Mar 23, 2024

Ernesto Saenz DeLeon of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away peacefully in his home on March 23, 2024, at the age of 89. Ernesto was born in Weslaco, Texas, on January 3, 1935, to the late Emelio and Guadalupe Saenz DeLeon. In 1957, he married Rebecca Reyes. The two were married for 61 years when Rebecca passed away in 2018.

Ernesto was a...

Mar 23, 2024

Gilbert L. Peguero, age 98 of Portage, died on March 23, 2024. He was born in Loveland, Colorado, on February 4, 1926, the son of Octaviano and Marcela Peguero. He had lived in Portage since 1966. On September 6, 1947, he married Carmen Cantu, and she preceded him in death in 2003. Gil was an avid sportsman and loved baseball,...

Mar 22, 2024

Mar 22, 2024

Sharon Ann Seekamp passed away peacefully on Friday, March 22, 2024 at the age of 75. She was born in Dayton, OH to the late Robert W. and Florence C. (Truxel) Seekamp on May 23, 1948. Sharon was a purchasing agent for Burroughs, LLC for many years. She enjoyed spending time with her family, lunch outings with her friends, gardening,...

Mar 22, 2024

Dianne Elizabeth Huffman passed away peacefully at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on March 22, 2024. She was 84 years old. She was born July 29, 1939, to Inez (nee Robinson) and Dr. Edwin L. Longpre. Dianne grew up near Bay City, Michigan, the youngest of four children: Dr. Keith Longpre, Suzanne Longpre Martin, and William Longpre. While growing...

Mar 21, 2024

Raymond Schroeder lived an ordinary life, but he did it in extraordinary ways.  A proud graduate of Wheaton College, he lived his life according to the motto of his alma mater, “For Christ and His Kingdom.”  The Gospel clearly shaped him – he knew he was flawed and needed Jesus to die for him, and he was overwhelmed daily that...

Mar 21, 2024

Edwin “Edd” W. Price, Jr. passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the age of 85. He was born in Jackson, MI to the late Edwin W., Sr. and Belle (Grinell) Price on April 1, 1938. Edd was a materials handler for Eckrich where he was employed for over 36 years. He enjoyed gardening, baking and loved cats-...

Mar 20, 2024

Lee Albert Scheffers, age 78 of Kalamazoo, died on March 20, 2024. He was born on August 27, 1945, in Kalamazoo, the son of Albert and Martha (Reyers) Scheffers. Lee was a 1963 graduate of Loy Norrix High School and received his degree from Parsons Business College. During the Vietnam War, Lee served in the U.S. Army. Upon his honorable...

Mar 20, 2024

Ralph Jay Cheney of Kalamazoo, Michigan, died on March 20, 2024, at the age of 86. Ralph was born in Mount Clemens, Michigan, on May 25, 1937, to the late Cooley and Viola (Nicke) Cheney. In 1997, he married Lenore (Parzynski) Setlik. Ralph and Lenore were married for 27 years.

Ralph attended and graduated from Denby High School in Detroit, Michigan....

Mar 19, 2024

Sandra Idema, 76 years of age, passed away peacefully on March 19, at Sue’s Loving Care Foster Home in Kalamazoo, of Alzheimers’s Disease. Sandra (Sandie) was born February 28, 1948, in Arlington County, Virginia, to Joseph and Margaret Amell, who preceded Sandie in death. She is survived by her loving husband, John, of Kalamazoo; sister, Linda (Gary Chinn), of Aurora,...

Mar 19, 2024

On March 19, 2024, Gail Karen Ingersoll went to be with Jesus.

She was born to Robert and Rachel Ingersoll on February 7, 1945, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She has fought a good fight, and has run a good race, and is now ready to receive her reward in Heaven.

She received her RN and BS degree in nursing from Western Michigan University...

Mar 18, 2024

Calvin Coolidge Shafer Jr., age 64, of Kalamazoo passed away March 18, 2024. He was born October 8, 1959, in Kalamazoo to the late Calvin Coolidge Sr. and Joyce Renae (Burns) Shafer.

Calvin worked with the Laborers’ Union Local 355 for most of his career, with his most recent work being in nuclear power plants, which he loved. He had the...

Mar 18, 2024

Jordan Daniel Field, 32 of Paw Paw, passed away unexpectedly on March 18, 2024. He was born in Grand Rapids to Dannie Field and Michelle (Klinkner) Rzanca on April 29, 1991.

Jordan worked with and was a member of the IBEW local 876.

Jordan enjoyed spending his time with his friends and family, playing Xbox, and constantly making jokes. Jordan was wonderful...

Mar 18, 2024

On March 18th, 2024, Scott Charles Johnson went home to be with Jesus. He was born June 26th, 1954, to Charles and Dorothy Johnson in Royal Oak, MI. He is survived by his sister, Sherry (Jim) Wheeler of Ann Arbor, MI; and his four children, Nathaniel (Brenda) Johnson of Kalamazoo, Brandon Johnson of Galesburg, Joshua Johnson of Kalamazoo, and Lydia...

Mar 18, 2024

Carol Ann Newton, 77 of Richland, passed away peacefully at Rose Arbor on March 18, 2024. She was born on November 11, 1946, to Wayne and Irene (Kooyers) Wood in Detroit, MI.

Carol graduated from Parchment High School in 1964 where she was involved in band and student council.   Her administrative career expanded over many decades as a secretary, retiring...

Mar 18, 2024

James “Jim” Homer Swope, Loving Husband, Father, and Grandfather, 78, of Vicksburg, MI, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2024.

Jim was born January 25, 1946, to Carl and Virginia Swope in Hillsdale, MI. The middle child of three, he graduated from Jonesville High School in 1964. Immediately after high school and following in his father’s footsteps, he started a tool-and-die...

Mar 18, 2024

Went into eternal life to meet her Savior on March 18, 2024. Dorothy was born to the late Jacob and Gertie (Kiel) Bouma, on February 13, 1935, in Portage, Michigan. In her school years, Dorothy worked in the celery fields and later, the UpJohn Company. Eventually she met the love of her life, John Balkema, and married him on September...

Mar 18, 2024

Roy J. Secor, 80, of Kalamazoo, passed away at his home on March 18, 2024. He was born in Dowagiac, MI on November 5, 1943 to Lester and Phylis (Henderson) Secor. 

Roy graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1961, Western Michigan University in 1965, and earned his Master’s degree from Western in 1968. Roy dedicated 37 years to Otsego High School...

Mar 16, 2024

Jacqualyn Klepper, age 75 of Kalamazoo, died on March 16, 2024. She was born on August 11, 1948, in Kalamazoo, MI, to Richard “Dick” and Marilyn (Noteboom) Klepper. She graduated as the salutatorian from Mattawan High School in 1966 and earned her teaching degree from Central Michigan University. After graduating with her elementary teaching degree, Jackie moved to Albuquerque, New...

Mar 15, 2024

Kenneth John Betten, MD, age 86, of Kalamazoo passed away March 15, 2024.

Kenneth was born on May 24, 1937 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He loved sports and played basketball while at Calvin College. After graduating from the University of Michigan Medical School and completing his residency, he spent 3 years in the Army, serving at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center...