Local obituaries for Kalamazoo, Portage, & Climax MI.
Luciano Hernandez Sr.
Feb 20, 2025
Luciano Hernandez Sr. passed away peacefully February 20th, 2025
Luciano “Chano” “Lou” was born January 7th, 1935 in Maxwell Tx. The youngest son of Hermanjildo and Maria (Aguirre) Hernandez. He moved to Michigan and married the love of his life Elvira Reno on December 31st, 1952. They welcomed 5 children into their lives and raised them in Kalamazoo. Lou is survived...
Phillip Burl Bumpus
Feb 18, 2025
Phillip Burl Bumpus, born on January 27, 1943, in Adrian, Michigan, passed away on February 18, 2025, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He served his country as an SP5 in the Army during the Vietnam War.
He graduated from Adrian High School and earned an Associates Degree from Stauzenburger Business School. Phillip married Diane Sackett at the First Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo after...
Edgar Octavio Montenegro Jr.
Feb 15, 2025
Edgar Octavio Montenegro Jr., fondly known as Eddie, age 32 of Wayland, passed away on February 15, 2025. He was born on December 21, 1992, an early Christmas gift to his parents Joi Sparks and Edgar Montenegro Sr. in Naval Base Charleston, South Carolina.
Eddie was known for his beautiful smile and infectious laughter, kind spirit and his unwavering passion for...
Dora E. Kimberly
Feb 15, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful and loving mother, Dora Kimberly, at the age of 79 years old. She was born Dora Elizabeth Logee on Feb. 12, 1946 in Allegan, Michigan to Charles and Mary (Rossetti) Logee. As an adolescent her family moved to Jonesville, Michigan. She graduated from Jonesville High School in...
Susan Kay Rogers
Feb 15, 2025
Susan "Sue" Kay Rogers, 73, of Climax, MI passed away on Saturday, February 15 in Holland, MI with her family by her side.
She was born on November 2, 1951 to the late Eleanor (Sowles) & George Deerwester. She was a 1969 graduate of Climax-Scotts High School and attended Kellogg Community College.
Sue retired from Hardings Friendly Market in Galesburg, MI in...
Vincent P. Marshall
Feb 15, 2025
Vincent De Paul Marshall, an industrial microbiologist and researcher, age 81 of Kalamazoo, died on February 15, 2025. He was born on April 5, 1943, in Washington D.C, the son of Vincent P. and Mary (Bach) Marshall.
Following his high school graduation, Vince served in the U.S. National Guard from 1960-1965.
Vince received his bachelor’s degree from Northeastern State College in Oklahoma....
Margean A. Powers
Feb 14, 2025
Margean Powers, age 96, passed away February 14, 2025. She was born March 23, 1928, in Kalamazoo to the late William and Gertie (VanderMolen) Hoebeke.
Marge graduated from Kalamazoo Christian Schools. She began working for Sutherland Paper Co. in their statistical department and later became an animal procurement specialist at Upjohn, eventually retiring from there. She was united in marriage to...
Beth Lucille Shirley
Feb 13, 2025
Long-time Kalamazoo resident Beth Shirley, age 98, died peacefully in her sleep on February 13, 2025, with family by her side.
Beth left her birthplace, a farm north of Grand Rapids, MI, after graduating from Sand Lake High School. She attended Western Michigan College (now University), and in her senior year, she met John Shirley, with whom she happily shared married...
George E. Keller
Feb 12, 2025
With profound sadness, we share the passing of George Edward Keller, who, after a long fought battle against brain cancer, left this world, in his own timing, peacefully at his home on February 12, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. Though our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in knowing that he lived a life filled with love,...
Lois Elayne Ellis
Feb 11, 2025
Lois Elayne Peterson Ellis passed away early Tuesday morning, February 11, 2025, in Brighton, Michigan as the result of congestive heart failure. Born in Orleans, Michigan on May 25, 1933, to Ed and Myrle Peterson, she was raised on the family dairy farm with her three younger siblings, twins Jim and Jerry and sister Karen. Lois attended a one room...
Evelyn Elaine Blain
Feb 11, 2025
Evelyn Elaine Blain, a resident of Galesburg, Michigan, passed away on February 11, 2025, at the age of 84. Born on October 27, 1940, in Kalamazoo, Evelyn was the daughter of Roy Bargo and Eleanor (Otten) Bargo. She was a proud graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School.
Evelyn lived her life with a deep passion for her family and her wide...
Richard A. VanDam
Feb 10, 2025
Richard (“Chief”) VanDam, 86, went to be with his lord and savior on Monday, February 10, 2025, with his family by his side. Richard was born on April 6, 1938, in Kalamazoo, MI, to the late Harold and Marie (Kallewaard) VanDam. Early in his adult life, just a few short years after graduating from Kalamazoo Central High School, Richard married...
Donna Mae Penning
Feb 10, 2025
Donna Mae Penning, age 86, went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 10, 2025. She was born May 20, 1938, in Kalamazoo to the late Donald and Mina (Broekema) Pastoor.
Donna graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School and went on to nursing school to obtain her certification as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She dedicated herself to her nursing...
John Wesley Zull
Feb 10, 2025
John Wesley Zull, age 84 of Portage, died on February 10, 2025. He was born on December 8, 1940, in North Branch, Michigan, the son of Pastor Harley Zull and Eileen (Beatty) Zull. The family grew up in Greenville, Michigan, where John graduated from high school. He received his master’s degree from Western Michigan University. His career was spent as...
Janice D. Wilson
Feb 10, 2025
Janice D. Wilson, age 92 of Galesburg, died on February 10, 2025. She was born on February 14, 1932, in Lawrence, Michigan, the daughter of John and Katherine (Stein) Kroeg. Janice was a 1950 graduate of Lawrence High School. On May 1, 1953, she married Robert H. Wilson in Paw Paw. Together they owned and operated the University Gulf gas...
Jeanene D. Lentini
Feb 9, 2025
Age 76, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 9, 2025. Jean was born in Austin, Minnesota on December 11, 1948, the daughter of the late Edward and Ione (Cliff) Davis. She graduated from Schulte High School in Terre Haute, IN. Jean earned her Bachelor of Education from Indiana State University and a master’s degree in special education from Western Michigan...
Henry Michael Ritsema
Feb 9, 2025
Henry Michael Ritsema, age 57 of Kalamazoo, died on February 9, 2025. He was born on June 29, 1967, in Kalamazoo, the son of Lester and Betty (Whaley) Ritsema. Henry was named after his Grandpa Henry, as he was born on his birthday.
He was preceded in death by his parents Lester Ritsema & Betty Whaley, his twin daughters Lexis &...
Roberto "Bob" Garza
Feb 8, 2025
Roberto Garza, 80 of Portage, entered the loving arms of God on February 8, 2025, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born on March 2, 1944, in McAllen, Texas, the son of Amadeo and Maria (Cantu) Garza.
Bob Garza grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan going to school at St. Mary’s Catholic School for elementary then attended Kalamazoo Central High...
Otto L. Schuhardt
Feb 8, 2025
Otto L. Schuhardt, age 97 of Kalamazoo, died on February 8, 2025. He was born on January 26, 1928, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Otto G. and Marguerite L. (Houck) Schuhardt. After high school, Otto attended college before serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps. For 44 years, he owned and operated his own auto repair company, Schuhardt’s Auto...
Phyllis Irene Smith
Feb 8, 2025
In loving memory of Phyllis Irene (Holtz) Smith, who joyfully entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 8, 2025.
Phyllis was born on November 9, 1920 to Lewis and Elizabeth (Lemmer) Holtz. She graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School, attended WMU, and worked at The UpJohn Company. Phyllis met her dearly loved husband, Joe Smith, at...
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