Obituaries
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...
Nicholas Adam Frey
Dec 29, 2025
Nicholas Adam Frey, of Marcellus passed away on Monday, December 29, 2025, at the age of 91. Nicholas was born on May 7, 1934, and was the son of Peter and Gertrude (Frazon) Frey.
Nicholas was survived by his five children: Robert (Margot) Frey, of Paw Paw; Joseph (Jessie) Frey, of Marcellus; Patricia Ashbaugh, of MO; John (Evalyn) Frey, of AR;...
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....
Elizabeth Hart
Dec 23, 2025
Elizabeth Ann (Spitzley) Hart, age 75, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2025. She was born on October 12, 1950, in Lansing, Michigan, the eldest child of William and Gladys (Brown) Spitzley, and from an early age exhibited the quiet strength and thoughtful curiosity that would define her life.
Elizabeth graduated from Western Michigan University in 1971, earning a Bachelor of...
Gertrude H. Wheeler
Dec 19, 2025
Gertrude H. Wheeler, age 97, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on December 19, 2025. Born on February 18, 1928, in Detroit, Michigan, she was the only child of the late Karl and Martha Knack. She was affectionately known as Gertie among her friends.
Gertrude’s early life was spent in Detroit, where the Great Depression hit hard. When her father...
Mark Zidell
Dec 18, 2025
Mark Gregory Zidell, age 70, of Portage, Michigan, passed away on Thursday, December 18, 2025. He was born on February 5, 1955, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of Frederick and Jean (Wheeler) Zidell.
Mark lived life to the fullest and was known for doing things his own way. He especially enjoyed spending time with friends on Gourdneck Lake, where he made many memories...
Pauline Kubacki
Dec 18, 2025
Pauline Kubacki passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus Christ Our Lord on December 18, 2025. The daughter of Bernard and Florence Booms, Pauline spent her final days in Oshtemo, Michigan and previously lived in Bad Axe, Michigan.
Born in Harbor Beach, Michigan, Pauline graduated from Our Lady of Lake Huron High School in 1965. She continued her education at...
Clay Edward Bombrys
Dec 17, 2025
Clay Edward Bombrys, 51, of Jones, departed this life a brave warrior, following a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by family at Bronson Hospital the evening of Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
Clay was born on January 23, 1974, in Niles, Michigan, the third child of David Edward Bombrys of Decatur and Mary Frances (Freestone) Bombrys Pastorick of Marcellus. He graduated from...
Mark Steven Lettow
Dec 17, 2025
Mark Steven Lettow, of Portage, passed away on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at the age of 73. He was the eldest of three sons born on April 8, 1952, in Kalamazoo to Max and Mary (Meisling) Lettow. He battled heroically against Alzheimer's disease, and he faced it with remarkable dignity for over eight years.
He was a graduate of Loy Norrix...
Dennis Skalski
Dec 17, 2025
Dennis Joe Skalski, passed away at home with his wife, Rhonda, by his side on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at the age of 78. Denny was born on July 14, 1947, in Kalamazoo, MI. He was the son of Steve and Lucille (Cosby) Skalski. Denny is leaving behind a legacy of hard work and love that touched many lives.
A proud...
Bradley Stopher
Dec 17, 2025
Bradley Dale Stopher, age 67, of Orangeville, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
Brad was born on March 10, 1958, in Plainwell, Michigan, the son of William Stopher and June (Brock) Burge. He attended Gull Lake High School and, following graduation, went directly to work at Parker Hannifin, where he dedicated many years of service until his retirement at the age of...
Pamela Slater
Dec 16, 2025
Pamela Jean Slater, age 77, of Portage, MI, passed away with her daughters by her side on December 16, 2025. Pam was born on April 23, 1948, to Frederick and Jean (Wheeler) Zidell. Pam grew up in Portage, Michigan. She graduated from Portage Central High School in 1967.
Shortly after high school, Pam met a young man from Parchment at the...
Kivan Meyers, Sr.
Dec 15, 2025
Kivan Allen Meyers Sr., age 66, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away on December 15, 2025.
Born into the loving family of Earl Jr. and Lulu Meyers, Kivan carried forward the values they instilled in him: hard work, devotion to family, and an appreciation for simple joys. Those qualities shaped the man he became and the life he built.
Kivan was a dedicated,...
Michael DeYoung
Dec 13, 2025
Michael Richard DeYoung
January 12, 1948 – December 13, 2025
Michael Richard DeYoung, a lifelong resident of the Kalamazoo area known for his quick wit and creative spirit, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the age of 77.
Born in Kalamazoo on January 12, 1948, to Donald and Jeannette DeYoung, Mike was a true son of West Michigan. Throughout his...
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