoerdsma.

Glenn retired from Coca Cola in Paw Paw after nearly 40 years of service. He had a deep love for animals, especially...

Sep 24, 2021

Pedro Calderon, age 54, of Lawton, passed away Friday September 24, 2021 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.

He was born December 3, 1966 in Empalme, Tamaulipas, Mexico, the beloved son of Aurelio Calderon and Maria Garcia.

On October 31, 2008, he married Maria Esther Flores Calderon who survives.

He is also survived by...

Sep 23, 2021

Lillian Marie McFarland, 71, of Paw Paw, passed away Thursday September 23, 2021 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.

She was born August 23, 1950 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of the late Arthur Conklin and Altha (Munson) Conklin.

Lillian was an avid nature lover. She found peace and relaxation spending time outside feeding and watching the...

Sep 23, 2021

Dale Leo Hiemstra, 75, of Paw Paw, passed away Thursday September 23, 2021.

He was born April 30, 1946 in Paw Paw, Michigan, the son of  the late Jacob Hiemstra and Josephine (Mills) Daines. On November 13, 1965 in Paw Paw, he married Sandra (Pressey) Hiemstra who survives.

He is also survived by his two...

Sep 19, 2021

George Dolphus Putman, 78, of Lawrence, passed away Sunday, September 19, 2021 at his home in Lawrence.

He was born February 13, 1943 in Kalamazoo, the son of Belton Putman and Nellie  (Doxey) Putman.

George was an all around outdoors man, he had a strong love for fishing and hunting. He enjoyed working around his...

Sep 15, 2021

Kimberly Ann Solecki, 56, of Paw Paw,  passed away Wednesday September 15, 2021 at her home.

She was born October 4, 1964 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of John Solecki and the late Rita Solecki.

Kim was very hardworking and loved to make people smile. Most recently she was working in the pharmacy at Walgreens...

Sep 14, 2021

Lawrence Clair Pease, Sr., 78, of Lawton, passed away Tuesday, September 14, 2021.

He was born September 9, 1943 in Grand Rapids, the son of  R. Homer Pease and Leola (Dulyea) Pease.

Larry served his country in the Army during the Vietnam War. He then went to work for 44 years for American Cyanamid which...

Sep 14, 2021

Peggy Ann Williams, 84, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away September 14, 2021.

She was born January 4, 1937 in Moulton, Alabama, the daughter of Larce and Mary Susan (Brewington) Yarbrough.

She was a 1975 graduate of Paw Paw High School and retired from the Coca Cola Company in 2002.

Peggy is survived...

Sep 12, 2021

Stephen Thomas Morris, 47, of Paw Paw, passed away suddenly Sunday, September 12, 2021 in Paw Paw.

He was born December 11, 1973, in Kalamazoo, the son of Stephen Thomas Keeler and Karen (Fleckenstein) Morris.

Steve proudly served his country in the Marine Corps. Following his service he went on to Worsham College of Mortuary...

Sep 11, 2021

Robert Harrison Wolf, 85, of Lawrence, MI, passed away Saturday, September 11, 2021 at Timbers of Cass County in Dowagiac.

Robert was born October 14, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of the late Albert and Molly Wolf. In addition to his parents, Bob is preceded in death by his sister, Doris Montgomery.

Bob proudly...

Sep 9, 2021

Joseph John Karpiel, 77, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away Thursday, September 9, 2021 at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo. Joe was born December 27, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of the late Joseph and Helen Karpiel. He is survived by his sisters, Louise (George) Spangler, Marie (John) Stimac and Jean (Barukh) Joshua, along with cousins, nephews, and nieces. In...

Sep 7, 2021

Julie Ann Runnels, 59, of Decatur, passed away Tuesday September 7, 2021 at Bronson LakeView Hospital in Paw Paw.

She was born January 13, 1962 in Paw Paw, the daughter of the late LeRoy Edward Warner and Mildred  J. (Sirrine) Warner.

Julie worked various jobs over the years that she enjoyed. She was an avid...

Sep 6, 2021

Cathleen Joyce Stickels, 59, of Paw Paw, lost her battle with Leukemia Monday September 6, 2021 surrounded by family at her home. She was born February 24, 1962 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Joseph James Kemmerling and Nancy Jean (Peacock) Williams who both precede her in death. On August 17, 1985 she married the love of her life, Timothy...

Sep 2, 2021

Shirley Ann Woodruff passed away peacefully on September 2, 2021, at the Rose Arbor Residence in Kalamazoo. Shirley was born February 24, 1936, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of the late Neil and Catherine (Dykehouse) Brondyke. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Neil Brondyke, Jr., her son Mark S. Woodruff, grandsons; LCPI Mark...

Sep 2, 2021

Irene E. Kobreek passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. She was 93. Irene was born on August 20, 1928 to Carl & Melitta Federwisch, in Sheboygan Falls, WI. She graduated from Sheboygan Falls High School in 1946. Irene met Don Kobreek at the roller skating rink and they were united in marriage on June 19,...

Sep 2, 2021

Nancy Marie Coulson, 62, of Paw Paw, passed away Thursday, September 2, 2021 at her home in Paw Paw.

She was born October 19, 1958 in South Haven, the daughter of the late Carl Moore and Joyce Ann (Reaume) Silvey.

Nancy had a heart of gold and she was a mother to many. She never...

Sep 1, 2021

It is with great sadness that we share the unexpected death of Paul Mathias Christensen Knudstrup who died on September 1, 2021. Paul was born in Lansing, Michigan on October 10, 1946, and grew up in Mason, Michigan. Paul was active in the boy scouts and earned his Eagle Scout ranking in high school. Paul graduated from Mason High...

Aug 27, 2021

Joseph David Geren, 69, of Kalamazoo, passed away Friday August 27, 2021 at his home.

Joe was born January 6, 1952 in Kalamazoo, to the late Alfred R. Geren and Jacqueline (Bright) Geren.

Joe worked for Sabo Foods, catering at General Motors in Kalamazoo. He was a quiet man and kept to himself. He was...

Aug 27, 2021

William "Bill" John Denzel, 84, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully in his sleep Friday, August 27, 2021 at his home.

He was born December 3, 1936 in Manton, Michigan, the son of the late Carl Denzel and Esther (Johnson ) Denzel.

On May 20, 1956, in Paw Paw, he married Joanna R. (Romayne) Denzel...