Benny J. Baker

September 26, 2007

Benny J. Baker of Plainwell, passed away Wednesday, September 26, 2007 in Kalamazoo. Mr. Baker was born June 15, 1940 in Otsego to Robert and Frances (Rolston) Baker and had been a lifelong resident of the area. For 41 ½ years he was employed with Plainwell Paper Co. Benny was a member of the Men’s Auxiliary of V.F.W. Post #3030. On July 17, 1965 in Plainwell he married Charlene Strandt, who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Deborah (Rob) Thomas, Cheryl Baker and Susan Oetman (Norm Smith) all of Plainwell; 7 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; his siblings, Joann Ward, Bob (Vicki) Baker, Susan (Fred) Brock, Peggy (Dick) Remaly, Linda (Jim) Meador, Mike (Tammy) Baker; a brother-in-law, Charles Strandt; 2 aunts, Barbara Rink and Helen Myers; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Benny was preceded in death by his parents; his step-mother, Florence Bent; his sister, Betty Mignery; and a granddaughter. Friends may meet the family today from 4 to 8 P.M. at the Winkel Funeral Home in Otsego where services will be held Saturday at 10:00 A.M., Mr. William Rose officiating. Cremation will follow.

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Paul E. Woodstock

September 25, 2007

Paul E. Woodstock of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Tuesday, September 25, 2007. Paul was born February 2, 1924 in Lake Mills, WI, the son of Archer and Mary (Coon) Woodstock. He graduated from Otsego Public High School in 1943 and served in the US Army during World War II. After 37 years, he retired in 1986 from Mead Paperboard Products in Otsego. His memberships included the Otsego Elks, Otsego Moose Lodge and VFW Post #3030 Men’s Auxiliary.  Surviving are 2 step-daughters, Nancy Devey of Beaverton, OR, Carleen Arndt of Grand Haven; 2 brothers and 1 sister, Charles (Mary Ellen) Woodstock of Kalamazoo, Archer (Betty) Woodstock of Otsego, Mary Dennis of Thompsonville; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mable and 2 brothers Lawrence and Robert. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 1PM Saturday, October 13, 2007 at the VFW Post #3030.

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Donald R. Valkner

September 24, 2007

Donald R. Valkner of Allegan, Michigan, passed away September 24, 2007, at his home. Don was born November 18, 1948 in Kalamazoo to Raymond and Doris (Kirkland) Valkner and had been a lifelong resident of the area. For many years he was a self-employed carpenter and handyman. Surviving are his wife, Charlene Valkner of Allegan; a son and a daughter, Bryan (Shannon) Bernier of Plainwell and Melissa (Tim) Ball of Lake Station, IN; 6 grandchildren, Cody (Brandy), Samantha, Jenna (Kyle), Robert, Zach and Kera; his mother, Doris Steele of Plainwell; 3 brothers, Melvin (Luanne) Valkner of Kalamazoo, Charles (Donna) Valkner of Manton and Richard (Janetta) Valkner of Plainwell; his mother-in-law, Virginia Faucher of Allegan; 2 step-brothers, Chris (Julie) Steele of Plainwell and Jeff Steele of Comstock; 3 step-sisters, Della (Steve) Jones of Bloomington, IL, Rhonda (Trent) Webb of Schoolcraft and Angela Steele of Canton, MI; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Valkner, and a brother, Jack Valkner. Friends may meet the family from 5 to 8 P.M. Wednesday at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, where services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, Pastor Jerry Bowen officiating. Burial will follow at Mountain Home Cemetery, Otsego. Contributions in memory of Don may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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Amy L. Winter

September 24, 2007

Amy L. Winter of Otsego, Michigan, entered her new life in heaven in the early morning hours of September 24, 2007, after a courageous 4 year battle with cancer and short stay at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, MI. Amy was born May 10, 1957, in Plainwell, MI, daughter of Maynard Sr. and Merle Knight. Amy graduated from Otsego High School in 1975, after participating in softball, tennis, marching band and 4-H. After graduating in the same high school class, Amy married Andy Winter on August 25, 1979, at the Gun River Conservation Club in Plainwell. They just recently celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary. Amy began her career at Michigan National Bank, in Kalamazoo, as branch manager. Giving many hardworking years to the bank, Amy decided she wanted to be at home with her 2 daughters, Amanda and Allison, and began working as a sales consultant for Mary Kay Cosmetics. She remained an independent sales consultant while pursuing other career opportunities. Amy was hired as the receptionist at Cross Oaks Chiropractic in Otsego and was employed there until she went to work for Bronson Southwest in Kalamazoo. Following her job at Bronson Southwest, Amy worked as a nursing and education staffer at Workforce Strategies Incorporated in Kalamazoo. Due to her illness, Amy left work in the spring of 2006. Amy enjoyed spending her time with her enormous family and equally as large group of friends. She liked to vacation and participate in any sporting activity. She played softball throughout her adult life and enjoyed playing golf. Amy is survived by her husband, Andy (49); 2 daughters, Amanda (25) and fiancé Joe Tiseo of Clinton Township and Allison (23) currently of Otsego; father and mother, Maynard and Merle Knight of Otsego; father and mother-in-law, Harold and Ina Winter of Otsego; sisters and brothers, Andy and Pam Knight of Parchment, Steve and Pam DeBoer of Alamo, Bill and Marlita Walker of Otsego, Maynard and Donna Knight of Portage, Paul and Dawn Welke of Winona, MN, Roger and Cindy Commissaris of Portage, Dave and Janice Rockhoff of Kenosha, WI; 17 nieces and nephews; 4 great nieces and nephews; and many close friends. Amy was preceded in death by her sister, Arlene DeBoer, of Alamo. Visitation for friends and family will take place on Thursday, September 27th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, September 28th at the Otsego United Methodist Church, Pastor William Walker officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Mountain Home Cemetery, Otsego, with committal service led by Pastor David Rockhoff. Memorial contributions can be made in Amy’s honor to the Harry Stout Foundation.

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Gilbert E. Noble

September 21, 2007

Gilbert E. Noble of Gobles, Michigan, passed away Friday, September 21, 2007, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. Mr. Noble was born November 23, 1929, in Detroit to Earl and Margaret (Scott) Noble. Gilbert served as a Sergeant in the 101st Airborne of the United States Army and later graduated from the Lawrence Institute in 1956. For several years he was employed at Blood Brothers (Rockwell International) in Allegan and then was employed as a Journeyman Electrician for 24 years with General Motors, retiring in 1999. On August 17, 1985 in Paw Paw he married Joan M. ‘Jo’ Merchant Jones, who survives. Also surviving are a daughter and a son, Denise N. (Steve) Massey of Gobles and William E. (Debby) Noble of Allegan; 4 step-children, Lynne (Donald) Palmer of Highland, MI, Charles D. (Kelly) Bolenbaugh of Allegan, Danny Mead of Dowagiac and David Mead of Bloomingdale; 5 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren and 3 step-great-grandchildren; and a step-brother, Leonard (Irene) Carians of St. Helens, MI. The family will receive friends on Monday beginning at 10:00 A.M. at the

Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, where services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, with Rev. Daniel Serunjogi, Chaplain Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, officiating. Burial will follow at Poplar Hill Cemetery, Allegan. Contributions in memory of Gilbert may be made to Rose Arbor Hospice or the American Cancer Society.

 

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Marcel Donald D’amore

September 16, 2007

Marcel “Don” D’Amore of Allegan passed away Sunday, September 16, 2007, at his home. Don was born February 24, 1949 in Evanston, IL. He was a Vietnam Veteran, serving in the Navy. For over 35 years, Don was employed with Checker Motors Corp. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, yard work, the out-of-doors and loved playing with his grandchildren. Surviving are his wife, Susan D’Amore; 2 sons, Michael D’Amore of Elkhart, IN, Daniel (Tamara) D’Amore of Otsego; 5 grandchildren, Ashley Donlin, Jessica, Emma, Sierra and Dakota D’Amore; 2 sisters and 3 brothers, Manette (Bill) Darbe of Chattanooga, TN, Mike (Julie) Harrington of Wayland, Pat (Lisa) Harrington of Allegan, Carla (Harry) Vanlonkhuyzen of Wyoming, MI, Dave (Laura) Harrington of Allegan; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother Ruth Harrington and his step-father, William Harrington. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association.

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Pauline P. Kelly

September 9, 2007

Miss Pauline P. Kelly of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away Sunday, September 9, 2007 at Alamo Nursing Home. Mrs. Kelly was born September 10, 1912 in Horton, Kansas, to Frank and Bertha (Hiatt) Kelly. Pauline was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Kalamazoo. For 40 years she was employed with Georgia Pacific Paper Company. After retiring she enjoyed traveling the world and had walked the Mackinac Bridge every Labor Day until 1999. Surviving are many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by 4 brothers, James Frances, Charles, Clarence and Joseph Kelly; and by her sister, Evelyn Myers. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 P.M. Wednesday at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, where a Scripture Service will be held at 7:00 P.M. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Michael Hazard celebrant. Cremation will follow with burial of cremains at Mt. Olivet Cemetery at a later date.  Contributions in memory of Pauline may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church.

 

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Hurley R. Guild

September 6, 2007

Hurley R. Guild of Allegan passed away Thursday, September 6, 2007 in Allegan. Mr. Guild was born on June 6, 1925 in Belding, MI. He was a member of the Episcopal Church in Allegan. Hurley worked as a meat cutter, he worked for Delano Service and was a crossing guard for Allegan Public Schools for 15 years. He loved being a crossing guard and enjoyed the children and he enjoyed woodworking. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, the former Betty Collins; their children, David (Jo) Guild of New Jersey, Judy Nash of Belmont, Sherry Honemann of Allegan, Sandy (Dennis) Forbes of Allegan; 7 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 1 nephew in FL. Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation or service at this time.

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Wilfred V. Sandahl

September 5, 2007

Mr. Wilfrred V. Sandahl of Allegan passed away Wednesday, September 5, 2007 in Kalamazoo. Mr. Sandahl was born August 13, 1919 in WatsonTownship, the son of Andrew and Selma (Anderson) Sandahl. He loved the out-of-doors, deer hunting, bass fishing, watching football, basketball and baseball. He was a radio operator in the Navy during WWII, stationed in Alaska searching for enemy submarines. Wilfred went through Electral Journeymen’s School in Muskegon. He helped build and maintain the nuclear power plant at Palisades and was the electrical foreman, and he was an electrician for IBEW Union 131, where he got the nickname “Sandy”. On October 5, 1947 in Grand Rapids, he married the former Marian Dunfield who survives. Also surviving are 6 children; Jim (Gail) Sandahl of Allegan, Sue (Richard) Andrews of WinterHaven, FL, Charles (Trinka) Sandahl of Houston, TX, Joe Sandahl, Ed Sandahl, both of Allegan, Rich Sandahl of Grand Rapids; 8 grandchildren, Kathy, James, Todd, Julie, Sarah, Christopher, Justin and Shawn; 10 great-grandchildren; 1 sister, Hildred Sandahl of Plainwell. He was preceded in death by his parents and 3 brothers, Walter, Lawrence and Elmer. Friends may meet with the family Monday from 10:00 AM until the service time of 11:00 AM at the Winkel Funeral Home in Otsego, MI with Pastor Rodney Hill officiating. Military graveside services will he conducted by VFW Post #3030 at Sheep of Good Shepherd Lutheran Cemetery, Watson Twp.

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Loraine J. Brabon

September 3, 2007

Loraine J. Brabon of Cooper Township (formerly of Otsego) passed away Monday, September 3, 2007. Loraine was born October 31, 1924 in Grand Rapids, the daughter of Leonard and Caroline (Wiedbrauk) Baldwin. In 1940, she married Frederick H. Brabon and together they built a home west of Otsego and raised a family of five children. Loraine enjoyed travel, photography, nature, but most of all helping other people. After raising her family, Loraine returned to school to pursue a degree in nursing that would allow her to fulfill her passion for caring for others as a nurse. She worked many years at BorgessMedicalCenter and upon retirement, continued nursing homebound patients, friends and neighbors through a mission outreach program at TrowbridgeMethodistChurch. She also volunteered as a Senior Companion. Loraine was preceded in death by her parents, 4 brothers and 2 sisters, Earl Baldwin, Verna (Baldwin) Shears, Edwin Baldwin, Leota (Baldwin) Brabon-Lamont, Donald Baldwin and DeWayne Baldwin. Surviving are 2 sons and 3 daughters, Leonard (Gloria) Brabon of Kalamazoo, Carolyn Gernhart of Portage, Jeanne (Robert) Thompson of Paw Paw, Jerry (Kimberly) Brabon of North Carolina, Ann (Michael) MacCreery of Kalamazoo; 13 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandson; many nieces and nephews. Friends may meet with the family from 2-4 and 6-8 pm Wednesday at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, where services will be held Thursday at 5:00 PM, Rev. Gary Wales officiating. Private interment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, her family requests memorial gifts be made to the American Heart Association or Kalamazoo Senior Services.

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