Obituaries

Apr 26, 2021

With great sadness, we announce that James Ryan Whelan, age 42 our most beloved son, brother, father, grandfather and friend went to be with our Lord and Savior on Monday, April 26, 2021.  He was born on August 8, 1978 to James Michael Whelan and Julee Whelan. He was a precocious child and a delight to his parents and...

Apr 24, 2021

David Bradley Hood, 68, of Lawton and formerly of Hart, Michigan passed away Saturday April 24, 2021.

He was born April 22, 1953 in Mount Clemens, Michigan, the son of the late Vernon  Hood and Josephine A. (Schalm) Hood.

Over the years, David enjoyed spending his free time fishing, motorcycling and hunting. He and Kathleen...

Apr 22, 2021

Pastor Charles Amon Watson, 78, of Mattawan , passed away peacefully with his family at his side Thursday April 22, 2021.

He was born October 23, 1942 in Kalamazoo, the son of the late Amon Watson and Helen (Nadwornik) Watson.

Pastor Chuck faithfully shared God’s Word in many homes in the Kalamazoo area for over...

Apr 21, 2021

Emma Ann Ridderbos, 99, of Portage, MI, passed away Wednesday, April 21, 2021.

She was born October 28, 1921 in Winschoten, Groningen, Netherlands to the late Christiaan and Wilhelmina (Balkema) Bloem.

Emma retired from the Parker-Hannifin Company. She was a Wolverine 4H knitting club member for more than 35 years.

She was preceded...

Apr 19, 2021

Daniel "Danny" Glenn Rigoni, 29, of South Haven, passed away Monday April 19, 2021.

He was born February 16, 1992 in South Haven, the son of Daniel Joseph Rigoni Jr.and Denise (Frazier) Morgan.

Danny was an all around outdoorsman since his childhood. He loved going fishing, hunting and camping. He got his first snowmobile when...

Apr 18, 2021

Robert Randall Osborne, Jr., 60, of Paw Paw, passed away Sunday April 18, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital Kalamazoo.

He was born September 23, 1960 in Paw Paw, Michigan, the son of Robert Randall Osborne Sr.and Diane J.(Cole) Osborne.

Robert was a longtime devoted mechanic for over 30 years. He was an excellent cook and...

Apr 18, 2021

Thomas Earl Lynn, 58, of Mattawan, MI, passed away Sunday April 18, 2021 at his home.

Tom was born July 3, 1962 in Grand Rapids, the son of  the Earl Lynn and Ellan (Sealey) Lynn.

Tom proudly served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard. He was a longtime member of the American Legion McGowen...

Apr 18, 2021

Joseph Allen Schauer, 54, of Lawton, passed away Sunday April 18, 2021 surrounded by his family at home.

He was born July 11, 1966 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Joe leaves two daughters, Jessica (Christopher) Madill of Otsego, and Sydney Schauer of Portage, one son, Joshua Schauer of Traverse City; one grandchild, Glenna Madill; his brother, Paul (Kim)...

Apr 16, 2021

Charlotte Ann (Stanek) Adams, age 78, passed away on April 16, 2021 at North Woods Village of Kalamazoo, after battling Dementia.

Charlotte was born on March 12, 1943 in Paw Paw, Michigan, the daughter of Theodore and Helen (Godisak) Stanek.  Charlotte grew up in Decatur where the family worked together farming.  She attended the Lawton Community Schools...

Apr 5, 2021

Tim was born September 19, 1959, in Michigan to James Ramsey and Ann Hazelton West. Being raised on the family farm in Lawton, Tim began working with grapes and asparagus at an early age. He attended school in Lawton and later in Paw Paw. At the age of 17, Tim joined the Army. Following his service, he relocated to...

Apr 3, 2021

Vernabelle Massey was a lifelong resident of Van Buren County. She began her education in a one-room country school and continued on to graduate from Lawton High School and Parson’s Business College. After graduation, she began a long career as a secretary and during WWII, she volunteered in a local hospital. Vernabelle was a very active, independent, and energetic...

Apr 1, 2021

Dearly loved by family and friends, Steven Robert Ayres, 73, passed away on April 1, 2021, at Bronson Hospital. He was born July 10, 1947, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to the late Robert and Barbara Ayres. Steve attended Portage Central High School until the family relocated to Vicksburg. He was a talented athlete playing football, basketball, and baseball throughout his...

Mar 31, 2021

Sarahbelle Kelley, 89, of Paw Paw, passed away Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at home.

She was born August 27, 1931 in Malta, Ohio, the daughter of the late Herbert Palmer and Mary (McCall) Palmer.

Sarahbelle was baptized in 1941 as one of Jehovah's Witnesses.

On July 8, 1950 she married Ray Kelley who...

Mar 31, 2021

Dana Evan Jackson, 59, of Decatur, passed away Wednesday March 31, 2021 at his home.

He was born March 13, 1962 in Paw Paw, the son of  the late Elmer Jackson Jr.and Norma (Wandrei) Jackson.

Dana graduated from Decatur High School in 1980, he then attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College and studied at Western Michigan...

Mar 24, 2021

Kathryn "Kay" Ann Hill, 82, of Paw Paw, passed away suddenly Wednesday March 24, 2021.

She was born December 5, 1938 in Cairo, Illinois, the daughter of the late Alvin Louis McCarver and Edna Lee(Ive) McCarver.

Kay and Max spent many years selling at the flea markets year round. She was very kind and loving...

Mar 20, 2021

LeRoy Charles Damaske, 82, of Lawrence, passed away Saturday March 20, 2021.

He was born May 3, 1938 in Kalamazoo, the son of the late Walter Damaske and May (Allen) Damaske.

LeRoy previously served four years as the Mayor of Lawrence and was on Lawrence Village Council. He was also involved with the Lawrence Alumni...

Mar 16, 2021

Ann Maxwell, 92, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully at her home March 16, 2021 from natural causes. She was born June 6, 1928, in Roanoke, Virginia, the daughter of J.W. and Louise Morgan. Ann was united in marriage to Charles Richard Maxwell, June 6, 1950. They celebrated 70 years of marriage this past June, 2020. Ann retired from...

Mar 15, 2021

Norma J. Hand, 89, of Lawton, MI passed away on March 15, 2021 surrounded by loving family at her daughter Kathi’s home in Quincy, IL.  Norma was born on December 13, 1931 in Niles, Michigan, the daughter of Alfred and Luetta Boyer.  Upon graduation from Niles High School in 1948, she worked as a telephone operator for Michigan Bell....

Mar 15, 2021

Florence Lula Ross, 82, of Paw Paw, passed away Monday March 15, 2021 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.

She was born January 23, 1939 in East Chicago, Indiana, the daughter of the late Frank Lula and Mary (Knapik) Anderson.

Florence was an avid reader, she took pride in playing the organ, violin and accordion. She...

Mar 11, 2021

Ernie "Jr." Shaw, 76, of Lawrence, passed away Thursday March 11, 2021 at his home.

Ernie was born in Muskegon October 14, 1944, the son of the late Ernest and Esther (Ortquist) Shaw. He was united in marriage to Billie Jacobs Shaw on June 20, 1964 in Lawrence. Ernie enjoyed fishing and hunting over the years. He...