Local obituaries for Kalamazoo, Portage, & Climax MI.
Betty Klepper
Jan 18, 2025
It is with great sadness, we share the news of the peaceful passing of Betty, age 88, who transitioned to her heavenly home on January 18, 2025. She was born February 25, 1936, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of the late Garrett and Sinnie (VanderWoude) Gerlofs.
Betty was a graduate of Kalamazoo Christian Schools. She was united in marriage to her best...
Barbara A. Ballinger
Jan 17, 2025
Barbara A. Ballinger, age 85 of Kalamazoo, died on January 17, 2025. She was born on December 30, 1939, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the daughter of Anthony and Veva (Race) Boguta. She was a 1957 graduate of Schoolcraft High School. On August 16, 1957, she married Richard E. Ballinger. Richard was a pastor the first years of their marriage and she...
Gladys Lucille Laws
Jan 16, 2025
Age 82, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025. Gladys was born in Allegan County, Michigan on April 8, 1942, the daughter of the late Franklin and Belva (Cutcher) Betzner. She graduated from Otsego High School and worked for Bell Telephone Company before having children. Gladys always had an amazing amount of luck and loved to play bingo and visit...
Gary Michael Strefling
Jan 15, 2025
Gary Michael Strefling, age 60, of Portage passed away January 15, 2025. He was born October 16, 1964 in Paw Paw, Michigan.
Private graveside services will be held for family.
Kenneth Earle Long
Jan 15, 2025
The Honorable Kenneth Earle Long passed away peacefully in his sleep January 15, 2025. He was born March 30, 1929, in Kalamazoo, MI to his parents Raymond and Edith (Arndt) Long. Ken was a lifelong resident of Kalamazoo.
His early schooling was at Kalamazoo Public Schools, and he celebrated KPS by serving on the Roosevelt and Eastside Reunion committee until he...
Serafin Mendez
Jan 12, 2025
Serafin Mendez, age 74 of Kalamazoo, died on January 12, 2025. He was born on August 1, 1950, in Matamoras, Mexico, the son of Simon and Tomasa (Lozoya) Mendez Lopez. Serafin graduated from school in Mexico. For 35 years, he was married to Mary (Vega) Mendez prior to his death. He loved coffee and visiting with friends and frequented many...
John T. Tsarnas
Jan 12, 2025
John T. Tsarnas, age 81 of Kalamazoo formerly of New York, died on January 12, 2025. He was born on July 13, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Stelios and Chrysanthi (Patrinos) Tsarnas. He graduated from Brooklyn schools. John was a New York City Transit police officer until his retirement. He then worked as a courier in the...
Bertha "Bert" K. Lindsley
Jan 11, 2025
Bertha Kathryn Lindsley “Bert” was born June 16,1936, to Stephen and Anna Kovach. She grew up with 10 brothers and sisters on the family farm in Portage, Michigan. She was united in marriage to Ronald W. Lindsley on September 13, 1952, and started her own large family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald on July 12, 2019,...
Wilfred Thiel Blakely
Jan 10, 2025
On January 10, 2025, Wilfred Thiel Blakely, a loving husband and father, went to be with the Lord surrounded by family. He was born in Muskegon on December 15, 1950, to Thiel and Catherine Blakely.
In 1970, he joined the United States Navy and proudly served aboard the USS John Marshall for six years. In 1983 he married Sharon (Haagsma) and...
Sherman Van Solkema, Jr.
Jan 9, 2025
Sherman Van Solkema, Jr. passed away on January 9, 2025 at the age of 94. Sherman was born on January 4, 1931 in Byron Center, Michigan, to Sherman Van Solkema, Sr. and Katherine (Alles) Van Solkema.
He attended Calvin College and the University of Michigan, where he received the M.Mus. and Ph.D. degrees in music. He was also a proud veteran...
William James Bruinekool
Jan 9, 2025
Age 59, passed away on January 9, 2025. Bill was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on February 27, 1965, the 8th son of Elliot L. and Evelyn J. (DeVormer) Bruinekool. He was a life-long resident of the Battle Creek area. Bill graduated from Pennfield High School, class of 1983. Bill loved sports. His senior year he played offensive guard and...
Melinda "Mimi" Kay Grissom
Jan 9, 2025
Melinda “Mimi” Kay Grissom, 64, of New Palestine, IN, passed away peacefully in Kalamazoo, Michigan on January 9, 2025 after her courageous journey with cancer, while hand in hand with her daughter and granddaughter at Vineyard Assisted Living Community.
Melinda was born on January 8, 1961, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Benton and June Kemp. She later graduated from Center Grove High...
Carolyn E. Snyder
Jan 8, 2025
Carolyn was born in Adrian, MI on June 14, 1940 to John and Winifred Ruesink.
Carolyn was a devoted fiber artist with long-time affiliations to the Weavers Guild and Spinners Guild. She created many amazing pieces that she wore, gifted, and sold. In recent years she especially enjoyed making beautiful lace shawls. She also enjoyed creating unique jewelry and did well...
Dortha Jean Curtiss
Jan 8, 2025
Age 99, passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Dortha was born in Harrison County, West Viriginia on August 2, 1925, the daughter of the late Patsy S. and Mary Ethel (Heldreth) Venetti. On December 20, 1947, she was united in marriage to Jerald L. Curtiss, who preceded her death on July 25, 1972. Dortha was also preceded in death...
Kenneth R. Dunlap
Jan 7, 2025
On January 7, 2025, after 102 years of living a wonderful life, we lost another special person from the Greatest Generation. Ken died at his home surrounded by loved ones. He was born November 2, 1922 in Kalamazoo, the son of the late Claude and Effie Dunlap. He had a spirit for adventure, and the heart of a warrior. He...
William "Bill" S. Binning
Jan 7, 2025
William (Bill) Solomon Binning, 81, of Kalamazoo, MI, passed away on January 7, 2025. Born May 27, 1943, to Fred R. and Bernice Binning, Bill had a distinguished career as a mechanical engineer with Flowserve Corporation (formerly Durametallic), where he traveled the world solving engineering challenges. While he was proud of his work, his greatest joy was his family. He...
Adam Atkinson
Jan 7, 2025
Adam Atkinson, age 58 of Kalamazoo, was called Home by God on January 7, 2025. He was born on October 6, 1966, in Adrian, Michigan, the son of Eleazer Atkinson, Sr. and Maria DeLaPaz Atkinson. Adam was a special boy and was cherished by his family from the beginning. He loved time with his family and social groups. Adam loved...
Benjamin Bowden
Jan 7, 2025
Benjamin “Bennie” Bowden, age 82, of Portage, passed away January 7, 2025. He was born August 15, 1942, in Kalamazoo to the late Benjamin and Eva (Oakley) Bowden.
Bennie was a pipe fitter for the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 357 and was a Supervisor for Pro Pipe at Upjohn for many years. After working hard for 55 years, he was...
Stanley G. Hewes
Jan 5, 2025
Stanley G. Hewes was received into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, January 5, 2025. He was the only child of the late George and Marion Hewes. Born in Three Rivers, his parents moved to Kalamazoo in 1957. Stan loved all the programs that he was involved in, as well and the job opportunities he experienced. He was educated at...
Susanne Marie Gibson
Jan 4, 2025
Susanne Marie Gibson, known as “Susie” in her youth and “Sue” later in life, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2025 at her home in Kalamazoo, Michigan, surrounded by her two daughters after a brief but valiant battle with cancer.
Born on August 13, 1949, in Niles, Michigan to Adam and Gladys Robertson, Susanne enjoyed a childhood full of adventure, family...
Subscribe
Subscribe to get alerts on new obituaries when they are posted.
