Obituaries

Jack passed away Monday, August 21st, 2023, in Kalamazoo.He was born January 7th, 1959, in Kalamazoo, the son of George and Frances (Hinds) Hawley. Jack graduated from Comstock High School in 1977. He proudly served his country in the U.S Navy on the SS Duluth while stationed in San Diego, CA. Upon discharge Jack returned to Kalamazoo and worked at...

Nancy passed away unexpectedly, Saturday, August 19, 2023, from injuries sustained in a car accident along with her brother, Gene.She was born July 16, 1939 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Charles and Florence (DeLong) Hale. Nancy worked for Gibson Guitar for 15 years and Stryker for 25 years until her retirement in 2003. Nancy loved spending time with her grandchildren...

May passed away, Sunday, August 20, 2023 in Kalamazoo.She was born October 11, 1924 in Timmersdala, Sweden, the daughter of Walfrid and Signhild (Swanson) Johnson and immigrated to the U.S. with her family as an infant. During WWII May worked as a nurse’s aide. She went on to work for Wyoming Public Schools retiring in 1986.May had a giving heart,...

Brenda Bumgart-Spitzer Plainwell passed away, Monday, August 14, 2023 in Kalamazoo. Brenda was born February 13, 1950 in Moulton, AL, the daughter of Ralph and Hazel (Terry ) Bumgart.She moved to Michigan as a young child and graduated from Otsego High School. Brenda loved to shop!Surviving are her daughter, Melissa Russell and her grandchildren, Brittni Tucker and Blake Russell; her...

Edna passed away, Thursday, August 10, 2023 at Plainwell Pines.She was born February 16, 1934 in Kalamazoo the daughter of Harley and Ola (Buckmaster) Saxton. Edna enjoyed being active and liked walking, canoeing, hiking, gardening, working in her flower beds and spending time in the woods with her husband.She loved taking care of her family and was a self-taught cook...

Ron passed away, Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at his home in Allegan.He was born March 28, 1935 in Plainwell the son of Fred and Florence (Bailey) Buzzell. Ron proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy. For several years he worked at Mac Sim Bar and Rockwell International until his retirement. He went on to work at Parker Hannifin for...

Connor passed away, unexpectedly, Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at his home in Otsego.He was born November 14, 2000 in Kalamazoo, the son of Thomas and Jessica (Dingman) Blanchard. Connor worked in construction doing drywall. He loved music especially the Red Hot Chili Peppers and enjoyed playing the bass.Connor had a heart of gold and was a hopeless romantic. He loved...

Brian passed away Monday, August 7, 2023 at his home in Kalamazoo.He was born January 23, 1947 in Geneseo, Illinois, the son of Russell and Shirley (Clarey) Johnson. He attended the University of Virginia, George Washington University, the University of Illinois and Western Michigan University and received several Masters Degrees.Brian worked as a mechanical engineer for Consumers Energy, as a...

Jeff passed away, Sunday, August 6, 2023 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.He was born February 16, 1963 in Kalamazoo to John and Donna (Vandelaare) Larrabee. Right out of high school Jeff began working in construction. He worked on multiple nuclear power plants around the country as a union carpenter and for Exon and FEMA doing clean up after hurricanes...

Merry passed away Friday, August 4, 2023 at her home in Plainwell.She was born February 1, 1943 in Milwaukee, WI, the daughter of J. Herbert and Margaret Burling. Merry moved to Kalamazoo at an early age and graduated from University High School in 1960. She married her high school sweetheart, William Wallace on September 8, 1962 in Kalamazoo.For many years...

Nancy Koziolek-Guthrey passed away peacefully at home on August 1, 2023 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.She was preceded in death by her husband, David Guthrey. She is survived by a loving family and many friends.Nancy enjoyed photography, family gatherings, traveling with the girls and exploring Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She was grateful that she was able to spend...

Dr. Kenley Burkhart passed away, Sunday, July 30, 2023 at Plainwell Pines.Ken was born June 28, 1936 in Fargo, North Dakota, the son of Forrest and Ruth Burkhart. He attended medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. Ken worked as a medical doctor and surgeon in Indiana, Nicaragua and Berrien Springs until the late 1970’s when he began working at...

Millie passed away, Friday, July 28, 2023 at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo.She was born May 19, 1934 in Dorton, Kentucky to Hassel and Elizabeth (Belcher) Mullins. As a young woman Millie worked at Cunningham’s Soda Fountain in Detroit where she also met her husband.For 37 years she worked at Harding’s Market until her retirement in 1997. In her free time...

John D. Horvath, Knight of Columbus 4th Degree, passed away on July 1, 2023. He has been reunited with his wife of 55 years, Maxine E. Horvath (nee Wickware).He is survived by his four children: Donna (Eric) Mahieu, John L. (Kimberly) Horvath, Emily Horvath, and Gregory (Breanne) Horvath. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren: Leslieanne (Alexander) Seekell, Erin...

Geraldine ‘Jeri’ Berner of Otsego, MI passed away Thursday, July 20, 2023 in Otsego. She was born December 28, 1933 in Otsego the daughter of John and Jennie (Arendson) Boerman. Jeri graduated from Otsego High School and worked for Otsego Public Schools for many years. As a young woman she liked helping out on the family farm and was know...

George “Mike” Tippen passed away July 18, 2023 at his home in Plainwell.He was born June 26, 1953 in Muskegon, the son of George and Devona (Lamb) Tippen.  For many years Mike worked for Whirlpool until his retirement. As a young man he enjoyed taking care of animals. He also enjoyed construction, hunting and fishing.Surviving are his siblings, Darla (Bill)...

Brian passed away, unexpectedly, Friday, July 7, 2023 at his home in Hamilton.He was born March 8, 1967 in Kokomo, Indiana, the son of Frederick and Patricia (Sproal) Gordon. Brian had many jobs over the years including working on a mushroom farm, as a mechanic, factory worker and woodworking. He loved all things cars. Mudding, two tracking, collecting and working...

Marie Grace Mahieu passed away peacefully on July 9, 2023 surrounded by family.Marie was born on October 17, 1935 to Abraham and Ruth DeRuyscher in Kalamazoo Michigan. She attended Kalamazoo Central High School and graduated in 1954. Before that, however, she met the love of her life Gordon Mahieu in 1952 on a “blind” date and the rest, as they...

Bob passed away, Friday, July 7, 2023, in Plainwell, MI.He was born March 7, 1943, in Chicago, the son of Albert and Ann (Berklan) Knitter. For several years Bob worked for various financial firms. In his free time he loved golfing, spending time in Charlevoix and Saugatuck and enjoyed road trips in his MGB. On March 16, 1984 in Kalamazoo...

Ryan Jon Meert, a dedicated father, husband, son, teacher, coach and friend passed away, unexpectedly, Thursday, June 29, 2023 due to a farming accident.Lovingly known to many as Hank, he was born August 15, 1976 in Kalamazoo the son of Tom and Marty (Bumgart) Meert. Ryan was a 1995 Plainwell High School graduate and received his Master’s Degree from Western...