Obituaries

Shirley passed Tuesday, November 29, 2022, surrounded by her loving family in Martin.She was born April 4, 1936 in Plainwell, the daughter of Russell and Florence (Knight) Curry. Shirley stayed at home and raised her family and when her children were old enough she began working as the manager at the Carriage Stop Restaurant in Martin for many years.As a...

Mary passed away at home November 26, 2022.She was born August 27, 1930 to Jacob Edward Blaxton and Mary Elizabeth (Letson) Blaxton. She married Wollie James Bumgart on April 30, 1948 and later moved to Michigan. Mary loved to read, color in coloring books, needle point and crochet. She returned to Alabama after the death of her husband and later...

Stacey passed away unexpectedly, Saturday, November 26, 2022.She was born March 8, 1966 in Duluth, Minnesota, the daughter of Leslie and Lee (Harvey) Witters. Stacey proudly served her country in the U.S. Army. For 36 years she was a waitress at Judy’s Restaurant in Otsego.Stacey enjoyed looking her best and liked getting her hair and nails done. She liked traveling,...

Madeline passed away, Saturday, November 26, 2022 at Borgess Hospital.She was born July 19, 1944 in Plainwell, the daughter of Cleon and Janet (Monteith) Root. For a short time Madeline worked at WAOP radio until returning home to raise her boys. In her free time she loved canning and cooking. Madeline also enjoyed music, playing the piano and doing fabric...

Sam passed away Monday, November 21, 2022 at his home in Kalamazoo.Sam was born February 3, 1941 in Shelbyville, the son of Johanas “Joe” and Bertha (Scholten) Vander Ploeg. Sam worked as a lithographer at Battle Creek Litho for many years until his retirement in 1996. In his free time he enjoyed hunting, bowling, square dancing, traveling and spending the...

Wayne passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at his home in Otsego.He was born August 15, 1950 in Cass City, Michigan, the son of Wesley and Jean (D’Arcy) Boyl. For many years Wayne worked at General Motors and for 29 years was a resident aide at Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital until his retirement. Wayne enjoyed woodworking and sports. He was a...

Bob passed way Friday, November 18, 2022, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.He was born March 20, 1938 in Kalamazoo, the son of John and Ruth (Jennings) McClellan. Bob loved working on his farm, being outdoors and driving his tractor. He could never pass up a good burger and had a sweet tooth especially for ice cream.  Bob liked preaching...

Adarae (Allen) Gildea passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family on November 18, 2022.She is preceded in death by her parents, Adalaide (Mercer) and Ray Allen, and her sister, Monica Haas. She is survived by her husband, Jerry Keith Gildea; her children, Juli (Len) Sheaffer, Brian (Anita) Gildea and Amy (Steve) Schanz; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Brandy Gildea, Ryan (Chelsea,...

Mary Ann Lorentz passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 17, 2022 with her sister by her side.  She was born to Anton (Big Tony) Lorentz Sr and Mary (Whitcomb) Lorentz on February 8th, 1942, in Kalamazoo, MI.  She was a life-long resident of Alamo Township where she grew up on The Lone Willow Farm milking cows, baling hay and enjoying...

Jeff passed away Wednesday, November 16, 2022 in Plainwell.He was born May 19, 1988 in Plainwell, the son of Walter and Ruth (Burroughs) Wolf. Jeff graduated from Plainwell High School in 2006 where he went to state as a wrestler. He worked as a welder for Bradford & White in Middleville. Jeff was an outdoorsman and enjoyed snowboarding, hunting, fishing...

Ezra Lee passed away, Friday, November 11, 2022 in the embrace of his loving family at Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor.Ezra Lee spent only a moment in their arms but he is forever in the hearts of his loving parents, John Lee and Allie (Lindauer) McMath. Ezra Lee will also be forever remembered and loved by his grandparents, Russ...

Shelley passed away Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo. She was born October 18, 1953 in Otsego, the daughter of Willard “Buck” and Bonnie (Simington) Harper.Shelley graduated from Otsego High School in 1971 and was the home run derby queen. She worked at several area nursing homes over the years including Alamo Nursing Home, Dussia House and...

Luella passed away, Sunday, November 6, 2022 at Life Care Center in Plainwell.She was born May 9, 1939 in Sykesville, Pennsylvania, to William and Kathryn (Martin) Guthrie. Luella enjoyed taking care of her home and children. She was a great cook and a mom to all of her children’s friends. In her free time she enjoyed driving around with her...

Jo passed away, Saturday, November 5, 2022 at her home in Plainwell.She was born September 11, 1949 in Allegan, the daughter of Fred and Catharine Warner. Jo enjoyed spending time with her family and watching her grandchildren. She liked crafting, crocheting, making blankets, following her favorite TV shows, photography caring of her flowers and going on drives, especially to see...

Jim passed away, Sunday, November 6, 2022 at Life Care Center in Plainwell.He was born April 5, 1938 in Plainwell, the son of Robert and Mildred Steele. Jim proudly served his country in the Army National Guard. For many years he worked as a press operator for General Motors until his retirement in 1995. Jim enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting and...

Jody passed away Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at her home in Delton.She was born July 2, 1957 in Plainwell, the daughter of Eugene “Bud” and Erma (Truax) Baker. Jody was a 1975 Otsego High School graduate and worked at Perrigo for many years.In her free time Jody enjoyed volunteering at the Orangeville Fire Department where she was known as the...

Theresa (Terri) Kay Zantello passed away suddenly on Tuesday October 11, 2022, in Traverse City. She was the daughter of Gary and Sandy Zantello. Terri was born on July 27, 1964, Her Mom’s Birthday, which made her the best Birthday gift her mom every received. Terri and her Mom Sandy, took great Joy in sharing their birthdates.Terri was the best...

Linda Louise (Cole) Schacher passed away at her home in Otsego on October 10, 2022.She was born to Norman and Margaret (Addison) Cole on March 11, 1933 in Bluefield, Virginia. She graduated from Stuart Hall in Staunton, Virginia, and went on to study architecture at Ohio State University. It was there that she met her future husband, Thomas E. Schacher...

Jim passed away Monday, October 24, 2022 at his home in Plainwell surrounded by his loving family.He was born May 10, 1949 in Plainwell, the son of Raymond and Allie (Arendson) Newcomb. Jim worked at Curtis Trailer Sales as a general manager for 17 years, at Farnsworth Chevrolet and retired from Midway Chevrolet in April 2011. In his free time...

Vicki T. Deemer passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2022 in the comfort of her home, comforted by the love of her family and friends.Vicki was born in Evanston, Illinois, on November 12, 1945. She was the daughter of Philip and Bernice VanLinden. She grew up in Chicago and graduated from Saint Gregory High School. Vicki moved to Michigan with her...