Obituaries

Patricia “Patty” Zantjer left the loving arms of those that loved her to take up her favorite games of teasing and playing pranks, but in Heaven. She was a bright star, with a radiant smile and an infectious laugh, that captivated people. Born in Detroit, MI, on November 22, 1943 to Dallas and Viola (Muehe) Payne, Patty grew up in...

Wanetta Marie Armintrout, age 99, passed away peacefully at her home in Moline on September 10, 2023. She was born in Moline on June 10, 1924, the daughter of Alton and Gertrude (Van Horn) Frank. It was in Moline that she was mostly raised, alongside her grandparents and even her great-grandparents. She had a special bond with her Aunt Ollie....

Mary Ellen Fergusson Woodstock passed away Friday September 8, 2023, in the loving arms of her family. Mary Ellen was born October 23, 1925, to John and Olive Sornbury of Otsego, where she spent 94 happy years as a loved resident of the Otsego and Plainwell communities with family and friends who supported her throughout her life. Mary Ellen spent...

Mary Louise Babbitt, 74 of Allegan, MI, passed away on September 8, 2023, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.Born September 6, 1949, in Allegan, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late Elizabeth F. Russell. Mary was loved by her family as well as by her dear friends at Harmony Brook. She will be missed by many. Mary is preceded...

Robert Doster passed away Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at his son’s home on Pine Lake.He is survived by his wife of 70 years Sally; son, Mark (Gale) Doster, daughters, Leesa (Richard Thomas) Doster and Karen (Rick Konecky) Doster; 7 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren; a sister Gail (Dale) Parker.He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Matthew, 4 brothers...

Timothy Janke of Otsego passed away Sunday, September 3, 2023 at his home in Otsego. Tim was born June 11, 1961 in Allegan the son of Theodore and Leah (Counterman) Janke.On September 5, 1987 he married Gina Comstock who survives. He worked spray painting boards and worked with hardwood at Mill Craft in Allegan for around 10 years and for...

Deb Smalla of Otsego passed away Monday, September 4, 2023 in Kalamazoo. Deb was born November 21, 1955 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of James and Diane (Kopp) Nelson.Deb was a 1974 graduate of Otsego High School and had worked for Perrigo for 41 years retiring in 2017. She enjoyed trips to the casino, she especially loved spending time with her...

Dave passed away peacefully, Monday, August 28, 2023, at home with his family by his side.He was born January 23, 1939 in Plainwell, the son of Arthur and Myrtle (Hawkins) Myers. Dave enlisted in the Army Reserves when he was 18 and proudly served his country for 8 years. He worked as a concrete mason for Titus for 20 years,...

Bill passed away, Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at his home in Plainwell.He was born May 8, 1956 in Plainwell, the son of James and Charlene (Buxton) Harrington. Bill graduated from Plainwell High School in 1974 and attended Michigan State University earning a degree in Agriculture and Horticulture. He worked at Ridderman Oil for several years and went on to own...

Nancy passed away, unexpectedly, Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.She was born April 16, 1957 in Allegan, MI, to Fred and Joan (Stegeman) Volker. Nancy was a 1975 Otsego High School graduate. She had worked for National City/PNC Bank in Oshtemo for over 20 years and then for JD Byrider in Kalamazoo for over 10 years.Nancy was...

John passed away, Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at his home under Hospice care.He was born June 26, 1938 in New Washington, Ohio, the son of John and Erna (Keebler) Fry. His early life was spent on his family farm as the youngest and only boy of 5 children. John graduated from Buckeye Central High School in 1955. He proudly served...

Jack passed away Monday, August 21st, 2023, in Kalamazoo.He was born January 7th, 1959, in Kalamazoo, the son of George and Frances (Hinds) Hawley. Jack graduated from Comstock High School in 1977. He proudly served his country in the U.S Navy on the SS Duluth while stationed in San Diego, CA. Upon discharge Jack returned to Kalamazoo and worked at...

Nancy passed away unexpectedly, Saturday, August 19, 2023, from injuries sustained in a car accident along with her brother, Gene.She was born July 16, 1939 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Charles and Florence (DeLong) Hale. Nancy worked for Gibson Guitar for 15 years and Stryker for 25 years until her retirement in 2003. Nancy loved spending time with her grandchildren...

May passed away, Sunday, August 20, 2023 in Kalamazoo.She was born October 11, 1924 in Timmersdala, Sweden, the daughter of Walfrid and Signhild (Swanson) Johnson and immigrated to the U.S. with her family as an infant. During WWII May worked as a nurse’s aide. She went on to work for Wyoming Public Schools retiring in 1986.May had a giving heart,...

Brenda Bumgart-Spitzer Plainwell passed away, Monday, August 14, 2023 in Kalamazoo. Brenda was born February 13, 1950 in Moulton, AL, the daughter of Ralph and Hazel (Terry ) Bumgart.She moved to Michigan as a young child and graduated from Otsego High School. Brenda loved to shop!Surviving are her daughter, Melissa Russell and her grandchildren, Brittni Tucker and Blake Russell; her...

Edna passed away, Thursday, August 10, 2023 at Plainwell Pines.She was born February 16, 1934 in Kalamazoo the daughter of Harley and Ola (Buckmaster) Saxton. Edna enjoyed being active and liked walking, canoeing, hiking, gardening, working in her flower beds and spending time in the woods with her husband.She loved taking care of her family and was a self-taught cook...

Connor passed away, unexpectedly, Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at his home in Otsego.He was born November 14, 2000 in Kalamazoo, the son of Thomas and Jessica (Dingman) Blanchard. Connor worked in construction doing drywall. He loved music especially the Red Hot Chili Peppers and enjoyed playing the bass.Connor had a heart of gold and was a hopeless romantic. He loved...

Ron passed away, Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at his home in Allegan.He was born March 28, 1935 in Plainwell the son of Fred and Florence (Bailey) Buzzell. Ron proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy. For several years he worked at Mac Sim Bar and Rockwell International until his retirement. He went on to work at Parker Hannifin for...

Brian passed away Monday, August 7, 2023 at his home in Kalamazoo.He was born January 23, 1947 in Geneseo, Illinois, the son of Russell and Shirley (Clarey) Johnson. He attended the University of Virginia, George Washington University, the University of Illinois and Western Michigan University and received several Masters Degrees.Brian worked as a mechanical engineer for Consumers Energy, as a...

Jeff passed away, Sunday, August 6, 2023 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.He was born February 16, 1963 in Kalamazoo to John and Donna (Vandelaare) Larrabee. Right out of high school Jeff began working in construction. He worked on multiple nuclear power plants around the country as a union carpenter and for Exon and FEMA doing clean up after hurricanes...