Obituaries

Dean Spaulding of Plainwell passed Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at his home in Plainwell. Dean was born March 17, 1960 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Robert and Margorie (Cook) Spaulding.He enjoyed fishing, golfing, gardening, macramé and watching sports on TV especially the University of Michigan. What Dean loved most of all was spending time with his grandchildren. On March 17, 1984...

Patrick passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus, Monday, October 17, 2022, with his beloved wife, Bonnie and friends at his bedside.Pat was an incredibly gifted bluegrass musician whose music touched thousands of people over the decades. He lived out the gospel message in his humility, kindness, love and generosity. Patrick was involved in many local bands over the...

Wendy Newton passed away peacefully but unexpectedly at her home October 4, 2022.  She was born May 14, 1956 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.  She was an honor student and member of the 1974 Comstock High School graduating class.  Wendy was a lifelong learner, attending college and reading books that interested her.  She was curious about how things worked, tinkering...

Edna passed away Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo with her family by her side.She was born January 8, 1931 in Royalton Township, the daughter of Fred and Beryl (Cain) Howell. For many years Edna worked at General Motors until her retirement. In her free time she enjoyed golfing, gardening and shopping. Edna loved her family very...

Jim passed away Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at his home in Otsego.He was born August 28, 1945 in Plainwell, the son of Neil and Virginia (Bushee) Misner. Jim graduated from Otsego High School in 1963. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a mechanic from 1966-1968.He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Western Michigan University. He...

Janet Elaine (Long) Fulton was born May 21, 1936 in Eaton Rapids Michigan to Ellen Jane Long and passed peacefully at home to be with Jesus and her husband Richard on October 2nd.She graduated from Eaton Rapids High School and Central Michigan University.  She started her career as a teacher, and was the “J” in Plainwell’s R& J News Agency,...

Heaven’s sports teams cheered the arrival of Roger Newman to their ranks on the morning of September 25, 2022.  An athlete of note for the vast majority of his life, his loved ones are quite sure he pole-vaulted his way over the pearly gates, nailed the landing, and is already on the tennis court running drills for anyone with an...

Laura passed away Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at Medilodge in Kalamazoo.She was born January 18, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Paul and Eva (Minerd) Twyman. Laura moved to Bangor in 1942 and graduated from Bangor High School. On October 21, 1950 she married David Olson and in 1958 they moved to Romeo, Michigan.Laura served as Deputy Clerk for...

Kelly passed away Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.She was born November 24, 1968 in Plainwell, to Gary and Susan (Young) Keyzer. Kelly enjoyed fishing and playing Words with Friends. She loved her family more than anything and loved spending time with her grandchildren. On October 10, 1999 in Allegan she married Wil Fetterley III who survives.Also...

Phillip C. Buist was born on October 27, 1935 in Kalamazoo, the son of Arthur and Dorothy (Reames) Buist. He passed away September 21, 2022 at Memory Care at Meilland Square (formerly Amber Way) at Heritage Community. Dorothy died when Phil was four and eventually Art married her sister, Lorna Reames, who raised him to adulthood. Phil attended McKinley Elementary...

Mr. Stanley “Stan” Burchett passed away peacefully in his home on September 19, 2022.Stanley was born December 25, 1937 in Delton, MI, the son of Loren and Berniece Burchett. He grew up in Otsego, participated in the band, chorus and sports and graduated from Otsego Public Schools in 1956. On May 31, 1957 he married his high school sweetheart, Charlotte...

Surrounded by her family and the laughter and stories of her life, Kathie passed away at home on September 18, 2022.Kathie Amanda Johnson (Kate) was born on September 22, 1949 in Tustin, Michigan to Robert and Opal Johnson.  She graduated from Marion High School in 1968 and Central Michigan University in 1972.  For 30 years she was a high school...

Joann M. Lumbard of Boon, MI passed away, Saturday, September 17, 2022 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.She was born February 20, 1950 in Plainwell, the daughter of Floyd and Mildred (Myers) Beldon. Joann’s source of joy was her long and successful career as an elementary teacher for Allegan Public Schools for 33 years. Joann guided her students with...

Tara passed away Thursday, September 15, 2022 in Iowa City.She was born September 8, 1986 in Holland, the daughter of Kenneth VanOrder and Corrissa Dineau. Tara loved going to the beach, spending time on the pier, attending races and derbies and hanging out with her cousins.Surviving are her children, Alex and Brianna; her parents both of Allegan, siblings, Kenneth A....

Marion passed away Friday, September 16, 2022, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.She was born January 24, 1931 in Allegan, the daughter of Clarence and Beatrice (Johnson) Ely. For several years Marion worked at Kazoo Incorporated. In her free time she enjoyed traveling, playing cards, knitting, flower gardening and watching her grandchildren. She was a member of the First Congregational Church...

George passed away Monday, September 12, 2022 at the Wings Home in Allegan. He was born April 24, 1951 in Three Rivers, MI to Walter and Patricia (Nastos) Travis.He attended St. Margaret Catholic School and graduated from Otsego High School in 1970. Through high school he worked at Orchard Hills Golf Course. Following graduation he began working for Consumers Energy...

Rick went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, September 7, 2022, surrounded by family, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.He was born November 16, 1951 in Detroit, the son of Adelbert and Corrine (Mersman) Froelich. Rick was a 1969 Plainwell High School graduate where he met his future wife, Jane aka Deb. He worked for Yoplait and Walmart as a perishable...

Larry passed away Saturday, September 3, 2022, at his home in Delton.He was born September 5, 1951 in Kalamazoo, the son of Herman and Joyce (Harmonn) Sherer. For many years Larry owned and operated a construction company. Larry was a talented artist and enjoyed making walking sticks. He also loved being outdoors in the woods, fishing and spending time with...

Wanda Horton (Fisher) Valler passed away Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Stanford Lodge in Plainwell, with loving family at her side.Wanda was born November 12, 1934 at William Crispe Hospital in Plainwell, daughter of Darl and Mable (Warren) Horton. She lived in the area all of her life, graduating from Otsego High School in 1953. For over 33 years, Wanda...

Pam passed away Thursday, August 25, 2022 at her home in Otsego.Pam was the daughter of William and Martha (Thompson) Fuller, and was born December 8, 1951. Pam had several jobs she truly enjoyed over the years, but she served the last 19 years at Walmart.She loved collecting elephants, eagles and decorative eggs. Her hobbies included creating and painting as...