Obituaries

Feb 20, 2021

Joanne Marie Bessey (nee Stimson) of Paw Paw, Michigan passed away at her residence on Saturday, February 20, 2021. She was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on August 19, 1937 to Alton and Alvena (Mulder) Stimson. She married Boyd Thomas Bessey on February 6, 1957. Joanne and Tom had celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary shortly before her death. Joanne received...

Feb 20, 2021

Nikki Lynn Byler, 34, of Lawton, passed away Saturday February 20, 2021 at home.

She was born September 12, 1986 in Paw Paw, the daughter of Rudy Byler and Deborah (Eisenhart) Byler.

Nikki had a love for animals, she was particularly fond of giraffes, dogs and cats. She had a strong bond with her pit...

Feb 20, 2021

Joseph Forajter, age 87, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday February 20, 2021 at his home in Paw Paw.

Joseph was born December 18, 1933 in Suzno, Poland, the son of the late Michael Forajter and Ksawera Forajter.

Prior to moving to Michigan, Joe retired from Local 1 Boilermakers (Welder) in Chicago, where he also...

Feb 18, 2021

Gerald Dee Sherburn, 89 of Mattawan, passed away peacefully February 18, 2021 at Rose Arbor Hospice. Gerald was born October 2, 1931 to the late William and Areta (Jones) Sherburn. Gerald is one of 13 children. Three brothers preceded him in death, William Jr., Dale and Richard Sherburn. He is survived by his nine siblings, Donna (late Ray) Huddleston,...

Feb 18, 2021

Mark Lauren Conolly, 71, of Lawton, passed away Thursday February 18, 2021.

He was born August 4, 1949 in Paw Paw, the son of the late Dale Conolly and Betty (Cole) Conolly.

Mark was an avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and spending time with his family. He was a member of the Paw Paw-Lawton Eagles...

Feb 14, 2021

Juan Antonio Diaz Mosqueda, 36, of Paw Paw, passed away Sunday February 14, 2021 at his home.

He was born June 19, 1984 in Penjamo, Mexico, the son of Mauricio Diaz-Lopez and Maguadalupe Mosqueda-Rodriguez.

Juan was always happy and full of life and energy. He loved working on the farm and spending time outdoors gardening...

Feb 14, 2021

Donald Bertrand VanBrussel, age 79, of Paw Paw, passed away at his home on February 14, 2021. He was born May 22, 1941 in Battle Creek, the son of the late Donald VanBrussel and Doris Robb. He started working at Portage Public Schools while still a student, graduating in 1959. He married Judy Oswalt on October 19, 1963 and...

Feb 12, 2021

Primo Flores, 99, of Lawrence, passed away Friday, February 12, 2021 at his home.

He was born June 9, 1921 in, San Martin Tamaulipas, Puebla, Mexico, the son of the late Domingo Flores and Petra (Sanchez) Flores.

Primo was always keeping active and loved working outdoors and around the farm.

He was married...

Feb 6, 2021

In her one hundredth year Marion Williams, born in Madison, Wisconsin, passed peacefully in Southwest Michigan. On her family's farm in Petoskey, Michigan, where she was raised, her duties included bringing the cows home, peeling potatoes, picking berries, and tending to her vegetable garden. At 10 she drove a team of horses for haying. Every day she walked 2-1/2...

Feb 6, 2021

Edward Robert "Bob" Perkins, 61, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away Saturday February 6, 2021 at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo, MI.

He was born September 2, 1959 in South Bend, Indiana, the son of the late Robert Edward Perkins and Patricia (Makowski) Perkins.

Bob loved his fishing trips with his brothers, going to NASCAR races,...

Feb 6, 2021

Patricia Tank, 87, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday, February 6, 2021 at her home.

She was born March 31, 1933 in, Dorr, Michigan, , the daughter of the late Henery Arthur Gomber and Myrtle Rose (Albright) Gomber.

Pat was a loving and caring mother that was devoted to raising her family. She enjoyed fishing...

Feb 5, 2021

Scott Ka Wagonmaker, 75 died peacefully on February 5, 2021 after a wonderful life.

Scott was married to the love of his life, Linda for more than 50 years, until her passing in 2019.  He was the proud father of Jennifer (Dominic) Dale and Ryan (James) Caldwell and the loving grandpa to Joshua (Hannah) Dale, Army Sgt....

Feb 4, 2021

Pamela Lee Sparks, 63, of Lawton, passed away Thursday February 4, 2021 at her home.

She was born June 25, 1957 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of the Jack Lee Morse and Patricia (Smith) Weidman.

Pam was formerly employed with Welch's in Lawton. She enjoyed time spent with her family and grandchildren. She looked forward trips...

Feb 3, 2021

Alan T. Starr, 69, of Paw Paw, passed away Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at his home.

He was born November 18, 1951 in Kalamazoo, the son of the late Francis Starr Sr.and Mary (Turner) Starr.

Alan loved NASCAR races, he and his brothers spent many Sundays watching the race. They also liked to hang out...

Feb 1, 2021

Kostakis, Wilhelmina M.

Portage, Michigan

1933 – 2021

Wilhelmina (Willie), also known as Yaya, passed away at Bronson Commons Nursing Home in Mattawan, MI, on February 1, 2021.  Willie was the daughter of Marinus and Grace DeZoete.  She was preceded in death by her brother, Richard, her sister, Leona, and her...

Jan 31, 2021

Chris H. Borgais Jr., 92, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away Sunday, January 31, 2021 at Maplewood of Sandy Creek in Wayland.

He was born January 28, 1929 in Kalamazoo, the son of Chris Borgais Sr. and Pheobe Irene(Price) Borgais.

He is survived by his daughter, Linda DeLoof, one son, Richard Borgais, nine grandchildren, Amy...

Jan 31, 2021

Garry Jay Yack, 82, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at his home. He was born on June 14, 1938 in Kingsley, MI, the son of Herbert and Sophia (Sarski) Yack.

He worked at the state hospital where he met his future wife, Jeane D. Weaver. They were married on July 20,...

Jan 28, 2021

Martha Ann Merriam, 73, of Paw Paw, passed away Wednesday January 27, 2021.

She was born March 24, 1947 in Cadillac, Michigan, the daughter of the late Jeremiah Slayton and Alice (Way) Slayton.

Martha was very outgoing and enjoyed being with people. Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy. She loved to spend...

Jan 22, 2021

Lawrence Edward Johnson, age 74, of Paw Paw, passed away January 22, 2021. Larry served his country in the Marines during the Vietnam War. Private services were held at Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park with military honors.

Jan 16, 2021

David Lee Tomas, 69, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away on Saturday, January 16, 2021 in Kalamazoo, MI. He was born May 9, 1951 in Paw Paw, MI, son of John Tomas and Charlotte (Brockway) Tomas.

He was a 1970 graduate of Paw Paw High School. Shortly after school he joined the Carpenters Union for work and...