Obituaries

Jan 11, 2024

James P. Leonard, also known as Jim, passed into eternity, on January 11, 2024, in his hometown of Otsego. He was born on March 4, 1937, the son of James and Irene (Calvin) Leonard.  Jim graduated from Otsego High School in 1955. He had a fulfilling career working for Parker Hannifin for 37 years as a tool and die maker...

Dec 23, 2023

Marilyn R. Buist of Kalamazoo, MI, age 88 passed away December 23, 2023, at Bronson Methodist Hospital after a long battle with COPD. Marilyn was born on October 10, 1935, in Plainwell, MI, the daughter of Leroy and Helen (McGeath) Davis. Marilyn graduated from Otsego High School and Western Michigan College.On April 21, 1957, she married Phillip Buist of Kalamazoo...

Feb 24, 0004

Jim passed away, Saturday, February 23, 2024, at his home in Otsego. 

He was born May 12, 1940, in Evergreen Park, Illinois, the son of Charles and Virginia (Tucker) Johnston. For many years he owned and operated a nursery and had also worked in wastewater treatment. 

Jim loved football and was an avid Chicago Bears and Blackhawks fan. As a young man...

Mickey passed away peacefully, Saturday, January 6, 2024, at his home in Otsego.He was born October 9, 1951, in Kalamazoo, the son of Harry and Eleanor (Linsley) Horrocks. Mickey proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy. He graduated from Ferris State University and for many years worked as a quality control engineer at Eaton and then for Mazda, until...

Barb passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2024, in Otsego.She was born on April 9, 1948, in Plainwell, the daughter of Loren and Berniece (Boerman) Burchett. As a young woman Barb worked at Kalamazoo Savings and Loan until she started her family. After raising her children, she worked as the hygiene coordinator at Richland Dental until her retirement in 2007. Barb...

Anne passed away, Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.She was born May 16, 1946, in Arnhem, Netherlands, the daughter of Rembertus N. Knooihuizen and Gertrude Woldhuis. Anne graduated from Plainwell High School in 1966. She was a teacher’s aide at MLK Elementary School in Kalamazoo, worked for John Klooster Greenhouses, Don Seeley Motors, and as a receptionist...

Our beloved and adventurous Pauline (Polly) died at the age of 94 on Friday, December 22, 2023, at her home on the Ismond Tree farm that she and her husband Morrison, created as a legacy in honor of God.  She was born September 9, 1929, in coastal Mississippi, the daughter of Paul and Eva (Diehl) Kennedy and her much cherished...

Nick passed away, Thursday, December 21, 2023, from injuries sustained in a car accident.He was born January 3, 2000, in Roseburg, Oregon, the son of Kia Letts and Jody Stamp. Nick was currently working at KL Mott Enterprises. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing his guitar and singing songs.He had a great sense of humor and always...

Duane passed away, Friday, December 22, 2023, at his home in Kalamazoo.He was born March 7, 1959, in Ypsilanti, the son of Daniel and Florence (Shepherd) Smith. Duane proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He worked at Hayworth, Perrigo and several other area businesses as a forklift operator.He was a member of the Dorr American Legion and enjoyed...

Helen passed away Thursday, December 21, 2023, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.She was born March 23, 1940, in Portland, the daughter of Leonard and Hazel (VanHouten) Brown. Helen worked at Kal-Equip and then at Parker Hannifin for many years until her retirement. Helen was an excellent cook and baker and was well known for her amazing apple pies and...

Madeline passed away, Sunday, December 17, 2023, at her home in Plainwell.She was born September 29, 1925, in Royalton, Kentucky, the daughter of Fred and Ida (Prater) Risner. Madeline enjoyed quilting, gardening, and going to garage sales. She was an excellent cook and liked feeding people. Madeline was happiest when surrounded by her family. She was a member of Orangeville...

Donnie passed away, Friday, December 15, 2023, at his home in Allegan.He was born July 26, 1961 in Plainwell, the son of David and Ellen (Wright) Hedges. Donnie worked at the Holiday Inn in Kalamazoo, as a cook and most recently at Uni-Pac in Allegan. In his free time he enjoyed hosting cook outs, fishing and building things. In 1992...

Ed passed away, Thursday, December 7, 2023, at Alamo Nursing Home from cancer.He was born September 15, 1963 in Kalamazoo, the son of George and Gertrude (Martell) Rohr. Ed graduated from Otsego High School in 1981 and from KVCC with a degree in Applied Science in 1983.As a young man he worked at Harding’s Market while in high school and...

Sherrie Carr-Lapham passed away Thursday, December 7, 2023 in Grand Rapids, MI, after a courageous battle with leukemia (CMML).She was born March 21, 1963 in Plainwell, MI, the daughter of Roger and Sharon (Markle) Carr. Sherrie lived in Lawton, MI until the age of 16, when she moved to Kalamazoo, MI. She graduated from Plainwell High School in 1981.Sherrie became...

Greg passed away Thursday, December 7, 2023 at his home in Battle Creek.He was born April 7, 1959 in Plainwell, the son of Robert and Mary (Coburn) Morris. Greg was a gifted musician and loved playing the guitar. He played lead guitar in the band Midlife Crisis in Grand Rapids for 11 years and belonged to several other bands over...

It is with great sadness that Heaven gained another Angel. Mary Pauline (Wyant, Vandervort) Carruthers passed away December 4, 2023.She was born August 17, 1936 in Pennsylvania and on February 14, 1953 she married and started her family with Jim Vandervort. Together they had four children: Ken (Linda) Vandervort, Stan (Mardella) Vandervort, Dorothy (Don Stoughton) Jorgensen, Randy Vandervort, and son-in-law...

Dick passed away, Friday, December 1, 2023, at his home in Otsego.He was born October 19, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of William and Josephine (Haulter) Downing. Dick was a police officer and served as the Director of Security for General Motors for 18 years. He was also a narcotics officer and member of the Fraternal Order of Police.In...

Melissa passed away and was united with her Savior on Friday, November 24, 2023 at her home, surrounded by her family in Plainwell, after a courageous battle with cancer. Throughout her cancer journey Melissa relied on God and deepening her relationship with her Savior.Melissa was born July 4, 1978 in Kalamazoo the daughter of Philip and Cynthia (Hull) Maneikis. She...

Lester passed away, Monday, November 20, 2023, in Ionia.He was born April 24, 1943 in Kalamazoo the son of Marion and Ella (Swainston) James. For 30 years Lester worked for General Motors until his retirement in the late 90’s. As a young man he enjoyed square dancing and was a 4-H leader for his children. He also enjoyed camping, traveling,...

Dixie passed away, Saturday, November 4, 2023, at Kauhale in Otsego.She was born August 25, 1934 in Kalamazoo the daughter of Joe and Eveline (Jones) Wells. Dixie graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1952. Dixie moved to Oklahoma in 1981 and returned to the area in 2022. She worked at several different businesses over the years including Hoard Chiropractic...