Obituaries

Nov 24, 2017

Joseph “Joe” Winford Thrasher, son of Percy and Gracie (Shelton) Thrasher,passed away November 24, 2017, at the age of 89. Joseph was a loyal man whocared deeply for his family and friends. Although he was a hardworking Michigan man for most of his life, his roots andheart were in Alabama. Born October 22, 1928, in Decatur, Alabama, he grew upthere,...

Nov 22, 2017

Gerald L. Cunningham passed away Wednesday November 22, 2017 at Rose Arbor Hospice. Gerald was born June 1, 1947 in Bridgeport, IL the son of Ralph and Frieda (VanScyoc) Cunningham. He was a Vietnam veteran serving in the U.S. Army. Gerald retired from General Motors and enjoyed traveling, gardening, cooking and canning, and spending time with his grandchildren. On May...

Nov 19, 2017

George Josiah Woods departed this life peacefully Sunday November 19, 2017 with his loving family by his side. George was born on June 9, 1926 to the Late George and Jessie Mae Woods in Chicago, IL. He served his country and was a member in the United States Army for 20 years up until his retirement. Following his career in...

Nov 17, 2017

Jean Charmaine Goricki-Kelly of Kalamazoo, passed away November 17, 2017 at Bickford of Portage. Jean was born May 28, 1928 in Chicago, IL the daughter of Raymond and Florence (Engel) Kingsbury. She Graduated from Comstock High School and retired as a nurse at Borgess Hospital. Jean was member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and enjoyed camping with her grandchildren, traveling...

Nov 15, 2017

Gerald “Dean” Parsons passed away Wednesday November 15, 2017, at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Gerald was born November 6, 1957 in Vicksburg MI, the son of Lloyd Bentley Parsons Sr. and Mary Ann Nisonger. He was employed as a Salesman for DeNooyer Chevrolet. Surviving are his wife Rose (Minor) Parsons of 18 years, half-sister Luella Taylor, brothers Jerry (Jill) and Jack...

Nov 9, 2017

Henry J. Sproull of Portage passed away Thursday November 9, 2017 at home. Henry was born May 8, 1939 in Adrian the son of Chester and Marian (Scott) Sproull. He retired from Kalamazoo Wrecking. Henry was united in marriage to the former Vickey Clugston who survives. Also surviving are his children, Henry Sproull, Carrie (Daniel) Ellis, Candy (John) Jukes; seven...

Nov 9, 2017

Irene Helen Smiertka peacefully passed away Thursday November 9th, at the age of 95. She was born in Kalamazoo on August 21, 1922 to Mary and John Dzialowski. She graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and retired from Gibson Guitar. She was preceded in death by her parents, by her husband of 62 years Staley Smiertka and her siblings Stella...

Nov 7, 2017

Gertrude Alida Freed of Kalamazoo passed away peacefully November 7th, 2017 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Gertrude was born in Grand Haven on August 22nd, 1929 the daughter of Marine and Drucilla (Naregand) Damvelt. She attended St. Monica Catholic Church. Gertrude shined and her loving spirit drew in people like a magnet. She will be dearly missed.  She was preceded in...

Nov 5, 2017

A lifelong resident of Kalamazoo, Paul slipped peacefully from this world Sunday November 5th, 2017.  He was 95.  Paul was born February 11th, 1922, the son of Archibald and Frieda (Weller) Weaver. He attended Saint Augustine High School graduating in 1940.  Paul was an Army Air Force signal corpsman in WWII.  He used his knowledge of Morse Code (and his...

Oct 23, 2017

Passed away Monday October 23, 2017 at Rose Arbor Hospice. Jerry was born on April 13, 1934 in Cooper Township. On June 28, 1969 Jerry united in marriage to his late wife Beverly Jane. He was an employee of The Clarage Fan Company for over 30 years until his retirement. Jerry leaves to cherish in his memory 7 children, numerous...

Oct 21, 2017

Passed away October 21, 2017. Nancy was born in Kalamazoo, on April 24, 1958 the daughter of Robert and Doris (Burgess) Houghtaling. Nancy graduated Suma Cum Laude in mechanical engineering from Western Michigan University. She was a mechanical engineer at Upjohn then Kellogg’s. She was a member of Women in Engineering. Nancy is survived by her husband Donald McLain whom...

Oct 20, 2017

Dr. Joseph Kincaid died peacefully at his home on October 20, 2017.  Joe was born in Vicksburg, MI on September 18, 1932, the son of Earle and Helena (Gilding) Kincaid.  He graduated from St. Augustine High School, Western Michigan University, and University of Michigan Medical School.  He practiced Internal Medicine with a specialty in Endocrinology in Kalamazoo for 44 years. ...

Oct 15, 2017

Mike Stafford, age 73, passed away Sunday, October 15, 2017 at Bronson Methodist Hospital, surrounded by family and friends. Mike was born November 27, 1943 in Chillicothe, OH, the son of Paul and Georgia (Lewis) Stafford. On May 23, 1964, Mike was united in marriage to the former Sue Ellen Schiller who survives.  Also surviving are two children, Brian (Wendy)...

Oct 7, 2017

Ronald James Blett passed away Saturday October 7th, 2017 in the presence of his loving family. He was born February 6th, 1950 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of Richard Blett and Teka (Dolph) Blett. He is survived by 4 siblings, Christine Harding, Linda Taber, Barbara Craig, and Richard Blett; 6 children, Ron Blett, Mary Six, Teka Pumfrey, Karen Ritsema, Gary...

Sep 29, 2017

GOODWIN, Robert I. KALAMAZOO Robert Irwin Goodwin passed away Friday September 29, 2017 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Robert was born February 24, 1932 in Bloomington, IN the son of Irwin and Ruth (Hendrickson) Goodwin. Robert received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Illinois and was a teacher for Kalamazoo Public Schools at Oakwood Junior High, Millwood Junior High...

Sep 29, 2017

  Sue Carol Frederick passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on September 29, 2017. She was born July 22, 1935; the daughter of the Late Harm Dykehouse and Evelyn Lynn in Kalamazoo, MI.  She was a member of First Missionary Baptist Church in Portage, MI where she played the organ and served faithfully. Sue had many talents...

Sep 17, 2017

Westley passed away September 17, 2017. He was born in Berglund, MI on May 29, 1921 the son of Joseph and Anna (kirnberger) Hubert. He was employed in banking system manufacturing repairing computers. Westley is a veteran of WWII havig served in the United States Army. He was preceded in death by a brother: Milton Hubert. Westley is survived by...

Sep 16, 2017

Roger A. Sellers of Kalamazoo passed away Saturday September 16, 2017 at Hallmark Living Center. Roger was born February 18, 1932 in Kalamazoo the son of Virgil and Virginia (Plott) Sellers. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran of the Korean War and was a member of Calvary Bible Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Elks Lodge & Moose Lodge. He enjoyed...

Sep 15, 2017

Sep 7, 2017

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