Obituaries

Dec 3, 2020

Claudia Jean Ruell, 78, of Bangor, MI, passed away Thursday, December 3, 2020 at her home.

She was born December 21, 1941 in Dowagiac, the daughter of the late Lowell Peters and Claribel Peters.

Claudia earned her degree in nursing and enjoyed her nursing career with Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. In her spare time she...

Dec 2, 2020

Thomas E. Murch, age 74, of Kalamazoo passed away December 2, 2020. Tom was born December 31, 1945 in Kalamazoo, to the late Andrew and Grace (Hutchins) Murch, and grew up in Paw Paw. Tom was a graduate of Carlton College and earned his MBA at the University of Michigan. In 1978, Tom founded The Country Market, a specialty...

Nov 30, 2020

Dolores Agnes Butler, 87, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away Monday, November 30, 2020 at Royalton Manor in St. Joseph, MI.

She was born August 27, 1933 in Iron River, Michigan, the daughter of Joseph Verville and Laura (Charboneau ) Verville.

Dolores started out as a nun at age 14 with the Dominican Sisters' Convent...

Nov 29, 2020

Robert Bruce Danger, Jr., age 65 passed away November 29th 2020, in Dallas, Texas from COVID -19.  Bob, as he went by was born Aug 22 ,1955 in Paw Paw, Michigan, to the Late Robert and Frances (Hamay) Danger. He is survived by his Mother Frances, Brother, Steven Danger of Michigan. Also surviving are his three children Desiree (Michael...

Nov 29, 2020

William “Bill” Leroy Wiggins, born June 2, 1942 in Kalamazoo passed away November 29, 2020 at the age of 78. Bill was an avid car and truck lover, anything Mopar was up his alley. He also enjoyed watching sports on TV, so much so that you could often hear him yelling at the TV during a game. In his...

Nov 29, 2020

Audrey Marie Evans, 82, of Gobles, passed away peacefully Sunday November 29, 2020 at her home.

She was born March 18, 1938 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of the late Howard and Flossie  (Osborn) Hendrickson.

Audrey previously was employed with UpJohn before she started to raise their family. She loved to read, especially cook books. Over...

Nov 29, 2020

Andrew Owen, 78, of Mattawan, passed away Sunday November 29, 2020 at his home.

He was born June 2, 1942 in Kalamazoo, the son of Andrew Owen Sr. and Lena (Britten) Owen.

Andrew served his country in the Army during the Vietnam War. He took great pride in his home, yard and garden. He loved...

Nov 28, 2020

Jean Cook, 84, of Lawton, passed away Saturday, November 28, 2020 at her home.

She was born April 28, 1936 in Lawton, the daughter of Alva and Nellie  (Castner) Kimble.

Over the years, Jean enjoyed golfing and bowling. Most recently, Jean enjoyed spending her time working on knitting projects and sewing.

On August...

Nov 24, 2020

Elvin Otis Adams, age 80, passed away on November 24, 2020 at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo after battling COVID. Elvin (Al) was born on April 30, 1940 in Decatur, Michigan, the son of Marshall and Anna (Turk) Adams-Hall.  Al grew up in Decatur until he was 6 years old when they moved from the city to a farm in...

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...