Obituaries

Larry took his final turn and headed for home on February 4, 2022.He was born on April 14, 1949, the eldest son of Malcolm and Dorothy Smith (Chopp). He was a hard worker from a young age, working on the family farm and in the grape vineyards. Following graduation from Plainwell High School, he served his country in the U.S....

Michael passed away Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at Life Care Center in Plainwell. He was born July 30, 1962, the son of Eugene and Wilma Brabon.Michael enjoyed being outside, going for car rides and taking walks. Michael received outstanding care over the years from Laura Fury his caseworker, special caregiver, Rosalie Norman and guardian, Lori Mills. He is survived by...

Margaret passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at Stanford Lodge in Plainwell with several family members at her side.She was born December 1, 1926 in Otsego, the daughter of Alfred and Ethel (Fox) Rice. Margaret worked at Plainwell Sanitarium, Otsego Public Schools as a tutor and for 11 years at Stanford Lodge until her retirement at age 70. She enjoyed...

Larry passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at Vicinia Gardens in Otsego.He was born September 4, 1931 in Plainwell, the son of Leo and Lida (Derhammer) Hutchinson. Larry was a 1949 Otsego High School graduate and lifelong resident of the area. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force as a jet engine mechanic during the Korean War....

David passed away Sunday, January 30, 2022 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.He was born April 27, 1954 in Evergreen Park, Illinois, the son of Richard and Francis (Rutovich) Dapser. For 20 years Dave was a bus driver and mechanic for the City of Kalamazoo. He then went on to be a long haul truck driver.Dave enjoyed volunteering for the...

Bruce passed away Saturday, January 29, 2022 at his home in Allegan.He was born May 11, 1941 in Allegan, the son of Fred and Virginia (Leighton) Carroll. Bruce worked for APSO, Armintrout’s and owned and operated Wray’s Septic until the mid- 2000’s. During his retirement he was a bus driver for AAESA and a classroom aide for Otsego Public Schools...

John passed away Sunday, January 23, 2022 at his home in Otsego.He was born July 10, 1942 in Mt. Clemens, the son of James and Lila (Teller) Maag. John was a man of many talents. He was an inventor, writer, carpenter, salesman and friend to everyone he crossed paths with. He owned and operated the Dairy King in Kalamazoo for...

Betty passed away Saturday, January 22, 2022 in Kalamazoo.She was born at home on October 14, 1927 to Isac and Daisy (Fouts) DeKilder, the youngest of four children. Betty enjoyed playing both card and board games, reading, going to garage sales and flea markets, watching movies and collecting Hummel figurines. On June 26, 1944 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church she...

Rick passed away, after a short intense battle with cancer on Friday, January 21, 2022 at his home in Plainwell.The son of Eugene and Mary (Benham) Bush, he was born in Ypsilanti. Rick served his country in the U.S. Army. He earned his Master’s Degree from Wayne State University and worked for Pfizer for 30 years until his first retirement...

Tom passed away Thursday, January 20, 2022 in Kalamazoo.He was born November 21, 1957 in Kalamazoo, the son of Ernest and Laura (Gardineer) Loughead. Tom was a 1976 Plainwell High School graduate and lifelong resident of the area. For 45 years he worked at Parker Hannifin until his retirement in August 2021.Tom was a kid at heart with a curious...

Tom passed away, Monday, January 17, 2022 in Kalamazoo.He was born November 29, 1944 in Allegan, the son of Sherley and Mary (Blonshine) Noyes. Tom proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during Vietnam as a missile technician. For over 40 years he worked at Parker Hannifin until his retirement. He also taught at KVCC for over 30 years.Tom...

Janet passed away Sunday, January 16, 2022 at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo.She was born January 9, 1945 in Allegan, the 4thof 7 children, to Kenneth and Theo (Bussey) Plotts. Janet was a purchasing clerk at Safari Circuits for several years until her retirement. Janet loved the simple things like watching the birds, walks and going for rides when she was...

Rudy passed away Sunday, January 16, 2022, surrounded by his family at Allegan General Hospital.He was born March 26, 1930, to Vincent and Eloisa (Abrego) Reyes in Austin, Texas. Rudy worked for Stryker, Clarage Fan and Hillside Cemetery. He enjoyed playing baseball, following the Detroit Tigers and playing his accordion. Rudy was a people person and enjoyed sharing a conversation...

Allen R. Dennis, 69, of Wayland, passed away Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, at his home.Allen was born Jan. 12, 1952 in Waterloo, Iowa. The son of Lee Roy and Helen (Berger) Barr. Allen proudly served his country in the U.S. Airforce stateside during the Vietnam conflict. Owner and operator of Rebel Trans., Wyoming, MI, Allen was a successful small-business owner...

Jerry passed away Friday, January 7, 2022 in Kalamazoo.He was born March 24, 1940 in Chicago, the son of Albert and Aluria (Boris) Norkus. As a young man he worked as a mechanic and later as a long haul truck driver until his retirement in 1989. In his free time Jerry enjoyed fishing, Harley motorcycles, boating, playing cards, cutting wood,...

Family, friends, employees, and the manufacturing community grieve the loss of a wonderful man and a true pioneer in the bonded magnet industry. On the morning of January 5, 2022, William Roger McPherson passed away quietly from natural causes. Roger was born on September 1, 1946 in Plainwell, Michigan, the third child to Bernard C. Sr. and Hazel McPherson. He...

Dianne Marie Beck entered into God’s Heavenly Kingdom on Sunday, January 2, 2022.She was born July 12, 1959 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Richard and Betty (Sutton) Nichols.  On September 2, 1975 in Holland, Michigan, Dianne was married to her first love, her best friend, John Beck.  John and Dianne were married for 46 years and spent many hours going...

Caroline passed away Monday, January 3, 2022 at her home in Martin.She was born April 14, 1922 in Detroit, MI to Levi and Molly (Bredow) Sproul. On May 29, 1943, she was married to Burdette “Bud” Kozin in Detroit. Caroline enjoyed reading, quilting, sewing, crocheting and following the Detroit Tigers. More than anything she loved her Lord and her family....

Jerry passed away Monday, January 3, 2022 at his home in Kalamazoo.He was born May 31, 1955 in Plainwell, the son of Homer and Helen (Caldwell) Latta. Jerry loved motorcycles, 4×4’s and working in his yard. On February 14, 1995 in Allegan he married Ellen Cobb who passed away.Surviving are his children, Jerry “Jay” Jr. (Natasha) Latta, Nathan (Christa) Cobb...

John passed away Saturday, January 1, 2022 at his home in Plainwell.The son of Alonzo and Hazel (New) Moran, he was born July 23, 1936 in Plainwell. John worked as a millwright for over 30 years at Plainwell Paper until his retirement. In his spare time he liked being outdoors, walking, hunting, fishing and cutting wood. John enjoyed remodeling his...