Obituaries

Sandra Lee Crawford, 79 of Otsego, MI, passed away Monday, February 13, 2023 at her home in Otsego.Sandra was born September 10, 1943 in Kalamazoo the daughter of Leroy and Alta (Hambright) Cushing. She was active with her husband with their business Otsego Glass. In her leisure time she loved listening to Elvis, square dancing, line dancing and water skiing.Sandra...

Onalee Jean Austin (Baese) 93, passed away peacefully on February 9th, 2023.Onalee was born on August 6, 1929 in Elsie Michigan to Onas and Thelma (Doten) Baese. She was lucky number 5 out of 12 siblings, some in the area might know of the famous Baese family. Onalee loved her siblings deeply and even help raise some of the younger...

Mary E. Van Atter of Martin, MI passed away Saturday, February 4, 2023, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born December 9, 1943 in Plainwell, the daughter of Herman and Frances (Beers) Bradshaw. Mary was an Otsego High School graduate and attended Athens College in Alabama. In her free time Mary enjoyed sewing, playing the piano and organ and...

Doris passed away, Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.She was born October 23, 1928 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of John and Anna (Cleaver) Crose. Doris worked at Parker Hannifin for 20 years and after retirement worked part time at Zayers, Kmart and Safari Circuits.Doris loved hockey and for over 40 years was a season ticket holder...

Joyce passed away Sunday, January 29, 2023 in Kalamazoo.She was born August 15, 1938 in Quincy, Massachusetts, the daughter of Vincent and Helen (Daly) O’Neill. Joyce graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Weymouth, Massachusetts and from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in Communications.Joyce loved her career as a flight attendant, she flew all over the world and was...

Howard passed away, Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.He was born September 15, 1955 in Kalamazoo, the son of Howard Sr. and Marian (Mastin) Willis. Howard proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy. For over 30 years he worked at General Motors until his retirement 20 years ago.In his free time Howard was a professional...

Jon Paul passed away Sunday, January 22, 2023 in Holland.He was born June 29, 1970 in L’Anse, Michigan, the son of Lucia “Peach” Dowler. Jon proudly served his country in the U.S Navy. After his honorable discharge, he worked at Hayworth for 13 years, Amrep in Marietta, GA, JVC Disc of America in Kennesaw, GA; the Norfolk Virginia Sheriff’s Department,...

Tom passed away, Saturday, January 14, 2023 at his home in Plainwell.He was born April 16, 1960 in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of James and Carol (Sorlie) Forcier. Tom worked as a welder for Bradford White. In his free time he enjoyed golfing, camping, socializing, flying and coaching football. He was a member and past Exalted Ruler of the...

Shirley passed away peacefully on January 14, 2023 at the Wings Home in Allegan surrounded by her family and friends.She was born August 3, 1933 in Pine Grove Township to Charles and Hazel (McKee) Pickard. In November of 1950 she married Carl Brainard, who preceded her in death, they celebrated 50 years of marriage.Shirley worked for over 30 years at...

Gerry Sass of Richland passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 in Richland.Gerry was born October 10, 1944 in Lawton, MI to Robert and Donna (Willmarth) Goodrich. She enjoyed entertaining, traveling, cooking, shopping, decorating, going on cruises, tanning and dancing. On August 10, 1991 in Kalamazoo she married Edward Sass III who survives.Also surviving are her children, Kim (Paul) Bloss of...

Bette Maneke of Portage, (formerly of Allegan) went to be with the Lord Friday, January 13, 2023 with her family by her side. Bette was born December 18, 1935 in Kalamazoo the daughter of Roy and Viola (Truax) Chamberlain.Bette had worked at RS Electronics, Otsego and Jirgens Modern Tools from where she retired. Bette was a longtime active member of...

Larry passed away, Monday, January 9, 2023 at his home in Otsego, surrounded by his loved ones.He was born January 19, 1961 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the son of Lawrence and Marjorie (Bryan) Holyoke. Larry spent his younger years in Florida and worked as a heavy equipment operator for the Hillsboro County Road Commission until his retirement in 2001....

Sylvia Jeanne Smith formerly of Comstock, passed away, Sunday, January 8, 2023, at Kauhale in Otsego.She was born April 3, 1937 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of Clayton and Audrey (Wilson) Wheeler. Jeanne earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Master’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Cincinnati and worked in Human Resources for many different companies over the...

Harry passed away, Sunday, January 8, 2023 at American House in Jenison.He was born July 17, 1931 in Metcalf, Illinois, the son of Lex and Vera (Stark) Thompson. Harry owned and operated Thompson Electric and was co-owner of Professional Code Inspections. As a young man Harry enjoyed car racing and spending time at the Kalamazoo Speedway.He also liked hunting, watching...

Janet passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at her home in Otsego.She was born February 2, 1935 in Marshall, the daughter of Clifton and Geraldine (Hildebrandt) Snyder. Janet was a 1953 Otsego High School graduate and lifelong resident of the area. For many years Janet was a clerk for the City of Otsego until her retirement in 1997. In her...

Terry passed away, Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.She was born August 14, 1945 to Willard and Rose (Dawson) Harper and was raised by Elva and George Mowat. For many years Terry worked at Parker Hannifin until her retirement. Terry was an animal lover, especially dogs and had rescued many animals over the years. She also enjoyed...

Gloria G. Lane, formerly of Allegan, passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2023 in Otsego.Gloria was a resident at Kauhale in Otsego where she was lovingly cared for and had resided since 2021. She was born April 1, 1929 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Robert and Evelyn (Gilman) Hafer. Gloria married Monte H. Lane on August 26, 1952 and they...

Tribute, with Love, to my Precious Wife,Tirzah Ann Blackman, on the Painful Transition from Grief to GratitudeDearest Precious Tirzah, Erda-Lou, Natasha, Buttercup, Bootsie, Best Friend, Loving Wife,Our relationship started at a ballet barre and grew into a beautiful marriage of more than 35 years.  I remember your effervescent smile during class as we clowned around, and that very high-spirited feeling...

Carl Kling of Otsego passed away Sunday, December 25, 2022 at his home.Carl was born December 25, 1945 in Otsego to Carl and Irma (Rowe) Kling. He was a 1964 Otsego High School graduate. Carl proudly served in his country in the Navy during the Vietnam War. After serving his country he worked for Gibson Guitar until it closed then...

Ed passed away Thursday, December 29, 2022 in Allegan.He was born July 13, 1931 in Kalamazoo, the son of Theodore and Mildred (Williamson) Hill. Ed proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. For almost 43 years Ed worked for James River until his retirement in 1993. In his free time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking,...