Obituaries

May 2, 2023

JoAnn (Kobe) Smith, 91 of Paw Paw, passed away May 2, 2023. She was born to the late Frank and Jennie Kobe. She worked at her parent’s root beer stand; The Big Barrell Drive Inn. She later retired from McKenzie Insurance in 1993. She was a longtime member of Saint Mary Catholic Church. She loved all of the flowers...

May 2, 2023

Norma Dacoba, age 99, passed away on May 2, 2023, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, just shy of her 100th birthday. She was born on May 15, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois, to Italian immigrants, Amo and Rose Scotese.

She was raised in Paw Paw, Michigan, and attended Steeple School and later attended Paw Paw High School, graduating class of...

Apr 30, 2023

Sandra Ann Evans, 72, of Hartford, passed away Sunday, April 30, 2023. She was born May 8, 1950, in Dowagiac, the daughter of Dar Evans and Ann Marie (Murphy) Evans.

Sandy was a dedicated and hard worker her entire life. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and having her cat by her side. She was an...

Apr 29, 2023

Violet Jean Soule, 89, of Portage, passed away Saturday, April 29, 2023, at her home. She was born August 18, 1933, in Joliet, Illinois, to the late Joseph Papesh and Jean Julia (Vicich) Vliek, second to the oldest of nine children. She married Arthur Soule, July 16, 1955. Her father, Joseph Papesh passed away when she was a young...

Apr 27, 2023

Isiah W. Shepard, 69, of Kalamazoo, MI, passed away Thursday April 27, 2023.

He was born November 8, 1953, in Chicago. Isiah grew up in Chicago and relocated to Bangor Michigan for a short time before settling in Kalamazoo, Michigan and then Scotts. He worked as a bouncer in Kalamazoo for many years, where he established many...

Apr 23, 2023

Michael Lee Drobny, 61, of Paw Paw, passed away Sunday, April 23, 2023.

He was born March 9, 1962, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of Stanley Michael Drobny and Nancy (Huntington) Marr.

Mike was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1981. He dedicated 41 years to Coca-Cola in Paw Paw, looking forward to retirement next...

Apr 20, 2023

Jean Marie Taylor began her journey in Manistique, Michigan, March 18, 1932, daughter to Lauritz Drevdahl and Melba (Davidson) Drevdahl. She was raised in Manistique and attend Michigan State University where she graduated in 1954. While in school, Jean was a proud member of Phi Beta Phi Sorority, Kappa Delta Phi Honorary, Phi Kappa Phi Honorary and Delta Gamma...

Apr 14, 2023

Darlene Ann Spalo, nee Kucera passed away peacefully in Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph, Michigan on April 14, 2023, at the age of 77.

Born on November 30, 1945, she was the middle daughter of Henry James Kucera and Adeline Lauferski of Clarendon Hills, Illinois. She attended Hinsdale Township High School and worked in Chicago after graduation in...

Apr 12, 2023

In loving memory of Irene Leona Vukorpa, who entered into eternal rest on April 12, 2023, at Maple Lake Assisted Living, at the age of 90.

Irene was born in Chicago on January 5, 1933, the daughter of Andrew and Filomena (Tarala) Jurczak.  She attended Saint James School and Good Counsel High School in Chicago as a...

Apr 10, 2023

Laura Jeanne Vogt, 48, of Paw Paw, passed away Monday April 10, 2023, at home with her family by her side.

She was born September 7, 1974, in Oak Park, Illinois, the daughter of David Howard Vogt Sr.and Kathleen (Lyons) Vogt.

Laura moved with her family from Chicago to Paw Paw at a young age....

Apr 9, 2023

Harry William Moyle, 99, of Mattawan, passed away Sunday April 9, 2023. Harry was born in Mattawan October 17, 1923.

He is survived by his son, William (Cindy) Moyle, daughter, Nancy (Charlie) Brock; three grandchildren and four great granddaughters.

Harry was preceded in death by his wife Patricia Moyle.

Per Harry's wishes, there...

Apr 6, 2023

Evon was born on October 3, 1937, to Earl and Evona Sanders, in Kalamazoo, MI. She was raised, along with her younger brother, Gary Sanders, in Lawton, MI. She loved reminiscing about her time spent growing up with the “best parents in the world.” Evon attended Lawton Public Schools, graduating with the Class of 1955. She always had the...

Apr 5, 2023

Thomas passed from this earthly life on April 5th with his family by his side. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on August 26, 1937, to Herbert and Marie Witte. The family moved to St Joseph, Michigan, to be closer to loved ones. Growing up with his friends, Tom's adventurous boyhood included being in the Boy Scouts, participating in...

Apr 4, 2023

Dick was born in Kalamazoo, MI on December 13th, 1939, son of the late Adrian and Marjorie (Elrod) Weddington. Dick grew up in a loving home rich in faith and family.

Dick was united in marriage to his loving wife Judy for 51 years.  He was a believer in Christ and believed in providing for his family. ...

Mar 31, 2023

Donald Allan Johnson, age 33, unexpectedly passed away Friday, March 31, 2023 in his sleep at his home in Lawton, Michigan, leaving the many people, whose lives he had touched, with great sorrow.

Don was born to Randall and Sandra Johnson in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and raised at Palmer Beach, on Eagle Lake in Paw Paw, Michigan.  He...

Mar 31, 2023

Beverly Rose Slucas, 84, of Lawton, passed away Friday, March 31, 2023 at Rose Arbor Hospice.

She was born January 19, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of George Hacker and Rose Hacker.

Beverly worked in the banking industry for many years before retiring. After her retirement, Beverly and her husband moved to Lawton from...

Mar 30, 2023

Robert Roland Richards, 80, of Paw Paw passed away Wednesday, March 30, 2023 at his home.

He was born October 11, 1942, in Chicago, the son of the late Brayton Richards and Dorothy (Boyer) Richards.

60 years ago in Chicago, Robert was united in marriage to his loving wife Judith Carson, who survives.

...

Mar 25, 2023

Orville Lee Griffith June 23, 1933-March 25, 2023

Orville Lee Griffith, age 89, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday, March 25, 2023, at White Oaks Assisted Living in Lawton following a brief illness.

He was born June 23, 1933, in Decatur, Michigan, the son of Arthur M. Griffith and Bertha O. (Martz) Griffith. Orville was...

Mar 25, 2023

Donald Lee Owsiany, 73, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday, March 25, 2023, at his home.

He was born January 30, 1950, in Lawrence, Michigan, the son of Theodore Owsiany and Virginia  (Ross) Owsiany.

Don served his country in the Army during the Vietnam War. In his younger years, Don enjoyed travel and scuba diving....

Mar 24, 2023

Manzy Omega Rogers, 76, of Lawton, passed away Saturday, March 24, 2023, at his home in Lawton.

He was born July 31, 1946, in Manila, Arkansas, the son of Robert Rogers and Sada (Mason) Rogers.

Everyone knew Manzy could be counted on when needing just about anything repaired. from their car to simple things around...