Obituaries

On December 22, 2021, Walt Boettcher passed away at Vicinia Gardens in Otsego, Michigan. Born April 21, 1936, in Joliet Illinois, Walt was the son of Walter H. and Gertrude (Lauer). He graduated from Otsego High School in 1954, where he was a four-sport athlete (cross-country, basketball, baseball, and track) and went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree from Western...

Ruth Louise Forrest (Boothby) was born on July 29, 1936 in Lawrence Michigan to Leroy and Barbara Boothby. She was the youngest of five children and became school friends with Bert James Forrest at a young age. The two grew up and married on October 16, 1954. Sixty-seven years later, they have raised quite a family tree: Jeffery Bert James...

Marcia went home to be with our Lord on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.She was born June 13, 1968 in Zeeland, the oldest child of Harvey and Carol (Van Kampen) Visser. She attended and graduated from Martin Public Schools, Calvin University and Western Michigan University with an MSW, and later a Bachelor of Science to...

Debbie passed away Saturday, December 11, 2021 in Grand Rapids.She was born January 4, 1957 in Adrian, the daughter of Dewey and Verna (Brake) Farris. Debbie was an interior designer and obtained her builders license. She worked at Koopsen’s Paint and Wallpaper, Ethan Allen Furniture Gallery, Central Tile and Terrazzo, Renda Tile, The Kitchen Shop and Fieldstone Building Group.She loved...

Luella passed away Sunday, December 12, 2021 at Vicinia Gardens in Otsego.She was born at home in Trowbridge Township in Allegan, on October 12, 1927, the daughter of George and Josephine (Harper) Kurtz. Luella was a lifelong resident of the area. She had worked at Elams Stationary, Allegan Paper Products, Fram Filters and Delano Printing in Allegan until her retirement...

Janice went home to be with her Lord, Saturday, December 11, 2021 in Delton.She was born January 15, 1942 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Sam and Winifred (Stapert) Smith. In her free time Janice enjoyed bowling and had been on many area leagues. She also enjoyed traveling to Israel.She was a member of Bradenton Bible Baptist Church and Cooper Baptist...

Altha passed away Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at Ascension Borgess Hospital.She was born April 10, 1940 in Otsego, the daughter of Harold and Ethel (Emery) Laws. For many years Altha worked as a rehab tech at Lakeview Hospital in Paw Paw. She also did in home childcare. Altha loved taking care of her family and her home. She was a...

Jan passed away Sunday, December 5, 2021 in Allegan.She was born October 4, 1950 in Plainwell, the daughter of Malen and Dorothy (Webster) Earl. Jan worked at Kessler’s in Wayland, State Farm Insurance in Plainwell and Allegan and at Fifth Third Bank in Plainwell until her retirement.In her free time Jan enjoyed quilting, crocheting, sewing, reading and attending class of...

Maurice passed away Tuesday, November 30, 2021 in Wyoming.He was born June 20, 1934 in Watson Township, the son of Clarence and Florence (Blair) Simpson. Maurice was a 1953 Martin High School graduate. He worked for Valley Metal and retired from the state bridge crew due to an injury in the early 70’s.Maurice loved working with his hands and could...

Emily passed away Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at her home in Otsego.She was born March 2, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Paul and Stephania (Dzurnik) Ballay. Emily had many jobs and for 15 years was the secretary at St. Margaret School until her retirement.In her free time Emily enjoyed raising chickens, gardening, flowers, watching nature especially birds and...

Hazel passed away Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at her home in Otsego.She was born March 8, 1936 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of William and Sylvia (Born) Try. For over 20 years she worked at Perrigo until her retirement. Hazel loved her family, animals, music, shopping and trips to the casino. On January 23, 1954 she married her sweetie, Trevor Warner...

Chipper passed away Sunday, November 28, 2021 at his home in Plainwell.He was born October 4, 1965 in Geneva, Illinois, the son of Philippe and Bonnie (Schroeder) Neslund. Chipper was a heavy equipment operator in the logging industry in Texas for many years. He enjoyed spending time on Facebook, operating heavy equipment, trucking and taking care of his dogs. Chipper...

Ken passed away Monday, November 29, 2021 at his home in Allegan surrounded by family.He was born August 6, 1957 in Plainwell, the son of Adolph and Madeline (Risner) Reed. Ken worked as a logger, at Allegan Tubular and B & G Custom Works until his retirement in 2016. Prior to and after retiring Ken enjoyed working at the Swan...

Patrick passed away Saturday, November 27, 2021 at Glenn Arbor Hospice in Battle Creek.He was born June 3, 1953 in Kalamazoo, the son of Ernest and Laura (Gardineer) Loughead. For many years Patrick worked at Parker Hannifin until his retirement. In his free time Patrick enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing sports.On May 16, 1975 at St. Margaret Catholic Church in...

Leonard passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at Ascension Borgess Hospital.He was born August 1, 1937 in Allegan, the son of Albert and Choletta (Trimm) Bush. Leonard served his country in the U.S. Marine Corp. He worked at Crescent Pipe, Rockwell International and Tru Heat in Allegan.Leonard loved music and was an avid bluegrass musician.  He enjoyed playing...

Gladys passed away, Monday, November 22, 2021 at Ely Manor in Allegan.She was born February 2, 1936 at home in Kalkaska County, the daughter of Arthur and Virginia (Henderson) Rohde. Gladys enjoyed taking care of her home, sewing, knitting sweaters, cooking and baking. She loved animals, especially dogs and cats. She had rescued and cared for many animals over the...

Josh passed away, Thursday, November 18, 2021 in Schoolcraft.He was born September 24, 1994 in Canyon City, Colorado, the son of Karl and Linda (Van Beck) Mott. Josh was a 2013 Otsego High School graduate. He enjoyed working for Amazon as a package sorter.Josh was loving, dependable, helpful, smart and pragmatic with a sense of humor. He enjoyed playing guitar,...

Ben passed away Friday, November 19, 2021 at his nephew’s home in Allegan.He was born December 7, 1938 in Hinsdale, Illinois, the son of Steven and Gladys (Cregar) Redmon. As a young man Ben poured concrete until his mid 50’s. He went on to be a self- employed truck driver, transporting RV’s around the U.S. and Canada. In his free...

Mike passed away Tuesday, November 16, 2021, with his family by his side at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.He was born January 17, 1947 in Kalamazoo, the son of George and Joyce (Wilcox) Herbert. Mike graduated from Plainwell High School in 1965 and from Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in biology. While...

Paul Ezra Patterson was born in Altoona, PA, January 13, 1928. He was the son of Rev. Ezra and Anna Patterson. Paul was a retired United Methodist minister of the gospel and died November 13, 2021.He graduated from Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA, in 1950, and from Garrett Biblical Institute at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, in 1955. He and...