Obituaries

Jan 7, 2023

William Scott Conklin, 61, of Lawrence, passed away Saturday, January 7, 2023, at his home.

He was born December 8, 1961, in Paw Paw, the son of William Glenn Conklin and Fern Elizabeth (Crippen) Conklin.

Scott was raised in Lawrence and graduated from Lawrence High School class of 1980. Following his graduation, he enlisted in...

Jan 1, 2023

David was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on August 22, 1987, to Marcia Hoke (Heuser) and Scott Reed. He was killed in a tragic accident on January 1, 2023.

He was an incredibly devoted father, husband, beloved son and brother.

David was an extremely talented welder, metal fabricator and artist. He founded David Reed Welding. He...

Jan 1, 2023

Barbara Jean Evans, 77, of Paw Paw, passed away Sunday, January 1, 2023.

Barb was born in Hammond, Indiana, September 2, 1945, the daughter of Casimir Tyrka and Ella (Artim) Tyrka.

Word searches and criminal Tv shows occupied much of Barb's free time. She loved nature and enjoyed feeding and watching the hummingbirds around her...

Jan 1, 2023

Mary Veronica Dick, 77, of Lawrence, MI, passed away Sunday, January 1, 2023.

Mary's life began in Paw Paw on June 24, 1945, daughter to the late Waldo Dick and Hellen (Fritz) Dick. Mary grew up on the family farm in Lawrence with her two brothers. She lived on the farm her entire life. She graduated from...

Dec 30, 2022

Lawrence Lee Glidden, 83, of Paw Paw, Michigan, passed away on December 30, 2022, at his home with loved ones.

Lawrence, known as Larry, was born September 4, 1939, in Lawrence, Michigan, the son of Glenn Glidden and Nettie (Banks) Glidden.

He graduated from Paw Paw High School in 1959. During high school he played...

Dec 26, 2022

Norman Raymond Pfeifle, 85, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away Monday, December 26, 2022, at Bronson Lakeview Hospital.

He was born May 14, 1937, in Ashley, North Dakota, the son of Gottlieb G. Pfeifle and Emilia (Goltz) Pfeifle.

Norm grew up on a "small" thousand-acre farm in North Dakota, where he began school in a...

Dec 25, 2022

William Ward Phillips was born in Chicago on October 16, 1938, to Walter and Eva Phillips and was raised in Decatur Michigan.  He married his loving wife Ruth, and they celebrated 59 years this past June.

Throughout his life, Bill served his community by serving in several different capacities in the Masons, Shriners, and both the Portage...

Dec 25, 2022

Chester E. Merwin, 68, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away Sunday, December 25, 2022, at his home in Paw Paw with his family by side.

Chet was born in Battle Creek, MI, on May 13, 1954, the son to the late Forrest Merwin and Marian (French) Merwin.

He is survived by his wife, Pamela (Bean)...

Dec 24, 2022

Carol Irene Lowes (Belsey) was born at home in Midland, Ontario Canada, May 3, 1934, the fifth of six children to Dora and Alfred Belsey. She married Hubert Lowes July 3, 1954. Hugh, husband and best friend, preceded her in death May 25, 2010. Five children were born from this union: Timothy (Kimberly) Lowes, Kimberlay (Michael) Meyers,...

Dec 21, 2022

Sandra Mitchell Wallace, 76, Paw Paw, passed away December 21, 2022. She was born August 18, 1946, in Paw Paw, the daughter of the late Dorothy (Klazura) and Joseph Mitchell. Sandy was a graduate of Paw Paw High School Class of 1964, and Kalamazoo School of Practical Nursing in 1966. She worked at Lakeview Hospital Emergency Room for 12...

Dec 20, 2022

Maynard Lewis Hewitt, 90, of Gobles, passed away Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at his home in Gobles with his loving wife and dog, Lola, at his side. He was born September 15, 1932, in Kalamazoo, the son of O.D. Hewitt and Sarah (Harris) Hewitt.

In his early years, Maynard developed his love for baseball. He was an...

Dec 20, 2022

Mary Louise Sherburn passed away December 20, 2022, at home with many family members in attendance, surrounding her with love, prayers and memories.

Mary was born November 28, 1934, in Unionville, Michigan to Alois and Helen (Kata) Pachner.  She was nicknamed Mary Lou by her brother Leon.  As a child she lived in a few places in...

Dec 14, 2022

James passed away far too soon, on December 14, 2022 from Stage 4 melanoma.  He died at home with his wife beside him.

While his birth certificate reads “James Stephen Koehn,” few ever called him that.  He more often responded to, “Jimmy”, “Jim”, “James”, “Mr. James”, “Jimmy Bonz” or “Chief.” Regardless of what name you used, James...

Dec 12, 2022

Michele Anne Huston, 54, of Mattawan, passed away Monday, December 12, 2022, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born May 31, 1968, in Vicksburg, the daughter of Herbert Bent and Patricia (Wohlfert) Sonnevil.

Michele lived her life always looking at the positive side. Her charismatic personality and cheerful humor drew others to her like a magnet....

Dec 12, 2022

Theresa Dolores Kunkel, affectionately known as Terry, passed away in her home, at rest in peaceful sleep, on December 12, 2022. Terry was born on a beautiful Arizona day December 7, 1952 to Amelia Patricia Cruz Tellock (deceased) and Roy Christian Myers (deceased). She graduated from Western High School in Anaheim, CA and spent her early years assisting in...

Dec 11, 2022

Polly Cross, 96, of Paw Paw, went home to her Lord and Savior Sunday, December 11, 2022, at The Rose Arbor Residence in Kalamazoo.

She was born November 10, 1926, in Moulton, Alabama, the daughter of the late Garth E. Goodwin and Mallie M. (Heflin) Goodwin.

Polly was a longtime member of 12th Street Baptist...

Dec 10, 2022

Joan Marie Waitas (Belanga) passed in peace on Saturday December 10th, 2022.  Joan was born to Theron and Audrey Belanga in the Fall of 1934 in North Carolina.  Joan had three brothers: Glen (D), Bruce (D) and Ron (L).

She grew up and graduated high school in the town of Paw Paw, MI. It was there she...

Dec 8, 2022

Mildred L. "Millie" Sitar, 102, of Kalamazoo, passed away Thursday, December 8, 2022, at her home.

She was born April 7, 1920, in Paw Paw, daughter of Robert Bruce Terrell and Maude L. (Green) Terrell.

Millie loved bowling in Kalamazoo in previous years, she also took pride in knitting, crocheting, making pottery items and working...

Dec 4, 2022

Karl Albert Porth, 78, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2022 at his home at Lake Cora Hills Golf Course.

Karl was a loving and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother. His relationship with his wife Judith (Judy) was 54 years of happiness, joy, and near constant companionship. His greatest pride was his daughter Kellie Bagne and...

Dec 2, 2022

Anne E. Coombs passed away on December 2, 2022, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her loving family. Known affectionately as “G.G.” or “Gram,” Anne was a mother of six, grandmother of eleven, and great-grandmother of fifteen. Her legacy, however, isn’t just defined by her role as wife, mother, and grandmother but by her many years as...