Obituaries

Robert E.L. Crim Jr. ofAllegan,Michigan died suddenlyTuesday, December 31, 2007at his home. Mr. Crim was bornAugust 30, 1930inWashington,D.C.to Edward and Virginia (Sanford) Schaefer. At the age of 8 Bob enteredFortUnionMilitaryAcademy. He later graduated fromStantonMilitaryAcademy. He then served his country as a Drill Sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Bob earned hisBBAatWesternMichiganUniversityand for over 20 years he was...

Charlene Wenckowski of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Saturday, December 29, 2007 at her home. Charlene was born March 2, 1950 in Chicago, IL the daughter of Roy and Barbara (Michienzi) Wenckowski. She attended John Orr High School in Chicago. Charlene was a member of St. Margaret’s Church and was a volunteer at St. Margaret’s School. She loved to cook and...

Constance “Connie” A. Witt ofTustin,MI(formerly of Otsego) passed awayMonday, December 24, 2007at Rose Arbor Hospice inKalamazoo. Connie was bornMay 5, 1927in Otsego, the daughter of Glen and Beulah (Morrison) Nichols. She was an LPN, employed with the Allegan County Health Department. Connie had spent the last 10 winters in Florida. She enjoyed wildlife, gardening, camping, hunting and fishing. Her passion...

Phyllis H. Willett ofVicksburgpassed awayFriday, December 21, 2007atBronsonMethodistHospitalinKalamazoo. Phyllis was bornDecember 29, 1916inOgden Park,ILnear Chicago, the daughter of Carl and Isabel (Forner) Weddon. OnDecember 23, 1939she married Herbert Willett who preceded her in death onAugust 20, 1987.Surviving Mrs. Willett are her daughter Phyllis M. Willett ofVicksburgand her siblings Margorie Will and Dr. Edward Weddon. She was preceded in death by...

Lester P. LaCourse of Martin, passed awaySunday, December 30, 2007at his home with his family by his side. Lester was born June 22, 1942 in Huron, Ohio, the son of Lawrence and Violet LaCourse. He served in theU. S.Army during the start of the Vietnam War. One of his favorite jobs when he was living inSandusky,OHwas being a milkman. He...

Alice B. Rinehart of Plainwell, Michigan, passed awayWednesday, December 19, 2007at her home. Mrs. Rinehart was bornAugust 28, 1913inDetroit,Michigan, to Joseph and Grace (Chapman) Wilson. Over a period of 70 years Alice and her husbandClydewere foster parents to over 400 children. Surviving are a son and three daughters, Jerry (Beverly) Rinehart of Cooper, Phyllis Forbes of Gobles, Joyce (Dale) Blanchard...

Geraldine ‘Jub’ Arnett of Alamo Township, passed awayThursday, December 20, 2007at her home. Geraldine was bornJune 1, 1929inSalyerville,Kentucky, the daughter of James Begale and Bertha Collingsworth. She was employed with Parker Hannifin for 8 years, retiring in 1974. Geraldine was a member of the Otsego Rebekkah Lodge and enjoyed flower gardening, caring for her lawn, playing Canasta and other card...

Ronald F. ‘Ron, Blair of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed awayTuesday, December 11, 2007. He was ready to go home to the Lord. Ron was bornJanuary 14, 1940in Plainwell to Forrest and Alice (Larson) Blair. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was stationed inGermany. For many years he was employed with James River Paper Co.,...

Alyce L. Andrus of Alamo Township passed awayMonday, December 3, 2007. Alyce was bornJuly 3, 1922, in Otsego to Lester and Alegra (Marron) Beeman and had been a lifelong resident of the area. She was married to Albert Andrus onDecember 8, 1947. From 1978 until her retirement in 1992, she was the secretary for the executive director of Kalamazoo Area...

Bonnie Jane Redder of Otsego, Michigan, went home to glory onSaturday, December 1, 2007. Mrs. Redder was bornNovember 20, 1945inGrand Rapidsto Lewis and Lucy (Skyver) Dexter. OnSeptember 14, 1965at theWaylandCalvaryChurchshe was married to Alvern ‘Al’ Redder, who survives. Bonnie was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, crocheting, flower gardening and hummingbirds. Also surviving...

Andrew Robert Novotny, infant son of Phillip Novotny and Britney Raab, passed awayWednesday, November 28, 2007in Plainwell. Andrew was bornOctober 21, 2007in Allegan. In addition to his parents, survivors include grandparents, Jeff and Jenni Novotny, Teresa Johnson and Tom and Jerri Raab; great grandparents, Phillip and Carol Stearns, Martha Novotny, Rex and Phyllis Johnson, Charlotte Raab; great great grandmothers, Dorothy...

Mary E. Davis of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed awayMonday, November 26, 2007in Plainwell. Mary was bornJanuary 28, 1926inCascoTownship,AlleganCountyto Clyo and Ruth (St. John) Tromp. She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, making ceramics, candy and pies. She loved being with her grandchildren. For over 25 years, she was employed withKalamazooCatering and Vending. Surviving are 2 sons and 2 daughters, Dennis Kleinbrink of Plainwell, Sandy...

Virginia Drillich of Otsego passed awayFriday, November 23, 2007at her home surrounded by family. She lived in Otsego with her daughter Susanne and her husband William and their children, Ali & Lily. Mrs. Drillich was bornDecember 31, 1927inYonkers,New Yorkto Theodore and Emma (Metz) Wicht. For many years she was employed as a bookkeeper.Virginia’s favorite activities were reading, collecting angels, and...

Kelly N. Washburn of Otsego diedThursday, November 22, 2007together with her fiancé Nathan Elledge after a fire at their home. Kelly was bornMay 21, 1977inKalamazoo. Surviving are her parents, Larry and Janice Johnson of Otsego; 6 children, Brittany and Tyler Moskalik, Wyatt, Alex, Katelyne and Kaylee Leitch; 2 sisters and 1 brother, Tammy Kaufman, Christen Julien and Darwin Johnson; several...

Winnie Mae Truax of Paw Paw (formerly of Otsego) went to be with her LordSunday, November 18, 2007, inKalamazoo. Mrs. Truax was bornSeptember 30, 1921inKalamazooto Orlo “Dick” and Nellie May (Ranney)Mentorand was a lifelong resident of the area. Winnie was one of the first female electrical contractors and was owner and operator of Mall City Electric. She had been active...

Betty Lou Laws of Otsego, Michigan, passed awaySaturday, November 17, 2007at the Alamo Nursing Home. Betty was bornOctober 27, 1931in Otsego. Betty was a wonderful person, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. For 8 years she was a nurse at Pipp Hospital in Plainwell, then worked over 15 years at Parker-Hannifin in Otsego, retiring in 1991. She was very artistic and...

Ilah Ann Sturgis, infant daughter of Jessi and Joe Sturgis of Otsego, Michigan, passed awayTuesday, November 13, 2007inGrand Rapids. She was bornOctober 23, 2007. Surviving besides her parents are her twin brother, Riley Joseph and her sister, Chloe; grandparents, Ken and Lindy Holmes of Otsego and Marcia and Terry Sturgis of Martin; great-grandparents, Mable Holmes of Otsego and Ila and...

Rose Ada Stephens of Plainwell, Michigan, diedNovember 9, 2007. Rose was bornFebruary 19, 1924. Surviving is one sister, Patricia (Lenard) Kling of Otsego; several nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place and a private memorial service will be held.Offer Condolence for the family of Rose Ada StephensLeave a CondolenceCancel replyPlease share your message of condolence with the family, It will...

Kevin W. R. C. “R.C.” “Doogie” Brainard of Otsego, Michigan diedSunday, November 4, 2007. Kevin was bornJune 26, 1976inKalamazooto Roger and Gloria (Chase) Brainard. Kevin was a graduate of theK.V.C.C.PoliceAcademyand had been employed with the Otsego Police Dept. for 1 year and then with the Plainwell Public Safety Dept. for 7 years. For 13 years he was a member of...

Richard L. ‘Rick’ Merrill, Jr. of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home,November 2, 2007, surrounded by a family that loved and adored him. Rick was bornJuly 31, 1948inKalamazooto Richard Sr. and Bernice (Kavanaugh) Merrill. He was a 1966 graduate ofOtsegoHigh School, then attendedOaklandCommunity CollegeandWayneStateUniversity. He was a plank owner on the USS John F. Kennedy Aircraft Carrier during theVietnamera....