Obituaries

Dec 12, 2020

Rev. Philip Paul Steele, 83, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 12, 2020, at Park Place Assisted Living in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Born February 17, 1937, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Alice Eugenia (Bishop) and Philip Hoyt Steele. Rev. Steele ministered to many in the community and served as pastor of many United Methodist churches around...

Dec 12, 2020

Cindy Sue Sirrine, 51, of South Haven, MI, was called home on Saturday, December 12, 2020 in Kalamazoo, MI. She was born on June 26, 1969 in Paw Paw, MI, daughter of Lester and Sandra (Fleeman) Sirrine.

Cindy graduated from Paw Paw High School. She delivered the Paw Paw Flashes for nearly 20 years before going on...

Dec 8, 2020

Jackie was born on September 19, 1932, in Dowagiac, the daughter of James and Edna Jane (Rife) Rhoten. She passed away December 8, 2020 at her home in Paw Paw.

Jackie came from humble beginnings. Her family found work where they could, picking seasonal crops and working in local factories. She met the love of her life,...

Dec 5, 2020

William H "Bill" Danger passed away on Saturday, December 5, 2020, at the Banner Del Web Hospital in Sun City West, Arizona. Bill was born on January 19, 1943, in Paw Paw, Michigan, to Ray and Hazel (Grovesteen) Danger. He graduated from Paw Paw High School in 1961. On September 9, 1961, he married Shirley Elsenheimer. They raised two...

Dec 5, 2020

Our Hearts are breaking but heaven is one star brighter. Viola M. Coleman 109 of Mattawan, MI entered the gates of Heaven on Saturday December 5.  She was born June 10, 1911 the daughter of William and LeeAnne (Jackson) Johnson. Viola spent her childhood going between Chicago, IL and Idlewild, MI. In her late teens and early twenties she...

Dec 5, 2020

Laurie Lynn Wilson, 57, of Lawrence, MI, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, December 5, 2020, at her home in Lawrence, MI. She was born on March 16, 1963 in Plainwell, MI, the daughter of Joe and Shirley (Dunklee) Baldwin.

Laurie graduated from Plainwell High School. In 1983, she married the love of her...

Dec 4, 2020

Merdith Mae Harrison Wilson, 89, of Paw Paw, MI, entered Heaven on Friday, December 4, 2020 at Meadow Woods Nursing Home due to Covid-19. She was born on December 28, 1930 in Kalamazoo, MI, the daughter of Walter and Mildred (Schultz) Harrison.

Merdith dedicated her life to Jesus Christ when she was still a young lady. She...

Dec 3, 2020

Claudia Jean Ruell, 78, of Bangor, MI, passed away Thursday, December 3, 2020 at her home.

She was born December 21, 1941 in Dowagiac, the daughter of the late Lowell Peters and Claribel Peters.

Claudia earned her degree in nursing and enjoyed her nursing career with Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. In her spare time she...

Dec 2, 2020

Thomas E. Murch, age 74, of Kalamazoo passed away December 2, 2020. Tom was born December 31, 1945 in Kalamazoo, to the late Andrew and Grace (Hutchins) Murch, and grew up in Paw Paw. Tom was a graduate of Carlton College and earned his MBA at the University of Michigan. In 1978, Tom founded The Country Market, a specialty...

Nov 30, 2020

Dolores Agnes Butler, 87, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away Monday, November 30, 2020 at Royalton Manor in St. Joseph, MI.

She was born August 27, 1933 in Iron River, Michigan, the daughter of Joseph Verville and Laura (Charboneau ) Verville.

Dolores started out as a nun at age 14 with the Dominican Sisters' Convent...

Nov 29, 2020

Robert Bruce Danger, Jr., age 65 passed away November 29th 2020, in Dallas, Texas from COVID -19.  Bob, as he went by was born Aug 22 ,1955 in Paw Paw, Michigan, to the Late Robert and Frances (Hamay) Danger. He is survived by his Mother Frances, Brother, Steven Danger of Michigan. Also surviving are his three children Desiree (Michael...

Nov 29, 2020

William “Bill” Leroy Wiggins, born June 2, 1942 in Kalamazoo passed away November 29, 2020 at the age of 78. Bill was an avid car and truck lover, anything Mopar was up his alley. He also enjoyed watching sports on TV, so much so that you could often hear him yelling at the TV during a game. In his...

Nov 29, 2020

Audrey Marie Evans, 82, of Gobles, passed away peacefully Sunday November 29, 2020 at her home.

She was born March 18, 1938 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of the late Howard and Flossie  (Osborn) Hendrickson.

Audrey previously was employed with UpJohn before she started to raise their family. She loved to read, especially cook books. Over...

Nov 29, 2020

Andrew Owen, 78, of Mattawan, passed away Sunday November 29, 2020 at his home.

He was born June 2, 1942 in Kalamazoo, the son of Andrew Owen Sr. and Lena (Britten) Owen.

Andrew served his country in the Army during the Vietnam War. He took great pride in his home, yard and garden. He loved...

Nov 28, 2020

Jean Cook, 84, of Lawton, passed away Saturday, November 28, 2020 at her home.

She was born April 28, 1936 in Lawton, the daughter of Alva and Nellie  (Castner) Kimble.

Over the years, Jean enjoyed golfing and bowling. Most recently, Jean enjoyed spending her time working on knitting projects and sewing.

On August...

Nov 24, 2020

Elvin Otis Adams, age 80, passed away on November 24, 2020 at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo after battling COVID. Elvin (Al) was born on April 30, 1940 in Decatur, Michigan, the son of Marshall and Anna (Turk) Adams-Hall.  Al grew up in Decatur until he was 6 years old when they moved from the city to a farm in...

Nov 23, 2020

Donald Eugene Austin, 89, of Mattawan, passed away Monday November 23, 2020 at White Oaks Assisted Living Lawton.

He was born April 30, 1931 in Kalamazoo, the son of the late Edgar Charles Austin and Morgie VIolet (Glidden) Austin.

Don served in the Army as a guard in Alamogordo, New Mexico. He retired from the...

Nov 22, 2020

Elmer Jackson Jr., 95 Years, of Decatur, MI, died on Sunday, November 22, 2020, in Kalamazoo, MI. He was born on June 7, 1925 in Decatur, MI, the son of Elmer and Amy (Palmer) Jackson.

Elmer graduated from Decatur High School in 1943. He served faithfully in the U.S. Army during WWII. Upon returning home he earned...

Nov 22, 2020

Jeanette Skinner, 87, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2020 in Paw Paw, MI. She was born on July 4, 1933 in Decatur, MI, the daughter of Milton Lloyd and Marguerite Mary (Maguire) Dow.

Jeanette attended Decatur Bible Church and supported the Awana Program. She took it upon herself to make sure that...

Nov 17, 2020

On September 30, 1937, Henry and Thelma (Wilcox) Gurnsey welcomed a new baby girl to the family. Noreen Ann Gurnsey was born in the little village of Paw Paw.

At a time when the country was still recovering from the Great Depression, new challenges where facing the world. Families and neighbors came together to help one another...