Obituaries

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...

Mar 10, 2021

Kay Joan Bush was born June 18, 1941 to Harry L. Bush and Mildred A. (Thomas) Bush. She passed  from this life on March 10, 2021 at Bronson Commons, Mattawan, MI. A joyful celebration of Kay's life will be held this summer. Kay graduated Paw Paw High School. She went on to Western Michigan University for her bachelor and...

Mar 10, 2021

Roger Lee Baker, 82, of Lawton, passed away Wednesday March 10, 2021 at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.

He was born January 10, 1939 in Manistee, Michigan, the son of the late Ferris Baker and Juanita (Steffens) Baker.

Roger was a member of the Paw Paw High School 1956 undefeated Football team and is a member...

Mar 9, 2021

Paul E. Nelson, 61, of Lawton, passed away Tuesday March 9, 2021 at White Oaks Assisted Living.

Born in Dowagiac on October 18, 1959, the family relocated to Lawton when Paul was a child. He loved to read and enjoyed walking around town doing his errands.

He is survived by his brother, David W. Nelson...

Mar 1, 2021

S

Shirley Hoger Burza, lifelong resident of Paw Paw, passed away Monday March 1, 2021.

She was born January 1, 1933 in Paw Paw, the daughter of the late Charles Hoger and Harriet (Pietrowski) Hoger.

On April 23, 1955, at Saint Mary Church in Paw Paw, Shirley was united in marriage to Raymond...

Feb 25, 2021

Pauline Haskin, 95, of Paw Paw, passed away Thursday, February 25, 2021 at Maple Lake Assisted Living. She was born October 9, 1925 in Sand Lake Michigan, the daughter of George and Edith Pierson.

Pauline was a loving and caring mother that was devoted to raising her family. She enjoyed gardening, cooking and baking. During WWII she...

Feb 23, 2021

Albert Joseph Szumylo, 68, of Paw Paw, passed away Tuesday February 23, 2021 at his home in Paw Paw.

He was born March 22, 1952 in Paw Paw, the son of  the late Wojciech Szumylo and Stasia (Witkowska) Szumylo.

Al retired from Paw Paw Wine Distributors after many years of service. He liked to go...

Feb 20, 2021

Joanne Marie Bessey (nee Stimson) of Paw Paw, Michigan passed away at her residence on Saturday, February 20, 2021. She was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on August 19, 1937 to Alton and Alvena (Mulder) Stimson. She married Boyd Thomas Bessey on February 6, 1957. Joanne and Tom had celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary shortly before her death. Joanne received...

Feb 20, 2021

Nikki Lynn Byler, 34, of Lawton, passed away Saturday February 20, 2021 at home.

She was born September 12, 1986 in Paw Paw, the daughter of Rudy Byler and Deborah (Eisenhart) Byler.

Nikki had a love for animals, she was particularly fond of giraffes, dogs and cats. She had a strong bond with her pit...

Feb 20, 2021

Joseph Forajter, age 87, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday February 20, 2021 at his home in Paw Paw.

Joseph was born December 18, 1933 in Suzno, Poland, the son of the late Michael Forajter and Ksawera Forajter.

Prior to moving to Michigan, Joe retired from Local 1 Boilermakers (Welder) in Chicago, where he also...

Feb 18, 2021

Gerald Dee Sherburn, 89 of Mattawan, passed away peacefully February 18, 2021 at Rose Arbor Hospice. Gerald was born October 2, 1931 to the late William and Areta (Jones) Sherburn. Gerald is one of 13 children. Three brothers preceded him in death, William Jr., Dale and Richard Sherburn. He is survived by his nine siblings, Donna (late Ray) Huddleston,...

Feb 18, 2021

Mark Lauren Conolly, 71, of Lawton, passed away Thursday February 18, 2021.

He was born August 4, 1949 in Paw Paw, the son of the late Dale Conolly and Betty (Cole) Conolly.

Mark was an avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and spending time with his family. He was a member of the Paw Paw-Lawton Eagles...