Obituaries

Apr 14, 2018

Lucille (Lucy) Henrietta Miles passed away on Saturday, April 14th, 2018. Lucille was born in Kalamazoo on August 21, 1924 to Henry and Lyda Tenbrink. As a young woman Lucy was an athlete and captain of her basketball team at Kalamazoo Central High. She was proud of her work at Upjohn before getting married to her first husband and starting...

Apr 14, 2018

Gerard "Gare" Roseboom, age 90, of Kalamazoo passed away peacefully in his sleep of natural causes on April 14, 2018 at his home. Gare was born on June 28, 1927 to Petrus and Mary Roseboom. Visit with his family and friends for a memorial gathering on Monday April 23 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Life Story Funeral...

Apr 12, 2018

Patricia Helene Fitzell, of Kalamazoo, passed away peacefully April 12, 2018, at Rose Arbor Hospice, Kalamazoo. She was born Jan. 15, 1933, in Chicago, the daughter of William and Helen (Slowik) Keren. Patricia is survived by her siblings, William (Marian) Keren, Annette Mikrut and Karen (Dave) O'Leary; children, Paul (Cynthia) Albertson, Randy Albertson, Peggy Albertson, and Robin (Bryan) Byrne; her...

Apr 12, 2018

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...

Apr 8, 2018

Apr 7, 2018

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...

Apr 6, 2018

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...

Apr 4, 2018

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...

Apr 3, 2018

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...

Apr 3, 2018

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...

Apr 2, 2018

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...

Apr 2, 2018

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,...

Apr 1, 2018

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...

Apr 1, 2018

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...

Mar 29, 2018

Mar 26, 2018

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...

Mar 26, 2018

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...

Mar 25, 2018

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...

Mar 24, 2018

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...

Mar 24, 2018

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...