Obituaries

Sgt. John J. Abee of Plainwell, Michigan, passed awayMonday, September 21, 2009, inKalamazoo. John was bornFebruary 22, 1956inDetroit,Michiganto Jerry and Marie (Griffin) Abee. For 20 years he served as an auto mechanic in the U.S. Air Force and Army, serving inIraqfrom 2003-2004. He currently was employed as an automotive technician for the Army National Guard inWyoming, MI. In his leisure...

BrendaDoss (Bard) ofHamilton,Michigan passed awayFriday, September 18, 2009inHamiltonsurrounded by love. Brenda was bornOctober 2, 1961inBattle Creekto Paul and Judith (Johnston) Bard. Brenda was a loving wife and mother. She had worked for Upjohn and State Farm Insurance. She was an avid softball fanatic and attended any game she could find. While being a lifelong Detroit Tigers fan, she used her...

Ruby Spencer of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away Thursday, September 17, 2009, in Kalamazoo.Mrs. Spencer was born March 5, 1913in Kalamazoo County to Howard and Clarabell (Brotherton) Young. Ruby was a graduate of Otsego High School. For 17 years she worked as a volunteer with the Kalamazoo Senior Center Meal Sites, retiring when she was 90. Surviving are two sons and...

Gerald S. Belden of Allegan, Michigan, passed awayTuesday, September 15, 2009in Allegan. He was bornNovember 19, 1919inMontereyTownship, the son of Harvey and Mable (Zoll) Belden. Gerald was a Navy veteran of WW II, serving in the Pacific. For 30 years he was employed with Rockwell International, retiring at age 56. He enjoyed square dancing, playing cards and helping others. OnApril...

Eleanoar J. Wood of Kalamazoo (formerly of Otsego) passed awaySunday, September 13, 2009, inKalamazoo. Mrs. Wood was bornJuly 21, 1932in Plainwell to Louis and Thelma (Martin) Punches and was a lifelong resident ofSouthwest Michigan. Eleanor graduated fromOtsegoHigh School. She was employed as a dental assistant, first with Dr. Raymond Malvitz and then with Dr. Yvonne Kochanczyk. Later, she was office...

Faye K. Wine of Massillon, Ohio, (formerly of Otsego, Michigan) went home to be with the Lord onTuesday, September 1, 2009inMassillon,Ohio. Mrs. Wine was bornAugust 13, 1934, inKalamazoo,Michigan. For many years, she was employed as a bookkeeper for West Lake Pharmacy. Surviving are her son, David (Robin) McLoud of Canton, OH; three grandchildren, Crystal (Bryan) Francis of Ohio, Eileen (Chad)...

Caleb Henry Nickerson of Plainwell, Michigan, passed awayTuesday September 1, 2009. Caleb was bornOctober 17, 2000, in Plainwell to Kevin and Cheryl (Gren) Nickerson. He had finished First Grade atStarrElementary School, Plainwell. Caleb loved playing AYSO Soccer, animals, camping, riding his bike, holidays and most of all being with his family. He also liked girls, especially blondes, and dressing up....

Wanda Kate ‘Pop Drawers’ French of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Monday, August 31, 2009 in Kalamazoo.Wanda was born July 10, 1955 in Kalamazoo to Quillman and Melanie “Momo” (Hudson) Phillips and was a life long resident of the area. For many years she was owner of Mack’s Fire Protection Co., Inc. and most recently worked as an administrative assistant at...

MitchellMorey ofOtsego passed away suddenlyFriday, August 28, 2009in Otsego. Mitch was bornJune 1, 1980inKalamazooto Richard and Karen (Burroughs) Morey. Mitch was a 1998 graduate ofOtsegoHigh Schoolwhere he was involved with the theatre, was very artistic and enjoyed drawing and had worked at the London Grill in Plainwell for the last 9 years. He loved music, karaoke, his bongos, playing poker...

Amber D. Schiffelbein of Allegan passed awayThursday, August 27, 2009. Amber was bornMarch 27, 1982, in Garden City,Kansasto Fred and Diana (Cunningham) Schiffelbein. Amber enjoyed gardening, flowers, helping around the house, cheerleading with her children, camping, fishing and music, she was a great mother and daughter. Surviving are her parents, her children, Skyleigh & Jonathan Schiffelbein, Lillianna Marie Taber and...

Ralph D. Venen of Otsego, Michigan, passed awayMonday, August 24, 2009, inKalamazoo. Mr. Venen was bornJanuary 4, 1931in Rices Landing,Pennsylvaniato Darwin and Thelma (Davis) Venen. Ralph served his country as a radio operator in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. While stationed inGermanyhe met his future wife, Waldtraut Bauer. She moved to theUnited Statesin 1952, they reconnected in 1955...

Betty J. Holmes of Gobles, Michigan, passed awaySunday, August 23, 2009, in Kalamazoo., Mrs. Holmes was bornOctober 6, 1926, in Otsego to James and Laveva (Thaxton) Deaton and was a lifelong resident of the area. Betty enjoyed traveling, camping, vegetable gardening, fishing and especially enjoyed having the grandkids spend the night. Surviving are a son and a daughter, James (Iva)...

Arnold A. Bohjanen of Kalamazoo, MI, passed awaySaturday, August 22, 2009inKalamazoo. Mr. Bohjanen was bornJanuary 26, 1920inHancock,Michigan, son of the late Henry and Elizabeth (Takalo) Bohjanen. After graduation from high school he entered the U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corp. as a Cadet Engineer and was assigned to the American President Lines out ofSan Franciscofor sea training. He had been a...

Michael L. ‘Mike’ Sackett of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Friday, August 21, 2009. Mike was born March 26, 1961 in Battle Creek, the son of Kenneth and Judith (Winkler) Sackett. He enjoyed rock and roll music, video games including golf and Madden football, jigsaw puzzles, woodworking, gardening and watching scary movies. He was an avid Detroit Lions fan and had...

Thelma J. Gordon ofOtsego, Michigan passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2009 in Allegan. Mrs. Gordon was born August 31, 1922 in Otsego to Thomas and Elva (Lamoreaux) Simington and was a lifelong resident of the area. Thelma was a member of the Women of the Moose and in her leisure time enjoyed knitting. On October 12,1940 she married Harry Gordon....

Robert E. “Bob” Dalrymple of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Monday, August 3, 2009, at his home surrounded by his family. Bob was born February 4, 1937 in Otsego, the son of Henry and Donnavieve (Adams) Dalrymple. He retired from Azon USA after 21 years. Bob enjoyed bowling, fishing, watching his grandchildren play sports, and played softball until he was 60...

Caine Tell GrabachMarch 16, 1981 – August 1, 2009Caine left us too soon. He was exuberant and fun loving, he was gentle and warm hearted; his charm and charisma drew in everyone he met. Losing him has shattered the lives of those who loved him. Caine has a strong, close family and we each know how much he cared for...

Lucile Leonard ofOtsego passed awayThursday, July 30, 2009, inKalamazoo. Mrs. Leonard was bornDecember 24, 1921in Allegan to Robert and Estella (Thompson) Guidebeck and was a lifelong resident of the area. She was anOtsegoHigh Schoolgraduate, Class of ’39. Lucile earned her Realtors License in the Mid 1970’s and worked in the Real Estate Market for several years. She was a member...

Vernon E. Metcalf of Kalamazoo, Michigan, (formerly of Otsego) passed awayThursday, July 30, 2009, at his home. Mr. Metcalf was bornOctober 25, 1922, in White Rock,South Dakota. He served his country in the U.S. Army. For many years he was employed with Perrigo Co., retiring in 1987.Vernonwas a member of St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Otsego, the Knights of Columbus...

Marian L. Withrow ofAllegan, Michigan passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2009, at her home. Mrs. Withrow was born August 27, 1936 in Kalamazoo the daughter of Theodore and Gladys (Knapp) Parks. On November 18, 1956 she married John Withrow who survives. Also surviving are 2 daughters, Cathy (Dale) Kibby of Tampa, FL and their children, Amber, Tanden and Molly; and...