Obituaries
Dennis M. LaFountain
Nov 2, 2025
Dennis LaFountain passed away peacefully at his son’s home in Otsego on November 2, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born on November 23, 1959, in Plainwell and co-owned and operated Gun Lake Enterprises for over 40 years.
Outside of his professional life, Dennis had a profound passion for horse racing, particularly sulky racing, and he owned and raced numerous...
William D. Welch
Oct 31, 2025
William D. Welch, 64, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025. Bill, also lovingly known as “Fid” by family and friends, was born at home on April 11, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois, to Gail and Nancy Welch. Bill enjoyed life and he loved being outside. He loved hunting and fishing and collecting anything, “Mr. Collecto”. If he wasn’t busy with...
Donald A Steele
Oct 29, 2025
Donald "Don” Steele passed away Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at his home on Pine Lake. He was born November 6, 1936, the son of Howard and Theo (Lytle) Steele.
Don's early years were spent working on the family dairy farm. He graduated from Plainwell High School in 1954 and proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force. He furthered his...
James P. Warnez
Oct 28, 2025
James “Jim” Warnez passed away at his home in Plainwell on October 28, 2025, after an extended illness. He was born October 4, 1952, in Plainwell, the son of Emil and Mary (Cahill) Warnez,
Jim dedicated 24 years of his career to Plainwell Paper before transitioning to the Otsego Barber Shop, where he served the community until his retirement in 2018....
Ronald L. Thaxton
Oct 28, 2025
Ronald Lee Thaxton passed away Tuesday morning at his home in Otsego. Ronald, only child of Ernest (Ike) Keller Thaxton and Harriet Janette Thaxton (nee Leverich) was born on April 10, 1928 in Otsego on Helen Avenue and lived his entire life in Otsego. He married his wife and life-long sweetheart Colleen on September 11, 1948. Colleen passed away in...
James Harnish
Oct 27, 2025
James “Jim” Harnish passed away Monday, October 27, 2025, at his home in Martin surrounded by his loving family. He was born on March 11, 1941, in Detroit, the son of Irvin and Margaret (Gillan) Harnish. Jim graduated in 1959 from Manton High School in Manton, Michigan.
Throughout his life Jim worked many different jobs. He was a nurse at the...
Kenneth D. Howe
Oct 25, 2025
Kenneth D. Howe, affectionately known as Ken, was born on December 9, 1943, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Aaron and Esther (Johnson) Howe. He passed away on October 25, 2025, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.
A proud graduate of Otsego High School, class of 1962, Ken dedicated many years of his career to General Motors, where he worked until his retirement in...
Nancy C. Jones
Oct 23, 2025
Nancy C. Jones passed away on October 23, 2025, at the Rose Garden in Grandville. Born on March 30, 1945, in Temple, Texas, she was the daughter of Fred and Helen (Chumley) Crown. Nancy graduated from Rochester High School in Indiana, after which she continued her studies at Cedarville College, where she met her future husband, Rev Merlyn Jones.
They married...
Kay D. Trumbla
Oct 23, 2025
Kay passed away on October 23, 2025, at Hanson Hospice in Stevensville. Born on October 11, 1938, in Coldwater, she was the daughter of Fay and Ellen (Himes) Somerlott.
Kay dedicated a significant portion of her life to her career, having worked for Dr. Henelt in Hillsdale for many years before transitioning to Perrigo until her retirement.
In her spare time Kay...
Kenneth E. Adrianson
Oct 22, 2025
Kenneth E. Adrianson passed away unexpectedly at his home in Shelbyville on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, the day after his 65 birthday. He was born in Plainwell to George and Kathleen (Bowen) Adrianson in 1960. He graduated from Martin High School in 1979 and completed mechanics training in operating heavy equipment, which laid the foundation for a diverse and fulfilling...
Mary Ellen Wright
Oct 12, 2025
Mary Ellen Wright died unexpectedly but peacefully on Sunday, October 12, 2025, in her favorite chair at the home where she and her late husband Harold raised their family.
Born on April 17, 1944, to Donna Devers in Carson City, MI, Mary was raised by Fred and Tillie Pritz (and later her stepfather, Glenn Gamble) in Kalamazoo. She married Harold in...
Denna A. McMurray
Oct 12, 2025
Denna Adele (Sharpe) McMurray, age 93, went home to be with her Lord on Friday, October 10, 2025 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born on August 26, 1932, in Morris, Illinois. She graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1950 and the Grand Rapids Baptist Bible Institute in 1952.
Denna married Rev. Rex McMurray on August 15, 1952, and celebrated...
Vera Marie Russell
Oct 10, 2025
Vera Marie Russell, age 96, of Otsego, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2025, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, surrounded by family and loved ones.
Vera was born in Kalamazoo on May 4, 1929, to Raymond and Bernice (Dhaenes) Chadderdon. She was united in marriage to Kenneth Lee Russell on December 26, 1947, and shared 60 loving years together until...
Clarence "Clem" Reed
Oct 8, 2025
Clarence " Clem" Reed, age 80 of Shelbyville, passed away Wednesday, October 8, 2025 in Kalamazoo.
Clem was born October 30, 1944, in Plainwell, the son of Adolph and Madeline (Risner) Reed. He attended Plainwell “Schools and worked for many years for Angle Steel and Lawrence Industries.
Clem was an entrepreneur in his own way. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, ATV’s and mushroom...
Dawn K. Heisler
Oct 6, 2025
Dawn Bowen Heisler, 61, of Plainwell, passed away on October 6th at her home.
Dawn was born on December 8th in Sturgis, MI to Robert and Edna Bowen. She graduated from Mendon High School and completed her Associates in Nursing from Glen Oaks Community College. Dawn worked as a nurse and was known for always putting her patients first.
She enjoyed gardening,...
Judith A. Hill
Oct 5, 2025
Judith A. Hill passed away peacefully at her home in Martin on October 5, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on November 14, 1940, in Cook County, Illinois, she was the daughter of Raymond and Lillian (Bernier) Loveless. Judy owned and operated Judy's Hilltop Beauty Shop for 50 years, a career that she proudly enjoyed until her retirement at the...
Barbara J. Olds
Sep 30, 2025
Barb passed away Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at Holland Hospital.
She was born November 20, 1948, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Jack and Elaine (Douglas) Olds. Barb was a 1967 Delton Kellogg High School graduate. She started her working career at Beverly Manor, Dy-dee Diaper Service and Alamo Nursing Home. She spent over 20 years working at McPherson Plastics and the...
Ronald E. Hofstra
Sep 26, 2025
Ronald Edward Hofstra, age 73, passed away on September 26, 2025.
He was born July 26, 1952, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He graduated from Plainwell High School with the class of 1970. He worked at Plainwell Town & Country Grocery Store while he attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College learning the HVAC trade. He worked as a member of the Local 357 Pipe...
Marilyn E. Welcher
Sep 25, 2025
Marilyn peacefully passed away on September 25, 2025, at Kauhale in Otsego, surrounded by her family. Born on December 24, 1938, in Watson Township to Clarence and Edna (Burss) Mahieu, she lived a life dedicated to her family, education, and service.
Marilyn graduated from Martin High School in 1957 and went on to serve the Plainwell Middle School as a secretary...
William R. Stratton Jr.
Sep 25, 2025
William "Bill" Stratton Jr, born on January 20, 1959, in Anniston, Alabama, passed away on September 25, 2025, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was the beloved son of William and Mary (Willingham) Stratton.
Bill was a graduate of Otsego High School. A dedicated worker, he spent a portion of his professional life working for the City of Kalamazoo. He played...
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