Oct 15, 2023

Sandra K. (Schreuder) Szymczak of Portage, Michigan passed away on Sunday, October 15, 2023, at the age of 72. Sandra was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on April 27, 1951, to the late Donald and Joyce (Denner) Schreuder. Sandra was married to LeRoy “Roy” Szymczak until his passing in 2016.

In 1969, Sandra graduated from Portage Northern High...

Oct 14, 2023

Joseph H. Turner, “Joe”, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family, on Saturday, October 14, 2023. He was born in Anderson, IN on August 20, 1926, a son of Burrell F. and Nancy M. (Stanley) Turner.

During the depression, Joe and his older siblings worked with their dad at his grocery store. Joe told the story...

Oct 13, 2023

Thomas “Tom” Goddard age 81, of Scotts, Michigan, passed away on Friday, October 13, 2023.

Tom was born on February 24, 1942, in Lansing, Michigan to the late Roscoe Wheelock and Grace Alice (Rose) Goddard

Tom worked for General Motors Truck and Bus for 34 years. He loved to serve the Lord and serve others....

Oct 12, 2023

Phyllis E. Lawes, age 88 of Kalamazoo, died on October 12, 2023. She was born May 28, 1935, to Elmer and Grace (Winters) Lawes. She was born and raised in Otsego and came to Kalamazoo in 1967. Phyllis worked for Schensuls Cafeteria from 1973-1980. She also worked for Gilmore’s from 1981-1999. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents,...

Oct 11, 2023

Bonnie Jean Williams was born on February 9, 1933, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was raised in Portage and spent most of her adult years there, having been married and raising her children there as well. Her birth family was the Romence family who were prominent in Portage. She carried this name well and had a strong sense of family....

Oct 11, 2023

Kenton Charles “Chuck” Olson, 90, of Portage passed away on the afternoon of Wednesday, October 11th. He was born on November 6, 1932, in Escanaba, MI son to Kenton W. and Beatrice (Woltersheim) Olson. On November 25, 1954 Chuck married Jo Ann Register of Welch, WV at Buckroe Methodist Church in Hampton, WV. She preceded him in death in...

Oct 10, 2023

Geraldine M. “Gerri “(McCann/Alley) Green, age 92 of Fulton, Michigan, gained her angel wings on October 10, 2023, at home surrounded by her daughters.

Gerri was born on February 8, 1931, to the late Albert & Helen (Edwards) McCann in Detroit, Michigan. She worked for the Federal government, eventually rising to Chief Procurement officer for the VA...

Oct 10, 2023

Ronald Jackson Poling, age 88, of Middleville, formerly of Portage, passed away Tuesday, October 10, 2023. He was born September 7, 1935 in St. Clairsville, Ohio to the late Harley Preston and Laura Ellen (Jackson) Poling.

Ron grew up in West Virginia, a 1953 graduate of Farmington High School, and attended trade school to become an appliance...

Oct 10, 2023

Fred L. Junker passed away October 10, 2023 from a struggle with Dementia and Lewey bodies illness.  Fred is preceded in death by his parents, Fred W. and Patricia Junker.  Fred was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School class of 1960.  He went on to graduate with honors from Western Michigan University with a BBA in Accountancy.  He...

Oct 10, 2023

Passed away Tuesday afternoon, October 10, 2023 at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. Eunice was born December 28, 1944 in Mt. Pleasant, MI the daughter of James and Ophelia (Carrillo) Cruz. She was a very active member of Calvary Community Church where she had served as Elder. Eunice was an excellent seamstress, enjoyed doing needle point, and spending time with...

Oct 9, 2023

Helen Marie Selles, age 93, of Kalamazoo passed away October 9, 2023. She was born July 16, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Louis and Lena (Bosch) Hoekstra.

She was preceded in death by her husband William “Bill” Selles; sons, William and Robert Selles; and brother, George (Dorothy) Hoekstra.  She is survived by her daughters, Betty...

Oct 9, 2023

Evelyn Blackport, age 4, and Elliot Blackport, age 7, tragically died on October 9, 2023. Elliot James was born on March 2, 2016, and Evelyn Danielle was born on January 25, 2019, they are the children of Duane Blackport Jr. “D.J.” and Amy Yearian.

Elliot’s autism was piqued by several interest which included watching & listening to...

Oct 8, 2023

Melody Couch passed away Sunday October 8th in Kalamazoo.  She was born October 6th, 1957, in Kingston NY, a daughter of Paul and Ann (Hurlbut) Prentice.

Melody grew up in both Kingston and Hyde Park, New York.  She attended Keuka College in New York, where she received a B.A. in Nursing.  She graduated nursing school in 1979...

Oct 8, 2023

Passed away Sunday morning, October 8, 2023. Tom was born August 31, 1951 in New Castle, IN the son of Loral and Donna (Green) Bennett. He was a veteran serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He worked as gunsmith/ gun salesman and also enjoyed football officiating. He was often traveling and camping. He enjoyed mushroom hunting,...

Oct 8, 2023

James Richard Green, Sr. died peacefully Sunday, October 8, 2023, in Kalamazoo, MI. He was born June 30, 1932, in Chicago, IL, a son of Elmer and Mayme (Belgram) Green.

Jim left high school early to join the work force. Throughout his life he was a hard worker and held many jobs; steel worker, soldier, plumber, maintenance...

Oct 7, 2023

Frances P. Shafer, age 73 of Kalamazoo, passed away peacefully after a battle with ALS, on Saturday, October 7, 2023, with her family by her side. She was born on September 26, 1950, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Harry and Rose (Foust) VanHyfte. Frances grew up in Kalamazoo. On June 7, 1969, she married Donald Shafer. She worked in...

Oct 6, 2023

Daniel W. Reiff passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 6, 2023, at the age of 24. He was born on March 16, 1999, with a naturally sweet and kind soul. He had a heart of gold, and a big smile for everyone he met and was always a joy to be around.  Dan had a strong faith in God....

Oct 6, 2023

Elliott John Evans was born on August 4, 1952 to parents, Louise and Louis Evans. He was educated in the Chicago Public Schools until high school. He then moved to South Haven, Michigan, where he graduated from high school. Elliott participated in wrestling and won various awards, including the state championship. He was eventually inducted into the Wresting Hall...

Oct 6, 2023

Patricia Ann Santek (DeLoof), 94 of Marshall, passed away peacefully at Friendship Village on October 6, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on July 23, 1929, to Jack and Dorothy (Byington) DeLoof.

Patricia spent her career as a legal secretary for the State of Michigan Unemployment office where she graciously helped those in need...

Oct 5, 2023

Passed away Thursday evening, October 5, 2023 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Steven was born May 20, 1957 in Kalamazoo the son of Donald and Selma (Weiss) McKay. Steve worked at Parker Hannifin as a machinist, he also served in the United States Army for 3 years. Steve enjoyed wood carving, drawing, gardening, and spending time...