Obituaries

Tom W. Sinkler

Tom W. Sinkler

Mar 17, 2024

Tom passed away, Sunday, March 17, 2024, at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo. 

He was born March 28, 1970, in Plainwell, the son of Kenneth and Patsey (Housel) Sinkler. Tom graduated from Plainwell High School in 1988. He worked at Denso Manufacturing in Battle Creek and was a janitor at several area businesses. 

Tom was a lifelong resident of the area and enjoyed...

Joan D. Hess

Joan D. Hess

Mar 12, 2024

Joan passed away peacefully at Alamo Nursing Home in Alamo Township, early Tuesday morning, March 12, 2024. 

She was born on March 19, 1937, to Chester and Jane Hale of Otsego, Michigan. Joan graduated from Otsego High School and Western Michigan University with a masters degree. She worked as an elementary school teacher for several years before deciding to stay at...

Nancy E Pittner

Nancy E Pittner

Mar 10, 2024

Nancy passed away, Sunday, March 10, 2024, at Lakeland Hospital, with her loving husband by her side. 

She was born in Salamanca, New York, on August 10, 1945, the daughter of Norman and Katherine (Goff) Roszel. On September 4, 1971, in Niagara, New York, she married Daniel Pittner. Together they lived in Grand Rapids and moved to Big Rapids living in...

Londa Jeanne Weaver

Londa Jeanne Weaver

Mar 8, 2024

Londa went on eagle’s wings to her heavenly home prepared by Jesus Christ, Friday, March 8, 2024. 

She was born October 24, 1944, in Kalamazoo, to Harry and Vivian (Sherwood) Peterson. Londa attended Western Michigan University and for 19 years was a teacher at Otsego Baptist Academy. 

In her free time, she enjoyed reading, taking trips on the motorcycle with her husband...

Alice Ward

Alice Ward

Mar 6, 2024

Alice passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in Otsego. 

Alice was born September 13, 1938, in Millersburg, IN the daughter of Lawrence and Ethel (McKale) Lebold. She grew up on the family farm in Millersburg. Alice enjoyed knitting, sewing and gardening and was a wonderful seamstress. 

Surviving are her children and grandchildren, and a great grandson, Braiden West. 

She was preceded in death...

Cheryl A. DeHaan

Cheryl A. DeHaan

Feb 29, 2024

Cheryl passed away, Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Bronson Commons in Mattawan. 

She was born April 3, 1956, in Muskegon, the daughter of Russell and Donna (Boes) Vanderwell. After moving to Kalamazoo, she attended and graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School in 1974. On November 7, 1975, she married Jack DeHaan. He preceded her in death on February 9, 2013.

From 2001-2020,...

Richard A. Force

Richard A. Force

Feb 28, 2024

Rick passed away, Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at Borgess Pipp Hospital in Plainwell. 

He was born February 11, 1960, in Kalamazoo, the son of Ernest and Janice (Holdridge) Force. Rick grew up in Williamston where he was active in the Boy Scouts, tennis, and basketball. He also lived in Portage before settling in Watson Township in 2014. 

He was a skilled chef...

Joyce E. Spencer

Joyce E. Spencer

Feb 26, 2024

Joyce passed away, Monday, February 26, 2024, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. 

She was born on August 21, 1932, to Donald and Mary (Powel) Thayer. Joyce graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and Western Michigan University. 

For 30 years Joyce taught 5th & 6th grade at Otsego Public Schools. She loved teaching and treasured her students during that time and the...

Nancy L. Schricker

Nancy L. Schricker

Feb 26, 2024

Nancy passed away, Monday, February 26, 2024, with her loving family by her side, at Kauhale in Otsego. 

She was born May 26, 1935, in Otsego, the daughter of Earl and Elizabeth (Gaunt) Gwilliams. For over 20 years she worked at Kal-Equip until her retirement. Nancy also worked at Pipp Hospital in the pediatric unit holding babies. 

Nancy loved the color red,...

Sheryl E. Back

Sheryl E. Back

Feb 25, 2024

Sheryl passed away, Sunday, February 25, 2024, at her home in Otsego. 

She was born August 23, 1952, in Albany, New York, the daughter of David and Veronice (Olmstead) Ott. Sheryl was an administrative assistant most recently at Bethel Baptist Church until her retirement in 2022. She enjoyed being an active member of her church and cooking. On March 20, 1970,...

Eleanor June Russell

Eleanor June Russell

Feb 24, 2024

Eleanor Russell of Allegan, MI passed away, Saturday, February 24, 2024, at her home in Allegan. She was born April 8, 1922, in Allegan, the daughter of McKinley and Madeline (Anderson) Oisten. She was a Girl Scout for two years while in grade school. She loved school and liked her teachers, she received recognition for superior penmanship. Eleanor graduated from...

James G. Johnston

James G. Johnston

Feb 24, 2024

Jim passed away, Saturday, February 24, 2024, at his home in Otsego.

He was born May 12, 1940, in Evergreen Park, Illinois, the son of Charles and Virginia (Tucker) Johnston. For many years he owned and operated a nursery and had also worked in wastewater treatment throughout the Midwest. In retirement, you could find him working at Bittersweet Ski Resort and...

Allen L Shand

Allen L Shand

Feb 22, 2024

Al passed away, Thursday, February 22, 2024, at the Wings Home in Allegan.

He was born October 11, 1936, in Kalamazoo, the son of Robert and Orell Shand. Al grew up in Oakwood and attended State High (University High) and graduated from Western Michigan University. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1959-61.

Al was a car enthusiast. He...

Richard H. Strader

Richard H. Strader

Feb 20, 2024

Richard Howard Strader, known to friends as “Dick,” passed away on February 20, 2024.  Born on the 21st of November 1940, to Lester and Lucile (Wickett) Strader, in Cincinnati, OH.  Dick's 83 years were marked by artistry, service to others, and living out his faith.

As an esteemed educator, Dick shaped young minds as an Elementary and Middle School Teacher, a...

Kyle S. Hegedus

Kyle S. Hegedus

Feb 20, 2024

Kyle was born on February 19, 1992, and became the ultimate millennial through his love for travel, music, and his knack for creating a spirit of community for those around him.  

Despite facing many challenges with his health, Kyle’s interests were wide-ranging and driven by his curiosity, zest for life, and resilient soul. He loved music, especially 90’s grunge, and...

Daren Lee Mulder

Daren Lee Mulder

Feb 20, 2024

Daren passed away, Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Kairos Dwelling Hospice Home in Kalamazoo. 

He was born June 30, 1969, in Plainwell, the son of Larry and Nancy (Meert) Mulder. Daren graduated from Otsego High School in 1987 and attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College. For over 35 years he worked in residential and commercial installation and repair of HVAC systems and...

Marilyn J. Majewski

Marilyn J. Majewski

Feb 20, 2024

Marilyn passed away, Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. 

She was born March 14, 1936, in Traverse City, the daughter of Manley and Margaret (Perkett) Tuller. Marilyn loved taking care of her home and family and after her children were grown, she went to work at Friendship Village as a housekeeper. She was a skilled artist and...

Rachel P. Richer

Rachel P. Richer

Feb 17, 2024

Rachel passed away, Saturday, February 17, 2024, in Bradenton, Florida where she has been a resident since 1999. 

She was born January 29, 1939, in Eupora, Mississippi, the daughter of Audrey and Ruth (Boatman) Baird. Rachel worked at several area businesses over the years, including Jolly Kids, Gibson Guitar, Kal-Equip, Parker Hannifin and retired from Walgreens at the age of 84. 

In...

Michael L. Ahlberg

Michael L. Ahlberg

Feb 16, 2024

Mike passed away, Friday, February 16, 2024, at Kauhale in Otsego. 



He was born December 1, 1950, in Kalamazoo, the son of Edmund and Marjorie (Tubbs) Ahlberg. Mike proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Okinawa and the Philippines during Vietnam. 



Mike attended Western Michigan University and worked in IT in Chicago until returning to Michigan for medical...

Nancy E. Counterman

Nancy E. Counterman

Feb 15, 2024

Nancy passed away, Thursday, February 15, 2024, in Grand Rapids. 



She was born December 27, 1936, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Garrison and Lucy (Stolle) Boyce. For over 30 years Nancy was a physical education teacher for Plainwell Community Schools until her retirement in 1994. Her passion for teaching extended outside of the classroom. She spent many summers teaching local children...

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