Obituaries

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...

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...