Obituaries

David James Bronson of Kalamazoo, Michigan passed away Thursday, September 26, 2013. Dave was born January 12, 1963 in Plainwell, the son of James and Helen (Hagenbuch) Bronson. He served his country in the US Navy. Dave worked for 18 years at Molson Co. doing plastic injection molding. He loved the LST-325, the World War II ship his father served...

Nelson C. Norton of Otsego passed away Wednesday, September 25, 2013 in Allegan. Nelson was born April 1, 1935 in Leoma, TN to Carl and Dollie Norton. He served his country in the Air Force. Nelson worked for GM for 28½ years retiring in 1993. In his leisure time he enjoyed building model airplanes and had an interest in anything...

Tyler Edward “Burd Man” Burd of Otsego, Michigan passed away Monday, September 23, 2013. Tyler was born September 16, 1996 in Plainwell. He enjoyed building BMX bikes, small engine work, fishing, and deer hunting, inspiring his intention to become a DNR officer. Tyler was a very hard worker who had a huge heart, often clearing snow and mowing yards for...

Ruby Jewel (Ferguson) Swinehart of Otsego, MI passed away Sunday, September 22, 2013 at her home. Ruby was born July 7, 1938 in Russell, AR the daughter of Oscar and Birdie (Udie) Ferguson. Ruby worked for Bronson Methodist Hospital for over 20 years. She enjoyed attending and working flea markets and she loved spending time with her grandchildren, especially having...

Michael Haessig of Otsego, Michigan passed away Saturday, September 14, 2013 in Allegan. Mr. Haessig was born October 28, 1923 in Kalamazoo, the son of Eugene and Melinda (Porter) Haessig. He was a Navy veteran of WW II. Michael worked at KVP, then Brown, then James River from 1941-1986, retiring as a foreman. He was a life member of the...

Donna (Reed) Westfield was born at home on December 8, 1921 to Walter and Florence (Julian) Reed. After dealing with the aftermath of a stroke for several months she joined the love of her life, Fred, in heaven on Sunday, September 15, 2013. While in high school Donna worked at Clyde Berry’s Grocery Store (later Dick’s Grocery) in Otsego. She...

Dorothy L. Digby of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, September 11, 2013, in Allegan. Mrs. Digby was born June 30, 1940, in Chicago to Larus and Ethel (Rumpf) Gislason.She was employed with Angle Steel, then the AFC Home in Plainwell and then as a driver for the Allegan County Mental Health van. Her favorite leisure activity was horseback riding. She...

Dorothy J. Martin passed away Saturday, September 7, 2013 in Kalamazoo. Dorothy was born December 7, 1921 in Duncombe, Iowa the daughter of Lawrence and Geneva (McClain) Crouse. She had worked for Plainwell Paper for 30 years and in her leisure time enjoyed reading, gardening, homemaking and traveling. Dorothy was a member of the Otsego Church of God and enjoyed...

Donald C. Himelrick, Sr. of Plainwell, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, September 4, 2013, in Allegan. Mr. Himelrick was born August 4, 1930, to Earl and Lillian (Chalmers) Himelrick.Don graduated from Northeastern University and Burdett College, both in Massachusetts. For many years he was employed as comptroller/treasurer, first with Cabot, Cabot and Forbes in Boston, MA, and later with Meyer C....

Joyce A. Baker of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Sunday, September 1, 2013. Joyce was born June 17, 1934 in Kalamazoo, MI the daughter of Gerald and Minnie (Arendson) Langeance.Joyce worked for Bruce’s Market for about 10 years before starting at Brookside Market for 17 years; she then worked at Karen’s Daycare before starting her own daycare, Wee World Daycare, which...

Lorena ‘Rene’ Seekman of Otsego passed away Thursday, August 29, 2013 at her home. Rene was born October 13, 1938 in Parchment to Clayton and Ethel (Taylor) Warner.She was very artistic and in her leisure time enjoyed painting, water colors, pencil drawing, ceramics and had a great sense of humor. Rene was employed as a cook at Pipp Hospital in...

James G. Pishlo of Alamo Township, Michigan passed away Thursday, August 29, 2013 at his home. James was born June 1, 1966 in Trenton, the son of John ‘Jack’ and Nancy (Rowe) Pishlo. He graduated from Southgate High School in 1984 and lived most of his life there. James enjoyed computers, science fiction and playing the tuba. He was a...

Phyllis J. Schreuder of Howell, MI (formerly of Otsego) passed away Tuesday, August 27, 2013, in Howell. Mrs. Schreuder was born December 31, 1923 in Otsego, Michigan, to Dorace and Vivian (Knoblock) McKee. For many years she was employed as a secretary with the Otsego Public Schools, retiring in 1979. Phyllis was longtime member of Otsego United Methodist Church and...

Roger W. Brenner of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Monday, August 26, 2013, in Kalamazoo. Mr. Brenner was born March 1, 1950 in Plainwell to Paul and Marian (Zienstra) Brenner and was a lifelong resident of the area.During the Vietnam War he served his country in the U.S. Army. For over 30 years he was employed with Lifesavers Candy in Holland,...

Zofia J. Maruniak of Bartlett, IL (formerly of Otsego, MI) passed away Friday, August 23, 2013, in Bartlett, IL. Mrs. Maruniak was born March 19, 1929, in Drochobycz, Poland to Tadeusz and Jozefa (Szandrowska) Slotwinski.Zofia was a devoted homemaker, a humanist, and a nature and animal lover. She attended St. Margaret Catholic Church in Otsego. In her leisure time she...

George A. Pearson of Plainwell, Michigan, passed away Sunday, August 25, 2013, at his home. Mr. Pearson was born December 4, 1919, in Plainwell to Arnold and Anna (Dewispelaere) Pearson and was a lifelong resident of the area.In 1937 he graduated from Plainwell High School. For many years George and his brothers owned and operated Pearson and Sons Marathon in...

Paul A. Petersen of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Friday, August 23, 2013. Paul was born December 18, 1949 in Kalamazoo to Robert and Louwina (Dykehouse) Petersen.For 30 years Paul had been employed with Meijers and for 15 years with Parker-Hannifin. Paul enjoyed golfing, his dog and tinkering. He loved being with his family, friends and especially his grandchildren.Surviving are his...

Birl Sparks of Plainwell passed away Thursday, August 22, 2013 at his home. Birl was born March 30, 1936 in Salyersville, KY the son of William and Bessie (Whittaker) Sparks. For many years he was a self-employed timber buyer and had worked at Parker-Hannifin in Richland. In his leisure time he enjoyed fishing, shuffle board, his home in Florida and...

Kenneth ‘Otis’ Bisel of East Lansing, Michigan, passed away Monday, August 19, 2013. Ken was born September 27, 1968 in Lansing to Robert and Loreen (Bollinger) Bisel. In 1986 he graduated from Lansing Eastern High School and for many years had worked at Leo’s Outpost.He enjoyed playing cards with friends, hunting, fishing and playing golf. The loves of his life...

Marion A. Cutts of Otsego, MI passed away Friday, August 16, 2013 at her home. Marion was born February 27, 1973 in Grand Rapids, MI the daughter of John and Pamela (Stephenson) Ezeh. Marion enjoyed reading, watching movies, singing and listening to music. She worked for Allegan Co. ISD before becoming an Administrative Assistant for Hopkins Public Schools.Marion is survived...