Obituaries

Arlene E. Nichols of Plainwell went to be with her Savior on December 18, 2014, at the age of 88, in Battle Creek, Michigan. Arlene was born to Benjamin and Leila (Barnes) Reynolds on March 5, 1926, Battle Creek, Michigan, the youngest of three children.She was married to Kirk W. Nichols, had three children, resided in Louisville, KY and retired...

William H. “Bill” Ahlberg of Kalamazoo, MI, passed away Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at Park Place Assisted Living in Kalamazoo.He was born July 17, 1929 in Plainwell the son of Edmond and Esther (Reed) Ahlberg. Bill served his country in the US Army. On October 9, 1952 he married June Bos who preceded him in death in 2012. For more...

Donald Trautman, formerly of Otsego, passed away in Florida on November, 2014 after a long illness.Don was the owner and pharmacist of Otsego Drug for more than 29 years. Don cherished the people in the community that he served for so many years. In addition to his work, he enjoyed collecting coins, fishing, golfing, gardening and playing shuffleboard (and even...

Frances Ellinger passed away Friday, December 12, 2014 in Kalamazoo.Mrs. Ellinger was born March 31, 1925 in Oakland, CA to James and Edith (Johncock) Powers. For 25 years, together with her husband, she owned and operated Corky’s Drive-In in Allegan. She was later employed as a greeter with Wal-Mart. In her leisure time she enjoyed playing Pepper and Poker. Fran...

Paul passed away Monday, December 15, 2014 at Park Village Pines in Kalamazoo.He was born November 28, 1920 in Kalamazoo the son of Robert and Helen (Gordon) Brewer. He was a 1939 graduate of Martin High School. Paul served his county in the US Army during World War II. After his discharge he farmed with his father for a short...

Troy S. Baker of Otsego, Michigan passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at his home in Otsego. He was born July 16, 1970 in Plainwell the son of Phillip and Paula (Tice) Baker.Troy’s family meant everything to him. He was a caring and loving son, father, and grandfather. He loved family get-togethers. He was an accomplished cook, adding much...

Christopher G. “Chris” Schmitt of Otsego passed away unexpectedly Saturday, December 6, 2014 at his home. Chris was born March 26, 1964 in Plainwell to Arthur and Nancy (McLeod) Schmitt and was a lifelong resident of the area.In 1982 he graduated from Otsego High School and then served in the U.S. Army Armored Division in the DMZ in Korea from...

Bonnie passed away Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at Life Care Center in Plainwell.She was born October 29, 1943 in Plainwell the daughter of Lester “Shorty” and Viona Fleeman. Bonnie was one of six children and lived most of her younger years in Plainwell and in Orangeville where she helped her father build the family’s brick house on Marsh Road. Later...

Cody passed away Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at his home in Pine Grove Township.He was born September 16, 1994 in Kalamazoo the son of Timothy and Shawntell (Felty) Bazan. Cody enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, spending time at Silver Lake, dirt bikes and fixing things. For the past year he worked at Armintrout Tree Farm in Allegan.Surviving are his parents,...

Dee went home to be with her Lord on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.Dee was born on July 22, 1939, at William Crispe Hospital in Plainwell, Michigan, the daughter of Burdette Charles Belcher and Helen Belle (Cole) Belcher. Dee lived in the Otsego area most of her life and graduated from Otsego High School in...

Bob died suddenly Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at his home in Otsego.He was born August 27, 1951 in Kalamazoo the son of John and Mildred (Zidell) Wolthuis. Bob served his country in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. For over 20 years he was a journeyman for Kalamazoo Sheet Metal Company and then later W. Soule. On October 30,...

Ronald E. Thompson of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Tuesday, December 2, 2014 in Kalamazoo. Ron was born May 31, 1954 in Kalamazoo to Vernon and Marie (Ordiway) Thompson and lived most of his life in Otsego. He was a 1972 graduate of Otsego High School and for 32 years was employed with Flexible Furniture.Surviving are a sister and a half-brother,...

Deborah Knight of Otsego passed away Sunday, November 23, 2014 in Kalamazoo. Deb was born July 25, 1955 in Allegan to Earl and Frances (Otten) Blanchard and was a lifelong resident of the area.For 22 years Deb was employed with MCTI as accounts payable supervisor. In her leisure time she enjoyed bowling, reading, casinos, playing cards, bingo and haunted houses...

Kenneth B. ‘Bart’ Servis of Otsego passed away Saturday, November 22, 2014 in Plainwell. Mr. Servis was born February 26, 1934 in Chicago to loving parents. Following his graduation from Otsego High School he joined the U.S. Army and honorably served in the Korean Conflict. Upon his separation from the Army he began working at the MacSimBar Paper Co. where...

Nancy passed away Thursday, November 20, 2014 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.She was born June 2, 1947 in Allegan, the daughter of Lavern and Helen (Germain) Lindsey. Nancy was a 1965 Otsego High School graduate. She started working in dietary service at Plainwell Pines Nursing Home and later became a nurse’s aide at Alamo Nursing Home for over 15 years....

Barbara Sweet of Alamo Township passed away Sunday, November 16, 2014 in Kalamazoo. Barb was born June 10, 1914 in Kalamazoo to Harry and Cora Belle (Hart) Baird and was raised by her mother and step-father, Sidney Maple. She was a 1932 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School and was baptized in the First Presbyterian Church of Kalamazoo.Barb was a...

Larry passed away Saturday, November 8, 2014 in Grand Rapids.Larry was born October 27, 1957 to Lester and Barbara (Giddings) Woodward. He worked for Reynolds Metals as a tool & die maker; he loved playing and watching basketball with his son; he also had a passion for Harley Davidson motorcycles and the Detroit Lions. Larry was a member of Madison...

Anita Louise “Weas” Breedveld passed away Friday, October 31, 2014 at her home. She was born May 26, 1952 in Toledo, OH, the daughter of Virgil and Oneda (Vann) Winfrey. She was a graduate of Whitmer High School and then acquired her cosmetology license. For several years she worked as a beautician, then at Barton Survey in Toledo. In the...

Howard passed away Monday, November 3, 2014 in Allegan.Mr. Rex was a lifelong resident of Otsego and was born March 26, 1923, the son of Walter and Evelyn (Tyler) Rex. He served his country in the US Army during World War II. For 44 years Hi worked in sales for Michigan Cottage Cheese until his retirement in 1983. Together with...

Yvonne Stratton of Plainwell passed away Saturday, November 01, 2014 in Plainwell. Yvonne was born August 23, 1963 in Junction City, KS to Geoffrey and Ila (Mellen) Phillips. Her family would like to thank all of their friends from the neighborhood for their help and friendship and the staff at Reverence Home Hospice and Yvonne’s co-workers from the Admiral as...