All Obituaries

Evan Michael Hughes, 64, of Paw Paw, MI, died February 4, 2019, in Kalamazoo MI. He was born September 13, 1954, in Coshocton, OH, son of the Reverend Canon John Charles and Laverne Jean Hughes. Evan graduated from Elston High School in Michigan City, IN and went on to attend Kalamazoo College where he earned Bachelor’s degree in history (’76). During his time at Kalamazoo College he studied abroad in Beirut, Lebanon. His time there had a deep impact on his life in both his...

David Michael Gardner, 64, of Lawrence, passed away Monday January 28, 2019 at his home. He was born May 8, 1954 in Paw Paw, the son of  the late Robert L.Gardner and Joyce L.(Marks) Gardner . David, cherished his family including his Poodles, he loved riding his tractor and gardening around his home. For 43 years he was a self employed builder, his life passion that he begun at age 17. He is survived by his wife, Robyn (Fuller) Gardner. He is also survived by his two sons, Matthew...

Harry V. Demissianos, M.D., died peacefully on January 20, 2019, at his home in Lawrence, Michigan.  He was born January 16, 1928, in Paris, France to Vasilis and Sofia Demissianos.  He grew up in Athens, Greece, and attended Athena College from 1937 – 1947, where he was valedictorian of his prep school class. In 1947, he matriculated to Bowdoin College in Maine. After receiving his B.S. from Bowdoin he attended Harvard Medical School, where he received his medical...

Elodia De La Garza Gonzalez, 88, of Mattawan, MI, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on January 14, 2019, in Kalamazoo, MI. She was born on November 27, 1931, daughter of Napoleon and Estella De La Garza, in a small town in Mexico. Elodia met her Husband Alfonso and they were married on October 29, 1948. She was a migrant worker who traveled to the Unites States with her children by her side and saved enough money to build a home for them in Mattawan in 1969. She was a...

Shirley Ann Tellam, 82, of Kalamazoo, passed away Sunday January 13, 2019. She was born July 10, 1936 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Lester C. and Janet (Weston) Monroe. Shirley was active in working and teaching with her husband in their bowling business. She enjoyed interior design and decorating. She was a past member of Mothers Club and served as assistant for Van Buren Co. Polio Drive, which she had when she was four years old. Shirley served one term on the K.W.B.A. Association in...

Jerry  Wayne  Robinson , 68, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away on January 12, 2019, at home. He was born February 17, 1950, in Springfield, VT, son of Robert and Bernice (Baker) Robinson. Jerry graduated from Reseda High School in 1968. He married the love of his life, JoAnn in 1970 and was drafted into the United States Army where he served faithfully from 1970 to 1972. Upon his discharge from the Army, he worked for Deluxe Check Printers in CA. and retired after 30 years of...

Eugene Ralph Mitchell, 88, of Paw Paw, peacefully went into the loving arms of Kathleen Saturday, January 12, 2019 at Maple Lake Assisted Living. He was born May 12, 1930 in Chicago, the son of the late Joseph James and Dorothy (Klazura) Mitchell. Gene served his country in the Air Force during the Korean War, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 3798 4th degree, and a member of the American Legion McGowan - Johnson Post 68 in Paw Paw. Gene operated the Gene Mitchell Tavern...

Guyneal Ann “Jill” Harring, 68, of Paw Paw, went to be with the Lord January 2, 2019 in the comfort of her home in Paw Paw. Jill was born in Kalamazoo to the late Clare and “Ginger” (Teachout) Diamon. She graduated from Kalamazoo Central and went on to work for J.M. Wilson, White and White and later in her career retired from The Coca-Cola Company. She married the love of her life, Roland Harring on April 15, 1978. Jill enjoyed life, Mary Kay being her favorite...

Norbert A. Kolassa, 85, of Paw Paw, passed away December 30, 2018 at his home. He was born December 13,1933 in Chicago, the son of John Kolassa and Martha Kolassa . Norbert was raised in Chicago and served in the Army. For many years in Chicago he worked as a handy man repairing washing machines. It was no secret that his passion at this time in his life was baseball. He was an avid baseball player, even turning down a good job offer to keep his time free for baseball! Norbert later...

Jax Patrick Melvin Grissom, 8 months of Kalamazoo, passed away suddenly December 30, 2018 at home. He was born May 2, 2018 in Kalamazoo, son of Jacob Grissom and Krystina Werner whom survive. Also surviving are grandparents, Dan (Julie) Werner, James Grissom and Crysta (Cory) McNair, great grandparents, Shirley Kalmbach, Leo Lanphear and Lyla Blue. The family will receive friends Friday, January 4, 2019 beginning at 12:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Paw Paw, where a funeral service will...