Obituaries

Feb 9, 2024

John Phillip Kozul "Duke", 83, of Kalamazoo, passed away Friday, February 9, 2024. He was born August 24, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois, the only son of John  Kozul and Francis (Yurkas) Kozul .

Duke was raised in south Chicago, where his family owned a neighborhood tavern. As a young man he excelled in baseball and had strong...

Feb 3, 2024

Sharon Lee Plews, 77, of Gobles, passed away Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, surrounded by her family.

She was born January 25, 1947, in Paw Paw, the oldest child of Gerald Gustafson and Barbara (Rankin) Gustafson.

Sharon was extremely active in her faith and attended church at Gobles United Methodist most...

Feb 3, 2024

William Robert Hughes, 64, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

He was born September 23, 1959, in Paw Paw, Michigan, the son of Robert E.F. Hughes and Rose Marie (Martin) Hughes.

Bill was a hardworking man his entire life. He had a long career working as...

Feb 2, 2024

Elaine Mary Page, 75, of Mattawan, born September 18, 1948, in Chicago, passed away Friday February 2, 2024. She was the daughter of  the late Stephen Rusiecki and Sophie (Cholewa) Rusiecki.

She is survived by her longtime friend and partner, David Brindley, daughter, Nicole Page; step-son, Tyler Brindley; three grandchildren, Kaylee Wayne, Bailee Page, Hailee Page; five...

Feb 1, 2024

William Joseph Mathieu III, 60, of Mattawan, passed away suddenly Thursday, February 1, 2024.

He was born May 6, 1963, in Orange County, California, the son of William Mathieu Jr.and Carole (Dorey) Mathieu.

Bill worked for thirty years in the painter's union. He loved to tinker and work on things. He enjoyed working on vehicles...

Jan 31, 2024

Terry Dunlop was born April 17, 1947, at Fort Sheridan, IL. He became a child of God shortly thereafter when he was baptized. At age 2, he contracted viral Encephalitis, which left him with Cerebral Palsy. Terry graduated from Paw Paw High School and then graduated from ITT Tech., in Indianapolis, as a draftsman. He worked 31 years for...

Jan 30, 2024

Stanley Lavelle Jordan, 68, of Paw Paw, passed away suddenly Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at Bronson Lakeview Hospital in Paw Paw.

He was born June 9, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Uressey Stanley Jordan and Hazel (Terry) Jordan who precede him.

Stanley was an extremely hard worker who always made sure his family...

Jan 30, 2024

Dustin James Paulsen, 32, of Lawton, passed away suddenly Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at his home.

He was born November 18, 1991, in Butler, Pennsylvania, the son of David Achezinski and Sharon (Paulsen) McComick.

Dustin worked as a minister for many years and most recently was a worship leader at Freshwater Community Church. He absolutely...

Jan 29, 2024

Terry Micheal Gordnier, 72, of Paw Paw, passed away Monday, January 29, 2024, at his home. He was born June 21, 1951, in Vicksburg, Michigan, the son of Gerald Gordnier and Rose (Stafinski) Gordnier.

Terry was a simple man and an avid outdoorsman. He loved to fish and hunt. He also enjoyed travel, particularly to the western...

Jan 11, 2024

Bertha Mary (Haley) Bastian, of Lawton, peacefully passed away on Thursday, January 11th, 2024, at the age of 88. Bertha was the daughter of Duane and Ethel (Lull) Haley, born on August 23, 1935.

Bertha spent 54 years serving the residents of Lawton. Regardless of the name on the door, she was always the smiling cashier behind...

Jan 9, 2024

David Charles Mihelich, 72, of Paw Paw MI, passed away on January 9, 2024.  Born August 16, 1951, David was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother. He is survived by his children, Michael and Michelle; his wife, Patricia; sister, Sharon and his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father Charles; his mother, Betty and his wife...

Jan 7, 2024

Grace Ann Sirk, 86, of Kalamazoo, passed away Sunday, January 7, 2024, at her home in Kalamazoo.

She was born September 26, 1937, in La Fountaine, Indiana, the daughter of Leo Futrell and Ellen (Pegg) Futrell.

Her greatest love in life was her family. Grace thanked god for the gift of her children and grandchildren....

Jan 2, 2024

Timothy Jon Palmer, 64, of Gobles, passed away Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.

He was born September 21, 1959, in Grand Rapids, the son of Clayton Dale Palmer and Frances Pauline (Rich) Palmer.

Timothy was an avid sports fan and enjoyed just about every sport. His favorites included football, hockey...

Jan 1, 2024

Duncan Erric Newcomb, 59, of Bangor, passed away peacefully Monday, January 1, 2024, at home. He was born January 27, 1964, in Kalamazoo, the son of Lloyd Newcomb and Velma (Spangler) Newcomb. Duncan loved to watch and play sports; his favorite teams were the Detroit Lions and Tigers. He especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports. Duncan worked at...

Dec 29, 2023

Stephen (Steve) Lytle Lawrence, 75, of Mattawan, passed away Friday, December 29, 2023, at his home in Mattawan.

He was born on May 10, 1948, the first child of Lytle Gene Lawrence and Evelyne Mary (Fuller) Lawrence.  While he always wanted a pony, his parents thought it more fun to provide him with three siblings; Cheryl Lawrence,...

Dec 28, 2023

Howard was born in Wabash, Indiana, and moved to Gobles in 1944, where he lived the rest of his life. He graduated from Gobles High School in 1954, and soon after enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in Germany. In 1957 he married Pat (Fair) Huston, who survives. Howard began his career building houses in Gobles with his friend...

Dec 25, 2023

Marilyn Jeanne (Atwater) Hazelton, 81, of Lawton, passed away peacefully Monday December 25, 2023, at Blueberry Hill Assisted Living in Lawton.

She was born June 5, 1942, in Paw Paw, the daughter of Maurice Atwater and Jeanne (Lamme) Atwater.

Marilyn was an extremely hardworking person. She was a Ham radio operator (N8BFI) for 50 years!  She worked many years as a bookkeeper...

Dec 23, 2023

William Cecil LaGrande 76, of Lawton, MI, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2023.

William (known as Willie) was born on November 27, 1947, to Cecil and Fauniel LaGrande (Kilgore) in Talihina, Oklahoma, but did not live there long. His father remarried and relocated to California and Willie spent his rambunctious youth in the Los Angeles area...

Dec 23, 2023

Brittany Lynn Howard, 28, of Decatur, passed away suddenly Saturday, December 23, 2023.

She was born June 5, 1995, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Wayne Howard and Susan (Prevatte) Howard.

What Brittany enjoyed most were children and animals. Her fierce love for animals led her to volunteer for the SPCA. Her huge heart also brought...

Dec 20, 2023

Larry James Farrow, aged 69, residing in Galesburg, MI suddenly passed away on December 20, 2023. 

 He was born on December 22, 1953, and grew up in Galesburg. He graduated from Galesburg Augusta high school and graduated class of 1973, where he played football in for coach Maskill.

 Larry lived a full life, often enjoying the great outdoors, fishing and camping. You...