Obituaries

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....

Nov 15, 2023

Marietta Victoria (Schmidt) Bailey of Paw Paw, passed away Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.

She was born on December 11, 1946 in Saarbrucken, Germany, the daughter of the late Robert Schmidt and Irmgard Appel. Marietta's childhood was lived on the farm in Paw Paw with her grandparents; Stanley and Victoria Schmidt.

Nov 15, 2023

Rodolfo "Rudy" Reyna, 60, of Mattawan, passed away suddenly Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.

He was born February 25, 1963, in Tyronza, Arkansas, the son of Bobby Reyna and Teodora (Solis) Reyna.

Rudy was a huge sports enthusiast. He was an umpire for many years in the NSA. He...

Nov 13, 2023

Daniel Edwin Hasse, 70, of Paw Paw, passed away, Monday November 13, 2023, at in his home in Paw Paw.

He was born May 26, 1953, in Roselle, Illinois, one of the eight children of Herbert Hasse and Bertha (March) Hasse. From a young age, Bertha taught her children the importance of religion and the Truth of...

Nov 11, 2023

Archibald Robert Earl, 98, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday, November 11, 2023, at his home.

He was born June 12, 1925, in Lansing, Michigan, the son of Archibald Jeffrey Earl and Alta Margaret (Ayling) Earl.

Archibald was proud to have served in the Army during WWII. After his time in the service, he graduated...

Nov 11, 2023

Patricia Grossman, 95, of Lawrence, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 11, 2023, at her home in Lawrence.

She was born January 21, 1928, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the daughter of Neil Abrams and Clara (Jackson) Abrams.

Patricia was a graduate of Western Michigan University. She was very proud to say that Western Michigan was the only...

Nov 10, 2023

Charles Duane Sherburn, 90, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully at his home on November 10, 2023.

Charles was born on September 29, 1933, in Decatur, Michigan to William Sr. and Arieta (Jones) Sherburn.

Charles started his life in Decatur, however, the family moved to a few different places before settling in Mattawan. His family...

Nov 10, 2023

Orrin Junior Coffinger, beloved husband, father, grandpa, neighbor, friend, and mechanic, 95, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully at White Oaks on November 10, 2023 with family by his side, after two difficult years with Dementia.

He was born (at home) east of Bangor, MI, the son of Walter and Leona (Norton) Coffinger, the third child of...

Nov 6, 2023

Andrew "Jack" John Butler, 76, of Paw Paw, passed away Monday, November 6, 2023, at his home in Paw Paw. He was born February 27, 1947, in Paw Paw, the son of Andrew M. Butler and Kathryn (Benakovich) Butler.

Jack was a lifelong resident of Paw Paw, graduating from Paw Paw High School in 1965. Jack served...

Nov 2, 2023

Dorothy S. Kondor, 88, of Paw Paw, passed away Thursday, November 2, 2023, at the Rose Arbor Residence in Kalamazoo.

She was born November 22, 1934, in Chicago, the daughter of the late Albert Mondro and Stella (Szymanski) Mondro.

Dorothy grew up in Chicago and graduated from Tooele High School. She was married to William...

Nov 1, 2023

Sherry Ann Brooks, 53, of Paw Paw, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.

She was born January 8, 1970, in Dowagiac, Michigan, the daughter of Jerry Brooks and Wilma (Dolly Gillette) Dempsey.

Sherry attended Decatur schools and graduated from SWMC. She worked as a Medical Transcriptionist. Sherry had a big heart that always...

Oct 31, 2023

Jean C. Klingel, 93, of Kalamazoo, passed away Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family.

She was born November 2, 1929, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Loyola (Lyle) Moreland and Alice (Byington) Moreland.

Jean was raised in Kalamazoo on a farm with her eight siblings. She attended St. Augustine Cathedral School. ...

Oct 27, 2023

Fiercely independent; a devoted father, grandfather, great grandfather; and dedicated husband; Hector Rodriguez, Sr. died on Friday, Oct. 27 in Kalamazoo, MI. Born in Cadereyta Jimenez, Nuevo León , MX on Aug. 4, 1939 and the oldest of 14, he came to the U.S. as a teen with his parents, Saul and Ignacia Rodriguez, and three sisters at the...

Oct 24, 2023

Lawrence "Larry" Peter Larson, 82, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.

He was born December 3, 1940, in Oshtemo, the son of the late Robert and Nina (Cuddeback) Larson.

Larry called Paw Paw his home his entire life. He started his career as a local surveyor. Later, he proudly became...

Oct 22, 2023

Larry Allan Pierce of Paw Paw, Michigan, passed away at Maple Lake Assisted Living on October 22, 2023, due to a complication of Covid.

Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on October 10th to the late Lyle and Beatrice (Harrison) Pierce. After graduating from Portage High School in 1964, Larry joined the Navy and served his country during the...

Oct 22, 2023

Ronald A.J. Kussy, 81, of Paw Paw, passed away Sunday, October 22, 2023.

He was born February 19, 1942, in Paw Paw, the son of the late Alex J. Kussy and Margaret D. (Kristoff) Kussy.

Ron proudly served his country in Vietnam. He retired from General Motors, Fisher Body, where he worked as a supervisor...

Oct 21, 2023

Hector Pantoja Fernandez,77, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday, October 21, 2023.

He was born October 14, 1946, in Zamora, Michoacan, Mexico, the son of Enrique Pantoja and Abigail Fernandez.

Hector is survived by his wife, Amalia Lopez,  five sisters;  Adela (Alfonzo) Perez, Obdulia Pantoja, Monica (late Salvador) Armenta, Maria Guadalupe (Leandro) Rodriguez, two sons;...