Obituaries

LeRoy E. Fuller of Plainwell, Michigan passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2011 in Kalamazoo. Mr. Fuller was born January 5, 1941 to Elgin and Annis Fuller. For over 30 years he was employed with Plainwell Paper Co. In his leisure time he enjoyed traveling, spending time up-north, going out to eat, Sunday drives, spending time at the beach and working...

John Charles Beare of Martin, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at his home. Mr. Beare was born April 10, 1959 on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota to Norman and Eva (Pease) Beare. John grew up in South Dakota and moved to Michigan in 1998.For many years he worked as a firefighter in South Dakota and after...

Lois E. Story of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2011, in Kalamazoo. Mrs. Story was born February 22, 1921 in Allegan to Frank and Bessie (Housworth) Stevens and was a lifelong resident of the area. She graduated from Otsego High School and the American Beauty School in Kalamazoo and worked for many years as a beautician. She also...

Kathleen was a devoted Christian believer, beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. After suffering several years with Alzheimer’s dementia, she went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior surrounded by her loving family on Monday, December 12, 2011. Kathleen was born August 6, 1923 in Plainwell to Herman and Marian Fuller. She graduated from Plainwell High School in 1941...

Cristian M. Rice of Otsego, Michigan passed away Saturday, December 10, 2011 at his home. Cristian was born on December 6, 1992. For the last 10 years he had attended Hillside Learning & Behavior Center in Allegan. Surviving are his mother, Jeanette Rice of Otsego; his brother and sister and many extended family members and friends. Cremation has taken place....

George H. “Harry” Thompson of Cooper, Michigan passed away Friday, December 9, 2011 in Plainwell. Harry was born September 13, 1912 in Mystic, Iowa to Ernest and Alice (Greenall) Thompson. On April 13, 1934 Harry married Alice Dryer in Jackson, MI. Harry owned and operated Thompson’s IGA in Cooper for many years.Surviving are his son, William (Angeline) Thompson of Kalamazoo;...

Jerry F. Zugel of Vicksburg, Michigan passed away suddenly Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at his residence. Jerry was born May 16, 1943 in Gary, IN to Frank and Georgia (Gilleo) Zugel. Following high school he served his country in the U.S. Army. For about 10 years he worked as a butcher at Kroger in Indiana and then moved to the...

Lulu L. Lewis of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Monday, December 5, 2011, in Plainwell. Mrs. Lewis was born August 21, 1916 in Allegan to Otto and Fern (Russon) Nimtz and was a lifelong resident of the area.Lulu was a devoted homemaker and loved her family more than anything. In her younger years she and her husband were members of several...

Barbara Foster of Kalamazoo, Michigan (formerly of Plainwell), went to be with her Lord unexpectedly Sunday, December 4, 2011. Mrs. Foster was born April 1, 1928 in Plainwell to Claude and Ethel (Clements) Chesnut and was a lifelong resident of the area.Over the years, Barbara had worked as a caregiver for many people in their homes. She was very active...

Eloise J. “Lois” Morris of Allegan, Michigan (formerly of Otsego) passed away Friday, December 2, 2011, in Allegan. Mrs. Morris was born October 13, 1922, the daughter of DeForrest and Myrtle (Smith) Henry.For over 20 years she was employed with Kal-Equip. In her leisure time she enjoyed working crossword puzzles, reading, crocheting, ceramics, flower gardening and boating. Lois was a...

Linda L. Dean of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, November 30, 2011 in Kalamazoo. Linda was born November 13, 1942 in Watson Township, the daughter of Ira and Mildred (Pierce) VanHouten.For several years she was employed with Harding’s Market in Otsego.Surviving are her husband, Paul; a daughter Paula Dean of Allegan; a son Tom Dean of Otsego; 3 sisters, Lois,...

Glenna Lucille Worden Burkett was released from this earthly life to her heavenly home on November 26, 2011. Mrs. Burkett was born October 30, 1920, in Payne, OH to Rev. Lester and Esther Worden. Glenna was a licensed foster mother and caregiver to numerous children. She served in a variety of areas at the Otsego Church of God; as the...

Jeffrey H. “Jeff” Watkins of Alamo Township, Michigan passed away Monday, November 21, 2011 in Kalamazoo. Jeff was born June 23, 1962 in Kalamazoo, the son of Norris and Sandra (Sabo) Watkins. He was a 1980 graduate of Otsego High School where he excelled in athletics. Jeff loved his family. He was very involved with his children and enjoyed auto...

Gloria Sinkler of Otsego, Michigan passed away Friday, November 18, 2011 at her home. Mrs. Sinkler was born December 7, 1959 in Kalamazoo to Robert and Mary (Hoort) DeKoekkoek. She was a 1978 graduate of Plainwell High School, enjoyed music, child care and was loved by many. On July 13, 1979 in Plainwell she married David Sinkler who survives; also...

Helen Johnson of Hendersonville, NC, formerly of Otsego, Michigan passed away Friday, November 18, 2011 at her son’s home with her Hospice nurses and family by her side. Helen was born September 17, 1919 in Auburn, IN to Ervin and Frances (Cool) Pion. She had worked for A&P Grocery in Otsego and McPherson’s Plastics, retiring in 1987. In her leisure...

Richard ‘Dick’ Dooley of Otsego, Michigan passed away Sunday, November 20, 2011 in Kalamazoo. Mr. Dooley was born May 10, 1944 in Kalamazoo to Robert and Patricia (Cleland) Dooley and was a lifelong resident of the area. In 2009 Dick retired from ARVCO Container where he worked for 30 years as a truck driver. He was a 40 year member...

John Arthur ‘Johnny’ Laster of Plainwell passed away Saturday, November 19, 2011 in Allegan. Mr. Laster was born May 17, 1918 in Scobey, Mississippi to Benjamin and Ruth (Denmun) Laster.He served in the Army in Germany during WW II. Johnny was a Boy Scout leader, enjoyed camping, hunting and riding his tractors. He retired from Eaton Mfg. then worked for...

Beulah K. Trolard of Alamo passed away Thursday, November 17, 2011 in Plainwell. Mrs. Trolard was born September 15, 1914 in Bloomfield, IN to Edward and Daisy (Noel) Johnston.For 60 years Beulah grew and sold pumpkins, watermelons and onions selling them at her vegetable stand until she was 95 years old. She also raised chickens and German Shepherd dogs.On July...

Judith A. Palmer of Plainwell, Michigan, died Wednesday, November 16, 2011, at her residence. She was born May 31, 1942, in Hastings, Michigan, the daughter of Arthur and Elizabeth (Woodman) Palmer.Judy was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Bonnie Kenfield; and one granddaughter.She is survived by her partner of 23 years, Robert Fuller of Plainwell; her daughter, Deborah...

Lenard J. Kling of Otsego, Michigan, passed away Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at his home. Mr. Kling was born October 16, 1932 in Otsego Township to Charles and Ida (Herbst) Kling and was a lifelong resident of the area. During the Korean War Lenard served his country in the U.S. Army.On June 4, 1953 in Otsego he married the former...