Obituaries

Kenneth Lee (LeRoy) Russell of Kalamazoo, MI (formerly of Otsego) went home to be with the Lord, surrounded by family at Kairos Dwelling, onAugust 26, 2008. Ken was born inSchoolcraft,MI, onMay 6, 1922. He was the only child of Leo F. and Viola (Russell) Russell, who preceded him in death. For four years he served in the Army Air Corps...

Elwin D. ‘Al’ Bronson ofOtsegopassed away Friday morning,August 22, 2008at his home with his family by his side. His last days were filled with family and friends, jokes, laughter and love. Al was bornJune 21, 1926in Otsego, the son of Paul and Ruth (Null) Bronson. He was a Veteran of WWII, serving in the Navy. Beginning in his teenage years...

Raylene ‘Bubbles’ Riston ofPlainwell passed awayWednesday, August 13, 2008inKalamazoo. Raylene was bornOctober 29, 1947in Plainwell, the daughter of Raymond and Earlene (Braizer) Lober. She was a graduate ofMartinHigh Schooland earned an Associates Degree fromFerrisStateUniversity. In her younger years, Raylene had been very active in 4H. She was a meticulous record keeper and enjoyed sewing, watching Law And Order and soap...

Loena K. Matthews(Jewson, Healey) passed away on August 11, 2008 after a long illness at Florida Hospital in Sebring, FL. She was born to Paul and Beatrice Jewson, January 31, 1925 in Otsego, MI. She graduated from Otsego High School in 1943. Loena was employed by Springfield Public Schools in the business office. After her retirement, she moved to Avon...

Julia A. Schiebergen of AlamoTownship passed awayMonday, August 11, 2008inAlamo. Julia was bornOctober 23, 1917in Parchment, the daughter of Julius and Anna (Kuternoga) Czernecki. Julia was a graduate ofKalamazooCentralHigh Schooland went on to take some accounting at college. She had worked for many companies over the years, most of that for Protection Products, retiring in the early 1980’s. OnSeptember 30,...

Sandra Livingston ofOtsego,Michigan diedThursday, August 7, 2008inGrand Rapids. Sandra was bornJuly 30, 1957inKalamazoo, the daughter of Arthur and Ruth (Miller) Livingston.Sandygraduated fromPlainwellHigh Schooland has worked at Alamo Nursing Home for over 22 years.Surviving are 2 sisters, LindaBurtonof Otsego and Sally Waldron of Allegan; 2 nephews and 1 niece, Alan, Ginger and Dennis; 1 great nephew, Heath. Friends may meet with...

Donald W. “Don” Garthe ofPlainwell,MI went to be with the Lord onThursday, July 31, 2008at his home, with his family at his side. Don was born onJune 9, 1939inDetroitand was raised there by his loving parents Paul and Helen (Yambor) Garthe until they moved toKalamazoowhen Don was a High School senior. In 1960 he began working at Peterson Spring where...

Bernard J. “Ben” Budzinski of Otsego,Michigan passed awaySunday, July 27, 2008in Plainwell. Ben was bornJuly 27, 1913in Paw Paw, MI the son of John and Antoinette (Zurawski) Budzinski. He was working in a Ferris Foundry inKalamazoowhen he got pneumonia and was hospitalized. While still recuperating, his doctor advised him to find another job, and not go back to the foundry...

Lester A. Hermenitt ofOtsego passed awayMonday, July 21, 2008inKalamazoo. Lester was bornDecember 13, 1945in Plainwell, the son of Ray and Vera (Earl) Hermenitt. He was a graduate ofDeltonHigh Schooland a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. When he was living inTexas, he mounted horns from Longhorn and Watusi cattle. He enjoyed golfing and fishing. OnJune 21, 2003, in Orangeville, he...

Eleanor M. Black ofKalamazoo,Michigan passed awayFriday, July 18, 2008inKalamazoo. Eleanor was bornApril 30, 1929inBattle Creek, the daughter of Ira and Daisy (Russell) Stouder. She was employed with Parker Hannifin for about 30 years and for a time she had done foster care. She enjoyed traveling and taking care of her grandchildren. OnAugust 10, 1957, Eleanor married Elmer Black ofAlamo, who...

Mrs. Frances L. Zantjer ofGobles, MI passed awayThursday, July 17, 2008at her home.Franceswas bornSeptember 6, 1916inLawton, the daughter of Herbert and Faye (Hamilton) Lofts. She was a member of theSeventhDayAdventistChurchin Gobles and for over 10 years she worked in the kitchen at the YWCA inKalamazoountil retirement. Her favorite pastimes were flower gardening and bird watching. Preceding her in death were...

Lloyd D. “Dave” Pixler ofOtsego passed awayTuesday, July 15, 2008inKalamazoo. Dave was bornMay 23, 1942inLancaster,Pennsylvaniathe son of Ward and Lillian (Davies) Pixler. He was a member of theLighthouseBaptistChurchin Plainwell. He was a historian, and some of his interests include railroads, gardening and woodworking. OnMarch 14, 1964inKalamazoo, he married Sharon Kiel, who survives. Also surviving are his daughter Karen Hummel of...

Vincent L. O’Neill ofOtsego,Michigan diedFriday, July 11, 2008in Allegan. Mr. O’Neill was bornJanuary 3, 1914inBoston,MAto James and Mary (Powers) O’Neill. For many years, he was employed with Standard Register Co. Later he served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for both Sturgis-Newport Business Forms and later Star Business Forms. He was the past President of National Business Forms Assn....

Mr. Donald H. Bartels (retired Postmast of Plainwell, Michigan, ) departed this earthly plane to rejoin his heavenly father on July 5th, surrounded by his loving family in the peaceful setting of his home.BornMay 22, 1927inKalamazoo,MIto Bernice Estella & Ethan A. Bartels. Married Iris Elaine Meacham onJune 28, 1958atMillwoodMethodistChurchinKalamazoo,MI.He served in theUSMarines from 1945-1946. He worked for theKalamazooPostal Service until...

Roger A. Stull ofDouglasville,GA(formerly ofOtsego,MI) passed awayMonday, June 30, 2008with his family by his side after a short illness, Roger was born in Plainwell to Ronald and JoAnne (Miller) onFebruary 23, 1952. He enjoyed bowling, watching the Young and the Restless, cartoons with his grandkids and the Sci-Fi- Channel. In November 1975 he married Linda (Shook) and had two wonderful...

Mark Robert-William Verploegh died Thursday, June 19, 2008 in Otsego. Mark was born January 11, 1981 in Kalamazoo to Robert Verploegh and Angelina Walker and attended Otsego High School. His favorite hobbies were collecting Hot Wheels and WWII memorabilia and building model cars and airplanes. He loved baseball and was an avid Red Sox fan. Surviving are his mother and...

Richard E. “Dick” Watson ofAllegan,MI passed awaySaturday, June 14, 2008in Allegan. Dick was bornJuly 19, 1925in Otsego, the son of John and Gertrude (Hosler) Watson. He played the organ and also danced and sang, he loved cards, gardening, golf and had gone toCanadafishing for many years. Dick was a member and officer of the Otsego Fire Department, and was also...

Betty J. Volker ofOtsego,MI passed away Tuesday June 10, 2008. Mom was born November 2, 1924 in Otsego, Michigan. She was the unexpected fourth daughter of John and Alda (Brunner) Turner. She was a life long resident of Otsego and a graduate of OHS class of 43. Mom worked at “The Creamery” in Otsego until, in the early 80’s, it...

Erline Turner ofOtsego,Michigan died peacefullyMonday, June 9, 2008inAlamo. Mrs. Turner was bornMay 21, 1920inMoulton,Alabamato Floyd and Essie (Harris) Turner. Erline loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them. She loved the Lord and listening to her grandson praying over dinner or at family gatherings. Erline enjoyed going to church, was a lifetime member ofSulphurSpringsBaptistChurchand enjoyed listening to the Gaithers....

Robert D. Aernie, Sr., of Plainwell, Michigan, diedSunday June 8, 2008inKalamazoo. Mr. Aernie was bornDecember 14, 1933in Oshtemo to Clarence and Dorothy (Rose) Aernie. For many years he was employed with Clausing Industrial, retiring in 2004. Bob enjoyed fishing, watching Detroit Tigers baseball and doing yard work. In 1952, he married Velma (Spencer) Wiborn and they divorced. OnMay 7, 1966inKalamazoohe...