Local obituaries for Kalamazoo, Portage, & Climax MI.
Fonda K. Czitterberg-Steele
Jan 17, 2024
Fonda K. Czitterberg-Steele, age 71, passed away January 17, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer, with her family by her side. She was born May 10, 1952, in Kalamazoo, and remained in the area her entire life. She was a proud supporter of the United Way and the Edison Neighborhood Association.
Fonda was a dedicated, career-driven professional and beloved friend...
Hennie W. Kloosterman
Jan 16, 2024
Hennie Wilhelmina Kloosterman, age 83, went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 16, 2024. She was born December 22, 1940 in Groningen, The Netherlands, the daughter of the late Eisse and Hinderkien Wilhelmina (Eisses) Woldhuis. She emigrated to America in 1948, then after 2 years in Terra Ceia, N.C. moved to Kalamazoo, MI.
Hennie graduated from Kalamazoo...
David Wesley Gibson
Jan 15, 2024
Passed away Monday morning, January 15, 2024, at his home in Portage, MI. David was born October 14, 1938, in Kansas City, MO the son of Phil and Thelma (Leuenberger) Gibson. He was a veteran and served in the U.S Army, National Guards. He attended Baker University where he was a disc jockey and a troublemaker and Kansas University. He...
Joe Alan Jackson
Jan 14, 2024
Passed away Sunday, January 14, 2024. Joe was born on March 18, 1953, to Theodore and Diane (Skelton) Jackson, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Joe grew up in a large extended family where he was the oldest of his generation and the lead troublemaker. He picked up the guitar at a young age and taught himself to play by ear. Joe aced...
Elizabeth D. Desposato
Jan 14, 2024
Elizabeth “Betty” Dell Desposato, age 96 of Kalamazoo, died peacefully in her sleep on January 14, 2024. Betty was born August 1, 1927, in Paonia, Colorado, the daughter of Sarah “Sadie” (Jaquiss) and John “Frank” Franklin Cline; she was the youngest of six children and the only girl. After graduating from high school in Paonia, Colorado, Betty moved from Colorado...
Katherine "Kay" M. Jamerson
Jan 14, 2024
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Katherine “Kay” Mary Jamerson on January 14, 2024. She is the beloved wife of 58 years to Ed Jamerson. Ed and Kay made many homes while she was a military wife, but spent the last 43 years living in Portage, Michigan. In her life, she has...
Michael Lee Lefforge
Jan 13, 2024
Michael Lee Lefforge of Kalamazoo, Michigan, died on January 13, 2024, at the age of 66. Michael was born in Elkhart, Indiana, on April 23, 1957, to the late Robert and Margaret (Hoover) Lefforge.
Michael is survived by his children, Morgan Lefforge and Michaelyn Tackett; eleven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and siblings, Marilyn (Jim) Sullivan, Mary (Don) Snell, and Ellen Lambright.
Michael...
Lisa Renee (Squires) DeJong
Jan 13, 2024
Lisa Renee (Squires) DeJong of Mattawan, Michigan, died on January 13, 2024, at the age of 47. Lisa was born in Kalamazoo on November 9, 1976, to Michael and Maureen (Mentor) Squires. Lisa attended Kalamazoo Christian High School where she ran cross country and was a cheerleader. After high school, she attended Western Michigan University. She received a Bachelor of Arts...
Duane A. and Jaunita D. (Cummings) Reid
Jan 12, 2024
Duane Albert Reid Sr. was born April 06, 1933, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was the third of five children born to Robert and Irene Reid. Duane grew up in Kalamazoo and graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School. Duane was a Korean War veteran. Following his service in the military, Duane held several jobs before spending 27 years working at General...
David Allen Corning
Jan 12, 2024
David Allen Corning of Kalamazoo, Michigan, died on January 12, 2024, at the age of 86. David was born in Kalamazoo on May 23, 1937, to the late Stephen and Mina (Livingston) Corning. In 1959, David married Diana Lambert. The two were married for 64 years.
David graduated from Western State High School in 1955 in Kalamazoo, MI. David (Grandpa)...
William "Bill" Vanden Broek
Jan 12, 2024
Bill Vanden Broek, 84, went to be with the Lord on January 12, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born in Kalamazoo, MI to the late Albert and Dena (Dykema) Vanden Broek. Bill spent his youth being mischievous throughout Kalamazoo. He graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School in 1957 and later Western Michigan University. He began his career with...
Jack Goodrich
Jan 11, 2024
Jack Alan Goodrich went to his heavenly home on Thursday evening, January 11th, 2024, at the age of 85. Jack was born on January 27, 1938, in Kalamazoo MI, the son of Leo and Margaret (Wolfert) Goodrich. He graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School and was a veteran serving in the U.S. Army.
On September 17, 1965, Jack was united in marriage to his loving wife of 58 years, Madelyn (Paul) who survives. Jack was a faithful...
Gertrude "Trudy" Barbee Early
Jan 11, 2024
Gertrude “Trudy” Barbee Early, 104 of Kalamazoo, passed away peacefully at Heritage Community on January 11, 2024. She was born on December 13, 1919, in Battle Creek, Michigan to Harold and Elnora Wilcox. She graduated from Western Michigan Teachers’ College with an elementary education certificate. On October 11, 1941, she married Robert “Bob” Andrew Early of Kalamazoo. They had a...
Virginia Elizabeth Bird
Jan 9, 2024
Virginia Elizabeth Bird (Small) of Portage, MI passed away on January 9, 2024, at the age of 77 in Kalamazoo, MI with her family by her side.
She was born to parents Robert & Mary Elizabeth (Baldwin) Small on April 12, 1946, in Benton Harbor, Michigan where she grew up with her older brothers Richard and Stephen. She graduated from Benton...
Michael "Mike" John Parsons
Jan 9, 2024
Michael “Mike” John Parsons, 45 of Pinellas County, Florida, passed away unexpectedly on January 9, 2024. He was born on November 14, 1978 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Mike’s life started in Kalamazoo and as a baby until his dying day had the most beautiful, chocolatey brown M&M eyes. He was always the shy kid but had the best smile once...
Martin Scott Underwood
Jan 8, 2024
Martin Scott Underwood of Kalamazoo, Michigan, died on January 8, 2024, at the age of 64. “Scott” was born in Kalamazoo on December 23, 1959, to the late Kenneth and Gertrude Elaine (Williams) Underwood.
Scott was a man of faith who loved life. His jokes and stories could keep you laughing for hours, even in the hardest of times. He will be remembered for his big...
Donna F. Heurlin
Jan 8, 2024
Donna F. Heurlin, age 75 of Kalamazoo formerly of Chicago, died at home under hospice care on January 8, 2024. She was born on December 24, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Joseph and Frances (Cimino) Scafuri, Jr. Donna was a 1966 graduate of Proviso West High School. She worked at Kodak and was an optician for many years....
William John "Bill" Nederhoed
Jan 7, 2024
William John “Bill” Nederhoed of Mattawan, Michigan, passed away January 7, 2024, at the age of 81. Bill was born August 25, 1942, to John and Wilma (Kuiper) Nederhoed. Bill married Sandra Huis on January 6, 1961, and recently celebrated 63 years of marriage.
Bill graduated from Portage Central High School in 1960. He had many careers throughout his life...
Judith K. Granzow
Jan 7, 2024
Judith K. Granzow, 84, of Portage, Michigan (previously of Shelby Township, MI) passed away peacefully January 7, 2024.
Born on August 26, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan, Judy enjoyed her lifetime love of dinner and drives by the water. Her Irish blue eyes were always smiling with an occasional spy of freighters on the water.
Judy, beloved daughter of Francis and...
Jeff Alan DeGraff
Jan 6, 2024
Jeff Alan DeGraff, age 64, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2024.
Jeff was born on December 9, 1959, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to the late William and Vicki (Comstock) DeGraff. Jeff graduated from Parchment High School with the class of 1978. He retired from Glass Master Controls.
He enjoyed being outdoors hunting, fishing, and...
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