Obituaries

Terry D. Boerman of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Monday, November 5, 2012 in Kalamazoo. Terry was born July 16, 1952, in Plainwell to Robert and Henrietta (Clear) Boerman and was a lifelong resident of the area. In 1979 he joined the U.S. Army, where he worked as a tank mechanic. Following his service years he began his career in small...

Norma L. Couk of Plainwell, Michigan, passed away Saturday, November 3, 2012 in Plainwell. Mrs. Couk was born January 13, 1923, in Plainwell to Harlo and Helen (Price) Perry. For 17 years she was employed as a Librarian Assistant at Parchment Schools, retiring in 1978. In her leisure time Norma enjoyed knitting, crocheting, ceramics, family history and organizing pictures and...

Jack L. Stoneburner of Alamo, Michigan, passed away Thursday, November 1, 2012 at his home. Jack was born June 2, 1936 at the family home in Alamo to Clinton and Ruth (Kaylor) Stoneburner and was a lifelong resident of the area. A graduate of Otsego High School, for many years he was employed with Eaton Corp. Jack also enjoyed keeping...

On Wednesday, October 24, 2012, on vacation in Portland, Oregon, Mike Czuk joined his Lord and Savior in heaven. Mike was a sinner, though saved by grace and redeemed to proudly carry the love of God to all he met. He was energetic, enthusiastic, and an incredibly hard worker. He tackled all of his endeavors with pride: as a paperboy...

Ruth L. Fast of Otsego, Michigan passed away Saturday, October 27, 2012 in Alamo. Ruth was born in Watson Township to William and Blanche (Wilson) Deike. Ruth was a long distance operator for Michigan Bell Telephone from 1944-1948 and was a very active member of the Otsego United Methodist Church. She also enjoyed gardening, baking, reading and writing personal views...

George C. “Cliff” Shipley II of Otsego, Michigan passed away Saturday, October 27, 2012 in Otsego. Cliff was born October 30, 1935 in Watson Township to George and Ethel (Lukins) Shipley. Cliff was a lifetime farmer and horseman; raising and breeding registered Percherons and was a member of the Allegan Draft Horse and Mule Association. Cliff’s main loves were his...

Luke Anthony Vincent of Plainwell, Michigan, passed away Sunday, October 21, 2012, in Kalamazoo. Luke was born June 10, 1988 in Grand Rapids to Dennis and Doris (Schoen) Vincent. In 2006 he graduated from Plainwell High School and then attended KVCC . He was employed with Finishmaster, both driving and in the shop. In his leisure time he enjoyed playing...

Evelyn (Baker)Fish of Wayland, Michigan (Formerly of Kentwood) passed away on Saturday, October 20, 2012. She was preceded in death by her husband, Enoch D. Fish on June 7, 1995. She is survived by her children, Debra (Steven) Prenatt and Tracey (Michael) Klinkner; her grandchildren, Shannon (Anthony) Morris, Melissa (Vern) Hall, Michael (April Whip) Klinkner, Shawn (Mindi) Prenatt, Mallory (Greg)...

Russell D. Shaff of Kalamazoo, Michigan passed away Monday, October 22, 2012 in Kalamazoo. Russell was born September 27, 1931 in Kalamazoo the son of Daniel and Marian (Russell) Shaff. He graduated from Otsego High School in 1951. On June 5, 1954, in Kalamazoo, he married Jeanette Stephenson who survives. Russell had been a self-employed builder for 31 years. Also...

Doris Ann (Doorlag) Zanardi of Kalamazoo (formerly of Otsego) passed away Thursday, October 18, 2012 at her home. Mrs. Zanardi was born August 1, 1933 in Kalamazoo to Harm and Rena (Johnson) Doorlag.On January 14, 1950 in Kalamazoo she married Robert ‘Bob’ Zanardi Sr., who survives. Also surviving are five children, Robert (Donna) Zanardi Jr., Laraine Ann (Steve) Alexander, Louis...

Duane S. Kuiper of Otsego, Michigan passed away Wednesday, October 17, 2012 in Kalamazoo. Duane was born February 3, 1934 in Ferrysburg, Michigan to John and Grace (Ruiter) Kuiper. In 1951 he graduated from West Michigan Christian High School and in 1960 he graduated from Western Michigan University. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War. Duane and...

Dawn L. Hanson of Otsego, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, October 10, 2012. Dawn was born September 9, 1972 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Francis and Martha (Wiggins) Redson. She had worked as a home health aide for an adult foster care company. Dawn was active with the 1st Baptist Church of Plainwell, she enjoyed reading and doing word searches. On...

Barbara Anne (Ball) Ritchie, 72, wife of Clarence O. “Lars” Ritchie who would be celebrating their fourteen years of marriage this November 28th, of Zionsville, PA died Saturday, October 6, 2012 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, PA.Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, she was a daughter of the late Wilber Ronald Malcolm Ball and the late Anne A. (Sewell) Ball.Barbara was graduate...

Mr. Gail R. Tandy of Middleville (formerly of Martin) passed away Thursday, October 11, 2012, in Kentwood. Mr. Tandy was born December 7, 1937 in Plainwell, the son of C. Allen and Julia Mae (Brown) Tandy. He was a 1956 graduate of Martin High school and attended Western Michigan University. He spent most of his life on Gun Lake, where...

Robert A. ‘Bob’ Watson of Otsego, Michigan passed away unexpectedly Saturday, October 6, 2012 in Kalamazoo. Bob was born February 22, 1954 in Plainwell to Wallace ‘Wally’ and Margaret (Hughes) Watson and was a lifelong resident of the area. For over 30 years he was employed as a machine operator at Parker-Hannifin Corp. and later worked at Prairiewood Golf Course...

Phyllis J. ‘Tootie’ Guthrie of Otsego, Michigan passed away Thursday, October 4, 2012 at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo. Phyllis was born May 9, 1943 in Reynoldsville, PA, the daughter of William Clair and Kathryn (Martin) Guthrie. She had been employed at Parker Hannifin in Otsego and in Richland, retiring after more than 30 years. After her retirement, she enjoyed spending...

Chad Eric Merriam of Allegan passed away September 26, 2012 in Hopkins. Chad was born November 27, 1977 in Kalamazoo to Charles and Diane (Spohn) Merriam. For many years he was employed as a well driller. In his leisure time he enjoyed fishing, camping and playing his guitar. More than anything, Chad loved his family.Surviving are his mother and step-father,...

Marie F.VanDerMeer of Otsego passed away Saturday, September 29, 2012 in Otsego. Marie was born May 23, 1929 in Chicago to Edward and Pauline (Schumann) Anbach. In her leisure time she enjoyed reading, yard sales and flowers.Surviving are her daughters, Bonnie (David) Bloomquist and Carmen VanDerMeer both of Otsego. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Louis...

June E. Ahlberg of Kalamazoo, Michigan entered Heaven’s gates on Wednesday, September 26, 2012. Mrs. Ahlberg was born June 26, 1931, in Kalamazoo to Claus and Nellie (Lemmer) Bos. In 1949 she graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School. She had been employed with Meijer and then as a ward manager at Bronson Methodist Hospital, retiring in 1993. In her leisure...

Anna E. Grimes of Allegan passed away Saturday, September 22, 2012 in Allegan. Mrs. Grimes was born July 28, 1909 in Jonesville, MI the daughter of Wellington and Minnie (Davis) Lawrence. She graduated from Hillsdale High School in 1927 and from Bronson School of Nursing in 1931. Anna worked as a RN until she retired in 1968. In her leisure...