Obituaries

Nov 23, 2020

Donald Eugene Austin, 89, of Mattawan, passed away Monday November 23, 2020 at White Oaks Assisted Living Lawton.

He was born April 30, 1931 in Kalamazoo, the son of the late Edgar Charles Austin and Morgie VIolet (Glidden) Austin.

Don served in the Army as a guard in Alamogordo, New Mexico. He retired from the...

Nov 22, 2020

Elmer Jackson Jr., 95 Years, of Decatur, MI, died on Sunday, November 22, 2020, in Kalamazoo, MI. He was born on June 7, 1925 in Decatur, MI, the son of Elmer and Amy (Palmer) Jackson.

Elmer graduated from Decatur High School in 1943. He served faithfully in the U.S. Army during WWII. Upon returning home he earned...

Nov 22, 2020

Jeanette Skinner, 87, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2020 in Paw Paw, MI. She was born on July 4, 1933 in Decatur, MI, the daughter of Milton Lloyd and Marguerite Mary (Maguire) Dow.

Jeanette attended Decatur Bible Church and supported the Awana Program. She took it upon herself to make sure that...

Nov 17, 2020

On September 30, 1937, Henry and Thelma (Wilcox) Gurnsey welcomed a new baby girl to the family. Noreen Ann Gurnsey was born in the little village of Paw Paw.

At a time when the country was still recovering from the Great Depression, new challenges where facing the world. Families and neighbors came together to help one another...

Nov 17, 2020

Julie Anne Enos, 72, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 in Battle Creek, MI. She was born on June 5, 1948 in Kalamazoo, MI, the daughter of Homer Robert and Leola Persis (Dulyea) Pease.

Julie graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1966. She went on to work as the first female...

Nov 15, 2020

Dorothy Elaine Arens, 90, of Lawton, passed away Sunday November 15, 2020 at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo.

She was born January 27, 1930 in Houghton, Michigan, the daughter of the late George Belttari and Helga (Baakki) Belttari.

She and her husband, Arthur, founded the Ever Last Label Company in Paw Paw.

Dorothy is...

Nov 14, 2020

Vernie Ruth Melson, 95, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday, November 14, 2020 at Ely Manor.

She was born September 12, 1925 in Addison, Alabama, the daughter of the late James Westmoreland and Pearl (Bagget) Westmoreland.

On February 27, 1942, she married Luther Melson who preceded her in death.

She is survived by...

Nov 13, 2020

LaMoine Curtis, 82, of Paw Paw, passed away Friday, November 13, 2020.

He was born March 16, 1938 in Paw Paw, the son of the late James Curtis and Lillian Marie(Waite) Curtis.

LaMoine dedicated many years of his life in auto body repair. In later years he enjoyed rebuilding and tinkering with vintage garden tractors...

Nov 12, 2020

James R. Kay, 69, of Decatur, MI., formerly of Benton Harbor, died unexpectedly November 12, 2020 at his home. Jim was born January 16, 1951, to Robert F. and Virginia (Null) Kay in Benton Harbor, Mi.  He attended Benton Harbor schools, graduating from Benton Harbor High School in 1969. While attending BHHS, Jim was a member of the golf...

Nov 10, 2020

Due to the new Covid restrictions, the memorial service has been postponed and will be announced at a later date.

On Tuesday, November 10, 2020, Anita Louise (Amidon) Rumery peacefully traded in her earthly home for her heavenly, eternal home. Born on November 14, 1936 in a small suburb of Chicago, she is the daughter...

Nov 7, 2020

Frank Charles Sage, 71, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully Saturday November 7, 2020 at his home.

He was born September 1, 1949 in Paw Paw, the son of Charles Sage and Caroline (Cramer) Sage.

Frank is a Vietnam veteran serving in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal from...

Nov 3, 2020

Nadean Griffith, 83, of Paw Paw, passed away Tuesday November 3, 2020 in Coldwater, Michigan.

She was born July 14, 1937 in Courtland, Alabama, the daughter of  Hewlett Terry and Effie Manis.

Nadean devoted her life to helping her family and all those around her. She would willingly do without to make sure those around...

Oct 29, 2020

Pauline G. Heldt, 102, of, Lawrence, passed away Thursday, October 29, 2020 at Meadow Woods in Bloomingdale.

She was born September 4, 1918 in Lawrence, the daughter of Gail Cross and Mary (Palmer) Cross.

Pauline was a lifelong resident of Lawrence, where she was very active in the community. She was a founding member of...

Oct 29, 2020

Carol Lynn Adams "Ducky", 82, of Paw Paw, passed away Thursday, October 29, 2020 at her home.

She was born September 2, 1938 in Chicago, the daughter of  the late Roxie Nardielle and Carol (Kreer) Nardielle.

She is survived by her two sons, Kirk Adams of  Paw Paw and Kraig Adams of Paw Paw, two...

Oct 24, 2020

Harold L. (Vern) Brindley, 86, of Paw Paw, passed away October 24, 2020.He was born May 19, 1934. Vern worked for 30 years at the Kalamazoo Regional Psychiatric Hospital as a Grounds Keeper. He was a family man and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also enjoyed spending time outdoors and hunting. He is...

Oct 23, 2020

Alisa Deloris (Roberts) Riddell, 59, of Gobles, MI, died October 23, 2020 in Gobles, MI. She was born on February 9, 1961 in St. Louis, MO, daughter of David and Margaret (Oatsfall) Roberts.

Alisa graduated from Paw Paw High School. She worked various odd jobs but her favorite was always being an amazing wife, sister, friend, aunt,...

Oct 18, 2020

Generous, funny, loving, colorful, family. Norma or Norm to her husband of almost 62 years, Chuck; parents Don and Ada Sexton, brother Ron Sexton, sisters Donna Wedig and Mary Bowlby, lifelong friends Jean Kirshak and Nancy Cox, and brother-in-law Martin Chilcutt; Aunt Norma to many nieces and nephews; Mom to Martha VanAmberg, Chuck and Jeff Chilcutt but also called...

Oct 17, 2020

Clark Deforest Smith, age 80, of Three Rivers and formerly of Lawton, passed away October 17, 2020. Clark was born March 31, 1940 in Grand Junction, Colorado, to the late Lloyd Deforest Smith and Susie (Donohoo) Smith.

Clark was an avid train enthusiast, from working on them to traveling on them. He enjoyed road trips and fall...

Oct 13, 2020

John P. Makowski, 85, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 20, 1935 in Oil City, PA, the son of Frank and Barbara (Jamroz) Makowski.

John attended Catholic School and graduated from Cathedral Prep in Erie, PA. He attended Seminary...

Oct 13, 2020

Christopher Brent Van Doren, 43, of Sturgis, MI, passed away suddenly Tuesday October 13, 2020.

He was born November 10, 1976 in Springfield, Ohio, the son of David  Van Doren and Joyce Ryan.

Chris grew up in Sturgis where he was in the Boy Scout's Troop 431, earning his Eagle Scout award in 1994. He...