Obituaries
Irven "Ike" Eicholtz
Jan 18, 2026
Irven "Ike” Eicholtz, of Vicksburg passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the age of 91 in the home he built.
Irven Adam Eicholtz was born at home on May 17, 1934, in Sherman Township, MI. He was the son of Clyde and Caroline Eicholtz. He leaves behind a legacy defined by hard work, kindness, and a commitment to...
Patricia Roberts
Jan 15, 2026
Patricia Ann (Dennany) Roberts, age 87, of Portage, Michigan, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Born on April 15, 1938, in Kalamazoo, she was the beloved daughter of Walter Joseph Dennany and Veda Edith (Pruden) Dennany.
Patricia was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Walter J. Dennany Jr., Leo J. Dennany, and John...
Gerald "Jerry" Bennett
Jan 15, 2026
Gerald “Jerry” Eugene Bennett, age 81, passed away with family by his side on January 15, 2026. Jerry was born October 25, 1944, in Otsego, Michigan, to Gerald and Maxine (Brennan) Bennett. Jerry was the oldest of three children: Jerry, Linda and Judy.
Jerry grew up in Otsego and graduated from Otsego High School in 1962. After graduation, he joined Marines...
Charles Stephen Stader
Jan 10, 2026
Charles "Chuck" Stephen Stader, age 74, passed away in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he had lived for many years. He was born on August 15, 1951, in Oakland, California, to Patricia and James Stader and spent most of his youth in Clayton, California. Chuck, known also by his family as Steve, graduated from University of California-Davis and proceeded to lead a...
Leslie Mackie
Jan 10, 2026
Leslie Mackie, age 70, of Portage, Michigan, passed away on January 10, 2026. She was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to the late Raymond and Dorothy (Bennett) Mackie.
Leslie spent many years in finance which included twenty years at First of America Bank, four years with Smith Barney and eighteen years at Mercantile Bank. Helping people and developing relationships with...
Henry "Bud" Junker Jr
Jan 8, 2026
Henry "Bud" Stancliff Junker, Jr. passed away peacefully on January 8, 2026. Born on September 10, 1944, Bud was the son of Henry and Frieda (Rheynard) Junker. He grew up in Otsego and graduated from Otsego High School in 1962.
A hardworking and determined man, Bud owned and operated Bud's Delivery Service for many years before retiring from Haworth. Retirement didn't slow him...
Maralyn A. Slikkers
Jan 8, 2026
Maralyn Ann Slikkers passed away peacefully on January 8, 2026, in Saugatuck, Michigan. She brought joy to those who knew her. Her memory will be cherished always by family and friends who shared in her remarkable journey through life. Maralyn passed at home after a two week stay at Holland Hospital. Her wish was to go home and we accommodated...
Merrillie Meeuwse
Jan 7, 2026
Merrillie A. Meeuwse, age 86, went to be with her Lord on January 7, 2026. Merrillie was born on February 3, 1939, in Otsego Michigan to Elvin and Wilma (Northrup) Roberts. Merrillie was the third born of four children: Vern, Lew, Merrillie and Mina Mae. Merrillie grew up in Otsego and graduated from Otsego High School in 1958. After high...
June Burge
Jan 7, 2026
June Burge, age 93, went to be with her Lord on January 7, 2026. June was born July 27, 1932, in Livingston Kentucky to Felix and Ethel (Langford) Brock. June was the middle child of three children: Thelma, June and Goldie. When June was still young, the family moved to Michigan where she attended school in Plainwell.
In 1984 June married...
Constance Shively
Jan 2, 2026
Constance (LaHuis) Shively, age 94, entered the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ January 2, 2026. Connie was born April 2, 1931 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to John and Eva (Fairbanks) LaHuis. Connie was the oldest of 12 children in a full and active home. She married Roy Shively in January 1951 and shared over 60 years of...
Tom "Doc" Willmeng
Jan 2, 2026
Tom "Doc" Willmeng, of Vicksburg passed away on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the age of 84. Born on August 31, 1941, in Watervliet, MI. He was the son of Gordon and Helen (Combs) Willmeng. He lived a life characterized by selflessness, compassion, and a dedication to his community.
Tom's career in medicine spanned over four decades, specializing in orthopedics. A...
Beverly Pike
Dec 31, 2025
Beverly Claire Pike, age 86, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2025, at Cortland Riverside Gardens in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Born on August 21, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois, Beverly was the youngest child of Arthur and Ethel (Olson) Bergman. She grew up alongside her two siblings, Ron and Barbara. In 1949, the family relocated to Monterey Center, Michigan, where Arthur operated...
Janet Helder
Dec 31, 2025
Janet “Jan” Ann (Fickies) Helder, devoted wife, mother, and grammie passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on December 31, 2025. She was 80 years old and a resident of Hopkins, Michigan.
She was born in Lansing, Michigan on April 17, 1945, to Max and Gladys (McClure) Fickies who preceded her in death. Jan was a graduate of Everett High...
Phyllis Joan (Burkey) Ulrich
Dec 30, 2025
Phyllis Ulrich, a homemaker formally from Vicksburg, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. She was born in Toledo, Ohio. On September 26, 1954, she married Max Dee Ulrich, a farmer. They lived in Sand Creek, Michigan 24 years, then moved to Vicksburg in 1982, where Max farmed with his son-in-law and daughter, Bob and Jill. Throughout their farming...
Billy Joe Lewis
Dec 30, 2025
Billy Joe Lewis, of Vicksburg, passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at the age of 92. He was born on February 3, 1933, in Bumpus Mills, and was the son of Joe and Mavis Lewis. Billy lived a life that embodied love, dedication, and a deep commitment to his family and faith.
After marrying the love of his life, Annie...
Thelma Jean Pacukewicz
Dec 27, 2025
Thelma Jean (Potts) Pacukewicz, born February 10, 1928, and went home to be with the Lord December 27th, 2025. Thelma was a devoted wife, mother, and loyal friend, she was a gentle soul, who was faithful to her Savior Jesus Christ, her dependence on Him was apparent.
Thelma attended Kalamazoo Public Schools. She worked for Upjohn’s for a brief period, but...
Jerry Lynn Culp
Dec 27, 2025
Jerry Lynn Culp, of Portage passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at the age of 82. Born to Edgar and Margaret Culp on October 30, 1943, he grew up on Donnell Lake, in Vandalia, Michigan.
Jerry was inspired by a teacher in elementary school to become a teacher. After graduating from Cassopolis High School in 1962, he attended Western Michigan...
David Gerlofs
Dec 25, 2025
David Roy Gerlofs, age 71, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, December 25, 2025, following natural causes.
David was born on May 17, 1954, in Kalamazoo, the son of Clayton and Margaret (Smith) Gerlofs. He was a proud graduate of Parchment High School, where he played saxophone in the school band, an early reflection of his...
James Longman
Dec 25, 2025
James Merle Longman, 93, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was born on November 28, 1932, in Climax, Michigan, to the late Merle James and Madge Arlene (Roe) Longman.
James graduated from Climax High School, where he met Charlene VanTichelt. They were married on October 7, 1951, and built a life centered around family and community.
He...
James Russell Smith
Dec 24, 2025
James Russell Smith, at 52 yrs old, passed away on December 24, 2025. He was born in Battle Creek Michigan on March 28, 1973.
He loved hours walking and hanging out in nature. His friends called him "crash dummy" or "yodaddy". He adored being a grandpa and loved his grandson Sylas. He was always out visiting or just driving back roads....
Subscribe
Subscribe to get alerts on new obituaries
