Obituaries

James E. “Jim” Watson of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Thursday, June 21, 2012, in Kalamazoo. Mr. Watson was born November 2, 1937 in Hillsdale to Roy and Ruth (Camp) Watson and was raised by Donald and Martha VerHage.For 30 years he was employed as a truck driver, first with Phil McVean Trucking in Martin and then with Menasha Corp. in...

Norma Bentley of Otsego passed away Wednesday, June 20, 2012 in Plainwell. Norma was born November 9, 1920 to Motley and Mary (Rubert) Tefft in Otsego on the family farm. Norma graduated from Otsego High School in 1937 then worked at Mol’s Restaurant and was a bookkeeper at Otsego Sanitary Milk. Norma was a life member of the Otsego VFW...

Douglas Garton of Plainwell, Michigan passed away Saturday, June 16, 2012 in Kalamazoo. Doug was born November 16, 1950 in Allegan , MI the son of Earl and Marjorie (Connor) Garton. He had served in the US Army during the Viet Nam War. He lived in California for 30 years and worked as a commercial electrician and was a member...

Reta M. Pountain of Allegan, Michigan, passed away Sunday, June 17, 2012 in Kalamazoo. Mrs. Pountain was born August 6, 1926 in Manton, Michigan to Roy and Edith (Porter) Brown. Reta grew up in New Buffalo, Michigan and then lived in Kalamazoo. For many years she was employed with Shakespeare Co. and later with the bakeries at W.M.U. and K-College....

Leland ‘Lee’ Erbe of Otsego, MI passed away Saturday, June 16, 2012 in Kalamazoo. Lee was born November 4, 1930 in Port Sanilac, MI the son of Howard and Myrtle (Pohzehl) Erbe. Following high school Lee enlisted in the Army and spent 3 years in Germany during the Korean War. Following his time in the service he met and married...

Mary Helen Baker of Plainwell, MichiganGod saw you getting tired. He did what He thought was best. He put His arms around you and said, “come and rest”. He opened up His golden gates on June 13, 2012 and with His arms around you, you gently slipped away.Mary went home to be with her Lord on June 13, 2012. Mary...

Jacqueline L. “Jackie” Newton of Plainwell, Michigan, passed away Monday, June 11, 2012 at her home. Jackie was born July 14, 1948 in Allegan to James and Lois (Mellon) Newton and had been a lifelong resident of the area.A graduate of Otsego High School, she was employed for over 40 years with Parker-Hannifin Brass, retiring in 2011. Jackie was a...

Robert E. and Doris A. McKee of Tucson, AZ (formerly of Otsego)were each surrounded by their family when they went home to be with their Lord, she on July 10, 2011 and he on August 22, 2011.Doris was born July 13, 1927 in Otsego, the daughter of C. Benjamin and Signa (Gustafson) Cowles. Bob was born December 4, 1927, in...

James Langdon, of Otsego, passed away Friday, June 1, 2012 in Allegan. James was born August 13, 1946 in Kalamazoo, the son of Dale and Ruth (Castle) Langdon.Following high school, Jim served with the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. After his time in the Navy, Jim was employed at Rockwell International for 15 years and then at Preferred Plastics...

Maxine P. McFanin of Otsego, passed away Sunday, May 27, 2012 in Otsego.Mrs. McFanin was born on October 17, 1916 in Broadwater, Nebraska, the daughter of George and Lydia (Cork) Sheldon. She was the oldest member of the Otsego First Baptist Church and had worked at Dix Street Elementary school in the kitchen for several years. She enjoyed reading, doing...

Sondra A.Shook of Otsego, passed away Saturday, May 26, 2012 at her home.Sondra was born September 3, 1938 in Otsego the daughter of Neil and Virginia (Bushee) Misner.She was a natural born homemaker and cook and enjoyed making holiday meals for her family. Sondra loved children and would often volunteer to babysit. When her son was playing hockey she was...

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....

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...