Obituaries

Laverne Mae Zantello

Laverne Mae Zantello

May 18, 2026

Laverne Mae Zantello was born March 8, 1939, in Paw Paw, Michigan to Peter and Wanda Zantello, and passed away on May 18, 2026, in Fort Myers, Florida. She spent her childhood in Michigan before venturing to Las Vegas, where she would meet her former husband Mahlon Brown and become the mother of three children; Bert Mahlon Brown IV (Deanna),...

Neil Edward South

Neil Edward South

Jun 20, 2026

Neil Edward South was born on January 28, 1939, in Dearborn, Michigan to Myrtle (Allen) and John D. South. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 20, 2026, taking his last breath during a reading of the 91st Psalm.

After graduating from Royal Oak Dondero High School in 1957, Neil joined the Michigan National Guard. He served for six...

Jackie Lynn Hitt

Jackie Lynn Hitt

Jun 20, 2026

Jackie Lynn Hitt, age 61, of Decatur, Michigan, passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Rose Arbor Hospice after a long courageous battle with Lung Cancer.

Born on June 29, 1964, in Decatur, Alabama, Jack was the son of the late James Roy and Earline Hitt. A hardworking and dedicated man, he spent his career ensuring things ran smoothly as...

Aydon Cole Bannister

Aydon Cole Bannister

Jun 20, 2026

Aydon Cole Bannister, 21, of Gobles, passed away in his sleep on Saturday June 20, 2026, after a hard-fought battle against cancer at his home in Gobles.

He was born October 30, 2004, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of Donnie Bannister and Jennifer McDonald.

Aydon was a talented tattoo artist and expressed himself through his own tattoos and sharing his talent with...

Robert James Golisek

Robert James Golisek

Jun 18, 2026

Robert James Golisek, 85, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully Thursday, June 18, 2026, at his home in Paw Paw.

He was born July 10, 1940, in Munising, Michigan, the son of Theodore Golisek and Cibble Mae (Wilderspin) Golisek.

Robert graduated from Michigan State University in 1965 and worked as Head of the Computer Department until 1969. After MSU, he went on...

John Joseph Megdan

John Joseph Megdan

Jun 17, 2026

John Joseph Megdan passed away peacefully on June 17, 2026.

John was born on September 20, 1937, in Noranda, Quebec Canada. He lived in Montreal, Quebec and Windsor, Ontario before immigrating to the United States where he resided in Detroit Michigan in 1955. John was the son of John Anthony and Katherine Megdan. He was the beloved husband of the late...

Geraldine Marie Rix

Geraldine Marie Rix

Jun 16, 2026

On November 28, 1935, Geraldine Marie Martin was born and on June 16, 2026, passed away peacefully in her home. Within that time, she created a life that was intentional to be welcomed by God in heaven and to greatly impact the lives of others along the way.

Geraldine (Gerry) was born to John Martin and Genevieve Martin as the seventh...

John Edward Frank

John Edward Frank

Jun 14, 2026

John Edward Frank passed away peacefully after a few days in the hospital on June 14, 2026. He will be greatly missed by an enormous family and many friends.

Born to Gustof and Anna Frank on September 29, 1950, John was the youngest of six siblings. He grew up playing kick-the-can and riding bikes with neighbors, relatives, and friends in Coloma,...

Thomas Douglas Jarvis

Thomas Douglas Jarvis

Jun 13, 2026

Thomas Douglas Jarvis, 77, of Paw Paw, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2026, at his home.

He was born September 16, 1948, in Rockville Centre, New York, son of the late Douglas Jarvis and Lillian (Stawecki) Jarvis. Tom was united in marriage to Maureen (Madden) Jarvis, who survives. He is also survived by his daughter, Rachel (Darren) Smith; sister, Susan Sydow;...

Charlotte Ann Lugar

Charlotte Ann Lugar

Jun 12, 2026

Charlotte Ann Lugar, 85, of Lawton, Michigan, passed away peacefully on June 12, 2026, at Rose Arbor Hospice, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born on August 26, 1940, in Paw Paw, Michigan, Charlotte was the daughter of Charles Sanborn and Dorothy Reits. She was raised in Paw Paw and graduated from Paw Paw High School in 1958. She later...

Arlene "Peg" Jane Willsea

Arlene "Peg" Jane Willsea

Jun 10, 2026

Arlene "Peg" Jane Willsea, 94, of Gobles, passed away early Wednesday morning, June 10, 2026, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.

She was born April 19, 1932, in Marcellus, Michigan, the daughter of James Furtenbaugh and Nellie (Bender) Furtenbaugh.

Peg worked at JC Penney in Allegan for many years. Peg loved to shop and enjoyed her job in retail, she could always...

Sylvia Ruth Sherburn

Sylvia Ruth Sherburn

Jun 8, 2026

Sylvia Ruth Sherburn, 90, of Lawton, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 8, 2026, at her home in Lawton.

She was born April 9, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of William Booth and Elverna (Fritz) Booth.

Sylvia was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church in Lawton, where she enjoyed volunteering during church events and worshipping her Lord and Savior...

Patricia Mary Fake

Patricia Mary Fake

Jun 6, 2026

Patricia Mary Fake passed away June 6, 2026, at the age of 75 from previously undiagnosed cancers.

Patricia was born on February 1, 1951, to John Fake Sr. and Dorothy (Freeman) Fake.

Growing up on her parents' fruit farm in Paw Paw, Patricia and her siblings learned the value of hard work and perseverance from the beginning. Seeing the realities of farm...

Deborah "Debbie" Ann Hurst

Deborah "Debbie" Ann Hurst

May 30, 2026

Debbie (Davis) Hurst left her earthly body on May 30, 2026, after a battle with lung and brain cancer, feeling uplifted by friends, family, and former students throughout her diagnosis and passing.

Debbie grew up in Finneytown, OH, wanting to be a teacher like her grandma and playing “teacher” in the garage. She enjoyed her early years in Girl Scouts, taught...

Maryann Berry

Maryann Berry

May 28, 2026

Maryann Berry, 83, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at her home in Paw Paw.

She was born May 24, 1943, in Paw Paw, Michigan, the daughter of Walter Owsiany and Violet (Osborne) Owsiany.

Maryann was known to many as "mom" and was a very easy-going person, despite her rough exterior. She enjoyed her trips up north...

Bruce G. Herron

Bruce G. Herron

May 23, 2026

Bruce G. Herron, 72, of Paw Paw, passed away unexpectedly on May, 23, 2026, at his home in Paw Paw, Michigan.

Bruce was born on April 15, 1954, in Royal Oak, Michigan, to Clarence R. Herron and Bette J. Herron.

When Bruce was very young, the family moved to Fraser, Michigan, where he attended school through graduation. He then went to Michigan...

Donald William Rhodes

Donald William Rhodes

May 22, 2026

Donald William Rhodes, 75, of Paw Paw, passed away Friday May 22, 2026, at MediLodge of Marshall.

He was born November 23, 1950, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of Earl Rhodes and Virginia (Beheler) Rhodes.

Don was a proud Army Veteran and enjoyed helping out at the American Legion. He graduated from the University of Tennessee following his service in the military.

Don...

Joyce Elaine Johnston

Joyce Elaine Johnston

May 20, 2026

Joyce Elaine Johnston 88, of Buchanan, Michigan, passed away on May 20th, 2026, at Buchanan Meadows Living Center. She was born on January 5, 1938, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the daughter of William and Marie Wenthe.

Joyce will not be easily forgotten by those whose lives she touched. She remained independent, spirited, and true to herself until the very end. She loved...

Lori Marleah Lipari

Lori Marleah Lipari

May 20, 2026

Lori Marleah Lipari of Bangor, Michigan, died at home on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, surrounded by her family after a 6-month battle with cancer. Lori was born on September 12, 1955, in Easton, Pennsylvania to Betty Lyon Lipari and Rock Lipari. She spent her early years in Pennsylvania and California, before moving to Portage, Michigan on Gourdneck Lake. After graduating...

John "Jack" Colin Klimach

John "Jack" Colin Klimach

May 16, 2026

John (Jack) Klimach passed away peacefully at his home on May 16, 2026. Jack was born March 12, 1946, to Herman and Ethel Klimach in Paw Paw, Michigan, where he resided his entire 80 years of life. Jack spent the last 46 years beside his soulmate Debra Klimach, who preceded him in death this past January.

Jack was a fan of...