Obituaries

Jul 20, 2023

Charles Howard Edwards, 73, of Lawrence, passed away Thursday, July 20, 2023, at Bronson Hospital after a recent illness.

He was born January 26, 1950, in Chicago, the son of Everett Edwards and Stella (Filipczyk) Edwards.

Charles had many hobbies and interests. He enjoyed woodworking, grocery shopping, motorcycles and his photography. However, his favorite pastimes...

Jul 17, 2023

Irene Katharine Pacula, age 92, of Kalamazoo, formerly of Paw Paw, passed away on July 17, 2023. Irene was born March 23, 1931, in Chicago IL, the daughter of Matthew and Sofia Kwasniak.

Irene was a longtime member of St. Marys’s Catholic Church.  She enjoyed working for Paw Paw High School for 18 years.

On...

Jul 14, 2023

Robert "Bobby" Harold Palmer Jr., 83, of Paw Paw,  passed away Friday, July 14, 2023, at Douglas Cove in Douglas. He was born February 5, 1940, in Paw Paw, son to the late Robert Harold Palmer Sr.and Barbara (Wilder) Palmer.

For many years, Bobby enjoyed living in Florida where he enjoyed working on a golf course. He...

Jul 11, 2023

While there are no words to express our profound loss, the family of Marlen Boothby announce his unexpected passing at home, surrounded by loved ones, on July 11, 2023.

Marlen was born on December 1, 1941, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to parents Doctor Paul and Dixie Boothby. Soon after his birth he and his family moved to...

Jul 6, 2023

Ronald Leroy Nagy of Punta Gorda, FL, passed away after a short illness on July 6, 2023, at ShorePoint Health Center in Punta Gorda, FL. Ronald was born on July 22, 1937, in Elkhart, Indiana. He was the second of three boys born to Alex and Pearl Nagy. After graduating from Elkhart Central High School, Ron enlisted in the U.S. Navy....

Jul 4, 2023

Patrick Lynn Bentley, 72, passed away in his home in Mattawan on July 4th, 2023.  He was born March 6, 1951, in Paw Paw the son of the late Robert Bentley and Lenore (Martin) Bentley. Patrick was a 1969 graduate of Lawton High School where he was a standout track and field athlete and football player, including All State...

Jul 2, 2023

Gloria Virginia DeGraaf, 94, of Lawton, passed away Sunday, July 2, 2023 at her home.

She was born March 16, 1929 in Lawton, Michigan, the daughter of the late Robert Hamel and Marie (Hall) Johnson.

As a lifelong Lawton resident, Gloria graduated from Lawton High School in 1947. She then went to work at the...

Jun 29, 2023

Doris Leone Filer, age 81, formerly of Lawrence, Michigan, passed away on June 29, 2023, at Adler Center for Caring in Aldie, Virginia.

Doris was born on April 2, 1942, in Lawrence, Michigan, where she was raised on the family farm by parents Louis and Grace (Hopkins) Robbins. She attended Lawrence schools where she sang in the...

Jun 28, 2023

Matthew Leo Edward Melson, 37, of Paw Paw, went to be with the Lord June 28, 2023. Matt was born April 7, 1986, in Kalamazoo. He grew up in Paw Paw and graduated from Paw Paw High School in 2005. Matt was a member of Freshwater Community Church and New Beginning Church. He was baptized June 21, 2021. He...

Jun 24, 2023

Dawn Marie Hogmire, 76, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday, June 24, 2023, at The Timbers of Cass County in Dowagiac.

She was born October 16, 1946, in Paw Paw, the daughter of Cornelius Cole and Leona (Francoise) Cole.  For several years Dawn was a volunteer EMT for Sister Lakes.

She is survived by her...

Jun 16, 2023

Ronald Everett Burza, age 65, of Gobles, passed away peacefully at his home Friday, June 16, 2023. He was born in Paw Paw, August 6, 1957, to Everett and Wilma (Haley) Burza.

Ron learned at age 16 that he had muscular dystrophy. He lived with progressive weakness and increasing intense, chronic pain all his life. Ron had...

Jun 13, 2023

Sierra Elizabeth-Ann Loughrin, 19, of Mattawan, passed away suddenly Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

She was born July 18, 2003, in Kalamazoo, to parents Matthew and Janine (Rigg) Loughrin. From a young age, Sierra's parents knew she possessed an extreme talent for the performing arts. All throughout school, Sierra acted in the school musicals and plays. She secured...

Jun 2, 2023

Agnus Grace Conklin, one year old of Paw Paw, died following a car accident on June 2, 2023. She was born May 20, 2022, the daughter of Kenneth and Sasha (Ramsey) Conklin. Born with bright blue eyes and a radiating smile, she was adored by her family. Agnus loved being outside with the sunshine on her face. She loved...

Jun 2, 2023

Raymond A. Barber, age 70 of Gravel Lake in Lawton, died at home under hospice care on June 2, 2023. He was born May 14, 1953, in Portsmouth, Virginia, the son of Raynold and Loretta (Judd) Barber. After his father’s retirement from the U.S. Navy, the family settled in Portage. Ray was a 1972 graduate of Portage Central High...

May 25, 2023

Ann Ellen Fenton, 82, of Paw Paw, passed away Thursday, May 25, 2023, at the Rose Arbor Residence in Kalamazoo. Born in Kalamazoo, March 28, 1941, the daughter of Loyal Fenton and Estina (Sherrod) Fenton.

Ann had a lifelong love for horses. She worked for Duo-Tang in Paw Paw for 40 years until they closed for business....

May 23, 2023

Denise Annette Lenox, 67, of Kalamazoo Michigan, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at her home in Kalamazoo. She was born March 16, 1956 in Battle Creek, Michigan, the daughter of John and Shirley Moriarty, who preceded her in death.

Denise was a loving, caring and compassionate daughter, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. She loved...

May 21, 2023

Ann Elizabeth Good, 92, of Lawton, passed away Sunday, May 21, 2023. She was born November 12, 1930, in Paw Paw, the daughter of Donald C. Sirrine and Frances (Mearing) Sirrine.

Ann knew the value of hard work and caring for her family. Although she was not crazy about working the farm she and her husband purchased,...

May 21, 2023

James William Britt Jr., 73, of Paw Paw, passed away Sunday, May 21, 2023. Bill was born in Fort Worth, Texas, August 19, 1949. He was the only son of James W. Britt Sr.and Bessie "Inez" (Harris) Britt. He served his country in the Army, stationed in Germany. He was married to Linda Britt who preceded him in death...

May 19, 2023

Donald Downing Goodrich, 76, of Marcellus, MI, passed away Friday, May 19, 2023 at Ascension Borgess-Pipp Hospital in Plainwell, MI.

He was born January 3, 1947, in Moline, Illinois, the son of Harold Goodrich, Sr. and Esther Narlene (Lundahl) Goodrich.

Donald loved being an outdoorsman.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman.  He also loved...

May 17, 2023

Catherine Ritsema Sommerfelt, 71, a lifelong resident of Paw Paw, went home to her Lord and Savior May 17, 2023, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.

Born into the world March 8, 1952, Catherine was one of five children. She was a faithful member at Trinity Lutheran Church of Paw Paw, where she was baptized and confirmed June...