Obituaries

Martha D. VanNess of Goshen, IN (formerly of Otsego and Three Rivers, Michigan) passed away Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at The Maples of Waterford Crossing in Goshen, IN. Mrs. VanNess was born March 3, 1932 in Chicago, IL to George and Margaret (Wright) Fox.Martha is survived by her children, Vicki (LeRoy) Holdread and Andrew (Kris) Friend; 4 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren;...

Clarence D. ‘Doug’ Esseltine of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away May 20, 2012 at Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo. Doug was born July 1, 1942 In Kalamazoo. In 1960 he graduated from Kalamazoo Central, then graduated from WMU, attended U of M and served in the ROTC. After working many years in Chicago, he retired from the USDA.Doug, as he was known...

Donna J. Harter of Otsego, MI passed away Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo with her family by her side. Donna was born August 31, 1929 in Watson Township, MI in the home of her parents; Raymond “Bill” and Esther (Baker) Newcomb.She is survived by her brother , Jim (Sue) Newcomb; 3 sons, Leon (Cindy) Harter, Bob...

Helen T. O’Neill of Otsego, Michigan passed away Saturday, May 12, 2012 at her home. Mrs. O’Neill was born March 5, 1916 in Boston, MA to Timothy and Sarah (McCloskey) Daly. She was a graduate of St. Gabriel High School and had enjoyed golfing for many years.On October 24, 1937 in Hyde Park, MA, Helen married Vincent O’Neill who preceded...

Emma Lillie (Fuhst) West of Austin, TX (formerly of Plainwell) died April 18, 2012 in Texas. Emma was born September 2, 1927 in Plainwell to Wilfred and Rosa (VanDyke) Fuhst. She was a 1946 graduate of Plainwell High School and attended Argubright Business College in Battle Creek. In the late 1950s, Emma served in the Women’s Army Corps at Fort...

Roger F. Gilligan of Plainwell, Michigan passed away Wednesday, May 9, 2012, in Battle Creek with his loving family by his side. Mr. Gilligan was born in Hopkins, MI on May 18, 1927 to Walter and Georgia (Flynn) Gilligan. As a young man Roger worked on the family farm until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served his...

Margie ‘Tootie’ Lakeman of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Monday, May 7, 2012, at Wings Home in Allegan. Mrs. Lakeman was born November 27, 1934 in Holland, Minnesota to Jacob and Anna Evink. On December 14, 1952 in Elkton, South Dakota she married Earl ‘Toby’ Lakeman and they moved to Michigan in 1955.The main enjoyment in Tootie’s life was her family,...

Geraldine C. ‘Geri’ Layman of Plainwell, Michigan, passed away Sunday, May 6, 2012 in Kalamazoo. Mrs. Layman was born August 23, 1933 in Homestead, PA to Andrew and Helen (Brecosky) Lusnak. For many years she was employed as a secretary.Family was the most important part of Geri’s life. She loved animals, especially her cat. Geri was a member of St....

Sandra L. ‘Sandy’ Wolf of Plainwell, Michigan, passed away Saturday, May 5, 2012 at Wings Home in Allegan. Sandy was born April 13, 1950 in Kalamazoo to Charles and Jacqueline (Barnes) Austin and was a lifelong resident of the area. She was a graduate of Gull Lake High School.For 19 years she was employed as a cook with the Otsego...

Kathryn C. Hayden of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away Saturday, May 5, 2012 at her home. Kathryn Hayden was born November 6, 1921 in Kalamazoo to Albert and Elizabeth (Vermeulen) Nuyen. Kathryn loved her family and was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. In her leisure time she enjoyed painting, knitting, puzzles and cooking.On August 31, 1940 in Glendora, MI she...

Jacqueline J. ‘Jackie’ Dunlop of Pine Lake passed away Tuesday, May 1, 2012 in Kalamazoo, on her 67th wedding anniversary. Mrs. Dunlop was born May 14, 1925 in Plainwell to Albert and Cleo (Hill) Johnson and grew up the daughter of a blacksmith. While in high school, both of Jackie’s parents died, and her senior year she worked a full...

Eleanor M. ‘Ellie’ Sadler passed away Friday, April 27, 2012 at her home. Mrs. Sadler was born August 17, 1925 in Cleveland to Harold and Anna (Kasel) Peplow.On November 15, 1947 in Cleveland, she married Robert Sadler who survives. Also surviving are her children, Clifford (Marge) Sadler, Mary Ann (Jack) Emery, Robert (Sherri) Sadler and Thomas (Shellie) Sadler; seven grandchildren;...

Debra ‘Deb’ Ann Digby-Cornell of Otsego, MI passed away Sunday, April 22, 2012 at her home. Deb was born February 9, 1957 in Plainwell, the daughter of Kenelm and Martha Digby. She was a volunteer with the Cub Scouts, Breast Cancer Reach to Recovery and Relay for Life. Deb enjoyed horses in her younger years, running and walking, gardening, collecting...

David P. Sanders of Grand Rapids, Michigan passed away Friday, April 20, 2012, at his home. David was born January 14, 1947 in Battle Creek to Lester and Irene (Reynolds) Sanders. During the Vietnam War he served his country in the U.S. Army. For over 20 years he was employed with Standard Lumber Company in Grand Rapids. In his leisure...

Ardith K. Boulter of Middleville (formerly of Otsego) passed away Tuesday, April 17, 2012 in Hastings, MI. Mrs. Boulter was born March 23, 1937 in Custer, MI to Clarence and Edith (Dixon) Hartman. Ardith was active in the 4-H in her youth and enjoyed showing horses. She graduated from Hastings High School with the class of 1955. Also in 1955,...

Nancy B. Strong of Allegan, Michigan passed away Sunday, April 15, 2012 in Allegan. Mrs. Strong was born January 14, 1937 in Otsego to Carlton and Josephine (Franklin) Belden and was a lifelong resident of the area. For many years, together with family members, she owned and operated the Olympia Restaurant in Otsego and the Olympia Truck Stop in Plainwell....

Michael Leo ‘Mike’ Welcher of Otsego, MI went unexpectedly to be with his Lord on Thursday morning April 12, 2012. Mike loved being outdoors. He went up north hunting every year to his uncle Gordon’s ‘Hunting Shack’ with his son, nephews and his uncle Gordon. He also went every summer to Eagle Lake, enjoying just being there with his family...

Philip M.Shimnoski of Otsego, died April 13, 2012 in Kalamazoo. Philip was born October 22, 1938 in Manistee, MI to E. Michael and Mildred (Hall) Shimnoski. He served his country as a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy retiring after 20 years of service. After the service he worked for Honeywell retiring as an Electronic Engineer. Philip was a life...

Amy N. Hartman of Plainwell, MI passed away Wednesday, April 11, 2012 in Plainwell. Amy was born April 19, 1973 in Plainwell, the daughter of Roger and Ann (Rouse) Kortokrax. She was employed with Otsego Paper Co. Everyone knew her as ‘The Pumpkin Lady’. She was the life of every party and had an infectious laugh and a beautiful smile....

John J. ‘Jack’ Mohr of Allegan, Michigan, passed away Monday, April 9, 2012 in Allegan. Mr. Mohr was born September 23, 1915 in Naperville, IL to Jacob and Amelia (Hoffman) Mohr. During WWII he served his country in the U.S. Navy. Jack was a member of Peace Ev. Lutheran Church of Otsego.Surviving are a sister, Frieda Crabbe of Rockford, IL;...