Rex Bragg was always up to something. With his quick wit, he was a natural jokester and the instigator of many shenanigans and much mischief. Yet most importantly, Rex will be remembered for his honest demeanor and compassionate heart. He lived by way of example and was a wonderful role model for his children to live by. Rex loved his...
When reflecting on the life of William McKay, it is easy to see that his love for the Lord permeated everything he said and did. He was kind, gentle, and compassionate and dearly loved and respected by all who were near. Second only to his love for the Lord was the love and devotion he had for his family as...
Norma June Vargo, of Portage passed away on Friday, April 6, 2018 at the age of 79. Norma was born on February 27, 1939 in Mishawaka, IN. She was the daughter of Frederick and Irene (Landcraft) Boldt. On July 20, 1957 she married James Vargo at St. Ann's Catholic Church. She owned and operated the Sale Barn in Schoolcraft. She...
CONNER, JOHN 5/1/1935 - 4/4/2018 Portage, MI John Thorn Conner passed away peacefully at home with his beloved family at his bedside. John was born in Philadelphia, PA to Walter Thorn Conner and Margaret Judson Conner. His family relocated to Grosse Pointe, MI and John graduated from Grosse Pointe High in 1952. While attending WMU, John met Sally Jean Metry...
Burke, Maurice 2/17/1929 - 4/3/2018 Kalamazoo Maurice "Maury" Burke, age 89, passed away peacefully from complications of pneumonia. Maury was born in Chapman, Nebraska. His passions were golf and bowling. He is preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Vera Burke. Surviving are his sisters Bonnie (Ray)Zabala, Betty (Bill) Robinson, Carolyn (Vic) Arriola as well as many nephews and...
Carole Ann Bowen, age 74, of Kalamazoo passed away on April 3, 2018. Carole's family includes her mother: Jane (Porter) Brown; daughters: Sandra (Steve) Cartwright of Decatur, Jayne Heath of Kalamazoo, Suzan (Martin) Dunn of Kalamazoo; her son: Jason Bowen of Kalamazoo; five grandchildren: Joseph, Jonathan, Amanda, Alexys, and Dakota; her siblings: Gerald Brown of Parma and Rodger (Dot) Brown...
Dolly A. Smith, age 85, of Marcellus, MI passed away Monday April 2, 2018. She was born December 14, 1932 the daughter of Peter and Gertrude M. Kroeg in Decatur, MI. On March 4, 1954 she married James L. Smith in Bloomingdale, MI who had preceded her in death. After her children were born she had decided to stay home...
Ely, Thomas M. 12/5/1930 - 4/2/2018 Vicksburg Thomas M. Ely, 87, of Vicksburg, passed away April 2. Tom was born December 5, 1930 in Monterey Park California, the son of the late Walter and Louise (VanHyfte) Ely. Tom was a master plumber in the area. He is survived by his wife Marilyn of 64 years; 4 children, Carol (Tom) Johnston,...
Edna passed away on April 1, 2018. She was born Nov. 8,1936 in Lansing, Mi. The daughter of Gerald and Doris Daman. Over her life she was the care giver to many children including her grandchildren, great grandchildren and many other children. She loved crocheting gifts for people and working in her yard. She was proceeded in death by her...
Mary Vaughan Godfrey, an educator, actress, and child of Texas who lived her entire adult life in Kalamazoo County, died Sunday, April 1 at her home on Gull Lake. She was 77 years old. The cause was cancer, and the acute phase of her illness was as brief as it was devastating. Mary was born on November 7, 1940 in...
HANKA, DR. LADISLAV "Lad" Dr. Ladislav "Lad" Hanka, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away Monday, March 26, 2018 at 97 years of age. Dr. Hanka was born on July 29, 1920, in the village of Mnetice, Czechoslovakia to Ladislav and Marie (Borovcova) Hanka. He loved natural history and studied well, receiving a coveted scholarship from the Hlavka Foundation to attend Charles...
Gilbert, Luana 4/17/1950 - Portage Luana Gay Gilbert age 67 passed away at her home in Portage, MI of natural causes. Luana was born April 17, 1950 in Kalamazoo, MI to George and Mabel Gilbert. She graduated from Schoolcraft High School in 1968 and received her Bachelors Degree from Western Michigan University. Luana lived in the Kalamazoo area most of...
With her signature smile and a heart filled with happiness, Phyllis Adele Roe lived a wholehearted life rich with family and friends. Phyllis was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend who taught by example. Naturally happy, generous, and kind Phyllis loved unconditionally and welcomed all into her heart and home. In so doing, she served as a powerful inspiration...
Ramona Moormann Ramona (Mona) Moorman was born August 26, 1928 to parents George and Dagmar (Nelson) Meyer in Eagle Point, Wisconsin. She died March 24, 2018. She was a graduate of Lincoln High School in Park Falls, Wisconsin, Milwaukee Business College and attended Valley Community college and attended Kalamazoo Valley Community college. Mona married Donald Moormann in Chillicothe, Illinois and...
Charles (Ray) Churchill Charles (Ray) Churchill, age 80, of Portage, MI passed away March 24, 2018 He was born January 26, 1938 in Penn township/Cass County, MI the son of Ray C. Churchill, and Ruth Ardel ( Elliott) Churchill. He is survived by wife of 60 years, Betty Joe Wilkinson Churchill, married January 26, 1958. Charles was a Farmer and...
With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Gracie Harber was a blessing to those around her. She was a hardworking woman who was completely devoted to her loved ones in every way. Gracie took her roles as wife and mother to heart, but she just may have argued...
Generous and kind, Mark Salisbury lived a life firmly rooted in integrity, service, and love of family. With faith in the goodness of others and an undauntable work ethic, Mark lived his life in service to his family, friends, and community he treasured. Always true to his word, Mark met life's challenges with confidence and embraced his good fortune with...
Rice, Jon Clark 3/24/2018 Portage, Michigan Jon Clark Rice passed away March 24, 2018 after a long illness in Portage, MI. Jon was born in Detroit and lived most of his life on the east side. Jon was a graduate of Grosse Pointe High School. He attended CMU, graduated from Olivet College, where he played baseball and football. He then...