Obituaries

Doris Ann (Doorlag) Zanardi of Kalamazoo (formerly of Otsego) passed away Thursday, October 18, 2012 at her home. Mrs. Zanardi was born August 1, 1933 in Kalamazoo to Harm and Rena (Johnson) Doorlag.On January 14, 1950 in Kalamazoo she married Robert ‘Bob’ Zanardi Sr., who survives. Also surviving are five children, Robert (Donna) Zanardi Jr., Laraine Ann (Steve) Alexander, Louis...

Duane S. Kuiper of Otsego, Michigan passed away Wednesday, October 17, 2012 in Kalamazoo. Duane was born February 3, 1934 in Ferrysburg, Michigan to John and Grace (Ruiter) Kuiper. In 1951 he graduated from West Michigan Christian High School and in 1960 he graduated from Western Michigan University. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War. Duane and...

Dawn L. Hanson of Otsego, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, October 10, 2012. Dawn was born September 9, 1972 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Francis and Martha (Wiggins) Redson. She had worked as a home health aide for an adult foster care company. Dawn was active with the 1st Baptist Church of Plainwell, she enjoyed reading and doing word searches. On...

Barbara Anne (Ball) Ritchie, 72, wife of Clarence O. “Lars” Ritchie who would be celebrating their fourteen years of marriage this November 28th, of Zionsville, PA died Saturday, October 6, 2012 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, PA.Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, she was a daughter of the late Wilber Ronald Malcolm Ball and the late Anne A. (Sewell) Ball.Barbara was graduate...

Mr. Gail R. Tandy of Middleville (formerly of Martin) passed away Thursday, October 11, 2012, in Kentwood. Mr. Tandy was born December 7, 1937 in Plainwell, the son of C. Allen and Julia Mae (Brown) Tandy. He was a 1956 graduate of Martin High school and attended Western Michigan University. He spent most of his life on Gun Lake, where...

Robert A. ‘Bob’ Watson of Otsego, Michigan passed away unexpectedly Saturday, October 6, 2012 in Kalamazoo. Bob was born February 22, 1954 in Plainwell to Wallace ‘Wally’ and Margaret (Hughes) Watson and was a lifelong resident of the area. For over 30 years he was employed as a machine operator at Parker-Hannifin Corp. and later worked at Prairiewood Golf Course...

Phyllis J. ‘Tootie’ Guthrie of Otsego, Michigan passed away Thursday, October 4, 2012 at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo. Phyllis was born May 9, 1943 in Reynoldsville, PA, the daughter of William Clair and Kathryn (Martin) Guthrie. She had been employed at Parker Hannifin in Otsego and in Richland, retiring after more than 30 years. After her retirement, she enjoyed spending...

Chad Eric Merriam of Allegan passed away September 26, 2012 in Hopkins. Chad was born November 27, 1977 in Kalamazoo to Charles and Diane (Spohn) Merriam. For many years he was employed as a well driller. In his leisure time he enjoyed fishing, camping and playing his guitar. More than anything, Chad loved his family.Surviving are his mother and step-father,...

Marie F.VanDerMeer of Otsego passed away Saturday, September 29, 2012 in Otsego. Marie was born May 23, 1929 in Chicago to Edward and Pauline (Schumann) Anbach. In her leisure time she enjoyed reading, yard sales and flowers.Surviving are her daughters, Bonnie (David) Bloomquist and Carmen VanDerMeer both of Otsego. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Louis...

June E. Ahlberg of Kalamazoo, Michigan entered Heaven’s gates on Wednesday, September 26, 2012. Mrs. Ahlberg was born June 26, 1931, in Kalamazoo to Claus and Nellie (Lemmer) Bos. In 1949 she graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School. She had been employed with Meijer and then as a ward manager at Bronson Methodist Hospital, retiring in 1993. In her leisure...

Anna E. Grimes of Allegan passed away Saturday, September 22, 2012 in Allegan. Mrs. Grimes was born July 28, 1909 in Jonesville, MI the daughter of Wellington and Minnie (Davis) Lawrence. She graduated from Hillsdale High School in 1927 and from Bronson School of Nursing in 1931. Anna worked as a RN until she retired in 1968. In her leisure...

Anthony ‘Tony’ Meeuwse of Kalamazoo, Michigan,passed away Tuesday, September 18, 2012, at Rose Arbor Hospice. Mr. Meeuwse was born August 31, 1934 in Kalamazoo to Jacob and Marie (DeVries) Meeuwse and had lived in Gobles for 30 years before moving back to Cooper. For many years he was employed in the construction trade as a carpenter, retiring in 1991. Tony...

Ina Winter of Plainwell (formerly of Otsego) went to be with her Savior on Sunday, September 16, 2012 at home, surrounded by her family. She was born January 5, 1930 in Petersburg, Delaware, to Gustav and Martha (Schwenk) Ziebutski. Ina graduated from Caesar Rodney High School in Camden, Delaware. She attended Beacon Business College in Wilmington, where she took classes...

Emily L. Livingston of Plainwell, Michigan passed away Thursday, September 13, 2012, at Wings Home in Allegan with her family by her side. Mrs. Livingston was born July 13, 1942 in Bradley, the daughter of James C. and Jennie (Tigchelaar) Tolhurst. She loved being with her family, especially during the holidays. She was a devoted Elvis fan and enjoyed camping,...

Janie M. Doxey of Plainwell, Michigan, passed away Sunday, September 9, 2012, at her home with her family by her side. Mrs. Doxey was born October 15, 1958 in Battle Creek to John and Judith (Durr) Millsap.Janie was a devoted homemaker, loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She had been a Girl Scout leader and loved being a grandmother. In...

Patty (Votes) Bronkema of Plainwell, MI passed away Saturday, September 8, 2012 with her loving family by her side in Kalamazoo.Surviving are her loving husband of 50 years Bruce Bronkema; her children, Mike (Jodie) Bronkema, Lori (Todd) King; grandchildren, Mike Bronkema, Kori Jenkins, Jeff Bronkema, Bryce Bronkema, Christofer King; 4 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother Maxine...

Michele L. ‘Micky” VanStelle of Kalamazoo, Michigan went to be with her Lord Wednesday, August 29, 2012, in Kalamazoo. Michele was born April 3, 1944 in Kalamazoo to Norman and Barbara (Loucks) Hess. In 1964 she graduated from Portage Central High School. Micky had a special love of children and for many years operated a Day Care out of her...

Ermajean Bernice Wheeler of Otsego, MI passed away Friday, August 24, 2012 in Allegan. Mrs. Wheeler was born June 9, 1926 in Otsego, MI the daughter of Raymond and Verla (Pillars) Laws. Erma enjoyed crocheting, holidays, making excellent fudge and cooking, traveling, bingo and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She volunteered for many years at Pipp Hospital.Surviving are...

Scott W. Hanson of Paw Paw passed away Friday, August 24, 2012 in Kalamazoo.Scott was born February 25, 1958 in Kalamazoo the son of Wesley and Joyce (Kennedy) Hanson. He loved fishing and spending time with his friends, cutting wood and being in the out-of-doors.Scott is survived by his children, Zachary (Tammi) Hanson and Mallory (Tony) Moats; 2 grandchildren, Faith...

Harold ‘Butch’ Carlyle of Plainwell, Michigan surrendered to his battles with his physical wellbeing and pain by ending his life on Thursday, August 23, 2012 in Plainwell. Butch was born on August 25, 1945 in Plainwell to Harold and Ruth Carlyle. Butch was a past member and Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo and was currently faithfully worshipping...