Obituaries

Lucas Paul ‘Luke’ Pollard of Plainwell, Michigan, Luke was born onJuly 26, 1985inKalamazooto Bob and Joanne Pollard. He died from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident onJune 9, 2007. Luke is survived by his mother, Joanne Ellsworth and step-father Mike Ellsworth of Plainwell; his father Bob Pollard and step-mother Janet Pollard of Otsego; his maternal grandmother, Wilma Blanchard of Plainwell....

Earl H. Koning, of Alamo went home to be with his Lord onSaturday, June 9, 2007. He will be remembered for his favorite hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul”. Earl was bornMarch 27, 1928inKalamazooto Swier John and Dena (Yzenbaard) Koning. He was life-long resident ofKalamazooCounty. He attended Hillcrest, VineSt., Lincoln Jr. High and was a 1946 graduate ofKalamazooCentralHigh School....

Patricia A. (Seleske) Ulrich of Plainwell passed awayMonday, June 4, 2007at her home. Patricia was bornNovember 6, 1937, inDetroit. For over 30 years she was employed as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Life Care Center of Plainwell. Surviving are her daughters, Denise, Andrea and her son Huntar, and Stefanie Ulrich, all of Plainwell; her sister, Marge (Brett) Stauffer and their...

Alvin R. Mullen of Otsego, Michigan, diedSaturday, June 2, 2007, in Otsego. Mr. Mullen was bornDecember 16, 1929inGrand Rapids, the son of Cecil and Elsie (Ferguson) Mullen.Alvinretired from truck driving in 1991. His hobbies were hunting, fishing and upholstering. Surviving are his special companion of 10 years, Vivian Bowers; Vivian’s children, including Craig (Kim) Bowers, who was his fishing buddy...

Pauline D. Carr of Otsego, Michigan, diedSaturday, June 2, 2007in Plainwell. Pauline was bornFebruary 1, 1930in Plainwell, the daughter of Joseph and Josephine (Mearing) Miller and was a life resident of Otsego. She was a member of the Otsego Church of God and she loved her dogs and birds and growing flowers. OnJanuary 8, 1959in Otsego, she married Daniel Carr,...

Margaret C. Pegg, 75 years old of Otsego diedThursday, May 24, 2007inKalamazoo. Margaret was bornJanuary 1, 1932to Floyd and Mildred (McLaughlin)Clawsonin Otsego. She was a parishioner of St. Margaret’s Catholic Church. OnDecember 12, 1951she married Earl Pegg who preceded her in death in 1980. She is survived by her children, Steve (Ann) Pegg and their sons, Brian and Jason of...

Robert W. Sage, alifelong resident of Otsego, diedMay 23, 2007atSelectSpecialtyHospitalinKalamazoo, with his family at his side. He was bornJune 3, 1921, in Otsego, the son of Fay and Madellon (Burdick) Sage. OnDecember 25, 1942at theOakwoodMethodistChurchinKalamazoohe married Mary Margaret Miles. They celebrated 60 years of marriage. She preceded him in death onAugust 15, 2003. Surviving are his daughters,SharonSage of Otsego and...

Donald L. Holmes, 52 years old of Cedar Springs, MI diedMonday, May 21, 2007, inGrand Rapids. Mr. Holmes was bornNovember 18, 1954inKalamazoo, the son of Elwin L. and Helen M. (Blanchard) Holmes. Surviving are his father Elwin L. (Marilyn) Holmes of Kalamazoo; a brother, Elwin C. (Lori) Holmes of Delton; nephew, Elwin P. Holmes and niece Erika M. (Derek) Wykstra....

Kay E. Wallace, 65 years old of Plainwell diedSaturday, May 19, 2007at her home. Kay was bornApril 7, 1942in Otsego, the daughter of Robert and Bertha (Finger) Nichols. She was a 25 year member of the Otsego Women of The Moose. In 2001, Kay retired from Pharmacia after 15 years of employment. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, bowling, bingo, shopping, making...

Gary Rickli of Otsego, Michigan, diedFriday, May 11, 2007in Allegan.Garywas bornAugust 19, 1959in Plainwell to Walter and Lois (Snyder) Rickli Sr. He was a 1978 graduate ofOtsegoHigh Schooland had been employed for the past 10 years with Nieboer Heating and Air Conditioning Co. Gary enjoyed bowling, ice fishing, mushrooming, golfing and watching Tiger baseball. Surviving are Lisa Rickli; his mother...

Steven E. Johnson, 57 years old of Otsego, passed away Thursday, May 10, 2007 at his home. Steve was born October 9, 1949 in Allegan, the son of Neil and Mary (Wollenhaupt) Johnson. He was a 1971 graduate of Otsego High School. Steve was an Army Veteran of the Vietnam War and was a Life Member of VFW Post #3030....

Beulah Faye Pape, 88 years old, of Otsego died Thursday, May 10, 2007. Mrs. Pape was born February 18, 1919 in Kalamazoo to Henry and Francis (Youngblood) DeHaven and had been a lifelong resident of the area. For many years she was employed with Illinois Envelope and had also work at Schensul’s Cafeteria and KVP Sutherland Paper Company. Beulah enjoyed...

Derwood L. Laws of Otsego, Michigan, diedTuesday, May 8, 2007in Plainwell. Mr. Laws was bornJanuary 26, 1928in Otsego to Loren and Verla (Baker) Laws. From 1970 to 1983 he owned and operated Derwood’s Shoe Repair inMarshall, now run by his son, Louie; and worked delivering cars for many dealerships around Otsego. Derwood enjoyed fishing, taking long country rides, vacationing and...

Elieen Ray of Otsego, Michigan, diedMonday, May 7, 2007inKalamazoo. Mrs. Ray was bornApril 25, 1921, inDetroitto Harvey and Rose (LaDuke) Goolsby. Elieen was a 1939 graduate ofKalamazooCentralHigh School. OnJune 29, 1940inIndianashe married Ritchey Ray who survives. They were owner/operators of “The Hut” Drive-in in Otsego. Elieen also worked at Parker Hannifin retiring in 1980. She enjoyed spending time with her...

Michael “Mike” Mollitor, 52 yeard old diedMonday, April 30, 2007at his home inCooperTownship. Mike was bornJune 14, 1954in Plainwell, the son of Bob Stratton andViolet Mollitor. Mike enjoyed writing music and singing, he was an accomplished guitar player. He also enjoyed fishing, going to races and playing catch. Mike attended Plainwell Assembly of God and Friendship Wesleyan churches. OnDecember 23,...

Willis “Bill” J. Bouwman, 80 years old, of Allegan died Sunday, April 29, 2007 at his home. Mr. Bouwman was born February 13, 1927 in Saugatuck, Michigan, the son of Henry and Lucy (Thomas) Bouwman. Mr. Bouwman was a member of Dunningville Reformed Church and had a strong love for the Lord, he enjoyed woodworking and gardening. On December 13,...

Betty J. Kenyon of Plainwell, Michigan, died Monday, April 23, 2007 at her home. Mrs. Kenyon was born December 31, 1930, in Plainwell to Lyle and Gladys (Null) McKibbin and was a lifelong resident of the area. Betty was a graduate of Otsego High School. For 40 years she was employed with Plainwell Paper Co., retiring in 1992. On August...

Patricia Ann ‘Pat’ Newman of Lubbock, TX (formerly of Otsego) diedThursday, April 19, 2007at a hospice care facility inLubbock. Pat was bornMarch 1, 1936inOtsego,MIto the late Raymond and Marian (Drew) Linsley. She grew up in Otsego and worked for Parker-Hannifin in Otsego and was transferred toPortlandandLos Angeles. After 18 years Pat began working for PFS/Ameriserve and had worked there for...

Mrs. Bobbi Doris Long, Lorenzo Alexander Mayfield II and Johnathan Anthony Mayfield died Monday, April 16, 2007 in Kalamazoo. Bobbi was born January 5, 1975 in Plainwell to Wayne and Doris (Syers) Long. She enjoyed people and waitressing at Derk’s Restaurant and Subway Restaurant in Kalamazoo. Her favorite leisure activity was writing poetry. Bobbi loved her children. Surviving are her...

Selma “Sally” Pickett, 92, of Otsego died Thursday, April 12, 2007 in Plainwell. Mrs. Pickett was born March 21, 1915 in Charleston Twp. MI to Lou and Alice (Wiley) Draper. Mrs. Pickett had eight children and was active in the P.T.A., was a Girl Scout leader and had sold Avon for 13 years prior to being employed by J.C. Penney...