Obituaries

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of David Anthony Hoffmaster, born on November 5, 1991, in Plainwell, Michigan. David was taken from us too soon, but his spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

David was a dedicated firefighter, a passion he embraced from a young age. Starting as...

Sep 26, 2026

Hattie Louise Jennings, 97, of Shelby, NC, passed away peacefully in the early hours of September 26, 2026.

Hattie was beloved by so many. Born as Hattie Louise Hewitt on August 17, 1929, in Greenville, Arkansas, to Alex and Ida Hewitt. She had at least 16 siblings. All the aforesaid have preceded her in death. For much of her life, she...

Oct 19, 2026

John William Wilks passed away on October 19, 2026, at the age of 82. Born on July 5, 1944, in Racine, WI. He was the son of Herbert and Ruth (Bass) Wilks. John lived a life marked by intellect, devotion, and deep appreciation for the people and pursuits he loved most.

John grew up in Racine, Wisconsin, and graduated from Racine...

Oct 15, 2026

James Kenneth Johnson, age 54, of Plainwell, Michigan, passed away at home with his family on October 15, 2026. He was born on July 16, 1972, at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois, to Kenneth B. Johnson and Beverly A. (Garver) Johnson.

James attended Evergreen Park Community Schools and later Moraine Valley Community College. During his school years, he was a member...

Aug 28, 2026

Barbara Ann Sanders, of Portage, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, August 28, 2026, at the age of 92. She was born on December 29, 1933, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Valentine and Josephine (Elias) Varvir and one of their eleven children.

Barbara will be remembered as a woman who always put her family first, was strong in...

Oct 3, 2026

With faith in God's promise of eternal rest, Leo E. Tiller of Portage, Michigan, entered into peace on October 3, 2026, at the age of 84.

Born on September 6, 1942, in Kalamazoo, MI, Leo E. Tiller lived a life marked by devotion to family, faith, and steadfast work. For more than 30 years, he dedicated his time to The Upjohn...

Oct 17, 2026

Benjamin Jeffrey Berner passed from this life on October 17, 2026. He was born on October 30, 1985 to Jeffrey and Denna Berner (Wiertella) in Kalamazoo. He graduated from Vicksburg High School in 2003 and participated in football and track during his high school years. He was a lifelong Vicksburg resident and loved the “small town” life especially, as he...

Sep 22, 2026

Mark D. Cornell, of Portage, Michigan, returned home to heaven on September 22, 2026, following cardiac arrest. He was 57 years old. Born on January 20, 1969, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Mark lived a life filled with love, laughter, strength, and deep devotion to the people he loved most.

A 1987 graduate of Parchment High School, Mark carried an energy through life...

Sep 8, 2026

Karen Sue Otten, age 83, of Kalamazoo, Michigan passed away September 8, 2026.

She was born on November 14, 1942, in Battle Creek, Michigan, the daughter of Walter and Opel (Sackett) Sylvester.

Karen will be remembered as a beloved wife, mom, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She married the love of her life, Ray, in 1985. They share thirty years of marriage...

Oct 15, 2026

Sandra DeSico passed peacefully on October 15th in Kalamazoo, MI.

Sandra spent most of her life in Battle Creek. She was involved with the Civic Theatre and Leila Follies. She was an accomplished bridge player. She worked at Kellogg's for 12 years and led the interior design for the new corporate headquarters. She moved to Chicago at 50 and loved it....

Oct 20, 2026

In Loving Memory of Judy Ann King

Judy Ann King, age 69, passed away on October 20, 2026. Judy will be lovingly remembered by her family and all those whose lives she touched.

Judy is survived by her loving husband of 36 years, David King; her stepchildren, Naomi Harless and Rachel (Lee) Ellison-Conaway; her four grandchildren, Makenna, Alyssa, James, and Isabelle; her...

Oct 19, 2026

Jimmy Dwayne Spicer Sr. of Vicksburg, Michigan passed away Monday October 19, 2026 at the age of seventy-six.

Jimmy was born in Mckenzie, Tennessee on July 18, 1950 to parents J.B. and Sarah Violet (Adams) Spicer.

In 1967 at the age of seventeen Jim joined the United States Marine Corp. He proudly served in the Vietnam War. Jim always stated serving was...

Oct 13, 2026

Ellen Louise Carper, age 79, of Portage, Michigan, passed away at home on October 13, 2026, with her family by her side. She was born on March 11, 1947, in Three Rivers, Michigan, to Howard and Cora Fox.

Ellen graduated from Three Rivers High School. After getting married, she and her husband, Robert Carper, opened their home to foster children for...

Oct 13, 2026

In Loving Memory of Sandra Lee Akers Hoyt

September 13, 1941 – October 13, 2026

Sandra Lee Akers Hoyt, of Otsego, Michigan, passed away on October 13, 2026, at the age of 85.

Sandra was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose strength, humor, and love for her family made her a special part of the lives of those who knew her. She...

Oct 10, 2026

Susan Chin, 63, born February 16, 1963, in Detroit, Michigan, left us on October 10, 2026, at home in Kalamazoo in the embrace of her husband, Mark Dittenbir, and their twins, Jon and Lia.

Sue loved wildflowers in miniature vases, fields of sunflowers, her father's char siu ribs, and sharing dim sum brunches. She loved skiing a freshly groomed blue run,...

Oct 9, 2026

Michael S. Becker of Vicksburg, MI passed away on Oct 9, 2026 at the age of 85. Born on August 17, 1941 to Robert J. Becker and Margaret (Nelson) Becker, he was raised on a dairy farm in Climax, MI. After graduating from Climax-Scotts High School, he joined the Navy. From his station in Norfolk, VA, he hitchhiked home to...

Oct 6, 2026

“Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, and riches take wings. Only one thing endures and that is character.” Horace Greeley (1811-1872).

Frederick Ray Comer, 84, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away peacefully following a decline due to vascular dementia on October 6, 2026.

Fred was born on August 3, 1942, in Lapeer, Michigan, to Arthur Raymond Comer and Lorraine Helen Kesler. He...

Oct 4, 2026

Linden G. Edwards, 94, of Vicksburg, Michigan passed away in October 2026, at home surrounded by his family. He was born in January 1932 in Colley, Virginia and was the son of Linden and Jetti (Hackney) Edwards. Linden is survived by his wife of 70 years, Lois Jane (Turner) Edwards. They were married in October 1956.

Linden proudly served his country...

Oct 3, 2026

Charlene Frances (Bellingham) Armintrout, 94, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 3, 2026. She was surrounded by family and carried by the songs she loved from her favorite country western artists.

A lifelong resident of Michigan, she grew up near Hastings, married Jasper and lived in Plainwell. They loved their vacation home in northern Michigan and spent much time...

Oct 2, 2026

Deborah Jane (Frisbie) Howes, of Portage, formerly Alma, MI passed away on Friday, October 2, 2026, at the age of 73. Deborah was born on February 7, 1953, in Alma, Michigan, to Edwin and Virginia (Chaney) Frisbie.

Deborah grew up in Alma and graduated from Alma High School. She later worked for more than 15 years as a pharmacy technician at...