Obituaries

Feb 2, 2024

Rick passed away, Friday, February 2, 2024, at his home, surrounded by his family in Cooper Township. 



He was born July 26, 1951, in Kalamazoo, the son of Charles and Dorothy (Carlson) Clemens. As a young boy he lived in Portage and moved to Plainwell as a freshman, where he graduated in 1970. Rick proudly served his country in the U.S....

Jan 31, 2024

Daniel Edward Burnham II, age 80 of Apache Junction, Arizona, formerly of Plainwell, MI., passed away January 31, 2024.

Dan was born on July 18, 1943, in Kalamazoo, and lived most of his life in Plainwell before moving to Arizona in 2013.  He was the owner/operator of Dans Body Shop in Plainwell from 1959-2009.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; children...

Jan 28, 2024

Ruth Ann passed away, Sunday, January 28, 2024, at her home in Plainwell. 



She was born February 19, 1935, in Munising, the daughter of Ensio and Ruby (Savoie) Korvela. For 32 years she worked at Borgess Medical Center until her retirement. In her free time Ruth Ann liked working in her garden and flowers. She loved her family fiercely and enjoyed...

Jan 23, 2024

Georgia passed away, Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at Rose Arbor Hospice. 

She was born in Black River, New York, on December 20, 1925, the daughter of Paul and Irene (Murphy) Gracey. Georgia enjoyed cooking, sewing, playing cards, especially bridge, blueberry picking and watching the Detroit Tigers. Most of all she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Georgia was...

Jan 22, 2024

Jim passed away, Monday, January 22, 2024, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. 

He was born October 8, 1951, in Detroit, the son of Robert and Ruth (Halverson) Begeman. For over 30 years Jim was an electrician and worked with IBEW Local 131 Electricians Union. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved fishing and hunting. Jim enjoyed both playing and watching golf...

Jan 19, 2024

Carolyn passed away, Friday, January 19, 2024, at her home in Battle Creek. 



She was born Jun 9, 1949, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Irvin Sr. and Elnora (Glessner) Figel. Carolyn graduated from Otsego High School in 1967. 



Surviving are her son, Jeffrey (Robin) Ritz; siblings, Irvin Jr. (Elaine) Figel; Ginny Vastbinder and Margery (Greg) Stephens and several nieces and nephews. 



She was...

Jan 14, 2024

 

Michael passed away, Sunday, January 14, 2024, at his home in Kalamazoo.

He was born on September 29, 1957, in Plainwell, to his loving parents Raymond and Joyce (Griffith) Shattuck. Michael graduated from Plainwell High School in 1976. Following his graduation, Michael embarked on a fulfilling career in the HVAC field, where his expertise and dedication made a...

Jan 13, 2024

 

Butch passed away, Saturday, January 13, 2024, in Grand Blanc.

He was born June 4, 1964, in Grand Rapids, the son of Phillip and Sandra (Bueche) Glass. He graduated from Martin High School in 1982 and worked in construction.

Butch was very handy and enjoyed fixing and building things and running his bobcat. He liked working on...

Jan 13, 2024

 

Doris passed away, peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Alamo Nursing Home.

She was born in Brookings County, South Dakota, on January 11, 1935, the daughter of Louie and Elsie (Meier) Krogmann. She grew up on the family farm and moved to Michigan in the early 1950’s.

For 14 years Doris was...

Jan 12, 2024

 

Arlene passed away, Friday, January 12, 2024, at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.

She was born February 17, 1937, in Hopkins, the daughter of Gerhardt and Esther (Schafer) Kerber. Arlene worked as a custodian for Hopkins Public Schools for 30 years until her retirement.

Arlene enjoyed raising her family and taking care of her home. She was...

Jan 11, 2024

 

Greg passed away Thursday, January 11, 2024, in Battle Creek.

He was born September 18, 1960, in Allegan, the son of William and Peggy (Town) Simpson. Greg proudly served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves. He worked at Crescent Electric as a welder and at Murco for the state of Iowa doing lab work.

 As a young...

Jan 11, 2024

James P. Leonard, also known as Jim, passed into eternity, on January 11, 2024, in his hometown of Otsego. He was born on March 4, 1937, the son of James and Irene (Calvin) Leonard.  Jim graduated from Otsego High School in 1955. He had a fulfilling career working for Parker Hannifin for 37 years as a tool and die maker...

Dec 23, 2023

Marilyn R. Buist of Kalamazoo, MI, age 88 passed away December 23, 2023, at Bronson Methodist Hospital after a long battle with COPD. Marilyn was born on October 10, 1935, in Plainwell, MI, the daughter of Leroy and Helen (McGeath) Davis. Marilyn graduated from Otsego High School and Western Michigan College.On April 21, 1957, she married Phillip Buist of Kalamazoo...

Feb 24, 0004

Jim passed away, Saturday, February 23, 2024, at his home in Otsego. 

He was born May 12, 1940, in Evergreen Park, Illinois, the son of Charles and Virginia (Tucker) Johnston. For many years he owned and operated a nursery and had also worked in wastewater treatment. 

Jim loved football and was an avid Chicago Bears and Blackhawks fan. As a young man...

Mickey passed away peacefully, Saturday, January 6, 2024, at his home in Otsego.He was born October 9, 1951, in Kalamazoo, the son of Harry and Eleanor (Linsley) Horrocks. Mickey proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy. He graduated from Ferris State University and for many years worked as a quality control engineer at Eaton and then for Mazda, until...

Barb passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2024, in Otsego.She was born on April 9, 1948, in Plainwell, the daughter of Loren and Berniece (Boerman) Burchett. As a young woman Barb worked at Kalamazoo Savings and Loan until she started her family. After raising her children, she worked as the hygiene coordinator at Richland Dental until her retirement in 2007. Barb...

Anne passed away, Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.She was born May 16, 1946, in Arnhem, Netherlands, the daughter of Rembertus N. Knooihuizen and Gertrude Woldhuis. Anne graduated from Plainwell High School in 1966. She was a teacher’s aide at MLK Elementary School in Kalamazoo, worked for John Klooster Greenhouses, Don Seeley Motors, and as a receptionist...

Our beloved and adventurous Pauline (Polly) died at the age of 94 on Friday, December 22, 2023, at her home on the Ismond Tree farm that she and her husband Morrison, created as a legacy in honor of God.  She was born September 9, 1929, in coastal Mississippi, the daughter of Paul and Eva (Diehl) Kennedy and her much cherished...

Nick passed away, Thursday, December 21, 2023, from injuries sustained in a car accident.He was born January 3, 2000, in Roseburg, Oregon, the son of Kia Letts and Jody Stamp. Nick was currently working at KL Mott Enterprises. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing his guitar and singing songs.He had a great sense of humor and always...

Duane passed away, Friday, December 22, 2023, at his home in Kalamazoo.He was born March 7, 1959, in Ypsilanti, the son of Daniel and Florence (Shepherd) Smith. Duane proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He worked at Hayworth, Perrigo and several other area businesses as a forklift operator.He was a member of the Dorr American Legion and enjoyed...