Obituaries

Marie F.VanDerMeer of Otsego passed away Saturday, September 29, 2012 in Otsego. Marie was born May 23, 1929 in Chicago to Edward and Pauline (Schumann) Anbach. In her leisure time she enjoyed reading, yard sales and flowers.Surviving are her daughters, Bonnie (David) Bloomquist and Carmen VanDerMeer both of Otsego. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Louis...

June E. Ahlberg of Kalamazoo, Michigan entered Heaven’s gates on Wednesday, September 26, 2012. Mrs. Ahlberg was born June 26, 1931, in Kalamazoo to Claus and Nellie (Lemmer) Bos. In 1949 she graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School. She had been employed with Meijer and then as a ward manager at Bronson Methodist Hospital, retiring in 1993. In her leisure...

Anna E. Grimes of Allegan passed away Saturday, September 22, 2012 in Allegan. Mrs. Grimes was born July 28, 1909 in Jonesville, MI the daughter of Wellington and Minnie (Davis) Lawrence. She graduated from Hillsdale High School in 1927 and from Bronson School of Nursing in 1931. Anna worked as a RN until she retired in 1968. In her leisure...

Anthony ‘Tony’ Meeuwse of Kalamazoo, Michigan,passed away Tuesday, September 18, 2012, at Rose Arbor Hospice. Mr. Meeuwse was born August 31, 1934 in Kalamazoo to Jacob and Marie (DeVries) Meeuwse and had lived in Gobles for 30 years before moving back to Cooper. For many years he was employed in the construction trade as a carpenter, retiring in 1991. Tony...

Ina Winter of Plainwell (formerly of Otsego) went to be with her Savior on Sunday, September 16, 2012 at home, surrounded by her family. She was born January 5, 1930 in Petersburg, Delaware, to Gustav and Martha (Schwenk) Ziebutski. Ina graduated from Caesar Rodney High School in Camden, Delaware. She attended Beacon Business College in Wilmington, where she took classes...

Emily L. Livingston of Plainwell, Michigan passed away Thursday, September 13, 2012, at Wings Home in Allegan with her family by her side. Mrs. Livingston was born July 13, 1942 in Bradley, the daughter of James C. and Jennie (Tigchelaar) Tolhurst. She loved being with her family, especially during the holidays. She was a devoted Elvis fan and enjoyed camping,...

Janie M. Doxey of Plainwell, Michigan, passed away Sunday, September 9, 2012, at her home with her family by her side. Mrs. Doxey was born October 15, 1958 in Battle Creek to John and Judith (Durr) Millsap.Janie was a devoted homemaker, loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She had been a Girl Scout leader and loved being a grandmother. In...

Patty (Votes) Bronkema of Plainwell, MI passed away Saturday, September 8, 2012 with her loving family by her side in Kalamazoo.Surviving are her loving husband of 50 years Bruce Bronkema; her children, Mike (Jodie) Bronkema, Lori (Todd) King; grandchildren, Mike Bronkema, Kori Jenkins, Jeff Bronkema, Bryce Bronkema, Christofer King; 4 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother Maxine...

Michele L. ‘Micky” VanStelle of Kalamazoo, Michigan went to be with her Lord Wednesday, August 29, 2012, in Kalamazoo. Michele was born April 3, 1944 in Kalamazoo to Norman and Barbara (Loucks) Hess. In 1964 she graduated from Portage Central High School. Micky had a special love of children and for many years operated a Day Care out of her...

Scott W. Hanson of Paw Paw passed away Friday, August 24, 2012 in Kalamazoo.Scott was born February 25, 1958 in Kalamazoo the son of Wesley and Joyce (Kennedy) Hanson. He loved fishing and spending time with his friends, cutting wood and being in the out-of-doors.Scott is survived by his children, Zachary (Tammi) Hanson and Mallory (Tony) Moats; 2 grandchildren, Faith...

Ermajean Bernice Wheeler of Otsego, MI passed away Friday, August 24, 2012 in Allegan. Mrs. Wheeler was born June 9, 1926 in Otsego, MI the daughter of Raymond and Verla (Pillars) Laws. Erma enjoyed crocheting, holidays, making excellent fudge and cooking, traveling, bingo and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She volunteered for many years at Pipp Hospital.Surviving are...

Harold ‘Butch’ Carlyle of Plainwell, Michigan surrendered to his battles with his physical wellbeing and pain by ending his life on Thursday, August 23, 2012 in Plainwell. Butch was born on August 25, 1945 in Plainwell to Harold and Ruth Carlyle. Butch was a past member and Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo and was currently faithfully worshipping...

Shirley A. Currie of Plainwell, MI passed away Thursday, August 23, 2012 in Allegan. Mrs. Currie was born June 10, 1937 in Midland, MI the daughter of Roland and Florence (Blood) Herman. She had been a Clerical Aide at Gilkey School in Plainwell and had also worked at Harding’s Market. Shirley enjoyed her garden, trips up north and going to...

Wayne ‘Ritchey’ Ray passed away Saturday, August 18, 2012 in Plainwell.Mr. Ray was born January 2, 1921 in Rensselaer, IN to Verna and Marie (Ritchey) Ray. Ritchey served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Ritchey was a heavy equipment operator with the Operating Engineers Union Local 324 retiring after 30 years. He was a member of...

Joseph Jacob “Joe” Swoboda was born on August 3, 1935, to Edward Francis and Julia Marie (Klocek) Swoboda. He was raised on a farm in Northern Michigan and attended Boyne City schools. In 1958 he married his sweetheart, June Hermenitt, at St. Margaret’s Church in Otsego.He is survived by his wife of 54 years and three sons, James (Lori) and...

Gerald V. Halstead, Sr. of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Saturday, August 11, 2012, at his home. Mr. Halstead was born May 17, 1921 in Otsego to Orson and Alice (Tilley) Halstead and was a lifelong resident of the area. During WWII he served his country in the U.S. Navy. For many years he was employed as a welder with General...

Laura Agnes Holliday Pierce of Plainwell, Michigan, was born at home in Lawton, Michigan, Van Buren Co., February 5th 1923 to Nellie Gunn Holliday and Stanley Holliday and passed away peacefully at Life Care Nursing Home on August 9, 2012. Laura’s mother died when she was 5 and she was raised by her maternal aunt, Nina Gunn Simington and Elwin...

Pauline E. Deike of Plainwell (formerly of Otsego) passed away Monday, August 6, 2012 in Plainwell. Mrs. Deike was born August 10, 1914 in Watson Township to Randall and B. Sophia (Nyberg) Brooks and was a lifelong resident of the area.She was a graduate of Martin High School and for several years was employed as a bookkeeper with Otsego Sanitary...

Stephen “Steve” Magierka III of Plainwell, Michigan, died Tuesday, August 7, 2012, in Kalamazoo. Steve was born June 26, 1974 in Kalamazoo to Stephen Jr. and Pamela (Crosby) Magierka.For several years he was employed with Charter Communications and most recently with Gertsen Trucking. In his leisure time he enjoyed gardening, four wheeling and riding his motorcycle. Steve loved being with...

Harm LeRoy of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Saturday, August 4, 2012 at home. Mr. LeRoy was born June 20, 1919 in Kalamazoo County to Jacob and Nellie (Deward) LeRoy and was a lifelong resident of the area. During WWII Harm served his country in the U.S. Army. For over 28 years he was employed as a welder with General Motors,...