Obituaries

Jorge Luis Hernandez

Jorge Luis Hernandez

Apr 19, 2025

Jorge Luis Hernandez, 49, of Paw Paw, passed away suddenly on Saturday April 19, 2025, at Bronson LakeView Hospital in Paw Paw.

He was born June 13, 1975, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of Ofelia Murillo.

Jorge was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and tuned in to almost every game to cheer them on. He liked to golf when he was able...

Michael Sean Kerns

Michael Sean Kerns

Apr 14, 2025

Michael Sean Kerns, 52, passed away peacefully at his home on April 14, 2025. Mike was born on February 8, 1973, in East Grand Rapids, MI the son of Gerald and Diane (Nimtz) Kerns.

Mike is a proud graduate of Paw Paw High School and Davenport University. His career was on the railroad, and he dedicated many years to Michigan Southern...

Thomas Gale Staggs

Thomas Gale Staggs

Apr 12, 2025

Thomas Gale Staggs "Papa", 88, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.

He was born December 2, 1936, in Bridgeport, Michigan, the son of Waldo Staggs and Florence L. (Hunter) Staggs.

Tom was united in marriage to Donna Lynne Cook on April 6, 1953, in Indiana. He was a lifelong member of the Paw...

George Edward Fadel

George Edward Fadel

Apr 10, 2025

George Edward Fadel III, 89, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at his home in Paw Paw.

He was born December 27, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of George Edward Fadel Jr. and Adeline Ann (Jansen) Fadel.

George was a police officer for the Village of Paw Paw for 30 years and spent...

Merritt "Sam" Raymond

Merritt "Sam" Raymond

Apr 8, 2025

Merritt J. Raymond Jr., "Sam" 65, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully Tuesday April 8, 2025, at his home in Paw Paw after a bravely fought battle against cancer.

He was born January 26, 1960, in Paw Paw, Michigan, the son of Merritt J. Raymond Sr.and Betty (Moon) Raymond.

Sam was a man full of strength, positivity, honesty, intelligence and humorous personality....

David James Vinci

David James Vinci

Apr 6, 2025

David James Vinci, 73, of Mattawan, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at his home.

He was born December 9, 1951, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, the son of Dominick J. Vinci and Betty Jean (Leeper) Vinci. He graduated from Upper Darby (Pennsylvania) High School in 1969. He attended Pennsylvania State University at both Altoona and State...

Paul Frederick Staniszewski

Paul Frederick Staniszewski

Apr 6, 2025

Paul Frederick Staniszewski, 77, of Paw Paw, passed away on April 6, 2025, surrounded by his family and friends. He was born on February 13, 1948, to the late John and Eleanor Staniszewski in Lawrence, Michigan. Paul spent many years managing Shangri-La Resort on Three Mile Lake and served as the Head of Maintenance at Paw Paw Public Schools for...

Andrew Martin Chopp

Andrew Martin Chopp

Apr 3, 2025

Andrew Martin Chopp, Sr. 96, of Kalamazoo, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2025, at his home.

He was born on November 11, 1928, in Kalamazoo. He was part of the first generation born in the United States to Fred and Mary Chopp of Croatia.

Andy was born in the height of the depression. As a young boy, he picked apples and...

Danne Ray French

Danne Ray French

Apr 2, 2025

Danne Ray French, 77, of Mattawan, MI, passed away surrounded by family April 2, 2025.

Danne was born on December 8, 1948, in Greenville, South Carolina, to Junior and Thelma French. He graduated from Mattawan High School in 1968 and was soon drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served with honor in the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War...

Robert G. Gregory

Robert G. Gregory

Mar 24, 2025

Robert G. Gregory, 97, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully Monday, March 24, 2025, at White Oaks Assisted Living in Lawton.

He was born July 25, 1927, in Kalamazoo, the son of Joseph E. Gregory and Hazel (McGowan) Gregory.

Bob was a lifelong member of the Van Buren Youth Camp and it was his pride and joy. He loved meeting all the...

JoAnn (Gentner) Learman

JoAnn (Gentner) Learman

Mar 21, 2025

JoAnn (Gentner) Learman, 71, of Decatur, lovingly known to many as "Grandma Jo," passed away peacefully on March 21, 2025. She was born on May 7, 1953, to George and Loretta “Hattie” Gentner and was the youngest of eight children. She spent her early years learning and laughing in a one-room schoolhouse where she developed the strong values and warm...

Ralph William Parker

Ralph William Parker

Mar 18, 2025

Ralph William Parker, 91, of Marcellus, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Maple Lake Assisted Living in Paw Paw.

He was born May 26, 1933, in Aurora, Illinois, the son of Jonathan and Rhoda (Robinson) Parker.

Ralph was a resident of Marcellus before moving to Maple Lake Assisted Living in Paw Paw. He was a man of many talents...

Gerald LeRoy Brown

Gerald LeRoy Brown

Mar 11, 2025

Gerald LeRoy Brown, 90, of Mattawan, formerly of Ludington, passed away surrounded by family on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at his home in Mattawan.

Gerald was born on May 30, 1934, in Ludington, MI, the son of Roy B. and Emma C. (Swanson) Brown. He graduated from Ludington High School in 1952 and attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Western Michigan...

James "Jim" H. vanWestrienen

James "Jim" H. vanWestrienen

Mar 11, 2025

Jim passed away March 11, 2025, in Paw Paw, Michigan following a long battle with diabetes. He was born May 13, 1933, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the eldest son of Henry Artis and G. Leone (Kier) vanWestrienen.

He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and Western Michigan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. He was a 9-year member of the...

Pauline Effie Gillette

Pauline Effie Gillette

Mar 4, 2025

Pauline Effie Gillette, 87, of Decatur, passed away Tuesday March 4, 2025, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.

She was born September 13, 1937, in Paw Paw, Michigan, the daughter of the late Donald C. Sirrine and Frances (Mearing/Duart) Sirrine.

Pauline worked at Contech Solutions for 30+ years and volunteered at the Decatur Human Services. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, watching Wheel...

Dennis LeRoy Amm

Dennis LeRoy Amm

Mar 3, 2025

Dennis LeRoy Amm, 77, of Lawton, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, Monday March 3, 2025, at home in Lawton. 

He was born April 6, 1947, in South Bend, Indiana, the son of Milburn LeRoy Amm and June Mary (Winegar) Amm.

Dennis enjoyed the outdoors and spent lots of days fishing and hunting. He also liked to watch his beloved Fighting Irish...

Beulah "Boo" Marie Woodfin

Beulah "Boo" Marie Woodfin

Mar 1, 2025

Beulah Marie “Boo” Woodfin, of Paw Paw, Michigan, passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on March 1, 2025. Born on June 22, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, she was the beloved daughter of Alma Curiel Woodfin and James Rice Woodfin, and sister to Edward John Woodfin, Sr. 

A woman of remarkable intellect and passion, Beulah was a graduate of Vanderbilt...

Mark Steven Poffenberger

Mark Steven Poffenberger

Feb 28, 2025

Mark Steven Poffenberger, 58, of Paw Paw, passed away Friday February 28, 2025 at his home in Paw Paw. 

He was born December 7, 1966, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the son of John Philip Poffenberger and Barbara Lou (Rice) Poffenberger.

Mark was an avid woodworker and enjoyed working on his many projects. He worked as a computer programmer and loved tinkering with...

Julie Anne Maurer

Julie Anne Maurer

Feb 27, 2025

Julie Anne Maurer, age 73, of Paw Paw, Michigan, passed away at her residence on Thursday, February 27, 2025. She will be greatly missed by her friends and family. Her shining light, big heart, smile and words of kindness, compassion, and friendship will be missed by all. 

Julie was born on March 27, 1951, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the daughter of...

Carmen Rosamund Gronda

Carmen Rosamund Gronda

Feb 26, 2025

Carmen Rosamund Gronda, 84, of Jackson, passed away peacefully Wednesday February 26, 2025 at Fountain View of Portage in Portage. 

She was born December 29, 1940 in Saginaw, Michigan, the daughter of Raymond Manchester and Verona May (Stafford) Manchester.

Upon graduating high school, Carmen attended Cedarville College of Liberal Arts in Ohio, pursuing a Church Music Major. Carmen was a talented organist...