Obituaries

Burt passed away Monday, September 23, 2019 at his home in Kalamazoo.He was born July 22, 1929 in Ypsilanti, the son of Roy and Mae (Warboy) Smith. Burt had worked for Consumers Energy for 35 years until his retirement. He had served on the Board of Directors at the Consumers Credit Union and was a member of the 12thStreet Baptist...

Bud passed away Sunday, September 22, 2019 at his home in Otsego.He was born March 1, 1943 in Plainwell to Bernard and Hazel (Brown) McPherson. Bud graduated from Otsego High School, the Big O in 1961. He had worked at Dick’s Grocery and Hapman Conveyor and had owned and operated McPherson Plastics for over 50 years.Bud enjoyed collecting duck decoys,...

Barry passed away Sunday, September 22, 2019 at Rose Arbor Hospice.He was born August 19, 1947 in Kalamazoo the son of Armand and Maxine (Briggs) Stowell. Barry enjoyed hunting, especially for deer, bowling, being outside in his yard and flower gardens and following Notre Dame Football and NASCAR.On September 29, 1964 in Kalamazoo he married Lynne Brown and would have...

John passed away Friday, September 20, 2019 at his home in Plainwell.He was born December 29, 1960 in Watervliet, the son of George and Devona (Lamb) Tippen. For many years John had been a carpenter with his brother in Texas. John enjoyed woodworking, carpentry and growing plants.Surviving are his siblings, Darla (Bill) Strong, Gayle (Frank) Angel, George Tippen, Bob (Laura)...

Gloria passed away Sunday, September 22, 2019 at Alamo Nursing Home.She was born June 24, 1925 in Comstock, the daughter of Roy and Irene (Pease) Knight. Gloria had worked at Kalamazoo Stationary and Angle Steel. In her free time she enjoyed shopping, bowling, fishing and watching sports, especially football. In 1957 she married Clyde Ritchie who passed away in 2009.Surviving...

Isiah passed away Thursday, September 19, 2019 at his home in Otsego.He was born March 9, 1994 in Holland, the son of Gary and Rebecca (Johnson) Smalley. Isiah graduated from Western Michigan University where he had studied abroad in Italy and was president of the Entrepreneur Club. He had worked as manager at Arcadia Brewing Company in Kalamazoo until their...

Clara E (Western) Williston, age 93 of Otsego MI, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 16, 2019.She was born in Bad Axe, MI on April 27, 1926, to Leonard and Margaret (Slough) Western.  On July 30th 1952, she was united in marriage to William A Williston. They spent 60 wonderful, happy years together.Clara was a gentle spirit, and a loving...

Glenn passed away Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo.He was born July 8, 1947 in Alma, the son of Joe and Althea VanderVeen. Glenn proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. For 37 years he worked at Parker Hannifin until his retirement in 2006. Glenn enjoyed collecting political buttons, volunteering with the...

Eugene Donald Zelmanski of Kalamazoo Michigan. Starting line May 24, 1936 Detroit; finish line September 5, 2019 Alamo Township.Son of Edward “Hap”, Stella, and Eleanor Zelmanski; Brother of Louise, James, and Ronald.  Proud father of Susan and Pamela. Even prouder grandfather of Jayson Ramesh, Nathan Eugene, Margaret Jeanine, Abigail Mary, and Sean Patrick.  Loyal uncle, cousin, neighbor and friend to...

Doug passed away Saturday, September 7, 2019 at his home in Kalamazoo.He was born October 24, 1962 in South Bend, Indiana, the son of Donald and Josephine (Fergusson) Bunker. Doug owned and operated Bunker Insurance Group in Otsego for over 20 years. Doug loved playing and coaching baseball and enjoyed following Notre Dame Football and the Chicago Cubs.On September 28,...

Lawrence passed away Monday, September 2, 2019 at his home in Martin.He was born April 20, 1935 in Kalamazoo, the son of Harold and Mary (Erkenbeck) Bean. He proudly served his country in the U. S Army. For 30 years he had worked at Checker Motors until his retirement in 1994.In his free time Lawrence enjoyed hunting and fishing. He...

Bob passed away Sunday, September 1, 2019 at his home in Kalamazoo.He was born February 4, 1931 in Watervliet, the son of Gaylord and Velma (Learn) Caswell. For 33 years Bob worked for Hoekstra Roofing until his retirement in the early 80’s. After retiring he had worked at a campground for 16 years. Bob enjoyed woodworking, doing jigsaw and word...

Rex passed away Saturday, August 31, 2019 at his home in Allegan.He was born November 9, 1954 in Plainwell the son of Charles and Betty (Fuller) Burkhead. Rex had worked at Perrigo for 21 years until his retirement in 2000. He had also delivered the Flashes in Allegan for many years. In his free time he liked working with ham...

Donna Lee Pion of Otsego passed away Sunday, August 25, 2019 in Allegan. Donna was born October 5, 1946 in Allegan the daughter of Howard and Lucille (Hodgman) Hogue.She enjoyed helping at the Otsego VFW and had volunteered for many years. Donna enjoyed flower gardening and feeding the squirrels and birds. She especially loved her family and friends.On January 5,...

Dave went home to be with the Lord, Monday, August 26, 2019 at Diana’s Care in Otsego.He was born February 26, 1946 in Otsego, the son of Oscar and Rebecca (Kaylor) Dalrymple. Dave proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He had worked in IT for 30 years at many different companies including Duo Tang, Allegan General Hospital, Parker...

Jim passed away Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at Allegan General Hospital.He was born January 31, 1940 in Kalamazoo, the son of William Menck and Edith (Savage) Cannom. Jim had worked at Michigan Gas Utilities until his retirement in 1994. After retiring Jim went to work at a well drilling company in the area. He had been the Trowbridge Township Supervisor...

Bill passed away Monday, August 19, 2019 at his home in Plainwell.He was born June 14, 1945 in Newark, Ohio, the son of James and Helen (Munkachy) Bibart. Bill graduated from Newark High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and his master’s degree from Central Michigan University. For 25 years he had taught business at Garber...

Bill passed away Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at his home in Martin.He was born February 1, 1938 in Plainwell the son of Bruce and Margaret (Mott) Fenner. Bill proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy. For many years he had worked as a truck driver. He was a member of the Teamsters Union. Bill enjoyed antique tractors, model trains...

Thelma passed away Sunday, August 18, 2019 at Wings Home in Allegan.She was born April 5, 1936 in Allegan the daughter of Hugh and Beatrice (Clawson) Taylor. Thelma had been a secretary at Tru Heat in Allegan for 10 years retiring after her marriage to Steven Smalla on January 28, 1989. She was active in the Otsego Church of God...

Geraldine (Gerry) Lila Peterson was called Home to be with her Lord and Savior on August 18, 2019. She was 92. She was born September 7, 1926, in Muskegon, MI, to Rufus Leroy and Geraldine (Bowen) Deater.Gerry attended Bob Jones University and earned a teaching degree. She taught first through fourth grades. She also performed in a women’s vocal trio...