Obituaries

Rick passed away, after a short intense battle with cancer on Friday, January 21, 2022 at his home in Plainwell.The son of Eugene and Mary (Benham) Bush, he was born in Ypsilanti. Rick served his country in the U.S. Army. He earned his Master’s Degree from Wayne State University and worked for Pfizer for 30 years until his first retirement...

Tom passed away Thursday, January 20, 2022 in Kalamazoo.He was born November 21, 1957 in Kalamazoo, the son of Ernest and Laura (Gardineer) Loughead. Tom was a 1976 Plainwell High School graduate and lifelong resident of the area. For 45 years he worked at Parker Hannifin until his retirement in August 2021.Tom was a kid at heart with a curious...

Tom passed away, Monday, January 17, 2022 in Kalamazoo.He was born November 29, 1944 in Allegan, the son of Sherley and Mary (Blonshine) Noyes. Tom proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during Vietnam as a missile technician. For over 40 years he worked at Parker Hannifin until his retirement. He also taught at KVCC for over 30 years.Tom...

Janet passed away Sunday, January 16, 2022 at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo.She was born January 9, 1945 in Allegan, the 4thof 7 children, to Kenneth and Theo (Bussey) Plotts. Janet was a purchasing clerk at Safari Circuits for several years until her retirement. Janet loved the simple things like watching the birds, walks and going for rides when she was...

Rudy passed away Sunday, January 16, 2022, surrounded by his family at Allegan General Hospital.He was born March 26, 1930, to Vincent and Eloisa (Abrego) Reyes in Austin, Texas. Rudy worked for Stryker, Clarage Fan and Hillside Cemetery. He enjoyed playing baseball, following the Detroit Tigers and playing his accordion. Rudy was a people person and enjoyed sharing a conversation...

Allen R. Dennis, 69, of Wayland, passed away Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, at his home.Allen was born Jan. 12, 1952 in Waterloo, Iowa. The son of Lee Roy and Helen (Berger) Barr. Allen proudly served his country in the U.S. Airforce stateside during the Vietnam conflict. Owner and operator of Rebel Trans., Wyoming, MI, Allen was a successful small-business owner...

Jerry passed away Friday, January 7, 2022 in Kalamazoo.He was born March 24, 1940 in Chicago, the son of Albert and Aluria (Boris) Norkus. As a young man he worked as a mechanic and later as a long haul truck driver until his retirement in 1989. In his free time Jerry enjoyed fishing, Harley motorcycles, boating, playing cards, cutting wood,...

Family, friends, employees, and the manufacturing community grieve the loss of a wonderful man and a true pioneer in the bonded magnet industry. On the morning of January 5, 2022, William Roger McPherson passed away quietly from natural causes. Roger was born on September 1, 1946 in Plainwell, Michigan, the third child to Bernard C. Sr. and Hazel McPherson. He...

Dianne Marie Beck entered into God’s Heavenly Kingdom on Sunday, January 2, 2022.She was born July 12, 1959 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Richard and Betty (Sutton) Nichols.  On September 2, 1975 in Holland, Michigan, Dianne was married to her first love, her best friend, John Beck.  John and Dianne were married for 46 years and spent many hours going...

Caroline passed away Monday, January 3, 2022 at her home in Martin.She was born April 14, 1922 in Detroit, MI to Levi and Molly (Bredow) Sproul. On May 29, 1943, she was married to Burdette “Bud” Kozin in Detroit. Caroline enjoyed reading, quilting, sewing, crocheting and following the Detroit Tigers. More than anything she loved her Lord and her family....

Jerry passed away Monday, January 3, 2022 at his home in Kalamazoo.He was born May 31, 1955 in Plainwell, the son of Homer and Helen (Caldwell) Latta. Jerry loved motorcycles, 4×4’s and working in his yard. On February 14, 1995 in Allegan he married Ellen Cobb who passed away.Surviving are his children, Jerry “Jay” Jr. (Natasha) Latta, Nathan (Christa) Cobb...

John passed away Saturday, January 1, 2022 at his home in Plainwell.The son of Alonzo and Hazel (New) Moran, he was born July 23, 1936 in Plainwell. John worked as a millwright for over 30 years at Plainwell Paper until his retirement. In his spare time he liked being outdoors, walking, hunting, fishing and cutting wood. John enjoyed remodeling his...

Mike went home to the Lord, Monday, December 27, 2021 in Kalamazoo.He was born December 10, 1953 in Grand Rapids, the son of Clarence Hughes and Connie (Jansen) Beardsley. Mike worked for a printing company and at Pharmacia for many years. In his free time he enjoyed researching coins, attending NASCAR races, target shooting, traveling with his wife and researching...

Irene passed away, Sunday, December 26, 2021 at Plainwell Pines.She was born March 19, 1943 in Hastings, the daughter of Carl and Doris (Boyer) Willcutt. Irene worked at the Super 8 Hotel in Kalamazoo and with the elderly in Shelbyville for many years. She enjoyed sewing, arts and crafts, coloring and listening to country music. She was a member of...

Richard “Rich” Lawrence Bacon, age 68, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids.He was born on December 14, 1953, and graduated from Plainwell High School in 1972. On March 13, 1982, Rich married Robin Reich, and they were blessed to experience 39 years of marriage together. Rich worked as a...

Greg passed away Monday, December 27, 2021 in Kalamazoo.He was born July 21, 1963 in Plainwell, the son of Donald and Mary (Dalton) Weaver. Greg worked at Don Seelye Ford, Mulders Concrete Sealing and at Bittersweet running the ski lifts. Greg loved being outdoors, watching the birds and deer or sitting around a bonfire with his friends. He enjoyed music,...

Marian Jean “Jeanie” Ware,  passed away Friday, December 24, 2021 at her home in Otsego, Michigan.She was born March 2, 1934 in Morris, Illinois, the daughter of Joseph and Breta (Nelson) Auffert.  Jeanie worked part-time at Palo Verde Hospital in Blythe, CA as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). She was currently working at the age of 87 and was...

Mrs. Charlotte “Char” Burchett entered into her eternal rest on December 26, 2021 at her home in Kalamazoo.Char was born January 1, 1938 in Kalamazoo, MI, the daughter of Harry and Cora Ekema. She grew up and spent her life in the Alamo area. Char graduated from Otsego High School in 1956. She worked as an Administrative Assistant for State...

June passed away Thursday, December 23, 2021, surrounded by her family, at Stanford Lodge in Plainwell.The daughter of Earl and Letha (Taggart) Garton, June was born August 25, 1924 in Allegan. For many years she worked as an inspector at Parker Hannifin until her retirement in 1986. June enjoyed camping, music, dancing and golf. Family was very special and important...

Gary Louis Peter Chase was welcomed into Heaven on Monday, December 20, 2021. He passed peacefully at his home in Galesburg after battling end-stage renal failure.He was born September 17, 1951 in Dearborn, the son of Stanley Jr. and Flora (Ratiu) Chase. Gary attended Our Lady of Grace, St. Mary’s school, Hackett HS (Class of 69) & graduated from WMU...