Obituaries

Charles Irvin Pritchard ofAllegan,Michigan passed awayAugust 11, 2010in Allegan. Mr. Pritchard was bornMay 3, 1930in Gaylord to Isaac and Myrtle (Trowbridge) Pritchard. He had been a resident of Otsego for over 50 years. For many years he was employed as a drywall finisher. Charles enjoyed music and played lead guitar in country music bands in the area. He also enjoyed...

Betty Lou (Belden) Hurst passed awaySunday, August 8, 2010, inKalamazoo. Betty was bornNovember 27, 1939, inWellsville,Ohioto Henry and Willa (Staten) Means. For many years she was employed at the Olympia Restaurant and Truck Stop and then worked 25 years as Activity assistant at Alamo Nursing Home. Betty was a member of First Baptist Church of Otsego where she served inJuniorChurch....

Joseph Shaw McFall ofPlainwell passed awayThursday, August 5, 2010in Plainwell. Mr. McFall was born onJune 6, 1921, inBelfast,Irelandto Joseph B. and Emily E. (Tensley) McFall. He had a full life and was loved by family and friends. He immigrated toDetroitin 1923 with his parents. Joseph attended Public schools inDetroitand graduated fromCooleyHigh Schoolin 1938. He joined the war effort by joining...

Franklin G. Katje ofEvansville, Indiana passed away Monday, August 2, 2010, in Evansville, IN. Mr. Katje was born on September 10, 1945, in Plainwell to George and Margaret Marie Katje. Frank began his career in Chicago at Morton Chemical and later worked at Watervliet Paper Company. He had worked in the research and development department for Whirlpool from 1972 until...

Paula Marie Youtzy ofPlainwell, Michigan passed away August 2, 2010. Paula was born September 6, 1942 in Plainwell, Michigan to Howard and Agnes Thomas. On September 26, 1959 Paula was united in marriage to Cecil Youtzy. Paula recently retired from Perrigo Company in Allegan. Paula loved to spend time with her family. She and Cecil enjoyed traveling especially to Kentucky,...

Florence I. Lappin ofAlamoTownship passed away Saturday, July 24, 2010 in Alamo. Mrs. Lappin was born August 19, 1914 in Cheshire Township, Allegan Co. to John and Bertha (Ketchum) Black. Florence was busy on the farm, was affiliated with the Alamo Congregational Church and was devoted to her family. She was the founder of the Northwest Alamo 4-H club and...

George L. McKibbin of Alamo Township, Michigan passed away Wednesday, July 21, 2010, in Kalamazoo. Mr. McKibbin was born September 10, 1936, in Kalamazoo to Lyle and Gladys (Null) McKibbin and was a lifelong resident of the area. George served his country in the United States Navy and for many years he was employed as a painter. Survivng are a...

Carol Ann Staley of Otsego, Michigan, passed awayTuesday, July 20, 2010, at her home. Carol was bornDecember 2, 1953, in Plainwell to Paul Sr. and Maxine (Adams) Staley and was a lifelong resident of the area. She was a graduate ofMartinHigh Schooland for many years she was employed as a unit clerk withBronsonMethodistHospital. In her leisure time Carol enjoyed sewing,...

Gary D. Groen of Otsego, Michigan, passed awayMonday, July 19, 2010, at his home with his family by his side.Garywas bornAugust 18, 1944, in Plainwell, the son of Neil and Wilma (Kindal) Groen. He was a member of the USTA, the Michigan Harness Horseman’s Association and was very involved with horses his entire life. For many years he operated Gary...

Leora M. Bacon of Plainwell, Michigan, passed awayThursday, July 15, 2010, inKalamazoo. Mrs. Bacon was bornJune 17, 1933, inWatsonTownshipto Lewis and Bernice (Ritchie) Gehring and was a lifelong resident of the area. For many years she was employed as a practical psychiatric attendant. Leora was a very giving person and spent a lot of time connecting with family on the...

Heide Silvia Kingsbury ofPlainwell, Michigan passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 11, 2010 at her home. Heide was born August 19, 1971 in Heidelberg, Germany to William and Irmtraud (Heil) Kingsbury. She was a 1989 graduate of Otsego High School and served four years in the United States Army and four years in the Army Reserves. She was employed at...

Mildred A. Warning of Allegan, Michigan, passed awayWednesday, July 7, 2010, inAlamo. Mildren was bornMarch 10, 1927in Bloomingdale to Nelson and Hilda (Johnson) Taylor and was a lifelong resident of the area. For many years she was employed with Parker Hannifin Corp. in Otsego. Surviving are her children, Judy, David, Ralph, Norma and Star; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren. Friends may...

Dorothy B. Kissinger of Otsego, Michigan, passed awayThursday, July 1, 2010inKalamazoo. Mrs. Kissinger was bornNovember 16, 1917, inKalamazooTownshipto Albert and Leona (Knickerbocker) Brundage and was a lifelong resident of the area. Dorothy was a longtime active member of the First Baptist Church of Otsego and a member of the True Blue Class there. OnMay 19, 1937, at theFirstBaptistChurchshe married Ward...

Randy Lee Sargent of Kalamazoo, Michigan, was born on September 25, 1962, in Kalamazoo to Shirley (Pio) and Charles Sargent and passed away on Monday, June 28, 2010. He went peacefully with everyone that loved him by his bedside. It was horrible for his daughter Carrie, only ten, to see her wonderful dad go, but the last words that she...

On June 26, 2010, after a courageous battle with cancer Lana Ann Koester of Otsego, Michigan, was escorted by angels to dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Her kitty Goo was at her side. She was an inspiration to all who knew her. On July 26, 1955, in Kalamazoo, Lana was born to Charles and Ione (Alexander) Koester...

Michael L. Colasanti of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed awayWednesday, June 23, 2010inKalamazoo. Mike Colasanti was bornSeptember 24, 1917inGlen Cove,Long Island,New Yorkto Donato and Camella Colasanti. During WWII Michael served his country in the U.S. Army in the European Theater. For 32 years he was employed as a Class A assembler at National Waterlift. Michael enjoyed golfing and especially enjoyed spending time...

Gladys A. Brown of Allegan, Michigan, passed awayWednesday, June 23, 2010, inKalamazoo. Mrs. Brown was bornJune 30, 1924inKalamazooto George and Blanch (Baker) Ball and was a lifelong resident of the area. Together with her husband, she had owned and operated Brown Farm Equipment. In her leisure time she enjoyed reading, crocheting and above all else spending time with her family....

Roger A. Evans of Martin, Michigan, passed awayWednesday, June 23, 2010, at his home. Roger was bornFebruary 14, 1940inMilford,Indiana, to Arthur Jr. and Annabelle (Fisher) Evans at their home. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science fromPurdueUniversityand taught Vocational Agriculture and Chemistry for 1½ years atEdmoreHigh School. For 32 years he was employed by the Upjohn Co....

Chauncey ‘Rob’ Reynoldslife was taken suddenlySaturday, June 19, 2010while enjoying an afternoon ride on his motorcycle. He was born to Chauncey and Sandra (Maki) Reynolds at Kincheloe AFB,Michigan. His hobbies included riding, cooking and spending time with his friends. His first love and most prized possessions are his children Laurin, Brandan and Brooklynn Reynolds of Otsego. You could always find...

Ramon D. Thompson of Plainwell, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in Kalamazoo. Mr. Thompson was born February 16, 1934 in Metcalf, IL the son of Lex and Vera (Stark) Thompson. For over 30 years, Ramon worked for Clarage Fan Co. (later Zurn) and retired from Roots. He was a member of United Steel Workers of America, local 3265....