Obituaries

Don Smith of Otsego, Michigan, has “Gone Away With a Friend” on November 6, 2010. He was born April 7, 1939 to Dave and Margaret (Knight) Smith in Kalamazoo. Don graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1958 then entered the USMC. He served in Japan and was honorably discharged May 11, 1964. He worked for 44 years at Parker...

Margaret M. Bagley passed away Friday, November 5, 2010 at her home. Mrs. Bagley was born January 26, 1928 in Orangeville the daughter of John and Hattie (Berger) McKibbin. She had been employed with the Otsego Public Schools as a Head Cook for many years, retiring in 1992. Margaret enjoyed baking, camping, watching WWE wrestling, and in her early years,...

Janet D. Wakefield Hall of Plainwell, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, November 3, 2010 in Kalamazoo. Janet was born January 23, 1929 in Augusta, the daughter of Aubrey and Leota (Kart) Wakefield.In 1946 she graduated from Otsego High School and worked several years at Shakespeare in Kalamazoo. For over 20 years, she owned and operated Middle Earth Graphics, providing board games...

Bernice M. “Bea” Wood of Otsego, Michigan, went home to be with her Lord Thursday, October 21, 2010. Mrs. Wood was born January 24, 1923, in Kalamazoo to Carl and Statta (Phillips) Branch and was a lifelong resident of the area. A 1941 graduate of Otsego High School, for many years she had been employed with Kalamazoo Tank & Silo,...

David R. Coburn of Portage, Michigan, beloved husband and father passed away Thursday, October 21, 2010, at his home. David was born September 2, 1952 in Allegan to Beverly O. ‘Cobe’ and Ruth Ann (Clawson) Coburn. He was a graduate of Otsego High School, had earned his Master Degree from Central Michigan University and another Master Degree from Western Michigan...

Melvena M. Metcalf of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2010, in Kalamazoo. Mrs. Metcalf was born May 15, 1924, in Chicago, IL to Charles and Katherine (Lawrence) Dumas and was a lifelong resident of the area. Melvena was a graduate of Otsego High School and had been employed with Parker Hannifin Corporation, retiring after over 10 years service....

Patricia A. Powers of Otsego, Michigan passed away Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at her home. Patricia was born January 5, 1936 in Freemont, MI, the daughter of Harvey and Alta (Eaton) Townes. Patricia enjoyed playing darts, garage sales and collecting cows. On December 31, 1955 in Allegan she married Don Powers who survives. Also surviving are her children, Linda VandenBosch...

Bennard David ‘Dave’ Pickett of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Saturday, October 9, 2010 in Kalamazoo. Mr. Pickett was born July 25, 1937 in Kalamazoo to Clifton and Evelyn (Preston) Pickett and was a lifelong resident of the area. Dave was a 1957 graduate of Otsego High School and for 26 years was employed as a millwright with General Motors Corp....

John Gregory (Greg) Nulty, father of Jacque Drobny (Jim) Commissaris, Dan (Mary) Nulty, Terri (Bert) Cooper; Grandfather of Chad (Sally) Drobny, Marni Drobny (Mike) Owens, Matthew (Kelli) Drobny; Dana Nulty (Mike) Beals, Nicole Nulty (Keith) Vale, Tara Nulty (Andy) Callaghan, TG (Corin) Nulty; Kristen Cooper (Michael) Haines, Kathleen Cooper (Steven) Verduzco, Elizabeth Cooper (Benjamin) Simon; Great Grandfather of Carly and...

Judy M. Kruithoff of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Friday, October 1, 2010, at Rose Arbor Hospice. Judy was born February 8, 1950, in Billings, Montana. For over 10 years she was employed with Otsego Public Schools as a bus driver. In her leisure time she loved flower gardening and motorcycle touring with her husband. She also enjoyed horseback riding. Judy...

Lenaria B. Carson of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away Thursday, September 30, 2010, in Plainwell. Mrs. Carson was born June 13, 1931 in Schoolcraft to Buck and Emma (Reynolds) Kettle. In her leisure time she enjoyed crocheting afghans, quilting and playing Canasta and Bingo. On November 4, 1974, in Kalamazoo she was married to Albert Carson, who died in 2006. Also...

Larry D. Foe of Plainwell, Michigan, passed away Tuesday, September 28, 2010, in Grand Rapids. Larry was born August 14, 1943, in Dawson Springs, KY, to Harry and Mary (Howell) Foe. In his leisure time Larry enjoyed hunting, fishing and working crossword puzzles. Surviving are two grandchildren, Kim Blake of Cedar Springs and Charles A. Slone of Plainwell; his siblings,...

Barbara L. Cutler of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Sunday, September 26, 2010 at Rose Arbor Hospice, Kalamazoo. Barbara was born January 12, 1951 in Alma, Michigan, to Carl and Ruth (Richards) Mates. For many years she had been employed as an L.P.N. at Alamo Nursing Home, and for the past 8 years with Save-A-Lot. Surviving are two daughters, Kimberly Cutler...

Elmer Black of Alamo Township, passed away Friday, September 24, 2010 at his home. Elmer was born October 20, 1919 in Kalamazoo the son of John and Bertha (Ketchum) Black. He was a veteran of WW II and had been employed at Clarage Fan. He was a member of the Kalamazoo VFW and enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, Tigers Baseball and...

Donald D. Brest Sr. of Otsego, Michigan passed away Sunday, September 19, 2010, in Kalamazoo. Mr. Brest was born November 28, 1937 in Otsego to Claude and Gladys (Shively) Brest and was a lifelong resident of the area. For over 25 years he was employed with Fabri-Kal of Kalamazoo and then with Conley Equipment (now Steensma). Don loved NASCAR, local...

Russell “Russ” Button of Plainwell, Michigan went home to be with his Lord onTuesday, September 7, 2010. Russ was born August 22, 1934 in Otsego to Coral and Grace (Chapman) Button and had been a lifelong resident of the area. He had been employed as a process engineer with Parker Hannifin – Brass Division, retiring in 1996 after 36 years....

Raymond G. Rex of Otsego, Michigan, passed awayMonday, September 6, 2010at his home. Mr. Rex was bornOctober 31, 1924at the family home inOtsegoTownshipto Walter and Evelyn (Tyler) Rex and was a lifelong resident of the area. He served his country in the United States Navy. For many years he was employed with Parker Hannifin – Brass Division, retiring January of...

Pamela A. Mathis of Martin, Michigan, passed away unexpectedlySunday, September 5, 2010inKalamazoo. Pamela was born February 26, 1959, in Saginaw to Richard ’Dick’ and Nancy (Gerow) Bular In 1977 she graduated from Otsego High School and she loved working at McDonald’s. She loved reading and watching NASCAR and was a great Dale Jr. fan. Pam was a loving wife, mother...

Robert “Jack” Warner of Otsego, MI, passed awaySunday, September 05, 2010inKalamazoo. Jack was bornJanuary 12, 1933inHastings,MIthe son of Hubert and Kathryn (Williams) Warner. He was a Navy veteran, and a member of the Rotary Club – Paul Harris Fellow, the Elks Lodge and Michigan Sports Sages. He was a member of the Pastor/Parish Committee at theOtsegoUnitedMethodistChurchand longtime treasurer of the...

Boyd A. Van Horne of Cooper, MI passed awaySunday September 5, 2010inKalamazoo. Mr. Van Horne was bornMay 3, 1933in Plainwell, the son of Dorsey and Lillian (Cobb) Van Horne. He served in the US Army and was employed as an electrical engineer. He was interested in genealogy. Boyd is survived by 2 children, William (Sharon) Van Horne of Troy, MI...