All Obituaries

Tim was born September 19, 1959, in Michigan to James Ramsey and Ann Hazelton West. Being raised on the family farm in Lawton, Tim began working with grapes and asparagus at an early age. He attended school in Lawton and later in Paw Paw. At the age of 17, Tim joined the Army. Following his service, he relocated to Ohio where he started a family. It was after a few years in Ohio that Tim decided to return home to Michigan where he took a job with Coca Cola and worked for more than 20 years...

Vernabelle Massey was a lifelong resident of Van Buren County. She began her education in a one-room country school and continued on to graduate from Lawton High School and Parson’s Business College. After graduation, she began a long career as a secretary and during WWII, she volunteered in a local hospital. Vernabelle was a very active, independent, and energetic person. She was devoted to her church and local charities. Her hobbies were genealogy research, reminiscence writing,...

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 her Bachelors degree in 1973 and her Masters of Education degree in 1982 from Western Michigan University. She worked as an...

Dearly loved by family and friends, Steven Robert Ayres, 73, passed away on April 1, 2021, at Bronson Hospital. He was born July 10, 1947, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to the late Robert and Barbara Ayres. Steve attended Portage Central High School until the family relocated to Vicksburg. He was a talented athlete playing football, basketball, and baseball throughout his high school years. After graduation, Steve worked for National Waterlift, now known as Parker Hannifin Aerospace. He was a...

Dana Evan Jackson, 59, of Decatur, passed away Wednesday March 31, 2021 at his home.   He was born March 13, 1962 in Paw Paw, the son of  the late Elmer Jackson Jr.and Norma (Wandrei) Jackson. Dana graduated from Decatur High School in 1980, he then attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College and studied at Western Michigan University with Leonard Meretta. He was active in playing the trumpet for veterans organizations as well as at Fort Custer. He was also proficient at...

Sarahbelle Kelley, 89, of Paw Paw, passed away Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at home.  She was born August 27, 1931 in Malta, Ohio, the daughter of the late Herbert Palmer and Mary (McCall) Palmer. Sarahbelle was baptized in 1941 as one of Jehovah's Witnesses.  On July 8, 1950 she married Ray Kelley who preceded her in death February 17, 2012. Sarahbelle was a member of the Paw Paw Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses for over 30 years.  She is survived by her two sons,...

Kathryn "Kay" Ann Hill, 82, of Paw Paw, passed away suddenly Wednesday March 24, 2021.  She was born December 5, 1938 in Cairo, Illinois, the daughter of the late Alvin Louis McCarver and Edna Lee(Ive) McCarver.  Kay and Max spent many years selling at the flea markets year round. She was very kind and loving to everyone and always saw the good in people. In addition, she was a devoted Christian and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.  Kay is...

LeRoy Charles Damaske, 82, of Lawrence, passed away Saturday March 20, 2021.  He was born May 3, 1938 in Kalamazoo, the son of the late Walter Damaske and May (Allen) Damaske.  LeRoy previously served four years as the Mayor of Lawrence and was on Lawrence Village Council. He was also involved with the Lawrence Alumni Association. LeRoy enjoyed his John Deere Tractor in his spare time.  On May 3, 1968, he married Monique Lucas Damaske who survives. He is also survived by...

Ann Maxwell, 92, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully at her home March 16, 2021 from natural causes. She was born June 6, 1928, in Roanoke, Virginia, the daughter of J.W. and Louise Morgan.  Ann was united in marriage to Charles Richard Maxwell, June 6, 1950. They celebrated 70 years of marriage this past June, 2020. Ann retired from Paw Paw Public Schools after 17 years of service. Ann lived a long and wonderful life devoted to her family and very much enjoyed spending time with her...

Norma J. Hand, 89, of Lawton, MI passed away on March 15, 2021 surrounded by loving family at her daughter Kathi’s home in Quincy, IL.  Norma was born on December 13, 1931 in Niles, Michigan, the daughter of Alfred and Luetta Boyer.  Upon graduation from Niles High School in 1948, she worked as a telephone operator for Michigan Bell. Norma met her husband Tom through a friend on a double date and they were married on June 5, 1954 in Niles.  Norma enjoyed hunting and...