Obituaries

Barbara J. Colasanti passed away Monday, September 1, 2014 in Kalamazoo.She was born January 8, 1925 in Dowagiac, the daughter of Clyde and Emma (Guntle) Huff. For 23 years Barbara was a registered nurse at Bronson Hospital. On November 21, 1946 in Kalamazoo she married Michael Colasanti who preceded her in death in 2010. Barbara was a lifelong caregiver, she...

Waneta P. Snyder of Otsego, Michigan,passed away Monday, August 25, 2014 in Plainwell. Waneta was born August 2, 1921 in Otsego to Everett and Mable (Clear) Snyder and was a lifelong resident of Otsego.In her younger years she enjoyed dancing and later gardening and sewing.Surviving are her son, James (Rhonda) Snyder of Otsego; a daughter-in-law, Karen Snyder of Otsego; five...

Nancy I. Hudson of Otsego passed away Thursday, August 21, 2014 in Kalamazoo. Nancy was born February 27, 1938 in Plainwell to Edwin and Isabelle (Lepper) Martin. She had worked for Parker Brass then Pipp Hospital as a dietary cook for 27 years retiring in 1996. Nancy enjoyed flowers, gardening, NASCAR, cooking, sewing, magazine & newspaper clipping, spending time with...

Edwin Powless, Jr. went home to be with his Lord and Savior on August 20, 2014 after a long battle due to injuries sustained in a car accident on July 14, 2014. He was known by his family and many friends as an avid sports lover, closely following the WMU Broncos, the Detroit Tigers, Nascar racing, especially #24 Jeff Gordon...

Duglaus L. Paul of Allegan passed away Wednesday, August 20, 2014 in Allegan. Dug was born June 23, 1946 in Erie, PA to LaVerne ‘Shortie’ and Margaret (Ray) Paul. He had been employed with Boylan Sales, Johnson Controls and McPherson Plastics. In his leisure time he enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his wife Sharon. Dug married in 1965...

Vivian R. “Ginger” Bowers of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Monday, August 18, 2014 at her home. Mrs. Bowers was born March 18, 1934, in Munising, Michigan to Oscar and Eva (Barrow) Bray.For 20 years she was employed as cafeteria hostess at Parker-Hannifin Corp. In her leisure time Ginger enjoyed reading, baby sitting and time spent with her grandchildren and great...

Joyce A. Wood of Otsego, passed away Friday, August 15, 2014 in Plainwell. Joyce was born June 16, 1938 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Garrett and Norene (Wood) VanderMeer. From age 8 to 16, she lived with her family on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, then in Virginia until 1961, when they moved to the Kalamazoo area.Joyce was a passionate...

Jeffrey S. Atkins of Plainwell lost his battle with multiple myeloma at the University of Michigan Hospital at 2:20 p.m., Saturday, August 2, 2014. He was diagnosed with cancer on his birthday in 2010. Jeff had helped set up the local Relay for Life and had participated for many years. Jeff was born November 12, 1960 in Michigan City, IN...

Frederick T. Campbell Otsego passed away Thursday, July 31, 2014 at his home in Otsego. Fred was born May 5, 1923 in Woodsfield, Ohio to Ralph and Louise (Barry) Campbell. He served his country in the US Army and met the love of his lifeGilda Berardiwhile on a two day leave with her brother Tony. They were married April 24,...

Patricia A. “Pat” Kling of Otsego, MI passed away, Tuesday, July 29, 2014 in Kalamazoo. Pat was born September 8, 1933 in Alamo Township, the daughter of Alberian and Gladys (Abraham) Stephens. She enjoyed reading, watching old movies, collecting antiques and decorative painting. On June 4, 1953 in Otsego, Pat married Lenard Kling who preceded her in death in 2011....

Leona Smith of Plainwell passed away Saturday, July 26, 2014 in Plainwell. Leona was born September 8, 1919 in Gobles to Erwin and Lura (Turner) Kelly. She graduated from Gobles High School in 1937 as Valedictorian of her class and then attended Parsons Business College in Kalamazoo. Leona worked at Burroughs Manufacturing/LSI in Kalamazoo retiring after 27 years. She was...

Theodore Simonds of Otsego passed away Friday, July 25, 2014 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.Ted was born February 4, 1965 in Kalamazoo the son of James and Maxine (Wilkinson) Simonds. He had done lawn care as the owner/operator of Bill & Ted’s Lawn Care and had worked several other jobs in the area, most recently working for Gary Sanders...

Edwin Bileth of Otsego passed away Saturday, July 26, 2014 at his home. Mr. Bileth was born March 31, 1932 in Grand Rapids. He served his country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. Ed worked for 30 years for General Motors retiring in 1995. Surviving are his children, Ron (Linda) Cook, Ron (Gloria) Wheaton, Jim Wheaton, Linette Russell;...

David W. Zugel of Plainwell, MI passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2014 at Wings Home in Allegan. David was born on July 18, 1953 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to William and Maxine (Grenn) Zugel. At the age of 17 David began working for Hammond Machine where he remained employed for almost 35 years. For the last 10 years David worked...

Joan Knight of Martin passed away Friday, July 25, 2014 in Martin. Joan was born April 19, 1931 in Plainwell the daughter of Allert and Myrtle (Grinage) DeMann. Joan had been employed at Allegan Public Schools as a payroll clerk retiring in 1992. In her leisure time she enjoyed golfing, knitting, playing cards, watching her grandkids play sports, traveling, puzzle...

Phillip Rowe passed away Friday, July 25, 2014 at home. Phillip was born August 23, 1926 in Kalamazoo to Eby and Viola (Phelps) Rowe. He was lovingly known as “Charlie”, “Uncle Charlie” and “Chuckles”. He loved people by visiting with neighbors and friends and having company. Phillip enjoyed being busy helping people do chores and odd jobs. He liked country...

Roger L. Marks of Otsego, Michigan, passed away on July 20, 2014 at his home, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer.Roger was born on June 1, 1955 in Plainwell, Michigan to George “Skip” and Rosalie (Jones) Marks. He worked for many years at Preferred Plastics in Plainwell. He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy,...

Philip A. Pape of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, July 16, 2014 in Ann Arbor due to complications from surgery. Mr. Pape was born November 15, 1943 in Kalamazoo the son of Andrew and Beulah (DeHaven) Pape. Phil had been employed with Clarage Fan/Zurn Industries and Carpenters Union Local #1102. He was a member of the Otsego Moose; Otsego Masonic...

Lewis E. Lovett of Allegan, Michigan passed away Saturday, July 12, 2014 in Allegan. Lew was born January 12, 1924 in Otsego, MI the son of John and Grace (Stratton) Lovett. He had owned and operated hardware stores in both Otsego and Allegan and had also owned Lovett Boat Company where he built speed boats. He was a district manager...

George Pearl Channells, Jr. of Martin, Michigan, passed away on the evening of July 5, 2014 at the Wings of Hope Hospice House in Allegan. Born January 19, 1928, his parents were George P. Channells, Sr. and Maude (Delaney) Channells. George attended Martin Public Schools until serving his country as a Seabee in the U.S. Navy during World War II,...