Obituaries

Joyce E. Earle

Joyce E. Earle

Apr 12, 2026

Joyce Elaine Earle was born on March 27, 1932, in Prairieville Township, the daughter of Earl and Coral Anson (Teerpenning). She passed away at home on April 12, 2026, while under the care of Heartland Hospice, Portage, Michigan. 

She graduated from Plainwell High School in 1949. Joyce met Kenneth Earle at PHS, and they married after she attended Western Michigan University...

Dallas W. Fischer

Dallas W. Fischer

Apr 12, 2026

Dallas William Fischer was born on September 13, 1947, and passed away on April 12, 2026, after several years of battling health issues. He died peacefully, surrounded by family who loved him dearly.

Dallas was a proud Vietnam War veteran and a Purple Heart recipient, a testament to his courage and service to his country.

He is survived by his beloved wife,...

Karen Sue Forbes

Karen Sue Forbes

Apr 11, 2026

Karen Sue Forbes, a cherished soul whose life was woven with love and devotion, passed away peacefully at her home in Kalamazoo on April 11, 2026, with her daughters by her side. Born on August 13, 1959, in Allegan, Michigan, Karen’s journey was marked by her steadfast dedication to family and the simple pleasures of life.

Karen’s strong spirit shone brightest...

Kathleen A. Fuss

Kathleen A. Fuss

Apr 9, 2026

Kathleen Ann Fuss passed away on April 9, 2026, at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo.

Kathi was born to F. Leighton and Margaret (Vande Vord) Dobbin, on October 15, 1941, in Kalamazoo. In 1959, Kathi graduated from Otsego High School. Kathi married Larry Fuss, the love of her life, on May 29, 1965, at St. Margaret Catholic Church in Otsego. Larry preceded...

Maxine E. Edwards

Maxine E. Edwards

Apr 8, 2026

Maxine E. Edwards  passed away peacefully on April 8, 2026, at her home in Kalamazoo. Born on September 12, 1951, in South Haven, Michigan, Maxine's life was marked by her warmth, social nature, and deep commitment to those she loved.

 Maxine exhibited a passion for learning and caring for others, which led her to attend Kellogg Community College, where she earned...

Colleen "June" J. Fullerton

Colleen "June" J. Fullerton

Apr 6, 2026

June Fullerton passed away peacefully at her home, at the age of 98, on April 6, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones. The daughter of Ray and Kizzie (Walker) Tharp, June was born on June 21, 1927, in Washington, Indiana.

In 1946, she married her husband, Gene, who passed away in 2009. Together they raised two daughters.

June spent most of her...

Paul Patrick

Paul Patrick

Apr 5, 2026

Paul Patrick, age 75 of Plainwell, passed away Sunday, April 5, 2026, at his home. Paul was born on April 23, 1950, in Plainwell, MI, the son of Homer and Zelma (Kinnard) Patrick. He was lovingly referred to as the 7th son, of the 7th son, by his mother.

A graduate of Martin Schools, he often joked he was going to...

Imogene S. LaFountain

Imogene S. LaFountain

Apr 4, 2026

Imogene S. LaFountain, of Otsego, passed away on April 4, 2026. The daughter of John and Mary (Frazier) Girton, she was born March 29, 1938, in Winimac, Indiana. Imogene graduated from Martin High School in 1956. On March 20, 1965, Imogene married Leo LaFountain in Allegan County.

Imogene spent many years working in retail, most notably at Meijer, as a greeter...

Martin S. Lovely

Martin S. Lovely

Apr 2, 2026

Martin S. Lovely passed away peacefully on April 2, 2026, at his home in Kalamazoo. Born on October 29, 1950, Martin was the son of Paul and Vera (Whitney) Lovely.

A lifelong resident of Kalamazoo, Martin graduated from Parchment High School in 1968 and continued his studies at Western Michigan University. For several years, he operated a produce market in Kalamazoo...

Steven H. Norton

Steven H. Norton

Apr 1, 2026

Steven H. Norton passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Ely Manor in Allegan.

He was born August 27, 1952, in Plainwell, the son of Howard and Gladys (Doty) Norton. He attended Allegan County Development Center and worked as a dishwasher at Hinkle’s bakery until 2005. 

Steven had a wonderful sense of humor and loved doing impressions. He liked going on short...

Lorri L. Beauchamp

Lorri L. Beauchamp

Mar 29, 2026

Lorri L. Beauchamp passed away peacefully on March 29, 2026, at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo. Born on January 10, 1975, in Kalamazoo, Lorri was the beloved daughter of Mark Brandli and Barbara Waits.

Throughout her life, Lorri demonstrated a deep commitment to the healing arts and the well-being of others. Her career as an acupuncturist and reproductive specialist reflected her profound...

Mary S. Miller

Mary S. Miller

Mar 28, 2026

Mary S. Miller passed away peacefully on March 28, 2026, at Beacon Health in Kalamazoo. Born on March 12, 1964, in Plainwell, Mary was the cherished daughter of the late Louis and Emily (Ballay) Kubin.

Mary graduated from Otsego High School in 1982. She embarked on her professional career at Alamo Nursing Home, demonstrating early on her commitment to serving others....

Mary J. Riley

Mary J. Riley

Mar 28, 2026

Mary J. Riley, a devoted mother and loving wife, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2026, at Intersect Healthcare in Greenville. Born on October 13, 1956, in Allegan, she was the daughter of Carl and Jean (Oisten) VanNess.

Mary graduated from Otsego High School in 1975 before beginning her career at Barker & Sons. It was there she met her first...

Conrad A. Markle

Conrad A. Markle

Mar 24, 2026

Conrad “Sonny” A. Markle, a devoted family man, passed away on March 24, 2026. Born on July 5, 1941, he was the son of James and Dorothy (Kimble) Markle. Conrad’s life was marked by dedication and a commitment to both his work and his loved ones.

A 1961 graduate of Otsego High School, Conrad began his love of sports playing high...

Tamara "Tammy" S. Hoppe

Tamara "Tammy" S. Hoppe

Mar 19, 2026

Tamara "Tammy" S. Hoppe passed away peacefully on March 19, 2026. Born on January 7, 1960, in Kansas, Tammy was the daughter of Jim and Sue (Van Blarcom) Horrocks. 

Throughout her career, Tammy served as a registered nurse at Bronson Hospital. Her commitment to helping others extended beyond the walls of the hospital. She was an active member of the Otsego...

Danny L. Little

Danny L. Little

Mar 18, 2026

Danny Little, age 76, of Plainwell, passed away at his daughter’s home on March 18, 2026, after a brief battle with esophageal cancer.

Born in Martin, Kentucky, on August 22, 1949, Danny was the youngest of Adam and Marie (Salisbury) Little’s six children. The family eventually traded the Kentucky hills for Michigan in 1954, where Dan would grow up and graduate...

Arlene P. Magierka

Arlene P. Magierka

Mar 17, 2026

Arlene P. Magierka, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and devoted member of her community, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2026, at Beacon Hospital in Kalamazoo. Born on November 26, 1948, in Kalamazoo, she was the cherished daughter Arlon and Dorothy (Shattuck) Gren.

A proud graduate of Otsego High School in 1966, Arlene dedicated much of her life to the care...

Charles D. Elkins

Charles D. Elkins

Mar 14, 2026

Charles Douglas Elkins, lovingly known as Doug, passed away peacefully, Saturday, March 14, 2026, at his home in Otsego, surrounded by his family. 

He was born in Charleston, West Virigina, on July 10, 1939, the son of Russell and Bertha (Anderson) Elkins. Doug worked as a crane operator installing metal power towers and did concrete fabrication. There wasn’t a piece of...

Bruce D. Culver

Bruce D. Culver

Mar 9, 2026

Bruce D. Culver passed away peacefully on March 9, 2026, in Kalamazoo. 

He was born on October 20, 1931, in Martin, the son of Burt and Theresa (Fox) Culver. Bruce was a lifelong resident of the area and owned and operated his family farm for his entire life. He also spent 30 years as a commissioner for Allegan County Road Commission...

Donald R. Spencer

Donald R. Spencer

Mar 7, 2026

Donald Robert Spencer of Grand Rapids passed away Saturday, March 7, 2026, after a two-decade long bout with several illnesses. 

He was born June 18, 1957, in Kalamazoo, the son of William and Joyce (Thayer) Spencer. Don graduated from Otsego High School in 1975 and earned his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University. He went on to spend an award-winning career...