Obituaries

Jun 26, 2019

Georgeanna "Georgie" Ayala was called upon by the Lord on June 26, 2019. Georgie was born June 14, 1965 in Plainwell, MI to Armondo and RoseMary Ayala. She was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Being a mother and even more so, a grandmother, was the greatest joy she got out of life. They never had...

Jun 26, 2019

Iva Snyder was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was selfless and caring, yet the word that paints the most vivid picture of her is resilient. Modeling small acts of kindness and large acts of sacrifice, her story touched the lives of many. A warm and caring person, there is no doubt that she leaves behind a rich...

Jun 25, 2019

Joan Marie (Sturtz) Hoefle September 24, 1942- June 25, 2019 Joan Marie (Sturtz) Hoefle, age 76, of Marcellus, MI, passed away at Bronson Methodist Hospital following an illness on Tuesday afternoon, June 25, 2019. On September 24, 1942, Joan was born in Naticoke, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Joseph Sturtz, Sr. and Alberta (Cromer) Sturtz. On January 16, 1963, she married...

Jun 25, 2019

Jun 24, 2019

To know Tom Kelley was to love Tom Kelley. He was a man of many talents and abilities but most importantly, Tom was a dedicated and hard working man. Throughout his life, Tom pursued the many things he loved and enjoyed, especially being in the great outdoors and taking in the lake. Always an outgoing fellow, he never knew a...

Jun 24, 2019

Jun 21, 2019

Carolyn Martz of Kalamazoo, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, June 21, 2019 at the age of 84. Per Carolyn’s wishes cremation has taken place. Please visit Carolyn’s webpage at www.avinkcremation.com where you can sign her guestbook, read her obituary, and leave a memory. The family is being assisted by the Avink Funeral Home & Cremation Society, 5975...

Jun 19, 2019

Yvonne M. Booth (Drake) of Vicksburg, MI died Wednesday, June 19th at Rose Arbor Hospice with family by her side. Yvonne was born September 1, 1947 in New Castle, IN to Eleanor Smith and George Drake. She was the oldest of three children and spent many happy times during her childhood with her siblings and cousins at her Grandpa and...

Jun 18, 2019

When reflecting on the life of Jackie Terpstra, it is easy to see the deep love she had for her family. Although she treasured her roles as a wife and mother, she just might have argued that nothing was better than becoming a grandmother and great-grandmother later in life. Jackie was the kind of person who was happy all the...

Jun 17, 2019

Sally Ann Crosse (Newman) died peacefully, with family by her side, on June 17, 2019. Sally is lovingly remembered by her children, William G. Rantz (Colleen Prichard), Cheryl A. Meech, and Marjorie R. Endres (Robert). Sally was a deeply proud grandmother of seven grandchildren, Garrett and Gavin Rantz; Jason and Josh Meech; Michael, Kristen and Ashley Endres, and three great-grandchildren,...

Jun 17, 2019

Mary Lou Stewart, 93, passed away from natural causes, surrounded by her family. Mary Lou Stewart was born in Youngstown, OH and grew up in Northern Ohio. She came to Kalamazoo, MI in 1957 and taught "youngsters" in town. By this time she had earned her B.A. with honors in Teaching and Physical Education from Oberlin College and her M.A....

Jun 13, 2019

Janet Rae Pheils 84 of Schoolcraft, MI died Thursday, June 13th surrounded by family. Janet was born in Sturgis, MI to Daryle and Ruby (Harris) Pheils. The oldest of 3 children, she grew up on the family farm in Howe, IN. She played the organ and taught Sunday school in the local church and graduated from Scott High School. Shortly...

Jun 13, 2019

Jay Leo Kulp, 91, died on June 13, 2019 in Portage, Michigan. He was born in Detroit, 1928. After graduating Saint Theresa High School, 1946, Jay joined the United States Army. He was soon stationed for almost two years in Okinawa, Japan. In 1948, he was transferred back to the United States and stationed in the Battle Creek area. Jay...

Jun 8, 2019

William Richard (Dick) Rafferty, son of John and Lorena Raffety, was born on December 15, 1932 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Upon graduation from Schoolcraft High School and Western Michigan University, he was a teacher and coach for over 30 years (a member of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame). Active in his community he served on the Village...

Jun 5, 2019

Lillie Barnes passed away peacefully in Tampa, FL on Wednesday June 5, 2019. She was born to Warren and Veda (Thompson) Griffin on August 28, 1929 in Kalamazoo, MI. Per Lillie's wishes cremation has taken place. A memorial service is being planned for a later date. The family is being assisted by McCowen & Secord Family Funeral Homes, Rupert-Durham Chapel,...

Jun 4, 2019

Mark Anthony Shingledecker, age 52, recently of Cassopolis, passed away on Tuesday morning, June 04, 2019. Mark was born July 18, 1966, in Three Rivers, the son of Charles and Sharron (Tuesley) Shingledecker. He is survived by: both loving parents, two brothers: Paul (Diana) Shingledecker & Matt (Sheri) Shingledecker both of Marcellus, one sister: Beckie Shingledecker of Traverse City, two...

Jun 2, 2019

Donna Fornoff, of Lawton, formerly of Vicksburg, Michigan passed away surrounded by family on Sunday, June 2, 2019. Donna was born March 10, 1959 to Richard and Florence (Smith) Noel. Donna is survived by her husband; Dave Fornoff: children; Tyler and Haley: many grandchildren: siblings; Christine Brown and Richard Noel: nieces and nephews; Mike Dailey, Matthew Dailey, and Collette Holden:...

May 29, 2019

Delores "Jean" Ptacek, age 88, passed away at her home in Portage, Michigan, surrounded by her family on the morning of Wednesday, May 29, 2019. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who brought joy and made new friends wherever she went. Jean was born on March 4, 193 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to Harry...

May 28, 2019

Zachary James Plaunt was born on November 13, 1995 in Plainwell, Michigan and died suddenly in a tragic accident on Tuesday, May 28th 2019 in Schoolcraft, Michigan. Although his time here was much too brief, Zach lived his life with passion and zest. His life was full…. full of friends, full of love, full of adventure and most especially, full...

May 26, 2019

Matthew Scott Paul, of Plainwell, Michigan passed away suddenly on Sunday, May 26, 2019. Matthew was born April 7, 1994 to Duglaus Paul Jr. and Melissa White. Matthew is survived by his two children: Matthew Paul II. and Jordaynn Little; his mother: Melissa "Missy" White; his siblings: Steven (Lynn) Paul, Andrew Paul, and Brandon McNees; his great-grandmother: Jean Lesman; many...