Andrew Robert Novotny

November 28, 2007

Andrew Robert Novotny, infant son of Phillip Novotny and Britney Raab, passed away Wednesday, November 28, 2007 in Plainwell. Andrew was born October 21, 2007 in Allegan. In addition to his parents, survivors include grandparents, Jeff and Jenni Novotny, Teresa Johnson and Tom and Jerri Raab; great grandparents, Phillip and Carol Stearns, Martha Novotny, Rex and Phyllis Johnson, Charlotte Raab; great great grandmothers, Dorothy Girke and Mildred Novotny; aunts Alecia Novotny, Kaycee and Nikole Raab, and uncle Zachery Garlock; many great aunts and uncles. Andrew was preceded in death by his great-grandmother, Beverly Johnson and his great grandfathers, Robert Novotny and Aubrey Raab.  Friends may meet with the family on Friday from 5 to 8 P.M. at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, where a funeral service will be held Saturday at 11 A.M., Youth Pastor James Davis officiating. Burial will follow at Mountain Home Cemetery, Otsego. Memorial gifts can be made to the March of Dimes.

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Mary E. Davis

November 26, 2007

Mary E. Davis of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away Monday, November 26, 2007 in Plainwell. Mary was born January 28, 1926 in Casco Township, Allegan County to Clyo and Ruth (St. John) Tromp. She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, making ceramics, candy and pies. She loved being with her grandchildren. For over 25 years, she was employed with Kalamazoo Catering and Vending. Surviving are 2 sons and 2 daughters, Dennis Kleinbrink of Plainwell, Sandy (Robert) Baker of Plainwell, Gwen Kleinbrink of Decatur, Terry (Sherry) Kleinbrink of Plainwell; a daughter-in-law, Gayle Davis of Port Huron; 14 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; 1 sister, Marguerite Nichols of Holland; several nieces and nephews including a special nephew, Richard ‘Dick’ Case of  S. Dakota. She was preceded in death by a brother, Lyle Tromp, and a sister, Helen Case. Cremation has taken place. In loving memory of Mary, friends may meet with the family at Aries Café, 127 E. Bridge St., Plainwell on Monday from 5-7 P.M. Donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association.

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Virginia L. Drillich

November 23, 2007

Virginia  Drillich of Otsego passed away Friday, November 23, 2007 at her home surrounded by family. She lived in Otsego with her daughter Susanne and her husband William and their children, Ali & Lily. Mrs. Drillich was born December 31, 1927 in Yonkers, New York to Theodore and Emma (Metz) Wicht. For many years she was employed as a bookkeeper. Virginia’s favorite activities were reading, collecting angels, and gardening. She loved working with her roses. Surviving are two daughters, Georgieanne (Dennis) Smith of New York and Susanne (William) Koehl of Otsego; eight grandchildren, Stacie, Michael (Lisa), Patrick (Keri), Kevin, James (Kristen), Theodore, Alexis and Liliana; four great-grandsons, Odin, Matthew, Andrew and Patrick, Jr. Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Drillich in 1972; and her brothers, William Wicht in 1949 and Theodore Wicht in 1998. The family received friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. Sunday at the Winkel Funeral Home where a Scripture Service was held at 7 P.M. A Mass of Christian burial was held Monday, November 26, 2007 at 10:30 A.M.  at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Donald P. Klingler officiated. Contributions in memory of Virginia may be made to the American Cancer Society or Wings of Hope Hospice.

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Kelly N. Washburn

November 22, 2007

Kelly N. Washburn of Otsego died Thursday, November 22, 2007 together with her fiancé Nathan Elledge after a fire at their home. Kelly was born May 21, 1977 in Kalamazoo. Surviving are her parents, Larry and Janice Johnson of Otsego; 6 children, Brittany and Tyler Moskalik, Wyatt, Alex, Katelyne and Kaylee Leitch; 2 sisters and 1 brother, Tammy Kaufman, Christen Julien and Darwin Johnson; several nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place. Friends may meet with the family from 10 to 11 A.M. Friday at the Otsego First Congregational Church, where a memorial service will be held at 11 A.M., Pastor Don Ray officiating. For friends in the Vicksburg area, a memorial service will be held at 3 P.M. Friday at the First Assembly of God in Vicksburg, Pastor Wilson Dye officiating. Burial will be at 4:30 P.M. at VicksburgCemetery, West W. Avenue. Donations can be made through the First Community Federal Credit Union for Kelly Washburn’s funeral expenses and then for savings bonds for her children. Arrangements by the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego.
 

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Winnie M. Truax

November 18, 2007

Winnie Mae Truax of Paw Paw (formerly of Otsego) went to be with her Lord Sunday, November 18, 2007, in Kalamazoo. Mrs. Truax was born September 30, 1921 in Kalamazoo to Orlo “Dick” and Nellie May (Ranney) Mentor and was a lifelong resident of the area. Winnie was one of the first female electrical contractors and was owner and operator of Mall City Electric. She had been active in the Girl Scouts, Little League, Babe Ruth League, church activities, electrical union IEBW Local #131 and enjoyed crocheting, reading, gardening and Bible study. On January 25, 1940 in Kalamazoo she was married to Andrew Truax, who died in 2003. Also preceding her in death were her parents; brothers, Floyd, Raymond and Bill Cobb; and a son-in-law, David Lee Wolthuis. Surviving are her children, Andrea (Herb) Heighton of Paw Paw, Sally Wolthuis of Cooper Township, Sindie Peacock of Otsego, Larry (Judy) Truax of Lake City, FL and Andy Truax, Jr. of Grand Rapids; 16 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; sisters, Theresa Beckman and Estella Durkee; sisters-in-law, Eva Curran, Barb Mentor, Dorothy Hartcell; many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 AM Friday at the Winkel Funeral Home in Otsego where services will be held at 12:00 noon, Pastor Jason Valentin and Larry Truax officiating. Burial will follow at Trowbridge Methodist Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Winnie may be made to Southern Care Hospice or the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission.

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Betty Lou Laws

November 17, 2007

Betty Lou Laws of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Saturday, November 17, 2007 at the Alamo Nursing Home. Betty was born October 27, 1931 in Otsego. Betty was a wonderful person, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. For 8 years she was a nurse at Pipp Hospital in Plainwell, then worked over 15 years at Parker-Hannifin in Otsego, retiring in 1991. She was very artistic and was always painting, wallpapering or sewing. Betty liked shopping, fishing, camping and sitting on the porch to watch birds. After she couldn’t make it to bingo anymore, she enjoyed playing the scratch-off instant bingo.  Surviving are her children, Steve (Sally) Laws of Otsego, Lewis (Mary) Laws of Marshall and Bonnie (Brian) McDonald of Allegan; 7 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; 4 sisters; 2 brothers; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, 4 sisters and 2 brothers-in-law. The family will receive friends from 12 noon to 1:00 P.M. Monday at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, where services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Contributions in memory of Betty may be made to the American Lung Association.

 

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Ilah Ann Sturgis

November 13, 2007

Ilah Ann Sturgis, infant daughter of Jessi and Joe Sturgis of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Tuesday, November 13, 2007 in Grand Rapids. She was born October 23, 2007. Surviving besides her parents are her twin brother, Riley Joseph and her sister, Chloe; grandparents, Ken and Lindy Holmes of Otsego and Marcia and Terry Sturgis of Martin; great-grandparents, Mable Holmes of Otsego and Ila and Ferris Moored of Martin; aunts and uncles, Jami Holmes, Justin Holmes, Jarrod (Nikki) Sturgis and Jill (James) Harris; several great aunts, uncles and cousin. A graveside service at Mountain Home Cemetery, Otsego, will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, Rev. Lee Zachman officiating.

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Rose Ada Stephens

November 9, 2007

Rose Ada Stephens of Plainwell, Michigan, died November 9, 2007. Rose was born February 19, 1924. Surviving is one sister, Patricia (Lenard) Kling of Otsego; several nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place and a private memorial service will be held.

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Kevin W.R.C. Brainard

November 4, 2007

Kevin W. R. C. “R.C.” “Doogie” Brainard of Otsego, Michigan died Sunday, November 4, 2007. Kevin was born June 26, 1976 in Kalamazoo to Roger and Gloria (Chase) Brainard. Kevin was a graduate of the K.V.C.C. Police Academy and had been employed with the Otsego Police Dept. for 1 year and then with the Plainwell Public Safety Dept. for 7 years. For 13 years he was a member of the Otsego Volunteer Fire Department, and was currently serving as secretary. He was the assistant coach of the Otsego Women’s Varsity Soccer team, enjoyed camping, bowling, golf, Moto-Cross, fantasy football, NASCAR and had been a lifelong soccer player. On September 16, 2006 in Plainwell he married Pam Aukerman. Surviving are his daughter, Kayla; his step-son, Kyle Aukerman; his parents; his sister, Kim (John) Wheeler; nieces and nephews, Jodi, Danielle, Adamm, Chase & Chelsea; several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles and Doris Chase, and Wilbur and Rose Carrier. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M. Wednesday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. Thursday at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, where services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, Rev. Mark Minegar officiating. Burial will follow at Mountain Home Cemetery, Otsego. Contributions in memory of Kevin may be made to the Otsego Varsity Women’s Soccer Team or the Otsego Fire Department Rescue Unit Fund.

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Richard L. Merrill, Jr.

November 2, 2007

Richard L. ‘Rick’ Merrill, Jr. of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home, November 2, 2007, surrounded by a family that loved and adored him. Rick was born July 31, 1948 in Kalamazoo to Richard Sr. and Bernice (Kavanaugh) Merrill. He was a 1966 graduate of Otsego High School, then attended Oakland Community College and Wayne State University. He was a plank owner on the USS John F. Kennedy Aircraft Carrier during the Vietnam era. He was employed with McDonald’s in Southwest Michigan providing facilities maintenance for 31 locations. Rick was a member of Northwest Oshtemo Methodist Church. He enjoyed fishing, loved his family and being with them, and could/would fix anything for anyone. Rick especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren, nieces and nephews participate in sports, band, choir, plays; anything a family member was involved in, he would travel many miles to watch them. He spent many holidays with his immediate family of 93 members. The last Saturday of every month was spent with his siblings and their spouses playing games and enjoying a great meal prepared by the host sibling. Rick lived his life serving Christ. On August 28, 1982 he married Linda Price, who survives. Also surviving are his sons, Richard III (Michelle), Thomas, Matthew (Matt), Michael (Amy) and Harry; his daughters, Cheryl (Norm) Croff and Karie (Gary) Hilton; his brother, Timothy (Sharon); his sisters, Joy (Gary) Chase, Sally (Dan) Perrin, Cheryl (Rick) VanderVeen, Jeanne (Kevin) Lewis and Tammy (Bob) Bailey; a half-sister, Janice (Bill) Roberts; sister-in-law Nyla Merrill (her finance Paul Ullrey); a brother-in-law, Grant (Tenya) Price; 14 grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Patrick and his half-sister, Sharon Murphy. Cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. Sunday at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday at the United Methodist Church of Otsego with Pastor Bill Walker officiating. A private family burial will be at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Contributions in Rick’s memory may be made to the Ronald McDonald House. “He was never sick, he had an accident with cancer.” “GONE FISHIN…!”

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