Obituaries

Linda L. Dean of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, November 30, 2011 in Kalamazoo. Linda was born November 13, 1942 in Watson Township, the daughter of Ira and Mildred (Pierce) VanHouten.For several years she was employed with Harding’s Market in Otsego.Surviving are her husband, Paul; a daughter Paula Dean of Allegan; a son Tom Dean of Otsego; 3 sisters, Lois,...

Glenna Lucille Worden Burkett was released from this earthly life to her heavenly home on November 26, 2011. Mrs. Burkett was born October 30, 1920, in Payne, OH to Rev. Lester and Esther Worden. Glenna was a licensed foster mother and caregiver to numerous children. She served in a variety of areas at the Otsego Church of God; as the...

Jeffrey H. “Jeff” Watkins of Alamo Township, Michigan passed away Monday, November 21, 2011 in Kalamazoo. Jeff was born June 23, 1962 in Kalamazoo, the son of Norris and Sandra (Sabo) Watkins. He was a 1980 graduate of Otsego High School where he excelled in athletics. Jeff loved his family. He was very involved with his children and enjoyed auto...

Helen Johnson of Hendersonville, NC, formerly of Otsego, Michigan passed away Friday, November 18, 2011 at her son’s home with her Hospice nurses and family by her side. Helen was born September 17, 1919 in Auburn, IN to Ervin and Frances (Cool) Pion. She had worked for A&P Grocery in Otsego and McPherson’s Plastics, retiring in 1987. In her leisure...

Gloria Sinkler of Otsego, Michigan passed away Friday, November 18, 2011 at her home. Mrs. Sinkler was born December 7, 1959 in Kalamazoo to Robert and Mary (Hoort) DeKoekkoek. She was a 1978 graduate of Plainwell High School, enjoyed music, child care and was loved by many. On July 13, 1979 in Plainwell she married David Sinkler who survives; also...

Richard ‘Dick’ Dooley of Otsego, Michigan passed away Sunday, November 20, 2011 in Kalamazoo. Mr. Dooley was born May 10, 1944 in Kalamazoo to Robert and Patricia (Cleland) Dooley and was a lifelong resident of the area. In 2009 Dick retired from ARVCO Container where he worked for 30 years as a truck driver. He was a 40 year member...

John Arthur ‘Johnny’ Laster of Plainwell passed away Saturday, November 19, 2011 in Allegan. Mr. Laster was born May 17, 1918 in Scobey, Mississippi to Benjamin and Ruth (Denmun) Laster.He served in the Army in Germany during WW II. Johnny was a Boy Scout leader, enjoyed camping, hunting and riding his tractors. He retired from Eaton Mfg. then worked for...

Beulah K. Trolard of Alamo passed away Thursday, November 17, 2011 in Plainwell. Mrs. Trolard was born September 15, 1914 in Bloomfield, IN to Edward and Daisy (Noel) Johnston.For 60 years Beulah grew and sold pumpkins, watermelons and onions selling them at her vegetable stand until she was 95 years old. She also raised chickens and German Shepherd dogs.On July...

Lenard J. Kling of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at his home. Mr. Kling was born October 16, 1932 in Otsego Township to Charles and Ida (Herbst) Kling and was a lifelong resident of the area. During the Korean War Lenard served his country in the U.S. Army.On June 4, 1953 in Otsego he married the former...

Judith A. Palmer of Plainwell, Michigan, died Wednesday, November 16, 2011, at her residence. She was born May 31, 1942, in Hastings, Michigan, the daughter of Arthur and Elizabeth (Woodman) Palmer.Judy was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Bonnie Kenfield; and one granddaughter.She is survived by her partner of 23 years, Robert Fuller of Plainwell; her daughter, Deborah...

Patricia Ann Wall of Otsego, Michigan passed away Monday, November 14, 2011 at her home. Mrs. Wall was born May 26, 1942 in Kalamazoo to John and Amy (Youngblood) Foster and was a lifelong resident of the area. Pat was a devoted homemaker and loved taking care of her family. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of...

Sharon Lea Meacham of Glasgow, Kentucky died Friday, November 11, 2011 at T. J. Samson Community Hospital in Kentucky. Mrs. Meacham was born in Kalamazoo to Bruce Fenner and Mary Cochran Raith. Sharon was an administrative assistant for Gray Construction Co.Survivors include her husband Richard; her step-father Gerald Raith of Kalamazoo; sisters Kathy (Mark) Knowlton of Glasgow, KY, Linda (Rick)...

Rev. Arthur J. Clement of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away Monday, November 7, 2011, in Kalamazoo. Rev. Clement was born May 7, 1929 in Mauston, Wisconsin to Arthur J. and Ragnhild (Larson) Clement.He graduated from Mauston (WI) High School and Concordia Seminary and College of Springfield, Illinois on June 5, 1953 and that same year was ordained at St. Paul Lutheran...

Lorna J. Pirrone of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Monday, November 7, 2011 in Kalamazoo. Lorna was born September 5, 1933 in Allegan to Earl andIrene (Finn) Seekmanand was a lifelong resident of the area.A 1952 graduate of Otsego High School, Lorna touched the lives of many people. She had been employed with the Plainwell Sanitarium and then was the first...

Bertram R. ‘Bert’ VanDeLaare of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away Monday, November 7, 2011, at his home. Mr. VanDeLaare was born October 27, 1935 in Kalamazoo to Melvin and Aretha (Shallhorn) VanDeLaare and was a lifelong resident of the area. For many years he was a member of the Sheet Metal Workers Union Local #7 and retired in 1990 from Wheeler-Blaney....

Robert L. Raycraft of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away Sunday, November 6, 2011 at his home. Mr. Raycraft was born August 7, 1925 in Alma, MI to George and Hallie (Cline) Raycraft. During WWII he served his country in the Army Air Force.Robert graduated from Ferris State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy. He was employed with The...

John A. Seekman of Otsego, Michigan passed away Friday, November 4, 2011, in Kalamazoo. John was born February 22, 1936 in Watson Township to John and Winnie (Zoet) Seekman and was a lifelong resident of the area. For 43 years he was employed with Plainwell Paper Company, retiring in 1998 as a truck driver. He also did excavating work as...

William H. ‘Bill’ Berner of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, November 2, 2011 in Kalamazoo. Mr. Berner was born April 21, 1933 in Mishawaka, IN to Hilary and Mary Catherine (Terbush) Berner.For 37 years he was employed with Durametallic (now FloServe), retiring in 1998, and had also farmed part-time. In his leisure time he enjoyed tractor shows, his John Deere...

Roberta Kiser of Kalamazoo, Michigan passed away Thursday, October 27, 2011 in Kalamazoo. Mrs. Kiser was born June 21, 1924 in New Castle, PA to Lloyd and Elizabeth (Trover) Wimer. She was a veteran of WWII serving as a nurse in the Army. During the Vietnam war she worked at Ft. Sam Houston in the burn unit. Roberta was a...

Fred Daniels of Plainwell, Michigan, passed away Friday, October 21, 2011 in Grand Rapids. Mr. Daniels was born April 20, 1926 in Waterbury, Connecticut to Frederick and Margaret (Kapteyn) Daniels.He was a graduate of Stoneybrook High School, Long Island. During WWII he served his country in the U. S. Navy and also in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean...