Obituaries

Diane M. Walters

Diane M. Walters

Dec 20, 2024

Diane passed away, Friday, December 20, 2024, at Stanford Lodge in Plainwell, following a long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer. 

She was born June 4, 1952, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Richard and Theresa (Caro) Wood. Diane worked as a long-distance phone operator at Michigan Bell, cleaned houses and sold Avon. She enjoyed volunteering at Allegan General Hospital, following NASCAR,...

Michael G. Blowers

Michael G. Blowers

Dec 11, 2024

Mike passed away peacefully at his home in Delton on December 11, 2024, at the age of 78. 

Born on May 30, 1946, in Kalamazoo to Virgil and Catherine (Roseboom) Blowers, Mike’s journey through life was marked by a profound curiosity and a dedication to his craft. A proud graduate of Otsego High School in 1964, Mike pursued higher education at...

Jack L. Trumbla

Jack L. Trumbla

Dec 10, 2024

Jack passed away, Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at his home in Plainwell, surrounded by his loving family. 

He was born March 26, 1936, in Perry, Oklahoma, the son of Jess and Jennie (Brumitt) Trumbla. Jack worked at Goder’s Automotive, was a partner at Kalamazoo Speed Shop and retired after 25 years at the age of 60 from the State Technical Institute...

Dennis S. McConney

Dennis S. McConney

Dec 9, 2024

Dennis passed away, Monday, December 9, 2024, at Stanford Lodge in Plainwell. 

He was born May 9, 1940, in Allegan, the son of George and Avis (Hettinger) McConney. Dennis graduated from Otsego High School in 1958. He started work at Michigan News and worked for several area paper companies. In 1984 he opened Sprinkle Road Grand Prix and in 1989 he...

Daniel L Hurlbut Sr.

Daniel L Hurlbut Sr.

Dec 9, 2024

Dan passed away, Monday, December 9, 2024, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. 

He was born on December 14, 1940, in Prairieville Township, the son of Earl and Dorothy (Jones) Hurlbut. Dan graduated from Otsego High School in 1958. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. For many years he worked at Parker Hannifin as a tool...

Gary E. Burd

Gary E. Burd

Dec 7, 2024

Gary passed away, Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. 

He was born September 29, 1968, in Plainwell, the son of Jerry and Cheryl (Pion) Burd. Gary was a 1986 Otsego High School graduate and attended Western Michigan University. 

Gary was always up for a good time and had a great sense of humor. He loved spending time with...

Dale I. LaRoy

Dale I. LaRoy

Dec 2, 2024

Dale I. LaRoy went to his eternal home to be with his Savior Jesus Christ, on December 2, 2024. 

He was born on July 18, 1949, to Marvin and Wilma (Sportel) LaRoy. After graduating from Parchment High School, he served as a Sargeant in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War. 

Following his honorable discharge Dale returned to Kalamazoo and worked in...

Janice E. Ohlson

Janice E. Ohlson

Dec 2, 2024

Janice passed away, Monday, December 2, 2024, at the Laurels of Sandy Creek in Wayland. 

She was born on January 13, 1954, in Chicago, the daughter of Walter and Eleanor (Strache) Fuller. Janice worked at Pizza Palace in Elmhurst, Illinois and Deano’s in Allegan. As a young woman she enjoyed cooking and flower gardening. She also liked watching Sci-Fi movies, going...

Mary Ann Kleinbrink

Mary Ann Kleinbrink

Dec 1, 2024

Mary Ann passed away, peacefully surrounded by her family, Sunday, December 1, 2024, at her home in Otsego. 

She was born, January 28, 1951, in Plainwell the daughter of Motley and Garnet (Story) Tefft. Mary Ann graduated from Otsego High School in 1969 and worked as a long-distance phone operator until she married and started her family. While raising her children,...

Sherman Dunn

Sherman Dunn

Nov 28, 2024

Passed away Thursday, November 28, 2024 in Allegan. Sherman was born November 7, 1941, in Kalamazoo, the son of Robert and Bertha (Stenger) Dunn. He was employed at Crown Vantage-James River in maintenance retiring in 2006. 

Sherman enjoyed deer hunting, ice fishing, puzzle books, watching westerns and especially enjoyed watching the Detroit Lions with his grandson Steve. In 1981 he married...

Lucinda A. Hough

Lucinda A. Hough

Nov 25, 2024

Cindy passed away, Monday, November 25, 2024, at her home in Kalamazoo. 

She was born September 23, 1948, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Charles Sr. and Elenor (Cavanaugh) Vaughn. For many years Cindy worked as a bookkeeper until her retirement. She enjoyed gardening, reading and fishing and loved animals, especially her dog. On December 20, 1968, she married Patrick Hough who...

Joseph A. Forstner

Joseph A. Forstner

Nov 23, 2024

Joe passed away, Saturday, November 23, 2024, at his home in Allegan. 

He was born July 26, 1956, in Allegan, the son of Joseph and Marcella (Goerlitz) Forstner. For many years Joe worked at Perrigo until his retirement in July 2021. Joe also owned and operated Forstner’s Blueberry Farm from 1985 to present. 

He enjoyed listening to music, motorcycles and watching the...

Remy J. Coburn

Remy J. Coburn

Nov 22, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Remy J. Coburn, who left this world on November 22, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer that lasted for eight months and four days. Born on February 9, 2012, in Kalamazoo, Remy was a ray of sunshine whose positivity brightened the lives of all who knew her. 

Remy was...

Tammy S. Janke

Tammy S. Janke

Nov 20, 2024

Tammy passed away, Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at her home in Allegan. 

She was born on August 13, 1962, the daughter of Theodore and Leah (Counterman) Janke. For many years Tammy worked at Hayworth in Holland. In her free time, she enjoyed being outdoors, gardening, camping and fishing. She also liked to crochet and play games. Most of all Tammy loved...

Kristine J. Baker

Kristine J. Baker

Nov 17, 2024

Kristine passed away, Sunday, November 17, 2024, at her home in Otsego. 

She was born October 26, 1958 in Plainwell, the daughter of Raymond and Joyce (Langeance) Baker. Kristine graduated from Otsego High School in 1976 and earned a bachelor’s degree in education. 

While attending Anderson University she began working in the culinary department where she worked for 40 years, transitioning to...

Jean Smalla

Jean Smalla

Nov 6, 2024

Jean passed away, Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at Stanford Lodge in Plainwell. She was born on November 19, 1934, in England, the daughter of Joseph and Emma (Mann) Breed. In her younger years Jean worked at Parker Hannifin in the cafeteria for several years. She went on to work as a secretary at Otsego High School until her retirement in...

David C. Hedges Jr

David C. Hedges Jr

Nov 5, 2024

David passed away November 5, 2024, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.

He was born January 6, 1956, in Plainwell, the son of David and Ellen (Wright) Hedges. David graduated from Otsego High School in 1974 and was a lifelong resident of the area. 

As a young man he worked at a tractor dealership repairing farm equipment. In 1986 he opened Dave's Auto...

James M. Falduto

James M. Falduto

Nov 1, 2024

James M. Falduto (Jim) 85, of Gobles, Michigan passed away peacefully at home with his wife, Kay Newton, beside him.

James was born in Melrose Park, IL on May 26, 1939 to Nicholas and Grace Falduto. He was the eldest of 4 children. His beloved brother and sister, Diane and Nicholas Jr. (Pam) have predeceased him. He is survived by his...

Jazzmin A. De La Cruz Santiz

Jazzmin A. De La Cruz Santiz

Oct 31, 2024

Jazzmin Annmarie De La Cruz Santiz, age 13, of Plainwell, Michigan, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2024, at Helen Devos Children’s Hospital in the care of an amazing team of doctors. 

She was born on November 30, 2010, in Three Rivers, to Heather (Lint) De La Cruz Santiz. While attending school, Jazzmin discovered and nurtured a love of band, where...

Douglas B. Wesler

Douglas B. Wesler

Oct 29, 2024

On October 29, 2024, Doug got to meet Jesus face to face, after a courageous battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. He was reunited with his parents, Howard “Tag” and Marge (Abbott) Wesler and for the first time met his sister, Kay, who passed away before he was born.

Doug was a dedicated mechanic at Don Seelye Ford in Kalamazoo, where he...

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