Local obituaries for Kalamazoo, Portage, & Climax MI.
Julia Marie Lait
Dec 24, 2023
Julia Marie (Lizak) Lait of Portage, Michigan, died on December 24, 2023, at the age of 89. “Marie”, as she preferred to be called, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 7, 1934, to the late Benjamin and Barbara (Toth) Lizak. In 1952, Marie married James Lait in Chicago, Illinois. The two spent over 62 years together.
Marie had the...
Cleo "Steve" Stephens
Dec 24, 2023
Cleo Dewell (Steve) Stephens, age 88 of Greenwood, IN died December 24, 2023.
“When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.” – G. K. Chesterton
Born in Kavito, Kentucky on August 16, 1935, Dewell was the oldest son of Cleo and Lissie (Grammar) Stephens. Life on a small...
Edythe Newkirk
Dec 24, 2023
Edythe E. Newkirk of Comstock, Michigan passed away on Christmas Eve, 2023, at the age of 90. Edythe was the daughter of the late Leslie and Myldred (Copeland) Tyler.
Edythe was born in Kalamazoo, MI, on June 5, 1933 and spent most of her life in Comstock. She married William "Bill" Newkirk on December 24, 1953- 70 years ago to...
William E. Ohland
Dec 23, 2023
William (Bill) Ernest Ohland went to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 23, 2023. He was born June 6, 1931, in Winthrop, Minnesota, to Alfred and Lillian (Voight) Ohland. He was raised in Winthrop and enjoyed spending time on his aunt and uncle’s farm. After graduating from Winthrop High School in 1951, he served in the U.S. Army,...
Tracy Lynn Bailey
Dec 21, 2023
On December 21st, we lost our beautiful, loving daughter, Tracy, 50 years old, from Alzheimer’s disease. Tracy was born on January 15, 1973, with Down Syndrome and showed how a unique person could spread so much love and joy for 50 years.
She was born in Toronto, Canada, to her parents Susan and Russell Bailey, who moved to...
Suzanne Katsonis Krizan
Dec 21, 2023
Suzanne Katsonis Krizan passed away peacefully at home on December 21, 2023 following a short illness; surrounded by the love of her family and friends near and far. Suzanne, better known as Sue or Suzy, was born on October 18, 1947 in Harrisburg, PA to Doris Geise and George Manuel Katsonis, the son of an immigrant from the Greek island...
Lois Irene Kitzmiller-Ulery
Dec 21, 2023
Lois Irene Kitzmiller-Ulery passed away on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at the age of 89. She was born on February 1, 1934, to the late Ray and Grace (Noble) Peacock. Lois enjoyed dancing, traveling, doing ceramics and spending time with all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. One of her greatest joys was fishing and she was affectionately known...
Daniel R. Farra
Dec 20, 2023
Daniel R. Farra, age 76, of Portage, Michigan and Green Valley, Arizona, passed away December 20, 2023. He was born June 17, 1947, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to the late George and Dorothy (Vinkemulder) Farra.
Daniel was a graduate of Michigan State University, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, the likely origin of his love...
Luz Eva Ruiz
Dec 20, 2023
Luz Eva Ruiz, age 40, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 20, 2023. She was born October 2, 1983, in Harlingen, Texas, to Antonio and Maria Yolanda (Espinoza) Ruiz.
Lucy was known for her incredibly loving, selfless, and generous heart. She was kind to everyone and exceptionally level-headed—it was difficult to ever make her upset. Lucy always wanted to do...
Jacob Andrew Myers
Dec 20, 2023
Jacob Andrew Myers passed away Wednesday, December 20, 2023, surrounded by his family after lengthy illness and courageous battle. He was born in Kalamazoo, MI on May 20, 1978, to James and Terri (Sherburne) Myers. Jacob was a multi-talented young man with a magnetic personality that drew people to him, a trait that was especially helpful while he was...
Gladys Lynn Roebuck
Dec 19, 2023
Gladys Lynn “Nickie” Roebuck of Portage, Michigan, passed away on December 19, 2023, at the age of 48. She was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on January 21, 1975, to Arthur Berger and Sally Shadley. On September 24, 2023, Nickie married Lonnie Dwire.
Nickie was a strong, hardworking woman. She served as a manager at Old Country Buffet and a Supervisor...
Gladys Ruth DeVries
Dec 19, 2023
Gladys went to celebrate Christmas in Heaven with her Lord and Savior on December 19, 2023. She was born in Chicago on November 25, 1931, to the late Cornelius and Minnie VanBeek. She was united in marriage to Lester on June 7, 1952, who passed away in 2013.
Gladys was a long-time member of Westwood Christian Reformed Church...
Theona Mae Haagsma
Dec 19, 2023
Passed away at home Tuesday, December 19, 2023, with family by her side. Theona was born in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, on November 5, 1949, to the late Gerhardus and Annie (Wiersma) Haagsma. After Theona’s mom passed away in 1989, her dad moved her and the rest of the family to Michigan. Theona enjoyed many things in life. Tulip time being one...
Lloyd E. Sirrine
Dec 19, 2023
Lloyd E. Sirrine, age 81, passed away Tuesday, December 19, 2023, in Kalamazoo, MI. He was born in Paw Paw, MI on March 31, 1942, to the late Leonard J. and Bertha E. (Roush) Sirrine. Lloyd proudly served his country as a medic in the United States Army. He married Linda Poe on August 31, 1963, and together they have...
Patricia A. Koning
Dec 19, 2023
Patricia Ann (Hunsberger) Koning was called home to Heaven on December 19th, 2023, one day shy of her 83rd birthday. Born on December 20th, 1940 in Allegan, Michigan to the late Thomas Irvin and Lillian Wave Hunsberger, Pat was best known for her servant’s heart and ability to bring life and joy anywhere she went.
After graduating from Bloomingdale High...
Barbara Jean Albert
Dec 18, 2023
Passed away Monday, December 18, 2023. Barbara was born on March 20, 1940, in Kalamazoo, Michigan to the late Donald and Barbara (Westdorp) Limbach. After graduating from high school, Barbara married the love of her life, Eugene Albert, who she spent many loving years with, until his passing in 2022. Barbara and Eugene went on to have two children, Michael...
Lorene Sibley
Dec 18, 2023
Lorene Sibley of Portage, Michigan, went to be with the Lord on December 18, 2023, at the age of 75. She was born in Bradley, Arkansas, on January 6, 1948, however, her father was unable to obtain record of her birth until January 17, 1948. She was born to the late Cecil and Gladys (Stove) Ramos.
Lori attended Kalamazoo Central...
Janet Wappenstein
Dec 18, 2023
Janet E. Wappenstein, age 77 of Kalamazoo, went to be with her Lord on December 18, 2023. She was born September 16, 1946, in Mishawaka, Indiana, the daughter of Grover and Stella (Harrison) Arnett. She was a 1965 graduate of Mishawaka High School. On September 26, 1964, Janet was united in marriage to Richard Wappenstein, who preceded her in death...
Marie Helen Vickers
Dec 17, 2023
Marie Helen Vickers, age 89, of Kalamazoo, MI, passed away on December 17, 2023.
Marie was born on October 19, 1934, to the late Owen T. and Eloda (Rowley) Vickers.
She was a member of Calvary Bible Church.
Marie is survived by her siblings, Doris Ames of Portage, MI, Betty Penca of Carrolton, TX, Owen Richard of Three Rivers,...
Shirley I. Rench
Dec 16, 2023
Shirley Irene Rench passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at the age of 76. Shirley was born in Battle Creek, MI on July 7, 1947, to the late Charles L. and Sadie (Fitch) Olmstead. She married Dana A. Rench, Sr. on August 25, 1969, and together they shared 43 years of marriage until his death on May 16,...
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