Local obituaries for Kalamazoo, Portage, & Climax MI.
Carol A. Williams
Feb 28, 2024
Carol A. Williams, age 65 of Vicksburg, passed away at home under hospice care on February 28, 2024. She was born on February 16, 1959, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of William and Marian (Meints) Laws. Carol was a 1977 graduate of Mattawan High School. She received her associate degree in medical billing and worked for a local doctor’s office. She...
Genevieve Dorothy (Jennings) Parker
Feb 27, 2024
Genevieve Dorothy (Jennings) Parker, age 95, of Kalamazoo, MI, passed away on February 27, 2024, at Story Point of Kalamazoo with family at her side.
Genevieve was born on October 5, 1928, in Allegan County to the late John and Doris (Andresen) Jennings of Fennville.
After high school, she continued her education at Western Michigan University, where she received her bachelor's degree...
Russell Alan Montgomery
Feb 26, 2024
Russell Alan Montgomery, 78, of Comstock, Michigan, passed away at his home surrounded by family on February 26, 2024. Russell was preceded in death by his son, Richard Montgomery. He is survived by his wife, Iva Montgomery; daughters, Susan (Dennis) Ouding and Carol (Rex) Day; grandchildren, Stephanie, Amanda, Kimberly, Brittany, and Brandon; as well as many great-grandchildren.
Russ loved to travel...
Paul E. Medema
Feb 26, 2024
Went to be with his Lord and Savior Monday morning, February 26, 2024. Paul was born July 22, 1936 in Kalamazoo, MI the son of John and Henrietta (Smit) Medema. Paul grew up in Portage, MI with his 4 brothers and 2 sisters. In 1954, he graduated from Portage Central High School. He was the proud owner of Medema Floor...
Robert R. Glidden
Feb 25, 2024
Robert Ray Glidden passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 25, 2024, at the age of 97. Robert is reunited with his wife, Florence “Flossie” Glidden, who preceded him in death just 3 months ago. He was born in Kalamazoo, MI, on March 23, 1926, to the late Ralph S. and Vesta L. (Claiborne) Glidden. Bob was affectionately known as...
Michael James Butler
Feb 25, 2024
Michael James Butler, age 69, passed away on February 25, 2024, at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Michael was born on June 13, 1954, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to the late Dickie Lavern and Lucy Darlene (Wynn) Butler.
Michael served in the United States Army.
Per Michael's wishes, cremation has already taken place. No public services will be held at this time.
Ellen Z. Chapman
Feb 23, 2024
Passed away Friday evening, February 23, 2024 at Kairos Dwelling. Ellen was born March 29, 1938 in Richland, MI the daughter of Wright and Zelda (Forsyth) Wiley. She was an excellent wooden toy maker. She enjoyed going to art shows, visiting with people, and was a people person. Ellen also enjoyed making jams, and canning fruit for later in the...
James Peter Bishop
Feb 23, 2024
James Peter Bishop of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed on Friday, February 23, 2024, at the age of 83. Jim is survived by his wife, Donna Joy (Engelsman) Bishop, of 56 years; son, Brian James Bishop and Brian’s spouse, Kimberly Dillon Bishop of Belmont, California, and two grandchildren. He is pre-deceased by his parents, Peter Cornelius Bishop and Jenevieve Bishop of Grand...
Betty M. Southon
Feb 23, 2024
Betty Marie Southon passed away on Friday, February 23, 2024 at the age of 94. She was born April 25, 1929, in Kalamazoo, MI to the late Lester and Ruth (Helle) Clark. Betty was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School as well as Western Michigan University. While attending classes at Western, she worked in their administration department, helping fellow...
Linda Marie Anderson
Feb 22, 2024
Linda Marie Anderson entered this world on July 5, 1955. She was born to Thomas Edward Anderson and Alma Marie Jones in Albion, Michigan. Several years later, Linda would welcome her sibling, Charles Anderson, into the world. Linda was a daddy’s girl, tagging along with her father on road trips and day-to-day errands whenever she was around him.
Linda would acquire...
Robert E. Newton
Feb 22, 2024
Passed away Thursday afternoon, February 22, 2024 at his home. Bob was born March 12, 1928 in Kalamazoo, the son of LeRoy and Winifred (Merreman) Newton. Bob worked at Consumers Power Company for 44 years. He was an active member in the union, UWUA Local 150, where he was the treasurer for 21 years and delegated to many conventions. After...
Virgil Lee Kahl
Feb 22, 2024
Virgil Lee Kahl passed away Thursday, February 22, 2024 at the age of 77. He was born in Kalamazoo, MI to the late Harlan and Betty (Whitehurst) Kahl on September 7, 1946. Virgil proudly served his country in the United States Navy during Vietnam. He worked for the City of Kalamazoo where he worked in the Parks and Recreation Department....
Dorothy Carolyn DeDee
Feb 21, 2024
Dorothy Carolyn DeDee, 86 of Kalamazoo, passed away on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. She was the daughter of Gladys (Baumgardt) and Christian Born, born on February 19, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York.
She graduated from Lynbrook High School in 1956. While in high school, Dorothy was employed part time by Al Wansor’s Lynbrook Music Center and in the summers, she worked...
Nira Belle Watkins
Feb 21, 2024
Nira Belle Watkins of Kalamazoo passed away on February 21, 2024, at the age of 97. She was born on July 3, 1926, in Fredonia, Kansas, the youngest daughter of the late Homer and Hattie Scarborough. On February 17, 1951, she married Robert Glenn Watkins. Bob and Nira met in Sunday School at a Methodist church in Wichita, Kansas, and...
Phyllis T. Garrett
Feb 21, 2024
Phyllis J. Garrett, age 77 of Lowell formerly of Portage, died on February 21, 2024. She was born on April 22, 1946, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Stanley and Thelma (Miller) Neal. Phyllis grew up on the family farm helping her dad with the crops. They had a farm stand on Riverview Drive selling the strawberries and corn. Phyllis was...
Stephen B. Friedman
Feb 20, 2024
Stephen Burt Friedman passed away on February 20, 2024. Steve was born on March 23, 1931 in Amsterdam, New York, the son of Raymond and Rosella Friedman. After graduating from high school, he studied at the University of Rochester, Syracuse University, and the University of Illinois, earning a Ph.D. in microbiology in 1962. In between his studies, he served for...
Gertrude "Trudy" J. Harper
Feb 19, 2024
Passed away Monday evening, February 19, 2024. Trudy was born September 9, 1928 in Zeeland, MI the daughter of Ralph and Emma (Kloostra) Wagner. Raised in Holland in the 1930’s to immigrant parents, six older brothers, and many cousins was only the beginning of Trudy’s life. Her house had many windows. She was an avid bowler, and secretary of many...
Robert T. Ransbottom
Feb 19, 2024
Robert T. Ransbottom, age 95 of Martin, died on February 19, 2024. He was born October 19, 1928, in Constantine, Michigan, one of seven children of Lloyd and Gertrude (Sutherland) Ransbottom. Robert served in the U.S Army during the Korean Conflict. For 39 years, he worked in maintenance at RockTen/Maximar Paper Mill, from 1952-1993. He married Bonnie Closs on April...
Ruby Bernice Simpson
Feb 18, 2024
Ruby Bernice Simpson, age 87, passed away February 18, 2024. She was born September 6, 1936, in Crabtree, Arkansas, to the late William Ayers and Mollie (Williams) Neldon.
Her dad was, at one time, a local judge and lawyer: but most of the time a simple farmer, which meant they were poor, and life was hard sometimes. But her mom would...
Shirley A. Sherfield
Feb 18, 2024
Shirley Ann Sherfield, an unforgettable woman who left an indelible mark on those around her, passed away on February 18, 2024, at the age of 78 in Portage, Michigan. Born on December 18, 1945, in South Bend, Indiana, she was the cherished daughter of Michael C. and Marie E. (Brown) Ostheimer.
She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1964 and ventured...
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