Obituaries

Nov 14, 2020

Vernie Ruth Melson, 95, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday, November 14, 2020 at Ely Manor.

She was born September 12, 1925 in Addison, Alabama, the daughter of the late James Westmoreland and Pearl (Bagget) Westmoreland.

On February 27, 1942, she married Luther Melson who preceded her in death.

She is survived by...

Nov 13, 2020

LaMoine Curtis, 82, of Paw Paw, passed away Friday, November 13, 2020.

He was born March 16, 1938 in Paw Paw, the son of the late James Curtis and Lillian Marie(Waite) Curtis.

LaMoine dedicated many years of his life in auto body repair. In later years he enjoyed rebuilding and tinkering with vintage garden tractors...

Nov 12, 2020

James R. Kay, 69, of Decatur, MI., formerly of Benton Harbor, died unexpectedly November 12, 2020 at his home. Jim was born January 16, 1951, to Robert F. and Virginia (Null) Kay in Benton Harbor, Mi.  He attended Benton Harbor schools, graduating from Benton Harbor High School in 1969. While attending BHHS, Jim was a member of the golf...

Nov 10, 2020

Due to the new Covid restrictions, the memorial service has been postponed and will be announced at a later date.

On Tuesday, November 10, 2020, Anita Louise (Amidon) Rumery peacefully traded in her earthly home for her heavenly, eternal home. Born on November 14, 1936 in a small suburb of Chicago, she is the daughter...

Nov 7, 2020

Frank Charles Sage, 71, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully Saturday November 7, 2020 at his home.

He was born September 1, 1949 in Paw Paw, the son of Charles Sage and Caroline (Cramer) Sage.

Frank is a Vietnam veteran serving in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal from...

Nov 3, 2020

Nadean Griffith, 83, of Paw Paw, passed away Tuesday November 3, 2020 in Coldwater, Michigan.

She was born July 14, 1937 in Courtland, Alabama, the daughter of  Hewlett Terry and Effie Manis.

Nadean devoted her life to helping her family and all those around her. She would willingly do without to make sure those around...

Oct 29, 2020

Pauline G. Heldt, 102, of, Lawrence, passed away Thursday, October 29, 2020 at Meadow Woods in Bloomingdale.

She was born September 4, 1918 in Lawrence, the daughter of Gail Cross and Mary (Palmer) Cross.

Pauline was a lifelong resident of Lawrence, where she was very active in the community. She was a founding member of...

Oct 29, 2020

Carol Lynn Adams "Ducky", 82, of Paw Paw, passed away Thursday, October 29, 2020 at her home.

She was born September 2, 1938 in Chicago, the daughter of  the late Roxie Nardielle and Carol (Kreer) Nardielle.

She is survived by her two sons, Kirk Adams of  Paw Paw and Kraig Adams of Paw Paw, two...

Oct 24, 2020

Harold L. (Vern) Brindley, 86, of Paw Paw, passed away October 24, 2020.He was born May 19, 1934. Vern worked for 30 years at the Kalamazoo Regional Psychiatric Hospital as a Grounds Keeper. He was a family man and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also enjoyed spending time outdoors and hunting. He is...

Oct 23, 2020

Alisa Deloris (Roberts) Riddell, 59, of Gobles, MI, died October 23, 2020 in Gobles, MI. She was born on February 9, 1961 in St. Louis, MO, daughter of David and Margaret (Oatsfall) Roberts.

Alisa graduated from Paw Paw High School. She worked various odd jobs but her favorite was always being an amazing wife, sister, friend, aunt,...

Oct 18, 2020

Generous, funny, loving, colorful, family. Norma or Norm to her husband of almost 62 years, Chuck; parents Don and Ada Sexton, brother Ron Sexton, sisters Donna Wedig and Mary Bowlby, lifelong friends Jean Kirshak and Nancy Cox, and brother-in-law Martin Chilcutt; Aunt Norma to many nieces and nephews; Mom to Martha VanAmberg, Chuck and Jeff Chilcutt but also called...

Oct 17, 2020

Clark Deforest Smith, age 80, of Three Rivers and formerly of Lawton, passed away October 17, 2020. Clark was born March 31, 1940 in Grand Junction, Colorado, to the late Lloyd Deforest Smith and Susie (Donohoo) Smith.

Clark was an avid train enthusiast, from working on them to traveling on them. He enjoyed road trips and fall...

Oct 13, 2020

John P. Makowski, 85, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 20, 1935 in Oil City, PA, the son of Frank and Barbara (Jamroz) Makowski.

John attended Catholic School and graduated from Cathedral Prep in Erie, PA. He attended Seminary...

Oct 13, 2020

Christopher Brent Van Doren, 43, of Sturgis, MI, passed away suddenly Tuesday October 13, 2020.

He was born November 10, 1976 in Springfield, Ohio, the son of David  Van Doren and Joyce Ryan.

Chris grew up in Sturgis where he was in the Boy Scout's Troop 431, earning his Eagle Scout award in 1994. He...

Oct 8, 2020

Robert Carl Cassada, 88, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2020, at Maple Lake Assisted Living from Parkinson's Disease. He was born on November 17, 1931 in Paw Paw, MI, son of Virgil Cassada and Vena (Hawkins) Cassada.

Mr. Cassada owned the Paw Paw Music Appliance & Furniture store for many years. He...

Oct 3, 2020

Josephine Elizabeth Myers, 87, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday October 3, 2020 in Paw Paw.

She was born December 9, 1932 in South Bend, the daughter of Alphose Govaert and Marie (Roedsen) Govaert.

Josephine enjoyed being a homemaker. Her main focus was taking care of her family.

In 1969, Josephine married Stephen...

Sep 30, 2020

Aidan Javier Alexander Newton, 18, of Paw Paw, passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2020.

He was born December 7, 2001 in Watervliet, Michigan, the son of Jay and Kelly Allen and Brandy Newton .

Aidan enjoyed the outdoors and spent a lot of time hunting and fishing. He loved music, writing poetry and enjoyed playing...

Sep 29, 2020

Tansy Maysel Ledford, 71, of Lawton,  passed away Tuesday September 29, 2020 at her home.

She was born May 3, 1949 in Kentucky, the daughter of Arthur Perry and Maysel (Morgan) Perry.

On March 28, 1966, in Virginia, she married Benny Ledford who survives.

She is also survived by her mother, Maysel Perry,...

Sep 29, 2020

Andrew Phillip Breitenbach, 55 of Mattawan, passed away Tuesday September 29, 2020.

He was born April 4, 1965 in Paw Paw, the son of John Breitenbach and the late Alma (Toliusis) Breitenbach.

Andrew graduated from Paw Paw High School in 1983. He then served his country in the Army. He enjoyed studying history in his...

Sep 28, 2020

Alice Ibolya Ferris, 66, of Mattawan, passed away Monday September 28, 2020 at University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor. She was born April 6, 1954 in Vlaardingen, Netherlands, the daughter of Martin Smith and Eszter Smith.

Alice graduated from Western Michigan University with her Bachelor's Degree in Art and furthered her education by earning her...