Obituaries

Sherry G. Hicks of Alamo (formerly of Otsego) passed awaySaturday, June 12, 2010, inKalamazoo. Sherry was bornMarch 24, 1945to Allison “Glenn” and Edna V. (Weikel) Hicks and was a lifelong resident of the area. For several years she was employed as a ward clerk atPippCommunityHospitalin Plainwell. She attended theTrowbridgeUnitedMethodistChurchand was a member of the Women’s Society there. Sherry enjoyed singing,...

Merle W. Holmes of Otsego, MI passed away Sunday, June 6, 2010 at his home. Mr. Holmes was born August 21, 1919 in Otsego, the son of Frank and Nora (Aurand) Holmes and was a life resident of the area. He worked for 20 years at the Allied Coating Mill in Otsego and 20 years at Perrigo Company in Allegan....

Shirley L. Snyder ofOtsego, MI passed away Thursday, June 3, 2010 at her home surrounded by her family and friends. Shirley was born February 12, 1957 in Columbus, OH the daughter of Howard and Blanche Edna (Beavers) Borror. She had been employed with Parker Hannifin in Otsego for over 30 years. Shirley was a member of Otsego Moose Lodge and...

Delvin ‘Del’ Anderson of Otsego, Michigan, passed awayTuesday, June 1, 2010, inKalamazoo. Mr. Anderson was bornJuly 6, 1936inIshpeming,Michiganto Arvid and Mimi (Lahde) Anderson. After high school graduation he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Following his service he graduated fromNorthernMichiganUniversityand received his Masters Degree in education. He retired as principal of the Michigan State Technical Institute atPineLakeand...

Patricia J. (Spitzner) Mullen of Allegan (formerly of Otsego) passed awayMonday, May 31, 2010in Allegan. Patricia was bornDecember 25, 1929, inKalamazooto Arthur and Gladys (Woodyard) Mullen. She was raised by her great aunt and uncle, Goldie and Harvey Mullen, living inKalamazoothenColon, Allegan and Otsego. Pat enjoyed feeding wildlife and flower gardening. Surviving are two daughters and two sons, Lorraine (John)...

John A. Artis of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed awaySunday, May 30, 2010. John was bornAugust 19, 1965, in Plainwell to Larry and Mary (Dumas) Artis. He was a 1983 graduate ofPlainwellHigh Schooland a 1985 graduate ofITTInstitute inGrand Rapids. For 25 years he was employed with D.L. Gallivans Office Solutions, eventually becoming co-owner of the company. John was a member of New...

Christopher Adam Reece, Jr. of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed awayFriday, May 28, 2010inKalamazoo. Christopher Adam, beloved son of Christopher Reece and Jennifer (Brainard) Reynolds, was bornMarch 31, 2010inKalamazoo. In addition to his parents, survivors include his grandparents, Cindi and Harry Brainard, Connie Teal and Frank Reece, Jr.; great-grandparents, Vivian Bowers, Shirley Brainard, David Teal and Joan Reece; aunts and uncles, Natalie...

Jeremy Grayson Sweetland of Otsego, Michigan, passed away early Saturday, May 22, 2010 at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. Jeremy was born August 9, 1985 in Kalamazoo to Gerry and Lauren ‘Laurie’ (Moody) Sweetland. In 2004 he graduated from Otsego High School. He was a loving son and a wonderful friend and hero to many, who brought...

Beth M. Nickerson of Cross Plains, Tennessee, passed awayFriday, May 21, 2010inNashville,Tennessee. Beth was bornApril 8, 1950in Plainwell to Carmen and Eloise (Henry) Julien. She was a hard worker and had been employed for 34 years at Allegan Metal Finishing as a supervisor. Beth loved her family, especially her grandchildren. In her leisure time she enjoyed camping. OnMarch 30, 2001,...

Alanson ‘Al’ Kenyon of Plainwell, Michigan, passed awayThursday, May 20, 2010in Plainwell. Mr. Kenyon was bornApril 5, 1920inGrand Rapidsthe son of Herman and Lila (Phelps) Kenyon. Al worked at the Willow Run Ford Motor Co. inAnn Arbormaking bombers prior to being drafted in WW II. He was an Army veteran of the 10thMountain Div. where he served as a Rifleman...

James L. Clark, Sr. of Plainwell (formerly of Otsego) passed away Wednesday, May 19, 2010 in Plainwell. Mr. Clark was born February 3, 1922 in Macon, Georgia. During WWII he served his country in the U.S. Army. Until 1967 he operated the Citgo Gas Station in Plainwell and then was employed for 25 years as a service technician with Koestner...

Kevin K. Knobloch, Sr. of Otsego, Michigan, passed awayMonday, May 17, 2010at his home. Kevin was born June 21, 1954 in Plainwell to Vernon and Virginia (Stickel) Knobloch and was a lifelong resident of the area. He was a 1972 graduate ofOtsegoHigh School. For 18 years he was employed with the Plainwell Paper Co. and then operated a motel inReddington...

Mildred May Boysen of Otsego, MI passed away Saturday, May 15, 2010, in Plainwell. Mrs. Boysen was born May 19, 1914, in Trowbridge Township, the daughter of Otto and Fern (Russon) Nimtz. Mildred is survived by a daughter, Beverly (Dale) Reich of Otsego; 2 grandchildren, Robin (Rich) Bacon and Todd (Monica) Reich; 2 great-granddaughters, Angela Bacon and Natasha Reich; her...

Shirley M. Polmanteer ofOtsego passed away Friday, May 14, 2010 in Kalamazoo. Shirley was born May 11, 1935 in Watson Township to Walter and Clara (Decker) Vote. She was a 4H leader for over 31 years and for several years drove the kindergarten school bus for Martin Schools. On May 10, 1958 in Watson, she married Lloyd Polmanteer, who survives....

Audrey J. Howrigon of Otsego, Michigan, passed awayWednesday, May 12, 2010inKalamazoo. Audrey was bornFebruary 5, 1933in Plainwell to George Sr. and Nettie (DeWispelaere) Gauthier. She had worked for Plainwell paper for over 41 years and was a member of St. Margaret’s Church. Audrey enjoyed taking care of her grandkids, watching tennis and Notre Dame andMichiganfootball. Surviving are her sons, Roger...

M. IreneBostater(formerly of Otsego andLakeland,FL) passed awayThursday, May 6, 2010inKalamazoo. Mrs. Bostater was bornSeptember 10, 1917inKalamazooto Carl and Statta (Phillips) Branch. For many years she was employed as a secretary with the MacSimBar Paper Company, which had become Mead Corp. at the time of her retirement in 1982. Irene had been a member of the First Congregational Church of Otsego...

Joseph A. Ballay, Sr., of Allegan, Michigan, passed awayWednesday, May 5, 2010at his home after a short illness. Mr. Ballay was bornApril 3, 1925inChicagoto Paul J. and Stephania (Dzurnik) Ballay. Joe attendedOtsegoHigh School. During WWII he was in the U.S. Navy, serving in the South Pacific as a diesel mechanic. For many years he was employed as a mechanic in...

Bessie Rachel (Brown) of Otsego, Michigan, passed away at her Otsego home on Tuesday, May 4, 2010, surrounded by her family along with her dog and companion, Bubba. Bess was born July 1, 1922 in Otsego to Guy and FrayAnna (Straub) Brown. Known to many as Auntie Bee, she was a lifelong resident of the community of Otsego and will...

Sandra L.Germain ofOtsego passed awaySunday, May 2, 2010inKalamazoo.Sandywas bornApril 5, 1946inSturgis,MIto Donald and Alice (Baker) Whisler. She was a member of both the Martin and Allegan Lioness Clubs and was a member of the Michigan State Lioness Conference Committee for over 25 years.Sandyenjoyed doing crafts, was fun loving, adored her family and enjoyed having a good time. OnJuly 5, 1975in...

Mary K. Guerrant of Otsego, Michigan, passed awaySunday, May 2, 2010inKalamazoo, Mrs. Guerrant was bornMay 19, 1926inKalamazooto William and Kathryn (Watson) Beaupre. For several years she was employed as an x-ray technician withBorgessMedicalCenterandWilliamCrispeHospital. Mary was a devoted homemaker who enjoyed raising her family and especially enjoyed her grandchildren. OnOctober 27, 1951she was married to Jim Guerrant, who diedJanuary 19, 1998....