Obituaries

Bernard “Bernie” Harper of Martin passed away Friday, January 24, 2014 at his home.Bernie was born November 17, 1940 in Plainwell to Willard and Rosemond (Osburn) Harper. During the Korean War he served his country in the U.S. Army. For many years he worked at Ken Tire in Allegan and for over 20 years with Rockwell International until his retirement...

Deloris “Dee” Meacham of Pullman, Michigan, passed away Friday, January 24, 2014, in South Haven. Mrs. Meacham was born May 26, 1947 in Alger, OH to Oscar and Laura (Patten) Dyer.For many years she had been employed as a nurse’s aide, which she thoroughly enjoyed. In her leisure time her favorite activities were music, cooking, decorating her home, reading and...

Thomas J. ‘Tom’ Wells of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at his home.Tom was born July 18, 1953 in Ferndale, MI to Albert and Lillian (Rumble) Wells. For 16 years he was employed with Continental Linen Services as a maintenance supervisor. Tom was a hard worker. In his leisure time he was an avid motorcycle rider and...

Ralph E. Nichols of Allegan, Michigan, went to be with his Lord on January 23, 2014 in Allegan. Ralph was born November 29, 1956 in Otsego, Michigan toJackand Betty (Trutsch) Nichols.He enjoyed fishing, bowling, football and NASCAR. For over 30 years Ralph worked for Allegan Tubular Products.He is survived by his mother,Betty; brother, John (Heather) Nichols; sisters, Esta Nichols and...

Richard B. ‘Rip’ Rouse of Otsego passed away Monday, January 20, 2014 at Life Care Center of Plainwell. Richard was born September 25, 1924 in Kalamazoo, the son of Clair and Frances (Wood) Rouse. He was a 1943 graduate of Otsego High School and served in the U. S. Army at the Battle of the Bulge during WW II. Rip...

Clifford Root age 73 of Pullman, passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at Wings Home in Allegan.Mr. Root was born March 24, 1940 in Plainwell to Harold and Clara (Kelly) Root. Clifford served his country in the U.S. Army. In his leisure time he was an avid fisherman and enjoyed cutting wood.He is survived by his children, Selena Dugar, Valarie...

David Carruthers of Pullman passed away Monday, January 13, 2014 in Ann Arbor.He was born June 22, 1938 in Otsego to Olin and Lena (Folk) Carruthers. He served his country in the U.S. Army. Dave worked for Brown Paper Co., RC Cola, Kendall Industrial Hardware, Michigan Cottage Cheese and Arvco Container until his retirement in 2009. In his leisure time...

Robert “Bucky” Buckmaster Sr. of Otsego passed away Saturday, January 11, 2014 in Kalamazoo. Mr. Buckmaster was born August 15, 1924 in Fowlerville, MI the son of Howard and Emma (Gehringer) Buckmaster. Robert served his country in the Army on D-Day on Omaha Beach, France and central Europe during WW II. He worked as a plant superintendent at KVP Sutherland/...

Keith Clingenpeel of Allegan, Michigan, passed away Thursday, January 9, 2014 at Pennock Hospital in Hastings. He was born September 30, 1947 in Lansing to Keith E. Leroy and Grace L. Jenks.Keith served his country in the U.S. Army and was a master plumber by trade. He was the owner and operator of “Wondering Keith Karaoke”. In his leisure time...

Martha Bourdo Maurer of Otsego passed away Sunday, January 5, 2014 at her home.Martha was born May 3, 1920 in Toledo, OH, the daughter of Jesse and Sarah ‘Mattie’ (Mohler) Shoemaker. She was a 1939 graduate of Martin High School. She enjoyed golfing, bowling, crocheting and traveling. She had been a lifelong member of St. Francis Episcopal church in Orangeville.On...

Gerald L. ‘Jerry’ Tiller of Plainwell, Michigan, went to be with his Lord Monday, January 6, 2014 at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. Mr. Tiller was born June 3, 1939 in Kalamazoo to Robert ‘Lee’ and Mildred (Duniphen) Tiller.He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy and attended Western Michigan University. Jerry worked for the Kalamazoo Police Department for several...

Jeff Brady passed away Friday, January 3, 2014. Jeff was born October 8, 1980 in Kalamazoo to Tom Brady and Teri (Rau) Brady.He had been employed by Perrigo and Parker Hannifin. In his leisure time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding quads, motorcycles and go-carts and especially spending time with his children.Surviving are his mom Teri Brady of Otsego; his father,...

John VastBinder of Otsego passed away Saturday, January 4, 2014 in Allegan.Mr. VastBinder was born January 18, 1930 in Battle Creek the son of Dudley and Dorothy VastBinder. John served his country in the Air Force during the Korean War and had worked for Kellogg’s, St. Regis Paper and the Battle Creek Federal Center. On October 11, 1980 he married...

Catherine E. Fales of Gobles, passed away December 31, 2013 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.She was born February 5, 1943 in Kalamazoo to Daniel and Barbara (Drake) Bromley. Cathy graduated from Gull Lake High School and attended Michigan State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. She was a teacher for 2 years at Glerum Elementary...

Clarence E. Sweet of Otsego, passed away Monday, December 30, 2013 at the Dussia House in Otsego.He was born April 29,1922 in Kewadin, MI, to Joel and Jennie (Osborne) Sweet. During WWII Clarence served his country in the U.S. Army and had earned a bronze star for his service. Upon his discharge he worked at Mac Sim Bar, Span Brass...

Mr. Vurl Snyder of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, December 25, 2013 in Allegan. Mr. Snyder was born December 31, 1938, in Otsego to Gilbert and Minnie (Clear) Snyder.He began his working career as a baker and for many years was employed at Cooper Foundry. His favorite leisure time activity was fishing, especially with his friend, Gene Slater.On July 10,...

Ronald H. Wolthuis passed away Friday, December 13, 2013 in Plainwell.He was born December 20, 1971 in Kalamazoo, the youngest child of Timothy and Katherine (Kiel) Wolthuis. He attended Paw Paw High School for a short time and in 1990 he graduated from Otsego High School where he also received the nickname “Sharky” from his ability to eat people up...

Ruth M. Holmes of Grand Junction, Michigan, passed away at the adult foster care home where she had been lovingly cared for by Mary and Chester Mobly. Ruth was born February 19, 1923 in Otsego to Clifton and Laura (Root) Holmes. From the age of 8 she had suffered from epilepsy and even so she was always happy. She enjoyed...

Lewis Charles Kiser of Kalamazoo passed away Monday, December 16, 2013, at his home.Mr. Kiser was born January 14, 1924 in New Castle, PA to Lewis G. and Marguerite (Knoblock) Kiser. During WWII he served his country in the U.S. Army. Lewis earned his Bachelor Degree in Engineering from Tri-State University in Angola, IN, and taught engineering at Valparaiso University....

David Jarvis of Martin passed away Friday, December 13, 2013, at Wings Home in Allegan. Mr. Jarvis was born July 10, 1938 in Lansing to Richard and Carol (Montgomery) Jarvis.For many years he was a member of, employed by and had been President of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 36, retiring in 1988 at the age of...