Obituaries

Mike went home to the Lord, Monday, December 27, 2021 in Kalamazoo.He was born December 10, 1953 in Grand Rapids, the son of Clarence Hughes and Connie (Jansen) Beardsley. Mike worked for a printing company and at Pharmacia for many years. In his free time he enjoyed researching coins, attending NASCAR races, target shooting, traveling with his wife and researching...

Irene passed away, Sunday, December 26, 2021 at Plainwell Pines.She was born March 19, 1943 in Hastings, the daughter of Carl and Doris (Boyer) Willcutt. Irene worked at the Super 8 Hotel in Kalamazoo and with the elderly in Shelbyville for many years. She enjoyed sewing, arts and crafts, coloring and listening to country music. She was a member of...

Richard “Rich” Lawrence Bacon, age 68, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids.He was born on December 14, 1953, and graduated from Plainwell High School in 1972. On March 13, 1982, Rich married Robin Reich, and they were blessed to experience 39 years of marriage together. Rich worked as a...

Greg passed away Monday, December 27, 2021 in Kalamazoo.He was born July 21, 1963 in Plainwell, the son of Donald and Mary (Dalton) Weaver. Greg worked at Don Seelye Ford, Mulders Concrete Sealing and at Bittersweet running the ski lifts. Greg loved being outdoors, watching the birds and deer or sitting around a bonfire with his friends. He enjoyed music,...

Marian Jean “Jeanie” Ware,  passed away Friday, December 24, 2021 at her home in Otsego, Michigan.She was born March 2, 1934 in Morris, Illinois, the daughter of Joseph and Breta (Nelson) Auffert.  Jeanie worked part-time at Palo Verde Hospital in Blythe, CA as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). She was currently working at the age of 87 and was...

Mrs. Charlotte “Char” Burchett entered into her eternal rest on December 26, 2021 at her home in Kalamazoo.Char was born January 1, 1938 in Kalamazoo, MI, the daughter of Harry and Cora Ekema. She grew up and spent her life in the Alamo area. Char graduated from Otsego High School in 1956. She worked as an Administrative Assistant for State...

June passed away Thursday, December 23, 2021, surrounded by her family, at Stanford Lodge in Plainwell.The daughter of Earl and Letha (Taggart) Garton, June was born August 25, 1924 in Allegan. For many years she worked as an inspector at Parker Hannifin until her retirement in 1986. June enjoyed camping, music, dancing and golf. Family was very special and important...

Gary Louis Peter Chase was welcomed into Heaven on Monday, December 20, 2021. He passed peacefully at his home in Galesburg after battling end-stage renal failure.He was born September 17, 1951 in Dearborn, the son of Stanley Jr. and Flora (Ratiu) Chase. Gary attended Our Lady of Grace, St. Mary’s school, Hackett HS (Class of 69) & graduated from WMU...

On December 22, 2021, Walt Boettcher passed away at Vicinia Gardens in Otsego, Michigan. Born April 21, 1936, in Joliet Illinois, Walt was the son of Walter H. and Gertrude (Lauer). He graduated from Otsego High School in 1954, where he was a four-sport athlete (cross-country, basketball, baseball, and track) and went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree from Western...

Ruth Louise Forrest (Boothby) was born on July 29, 1936 in Lawrence Michigan to Leroy and Barbara Boothby. She was the youngest of five children and became school friends with Bert James Forrest at a young age. The two grew up and married on October 16, 1954. Sixty-seven years later, they have raised quite a family tree: Jeffery Bert James...

Marcia went home to be with our Lord on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.She was born June 13, 1968 in Zeeland, the oldest child of Harvey and Carol (Van Kampen) Visser. She attended and graduated from Martin Public Schools, Calvin University and Western Michigan University with an MSW, and later a Bachelor of Science to...

Debbie passed away Saturday, December 11, 2021 in Grand Rapids.She was born January 4, 1957 in Adrian, the daughter of Dewey and Verna (Brake) Farris. Debbie was an interior designer and obtained her builders license. She worked at Koopsen’s Paint and Wallpaper, Ethan Allen Furniture Gallery, Central Tile and Terrazzo, Renda Tile, The Kitchen Shop and Fieldstone Building Group.She loved...

Luella passed away Sunday, December 12, 2021 at Vicinia Gardens in Otsego.She was born at home in Trowbridge Township in Allegan, on October 12, 1927, the daughter of George and Josephine (Harper) Kurtz. Luella was a lifelong resident of the area. She had worked at Elams Stationary, Allegan Paper Products, Fram Filters and Delano Printing in Allegan until her retirement...

Janice went home to be with her Lord, Saturday, December 11, 2021 in Delton.She was born January 15, 1942 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Sam and Winifred (Stapert) Smith. In her free time Janice enjoyed bowling and had been on many area leagues. She also enjoyed traveling to Israel.She was a member of Bradenton Bible Baptist Church and Cooper Baptist...

Altha passed away Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at Ascension Borgess Hospital.She was born April 10, 1940 in Otsego, the daughter of Harold and Ethel (Emery) Laws. For many years Altha worked as a rehab tech at Lakeview Hospital in Paw Paw. She also did in home childcare. Altha loved taking care of her family and her home. She was a...

Jan passed away Sunday, December 5, 2021 in Allegan.She was born October 4, 1950 in Plainwell, the daughter of Malen and Dorothy (Webster) Earl. Jan worked at Kessler’s in Wayland, State Farm Insurance in Plainwell and Allegan and at Fifth Third Bank in Plainwell until her retirement.In her free time Jan enjoyed quilting, crocheting, sewing, reading and attending class of...

Maurice passed away Tuesday, November 30, 2021 in Wyoming.He was born June 20, 1934 in Watson Township, the son of Clarence and Florence (Blair) Simpson. Maurice was a 1953 Martin High School graduate. He worked for Valley Metal and retired from the state bridge crew due to an injury in the early 70’s.Maurice loved working with his hands and could...

Emily passed away Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at her home in Otsego.She was born March 2, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Paul and Stephania (Dzurnik) Ballay. Emily had many jobs and for 15 years was the secretary at St. Margaret School until her retirement.In her free time Emily enjoyed raising chickens, gardening, flowers, watching nature especially birds and...

Hazel passed away Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at her home in Otsego.She was born March 8, 1936 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of William and Sylvia (Born) Try. For over 20 years she worked at Perrigo until her retirement. Hazel loved her family, animals, music, shopping and trips to the casino. On January 23, 1954 she married her sweetie, Trevor Warner...

Chipper passed away Sunday, November 28, 2021 at his home in Plainwell.He was born October 4, 1965 in Geneva, Illinois, the son of Philippe and Bonnie (Schroeder) Neslund. Chipper was a heavy equipment operator in the logging industry in Texas for many years. He enjoyed spending time on Facebook, operating heavy equipment, trucking and taking care of his dogs. Chipper...