Obituaries

Keith Clingenpeel of Allegan, Michigan, passed away Thursday, January 9, 2014 at Pennock Hospital in Hastings. He was born September 30, 1947 in Lansing to Keith E. Leroy and Grace L. Jenks.Keith served his country in the U.S. Army and was a master plumber by trade. He was the owner and operator of “Wondering Keith Karaoke”. In his leisure time...

Martha Bourdo Maurer of Otsego passed away Sunday, January 5, 2014 at her home.Martha was born May 3, 1920 in Toledo, OH, the daughter of Jesse and Sarah ‘Mattie’ (Mohler) Shoemaker. She was a 1939 graduate of Martin High School. She enjoyed golfing, bowling, crocheting and traveling. She had been a lifelong member of St. Francis Episcopal church in Orangeville.On...

Gerald L. ‘Jerry’ Tiller of Plainwell, Michigan, went to be with his Lord Monday, January 6, 2014 at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. Mr. Tiller was born June 3, 1939 in Kalamazoo to Robert ‘Lee’ and Mildred (Duniphen) Tiller.He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy and attended Western Michigan University. Jerry worked for the Kalamazoo Police Department for several...

Jeff Brady passed away Friday, January 3, 2014. Jeff was born October 8, 1980 in Kalamazoo to Tom Brady and Teri (Rau) Brady.He had been employed by Perrigo and Parker Hannifin. In his leisure time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding quads, motorcycles and go-carts and especially spending time with his children.Surviving are his mom Teri Brady of Otsego; his father,...

John VastBinder of Otsego passed away Saturday, January 4, 2014 in Allegan.Mr. VastBinder was born January 18, 1930 in Battle Creek the son of Dudley and Dorothy VastBinder. John served his country in the Air Force during the Korean War and had worked for Kellogg’s, St. Regis Paper and the Battle Creek Federal Center. On October 11, 1980 he married...

Catherine E. Fales of Gobles, passed away December 31, 2013 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.She was born February 5, 1943 in Kalamazoo to Daniel and Barbara (Drake) Bromley. Cathy graduated from Gull Lake High School and attended Michigan State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. She was a teacher for 2 years at Glerum Elementary...

Clarence E. Sweet of Otsego, passed away Monday, December 30, 2013 at the Dussia House in Otsego.He was born April 29,1922 in Kewadin, MI, to Joel and Jennie (Osborne) Sweet. During WWII Clarence served his country in the U.S. Army and had earned a bronze star for his service. Upon his discharge he worked at Mac Sim Bar, Span Brass...

Mr. Vurl Snyder of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, December 25, 2013 in Allegan. Mr. Snyder was born December 31, 1938, in Otsego to Gilbert and Minnie (Clear) Snyder.He began his working career as a baker and for many years was employed at Cooper Foundry. His favorite leisure time activity was fishing, especially with his friend, Gene Slater.On July 10,...

Ronald H. Wolthuis passed away Friday, December 13, 2013 in Plainwell.He was born December 20, 1971 in Kalamazoo, the youngest child of Timothy and Katherine (Kiel) Wolthuis. He attended Paw Paw High School for a short time and in 1990 he graduated from Otsego High School where he also received the nickname “Sharky” from his ability to eat people up...

Ruth M. Holmes of Grand Junction, Michigan, passed away at the adult foster care home where she had been lovingly cared for by Mary and Chester Mobly. Ruth was born February 19, 1923 in Otsego to Clifton and Laura (Root) Holmes. From the age of 8 she had suffered from epilepsy and even so she was always happy. She enjoyed...

Lewis Charles Kiser of Kalamazoo passed away Monday, December 16, 2013, at his home.Mr. Kiser was born January 14, 1924 in New Castle, PA to Lewis G. and Marguerite (Knoblock) Kiser. During WWII he served his country in the U.S. Army. Lewis earned his Bachelor Degree in Engineering from Tri-State University in Angola, IN, and taught engineering at Valparaiso University....

David Jarvis of Martin passed away Friday, December 13, 2013, at Wings Home in Allegan. Mr. Jarvis was born July 10, 1938 in Lansing to Richard and Carol (Montgomery) Jarvis.For many years he was a member of, employed by and had been President of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 36, retiring in 1988 at the age of...

Dorothy Howard of Plainwell, Michigan, passed away Friday, December 13, 2013 at her home in Plainwell. Mrs. Howard was born May 20, 1920, in Kalamazoo to William and Alma (Eberhard) Goodhart.She was a gifted athlete who enjoyed softball, bowling, skiing, ice skating, roller skating and also liked playing cards. Dorothy was a devoted homemaker whose family was the most important...

Ruth E. VanLinder of Otsego, MI passed away Tuesday, December 10, 2013 in Watervliet. She was born November 10, 1924 in Amherst, Nebraska to John and Katie (Smith) Oertwig. In 1944 she married Ronald VanLinder and spent 51 years together until his passing in 1995. Ruth enjoyed raising and spending time with her children, reading, taking walks, and her many...

Alice A. Gilbert of Plainwell, passed away December 6, 2013 surrounded by her family at Wings Home in Allegan.Alice was born April 29, 1922 in Clark County, Wisconsin, the daughter of Artus and Mary (Cooper) Channells. On December 28, 1940 she married Edward Gilbert in Wauson, Ohio.Alice was employed at McPherson Dry Cleaners in Plainwell for several years and for...

Edward Regnier of Kalamazoo passed away Thursday, December 5, 2013 in Plainwell. He was born March 24, 1935 in Allegan the son of Edward and Marietta (Thurston) Regnier. Edward is survived by his wife Grace; his siblings, Mae Marie Boss and Delmar Regnier; several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and...

Gary A. Nimtz of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Sunday, November 24, 2013 in Kalamazoo. Gary was born March 29, 1952 in Plainwell to Arthur and Betty (Filkins) Nimtz.In 1970 he graduated from Otsego High School. For over 26 years Gary lived in the Boston area, where he was employed as an accountant and bookkeeper.Surviving are his father, Arthur Nimtz of...

Charles Woodstock of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Monday November 18, 2013 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. Mr. Woodstock was born June 9, 1925 in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, the son of Archer and Mary (Coon) Woodstock.Charles served his country in the Armed Guard and continued his service as a Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy who served on nuclear...

Jennifer Hodgman of Kalamazoo passed away Thursday, November 14, 2013 in Portage, the result of an automobile accident. She was born August 20, 1985 in Plainwell, MI the daughter of Henry and Carolyn (VanDerVeen) Hodgman and was raised by her aunts and uncles. Jennifer is survived by her parents; 2 daughters, Baylee James Williamson and Katherine Abigail Cassanova; her siblings,...

Garth W. King, Jr. of Plainwell, Michigan, passed away Friday, November 15, 2013 at Life Care Center in Plainwell. He was born November 17, 1943 in Kalamazoo to Garth and Anna (Welch) King.For over 42 years he was employed with Graphic Packaging. He was a member of Berean Baptist Church in Portage.On June 4, 1971 in Portage, Michigan he marriedLois...