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Obituaries

Local obituaries for Kalamazoo, Portage, & Climax MI.

Elenora "Midge" Stratton

Elenora "Midge" Stratton

Nov 19, 2024

Elenora M. Stratton “Midge”, age 91 of Kalamazoo, died on November 19, 2024. She was born on December 31, 1932, in Texas Corners, Michigan, the daughter of Elmer and Mabel (VanVorst) Dean. Elenora attended Mattawan Schools and graduated from Portage High School in 1950. She raised her family and worked in local papermills. Later, she worked as a housemother and...

Joe Postelwait

Joe Postelwait

Nov 19, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joe Postelwait, fondly known to all as "Papa Joe," on November 19, 2024. Born on August 31, 1936, in Michigan, Joe lived an extraordinary life, one filled with challenges, resilience, and boundless love for his family. 

 Joe was the son of Pansy L. Root (1912–2000) and Floyd Postelwait (1906–1940). Tragically,...

Johanna Irene Schreuder

Johanna Irene Schreuder

Nov 17, 2024

Johanna Irene Schreuder (Van Den Berg) died November 17, 2024, at the age of 89 at Rose Arbor. She was born on September 7, 1935, in Kalamazoo, daughter of the late John, Sr. and Elsie (Doorlag) Van Den Berg.

She married Herman Ray Schreuder on January 25, 1957. She enjoyed being with her family and StoryPoint of Portage friends, knitting, reading,...

Jackson David Schreuder

Jackson David Schreuder

Nov 16, 2024

Jackson David Schreuder, age 17, passed away at his home in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on November 16, 2024. Born on December 29, 2006, Jackson was baptized at Fourth Reformed Church in Kalamazoo. He belongs body and soul, in life and in death, to his faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in...

Timothy J. Lenderink

Timothy J. Lenderink

Nov 16, 2024

Timothy J. Lenderink, age 82, of Kalamazoo, passed away peacefully at home under the compassionate care of hospice. Born on December 24, 1941, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Timothy was the son of Andrew “Rodney” and Lois (MacDonald) Lenderink.

A graduate of University High School in Kalamazoo, Timothy pursued his passion for business at Western Michigan University, earning his bachelor’s degree. He went...

Ronnie L. Norris

Ronnie L. Norris

Nov 15, 2024

Ronnie L. Norris, age 81 of Portage MI, formerly of Rantoul Illinois, died on November 15, 2024. He was born on July 9, 1943, in Hartford Indiana and was the eldest son of Earl William and Levitha Fay (Perry) Norris. In his youth, the family moved to Mobile, Alabama, where Ronnie graduated from high school. In 1962 Ronnie would join...

Kristina Jayne Boltiador

Kristina Jayne Boltiador

Nov 15, 2024

Kristina Jayne Boltiador, nee Arrowsmith/Auch, aged 68, passed away on November 15, 2024, in Paw Paw, Michigan. Born on July 13, 1956, Kristina was a beacon of kindness, love, and generosity throughout her life.

Kristina graduated from Clio High School and pursued her passion for helping others by completing the Nursing Program at St. Clair Community College, becoming a Registered Nurse....

Richard G Downs, Jr

Richard G Downs, Jr

Nov 15, 2024

Richard G Downs, 62, of Kalamazoo, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, at his home on Friday, Nov 15, 2024. Rick was born in Battle Creek on March 17, 1962, to Richard “Dick” and Melinda (Jones) Downs. As a St Patrick’s Day baby, green was his favorite color, and he always loved the parties everyone threw for “him” on his birthday.

Rick...

Ronald C. Bruch

Ronald C. Bruch

Nov 15, 2024

Ronald Charles Bruch, 80, of Kalamazoo, MI, passed away on November 15, 2024, after an extended illness. He was the loving husband of Mary Emily Bruch, his best friend forever. Born on December 10, 1943 in Rochester, PA, the son of Charles David and Lucille (Cromis) Bruch along with his stepmother Charlotte Gulick Bruch. 

He was united in marriage with Mary...

Johanna "Johnny" Leonard

Johanna "Johnny" Leonard

Nov 15, 2024

Johanna “Johnny” Leonard, age 71 of Kalamazoo, died on November 15, 2024. She was born on November 5, 1953, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the daughter of Slawi and Hermine (Herbert) Joftscheff. The family moved to the Kalamazoo area and Johnny graduated from Loy Norrix High School in 1971. She worked in retail throughout her life. Johnny enjoyed playing pool, fishing,...

Kristine L. Kimble

Kristine L. Kimble

Nov 13, 2024

Kristine L. Kimble, age 82 of Kalamazoo, died on November 13, 2024. She was born on December 6, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Maximillian and Anne (Boyce) Krause. She grew up in Chicago and moved her family to Michigan in 1978. Kristine excelled in many crafts including ceramics, crocheting and dollhouse building but her deepest passion was raising...

Marguerite "Peg" Whitcomb

Marguerite "Peg" Whitcomb

Nov 13, 2024

Marguerite Anne Whitcomb, age 94 of Portage went to heaven on November 13th surrounded by her family. She was born July 27, 1930, in Lawrence, MI. Daughter of Leo and Margaret LaDuke. She was raised on the family farm in Lawrence, MI. She attended Mundelein College in Chicago for 2 years, then transferred to Western Michigan University, graduating with her...

Hendrik Jay Poppen

Hendrik Jay Poppen

Nov 12, 2024

Hendrik “Hank” Poppen, 73, of Portage, Michigan, returned to his heavenly home with Jesus Christ on November 12th, 2024. Hank was born in Wildervank, Netherlands, on July 28th, 1951, the son of the late Jelis and Aaltje (DeJonge) Poppen.

With his family, he immigrated to the United States in 1957 and attended Kalamazoo Christian Schools, graduating in 1970. Hank worked at...

Frieda Maxine Wallace

Frieda Maxine Wallace

Nov 12, 2024

Age 92, passed away on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. Frieda was a life-long resident of the Parchment and Kalamazoo areas. Born on December 27, 1931, she was the third of five children to Oliver Chester and Sarah Belle (Cox) Wallace, who brought their children to Michigan during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression. The tenacity and dedication of her parents...

Larry Padgett

Larry Padgett

Nov 12, 2024

Larry Padgett, age 68 of Richland, died on November 12, 2024. He was born April 2, 1956, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of Charles and Joy (Psalmonds) Padgett. Larry was a 1975 graduate of Comstock High School where he was All-State All-Star in football and held a record pin in Wrestling. He attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College. For 41 years,...

Jerry Fluty

Jerry Fluty

Nov 11, 2024

Jerry M. Fluty, age 77 of Kalamazoo, died on November 11, 2024. He was born on June 11, 1947, in Sedalia, Missouri, the son of John and Margaret (Struemph) Fluty. Jerry moved to the Kalamazoo area as a teenager. He served in the U.S. Army. Upon his discharge, he began his career at General Motors. After 32 years, he retired...

Betty June De Vries

Betty June De Vries

Nov 11, 2024

Betty June De Vries departed this life to meet her Lord and Savior on November 11, 2024, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Mrs. De Vries was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on June 20, 1927, the daughter of Cornelius and Tina (Greendyke) VanderRoest and had been a life-long resident of the community. She was a member of Centerpoint Church and was a Kalamazoo...

Charlotte Ann Williams

Charlotte Ann Williams

Nov 10, 2024

Charlotte Ann Williams, age 85, of South Bend, Indiana passed away peacefully on November 10, 2024. She was born on December 13, 1938, in Kalamazoo, the oldest daughter of Robert and Alice (Burden) Singer.

She was a 1957 graduate from Gobles High School. On December 6, 1958, she married the late Robert Reno Williams, Sr. and moved to South Bend, Indiana....

Ellen L. Winter

Ellen L. Winter

Nov 10, 2024

Ellen L. Winter (nee Flannery), age 75 of Portage, died on November 10, 2024. She was born on June 4, 1949, in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of Francis and Mary (FitzGerald) Flannery. Ellen was a graduate of Villa Angela High School, Ursuline College, and received her master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Pennsylvania. At a holiday party...

Doris Jean Kaiser

Doris Jean Kaiser

Nov 9, 2024

Doris Jean Kaiser of Gobles, Michigan, passed away on November 9, 2024, at the age of 61. Doris was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on April 16, 1963, to Kenneth and Roberta (Kingsley) Covell.

Doris attended West Middle School and graduated from Portage Northern High School in 1981. In 1982, she enlisted in the United States Air Force. Following her military service,...

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