Obituaries

Sep 28, 2023

Esther Ellen Harvey, 72, of Mattawan, passed away Thursday September 28, 2023 at White Oaks in Lawton.

Esther was a strong person who never sat down, and was determined to get what she wanted. She enjoyed upholstery, both for work and for fun. She had many projects going at the same time, from home improvement, gardening, wine...

Sep 28, 2023

Blair Gill Rice, 60, of Lawton, passed away suddenly, Thursday, September 28, 2023, at his home.

Blair was born February 16, 1963, in Three Rivers, the son of the late Freeland Rice Jr., and Winifred Mae (Lewis) Rice. He was a 1981 graduate of Lawton High School. He worked in HVAC for most of his career and...

Sep 28, 2023

David Ross Lesman, 68, of Lawton, passed away Thursday September 28, 2023, at his home in Lawton.

He was born July 27, 1955, in Kalamazoo, the son of Dale Lesman and Eleanor (Voltz) Lesman. He is survived by his wife, Julie Lesman, daughter, Damika Lesman, son, Dominick Lesman, one granddaughter, London Hall, his beloved dog Boomer and...

Sep 27, 2023

Earl Eugene Willett, 89, of Paw Paw, passed away Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at his home.

He was born December 31, 1933, in Petoskey, Michigan, the son of the late Lewis and Marjorie (Boadway) Willett.

Earl was drafted into the Navy and proudly served his country. He enjoyed spending his time fishing in the warm...

Sep 20, 2023

Joseph William Bogart, of Kalamazoo, passed away Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at the Rose Arbor Residence.

Joe's life began June 27, 1926, in Sturgis, Michigan, one of three sons born to the late Henry Bogart and Arlene (Perk) Bogart. Following high school, He obtained his undergrad and Master's degree from Michigan State University and was a member...

Sep 20, 2023

Timothy Joseph Black, 66, of Paw Paw, passed away Wednesday, September 20, 2023, peacefully at his home.

He was born November 5, 1956, in Elkhart, Indiana, the son of Harold  Black and Julia (Kovatch) Black.

Tim was a man of many talents and hobbies. His artistic abilities allowed him to create beautiful handmade sketches and...

Sep 17, 2023

Robert "Bucky" Clark, passed away peacefully at Rose Arbor on Sunday, September 17, 2023.  Bucky was born on June 23, 1944 to Roscoe (Moe) and Evelyn Clark in Kalamazoo, MI.  He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1962.

Bucky was an entrepreneur and owned Stoneridge Inn in Mattawan.  He worked and managed The Final Curtain.  He...

Sep 16, 2023

Brinda Kay Vowels, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend was born on August 7th, 1955, in Paw Paw, Michigan. She peacefully passed away at her home on Saturday, September 16th, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of love and cherished memories. She was born August 7, 1955, in Paw Paw, the daughter of the late Jim Ramsey and Addie (King) Ramsey....

Sep 15, 2023

Theresa Lynn Walters, 53, of Paw Paw, passed away Friday, September 15, 2023, at Bronson Methodist Hospital.

She was born October 12, 1969, in Groton, Connecticut, the daughter of Thomas Drake and Jeanne (Buck) Drake.

Theresa was known for the excellent meals she prepared and the treats she baked. You could always count on the...

Sep 10, 2023

Friederike Corey, 92, of Decatur, passed away Sunday, September 10, 2023 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.

Friederike was born June 25, 1931 in Castle, Germany, the daughter of the late Fritz Nolte and Lena (Ingalls) Nolte.  While in Germany, she trained to become a beautician.

After moving to the United States, Friederike married Ernest...

Sep 9, 2023

Charles Arthur Reisner died in his home in Paw Paw, Michigan on September 10, 2023.

Born in Washington, D.C. on November 26, 1946, and adopted by Marion and Arthur Reisner, “Chuck” would become a standout basketball player at Dearborn High School. He would go on to graduate with distinction from Michigan State University. Prior to his career...

Sep 8, 2023

Richard Edward Healy passed away peacefully at his Ackley Lake home in Paw Paw, Friday, September 8, 2023.

Richard was born in Chicago on November 1, 1930, son of the late Edward Richard Healy and Esther C. (Atwater) Healy. At a very young age his father, a Chicago police officer, unexpectedly passed away in the line of...

Sep 6, 2023

Carol left the loving arms of her husband Tim and moved into the protective embrace of Jesus on Wednesday, September 6th 2023 at Rose Arbor Place in Kalamazoo. Carol was born the first child of Wayne Harvey Peter and Lois Mary Germaine Peter on November 10, 1946 in Paw Paw.

Carol was first married to John Rigozzi...

Sep 5, 2023

Thomas Edward Campbell, 77, of Mattawan, passed away Tuesday September 5, 2023 at his home.

He was born July 16, 1946, the son of Harville Lester Campbell and Leona (Kuneke) Campbell.

Tom's life began in Saint Louis, Missouri. From a young age he understood the value of hard work and the...

Sep 4, 2023

Patricia "Patty" Ann (Powers) Spencer, 67, of Paw Paw, passed away Monday, September 4, 2023 at her home.

She was born September 18, 1955 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the daughter of the late Robert Powers and Bernadine (Healy) Soper.

Patty had a heart of gold and would help anyone. She was the "glue" that kept the...

Sep 3, 2023

Barbara Jean Harris, 84, of Lawton, passed away peacefully Thursday, August 31, 2023, at her home.

She was born November 13, 1938, in Battle Creek, the daughter of the late Andrew Shick and Jeanette (Clark) Shick.

Barb loved music and had great talent playing the piano and the accordion. She was proud of the family...

Sep 3, 2023

Delia Ann (Cross) Houghton, born in Paw Paw, MI. on February 29, 1944, went to heaven on Saturday, September 2, 2023.  She was born to Lyle & Elva (Richer) Cross and married Rick Houghton on Halloween 1970.  Delia passed away in Paw Paw, Michigan at the age of 79 with her family by her side.

She is...

Sep 1, 2023

George Roger Crouse was born on March 27, 1940, in South Haven Michigan to George Russell and Evelyn (Myers) Crouse. He graduated from South Haven High School and married Ruth Elizabeth Thomas on October 25th, 1958. George served in the Michigan State Police from 1963 to 1987.  As a trooper, he was assigned to the Reed City, New Buffalo...

Aug 27, 2023

Rusty A. Ritsema passed away at his home on August 27, 2023 after a long battle with cancer.

He was born on March 3, 1959 in Paw Paw to Mildred (Compton) Ritsema and the late Benjamin Ritsema.

Rusty graduated from Paw Paw High School in 1977. He owned & operated Ritsema’s...

Aug 27, 2023

Richard Gary Brown, 73, of Lawton, passed away suddenly on Sunday, August 27, 2023.

He was born March 12, 1950, in Paw Paw, son of Dwight Brown and Lucille (Roy) Brown.

Richard attended Lawton High School graduating in 1968. He then enlisted in the Air Force where he served during Vietnam, loading bombs into planes....