May 18, 2024

May 17, 2024

Richard Kuhnke was a war baby. He was born Jan. 30, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, to a large, close-knit family who mostly resided within blocks of one another on the north side. His brother, Jim, was born three years later, providing an ally against the adults in the games children play. Children at that time could play safely outdoors, but...

May 17, 2024

Norine “Pat” L. Howard of Kalamazoo, Michigan, died on May 17, 2024, at the age of 92. Pat was born in Kalamazoo, on July 1, 1931, to the late Joe and Norine (Wagonmaker) DeVries. She was a lifelong resident of Kalamazoo and graduated from Kalamazoo Central in 1946. On August 15, 1958, Pat married Robert “Bob” Howard. The two were...

May 17, 2024

Walter Robert Mutz, Jr., 94, of Portage, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully at Brookdale Assisted Living on May 17, 2024. He was born in St. Joseph on December 26, 1929, to Walter Sr. and Effie (Binger) Mutz.

Walt graduated as Valedictorian from St. Joseph High School in 1948. He dedicated his career to the Upjohn company for over 40...

May 16, 2024

Went into eternal life to meet his Savior on May 16, 2024. John was born to the late Rudolphus and Gertrude (Takens) Balkema on July 4, 1935, in Kalamazoo. He was the owner and operator of Balkema Inc., which he started with his brother, Ralph. John was a charter member of Covenant United Reformed Church and lived life to the...

May 15, 2024

Robin Denise Roe, 76 of Scotts, passed away surrounded by her loved ones at Bronson Methodist Hospital on May 15, 2024. She was born on March 21, 1948, to Kenneth and Barbara (Norris) Whitney in Battle Creek.

Robin graduated from Springfield high School in 1966. She went on to work in the food service industry, she loved working in restaurants and...

May 14, 2024

Marsha Sue (Fronk) Curry, of Kalamazoo, was a universally adored mother, grandmother, GG (great-grandmother), and friend. Marsha entered her heavenly home on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at the age of 88. She was born November 15, 1935, in Baltimore, Maryland, the daughter of Milo Alonzo and Beulah Marcella (Bourns) Fronk. Marsha grew up in Vicksburg, MI, and after graduating from...

May 13, 2024

Age 61, passed away on Monday, May 13, 2024. Charlie was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on November 2, 1962.He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and completed the Welding Certification Program at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. He was currently employed at Summit Polymers.Charlie was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed refurbishing furniture and coaching his...

May 13, 2024

Passed away Monday morning, May 13, 2024, at his home. Jerry was born May 23, 1929, in Newberry, MI, the son of Nels and Mildred (Marlett) Engman. He was a veteran serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked many years at the Kalamazoo State Hospital where he retired as safety officer. Jerry enjoyed the outdoors, especially...

May 12, 2024

Delores “Dee” Jean Lumbard, 94, of Plainwell, passed away peacefully in her home on May 12, 2024. She was born on December 26, 1929, in Kalamazoo to Frank and Bertha (Kemps) Hayward.

Dee married the love of her life, Clarence Lumbard, on January 3, 1948. They were blessed with 63 years of marriage until Clarence’s passing in 2011. They welcomed and...

May 12, 2024

Judy Lee (Bollinger) Brewer, age 76, of Schoolcraft, was born on November 19, 1947, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Lee and Esther Bollinger, and went home to the Lord on May 12, 2024. She married Bill Brewer of North Adams, Michigan, on May 12, 1967. Judy graduated from Jackson Business College and held administrative assistant positions at various Kalamazoo businesses,...

May 12, 2024

Sharon Augusta Preuss (née Jones), a woman whose life was a tapestry quilted with family, faith, and service, passed away peacefully on Mother’s Day 2024, leaving behind a legacy woven with love, resilience, and a deep commitment to those she held dear. Born on September 12, 1938, in East Detroit, Michigan, Sharon was the daughter of Paul and Augusta (Spies)...

May 12, 2024

Glenn S. Burrows, age 66, died Sunday, May 12th, at Kairos Dwelling, after a long illness. Glenn was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and was a graduate of Comstock High School. Glenn was athletic and talented in many sports, but his favorite was golf, at which he excelled. But what he truly excelled at was being a friend. He was a...

May 11, 2024

Robert John Radina, age 89, passed away at home in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on May 11, 2024. 

Robert, a man of intellectual curiosity, was born on August 29, 1934, in Richville, Michigan, to the late John Edwin and Grace Ann (Amend) Radina. He was a devoted father to his daughter, Andrea Lynn (David) Barron, and a proud grandfather to his three grandchildren,...

May 11, 2024

Boutros Y. Awad, age 91, of Portage passed away May 11, 2024. He was born November 3, 1932 in El Qaa, Lebanon to the late Youssef and Nazira (Aad) Awad.

Boutros grew up in a small Catholic town in Lebanon, where the opportunity for education was limited. He received only a couple years of elementary education and vowed to do everything...

May 10, 2024

Sophia Gano, age 92, of Schoolcraft, passed away May 10, 2024. She was born October 12, 1931, in Salyersville, Kentucky to the late Willie Jack and Hazel Marie (Back) Risner.

Sophia graduated in 1949 from Salyersville High School. She worked for several years for General Motors in Sandusky, where she met the love of her life, James Gano, with whom she...

May 8, 2024

Ronald Harvey, passed away May 8, 2024 leaving his beloved wife Louise J. (Bauer) Harvey, his family of four children, eight grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. Ron was born January 31, 1930 in Kalamazoo, the oldest son of Loree and Lois Harvey. In 1948, he graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School, attended Kalamazoo College and graduated in 1952 from Northwestern...