All Obituaries

Edward Duane Cornelius, 78, of Mattawan, passed away Saturday, November 26, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family.  He was born November 16, 1944, in Reed City, Michigan, the son of the late Lloyd Cornelius and Sylvia (Ripley) Cornelius.  Ed was employed with General Motors in Kalamazoo for over 37 years as a maintenance welder. Following his retirement, Ed began farming and raising beef cattle. He took pride in showing his cattle. The grandchildren were the highlight of his...

Our beloved, Tammera Lynn Hoekstra-Ouzoonian, made her earth side appearance on August 4, 1974, in Dowagiac, MI, to her loving parents, Jacob Hoekstra and Vickie Hillhouse. In early adulthood she became a mother to Jacob Painter and Kaylee Painter. Shortly after she married their father Jeff Painter.  Later in life On June 7, 2008 she United in marriage to Darryl Ouzoonian. They welcomed a son, Josef Ouzoonian, and a daughter, Katarina Ouzoonian.  Tammi began her working career...

Kenneth Eugene Walden, age 86, of Lawton, passed away November 18, 2022, at the Rose Arbor Residence in Kalamazoo. Ken was born in Calvin Township, Michigan, on July 12, 1936, son to the late Clarence and Elvira (Lawson) Walden.  Ken was a longtime staple in the Lawton and Paw Paw community. He was a dedicated member and past commander of the American Legion McGowan - Johnson Post #68, Paw Paw and a member of the Past Commanders Club. Ken was in charge of the Post Firing Squad, flags...

James Francis Johnson, 67, of Lawrence, passed away Friday, November 18, 2022 at his home in Lawrence.  He was born September 29, 1955 in Lapeer, Michigan, the son of Francis Johnson and Marlene (Jahn) Johnson. Jim began his youth in Ovid, Michigan, where he attended grade school and before the family moved to Brighton. Jim excelled in sports while in high school and earned nine letters along the way before graduating from Brighton High School. It was during summer break while in high...

Nancy C. Carrington, 91, passed away at Oakview Terrace/Park Village Pines in Kalamazoo, Oct. 19, 2022. Nancy grew up in Paw Paw, eldest child of Andrew and Grace Murch. She studied piano for 8 years, played pipe organ for the Episcopal Church on Sundays, and graduated from Paw Paw High School in 1949. She spent summers at the beloved family cottage in central Ontario, where she swam, fished and camped.  While a teenager there, she caught a 17½ lb. lake trout, a family record...

With much sadness, the family of Rebecca Steele announces her passing on 11/15/2022 at The Vineyard, in Texas Corners, Kalamazoo, MI.  Rebecca was diagnosed with glioblastoma in May 2021, which she fought diligently since.  During this time, she took the opportunity to draft some of her own obituary:      “How could I pass up the opportunity to have the last word AND have my final say-so published and recorded for all time?      I stepped away...

Judy Mae Thompson, 73, of Watervliet, passed away Monday November 14, 2022 at her home with her family by her side.  She was born July 12, 1949 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, the daughter of Wilbur Daily and Frieda (Neely) Daily.  Judy was a loving and caring wife and mother. She loved the outdoors and working in the yard as well as tending her garden. As an avid music lover, she played the piano, organ and drums. Judy was devoted to her faith and service to the Lord at Calvary...

Gloria Anne (Decker) South was born on November 13, 1937, in Pontiac, Michigan. She passed into the loving arms of her Savior on November 5, 2022. Gloria married the love of her life, Neil, on May 12, 1961, and they shared 61 years together. Strong-willed and passionate, visionary and caring, she had a fire in her heart to make a difference - and she did for so many. Family was everything to Gloria, her foundation. She relished being a wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker while always...

Richard “Dick Kruso” Kruszewski, surrounded by adoring and loving family, passed away on November 4th, 2022, just one month shy of his 88th birthday. Pages could be filled with thoughts and memories of Richard. He lived a phenomenal, full life, and he was the best father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband, friend, and mentor one could imagine. To everyone who knew him, he was an idol and an icon. Born to Ignatius and Marie (Szocinski) in South Bend, Indiana in December of...

Edwin Thrasher Jr., 83, of Gobles, passed away Sunday October 30, 2022.  He was born April 10, 1939 in Kalamazoo, the son to the late Edwin Rhodes Thrasher Sr.and Olevia Pearl (Chambers) Thrasher.  Edwin enjoyed the outdoors, he loved to go hunting and fishing, as well as going to the races with his brother, and enjoyed working on the race cars. He was also an avid sports fan and liked watching all of the different sports on TV.   He is survived by his son, Keith...