Obituaries

Dec 17, 2023

Richard Lee Mills, 91, of Lawton, passed away peacefully Sunday, December 17, 2023, at his home.

He was born December 14, 1932, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of Leland W. Mills and Lena Mae (Peekstok) Mills.

Richard lived his life surrounded by the people and hobbies he loved. He proudly served his country in the...

Dec 17, 2023

Madelyn Louise (Brown) Randall, 96, of Lawton, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at her home in Lawton.

She was born on December 2, 1927, in Lawton, the daughter of William Leonard Brown and Mary Anna (Stratton) Brown.

Madelyn graduated from Lawton High School in 1945.

On May 19, 1945, she...

Dec 16, 2023

David John Smead, 78, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away Saturday December 16, 2023, at his home.

He was born January 21, 1945, in Kalamazoo, the son of Lloyd Smead and Marian (Reynolds) Smead.

Dave enjoyed fishing, watching TV shows, especially anything ScFi. He also had a love for cars and enjoyed going to the...

Dec 16, 2023

Dennis Glenn Frazier, 68, of Bangor, passed away peacefully Saturday, December 16, 2023, in Howard City, MI.

He was born May 29, 1955, in Paw Paw, Michigan, the son of Glenn Orsborn Frazier and Ruth Marie (Smith) Frazier.

Dennis was an avid football and basketball fan. He was a huge supporter of the Detroit Lions...

Dec 15, 2023

Marion Nugteren, 93 of Paw Paw, Michigan, passed away surrounded by his loving family on December 15, 2023, at Maple Lake Assisted Living.

He was born on a farm near Humboldt, South Dakota, on May 19, 1930. He was the seventh child of ten children born to Adrian Joe Nugteren and Marie Johanna (Vanderlugt) Nugteren. He graduated...

Dec 15, 2023

Janet Jean Alger, 81, of Lawrence, passed away peacefully on Friday December 15, 2023, at her home. She is finally able to breathe freely without the help of medicinal oxygen.

She was born April 8, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Harry Shiparski and Emma (Krajewski) Shiparski.

Janet enjoyed crocheting and made many blankets...

Dec 14, 2023

Carl Amos Simm, 80, of Lawton, passed away Thursday, December 14, 2023. He was born December 26, 1942, in Dearborn, MI, the son of the late John Simm and Jean M. (Carriveau) Simm. Carl had been a Longtime member at Trinity Lutheran Church in Paw Paw. He was a proud Army Veteran. Carl loved his annual salmon fishing trips,...

Dec 12, 2023

Carole M. (Long) Schaefer, 89, of Lawton, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at Vineyard Assisted Living in Kalamazoo.

She was born December 28, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Martin Long and Stephanie (Rainie) Long.

Carole had many hobbies and interests throughout her 89 years of life. She was an avid...

Dec 6, 2023

Rosemary (Notestine) Wright, 94, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at Maple Lake Assisted Living in Paw Paw.

She was born November 12, 1929, in Sturgis, Michigan, the daughter of Ivan Notestine and Grace (McGary) Notestine.

Rosemary loved to dance and taught line dancing for many years in Florida. She was...

Dec 6, 2023

Lawrence (Larry) Lee De Pierre, 64, of Paw Paw passed away December 6, 2023, following a long illness.

Larry was born October 16, 1959, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of John (Jack) De Pierre and Beverly (Forney) Page.

Larry was self-employed, operating his flooring business until retiring due to health conditions. Larry was an avid...

Dec 5, 2023

Sharon (McFarland) Deere, 88, of Kalamazoo, passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at Centrica Care Rose Arbor Place in Kalamazoo.

She was born July 13, 1935, in Springfield, Illinois, the daughter of H. Langdon McFarland and Mary V. (Gard) McFarland.

Sharon loved horses and still had the desire to ride up until her final...

Dec 5, 2023

Marcia Morene (Jordan) Huggett, 84, of Paw Paw, passed away Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.

She was born April 22, 1939, in Assyria, Michigan, the daughter of James Robert Jordan and Emma Ruth (Jenkins) Jordan.

On February 1, 1958, she married the love of her life; Lyle Bernard Huggett who preceded...

Nov 28, 2023

Kenneth R. Luce, a devoted father, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Kenneth, who was known as "Kenny" was born on January 14, 1984, in Allegan, Michigan, the son of Robert L. Luce Sr. and Tamara (Vincent) Austin. As a young...

Nov 26, 2023

Margery Johnette Boise, 81, of Portage, passed away Sunday, November 26, 2023. She was born in Gobles on June 4, 1942, daughter of the late John Karier and Arabella (Cochran) Karier.

Margery was married to Jerry L. Boise who preceded her in death. She had a longtime passion for knitting, crocheting and sewing. She also loved to...

Nov 26, 2023

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Harold George Schuitmaker, on November 26, 2023. His journey, spanning 80 years, was a testament to a life well-lived, filled with love, laughter, and an enduring commitment to family, faith, and community.

Born on September 19, 1943, in the...

Nov 25, 2023

Kerney Cecil Patrick III, 66, of Mattawan, died at home surrounded by his family on November 25, 2023.

He was born in Houston, Texas in 1957, the son of Kerney and Glenys (Goldston) Patrick. He moved around a lot due to his dad being in the Coast Guard. He found the love of his life, Claire Remond,...

Nov 21, 2023

Cristina "Cris" (New) Gordenier was born on December 17, 1955 in Paw Paw, MI to Johnny Ray and Ruthie Uldine (McCrackin) New. She was united in marriage on June 9, 1979 to Robert "Bob" Gordenier, and in 1985, they welcomed their daughter Jessica who meant the world to her and was her pride and joy.

Cris had...

Nov 21, 2023

Mary Lou (Stout) Bontrager went to be with the Lord on November 21, 2023.

She was born in Pullman, Michigan on July 18, 1934 to Hudson and Marjorie (Walker) Stout. She graduated from Bloomingdale High School. Mary Lou was employed at Consumers Power Company, retiring after 30 years of service. In 1955, she married Glen M. Bontrager...

Nov 19, 2023

India was such a light in this world that can sometimes feel so dark. She had a powerfully magnetic presence; even as a baby, people were drawn to her like moths to a flame. She was a highly sensitive person, unbelievably creative in her every endeavor, deeply compassionate, and so very tender-hearted.

India was born in Salt...

Nov 16, 2023

Philip Robert Carpp, age 58, of Mattawan passed away November 16, 2023, at the University of Michigan Hospital. He was born August 29th, 1965, in Paw Paw, Michigan to the late Robert and Mary Carpp. He is survived by three of his brothers; Michael (Teresa), Charles (Frances) and Barry (Susan). Philip is preceded in death by his brother Christopher....