Local obituaries for Kalamazoo, Portage, & Climax MI.
Lee Albert Scheffers
Mar 20, 2024
Lee Albert Scheffers, age 78 of Kalamazoo, died on March 20, 2024. He was born on August 27, 1945, in Kalamazoo, the son of Albert and Martha (Reyers) Scheffers. Lee was a 1963 graduate of Loy Norrix High School and received his degree from Parsons Business College. During the Vietnam War, Lee served in the U.S. Army. Upon his honorable...
Ralph Jay Cheney
Mar 20, 2024
Ralph Jay Cheney of Kalamazoo, Michigan, died on March 20, 2024, at the age of 86. Ralph was born in Mount Clemens, Michigan, on May 25, 1937, to the late Cooley and Viola (Nicke) Cheney. In 1997, he married Lenore (Parzynski) Setlik. Ralph and Lenore were married for 27 years.
Ralph attended and graduated from Denby High School in Detroit, Michigan....
Sandra Amell Idema
Mar 19, 2024
Sandra Idema, 76 years of age, passed away peacefully on March 19, at Sue’s Loving Care Foster Home in Kalamazoo, of Alzheimers’s Disease. Sandra (Sandie) was born February 28, 1948, in Arlington County, Virginia, to Joseph and Margaret Amell, who preceded Sandie in death. She is survived by her loving husband, John, of Kalamazoo; sister, Linda (Gary Chinn), of...
Gail Karen Ingersoll
Mar 19, 2024
On March 19, 2024, Gail Karen Ingersoll went to be with Jesus.
She was born to Robert and Rachel Ingersoll on February 7, 1945, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She has fought a good fight, and has run a good race, and is now ready to receive her reward in Heaven.
She received her RN and B/S degree in nursing from Western Michigan University...
Calvin Coolidge Shafer, Jr.
Mar 18, 2024
Calvin Coolidge Shafer Jr., age 64, of Kalamazoo passed away March 18, 2024. He was born October 8, 1959, in Kalamazoo to the late Calvin Coolidge Sr. and Joyce Renae (Burns) Shafer.
Calvin worked with the Laborers’ Union Local 355 for most of his career, with his most recent work being in nuclear power plants, which he loved. He had the...
Jordan Daniel Field
Mar 18, 2024
Jordan Daniel Field, 32 of Paw Paw, passed away unexpectedly on March 18, 2024. He was born in Grand Rapids to Dannie Field and Michelle (Klinkner) Rzanca on April 29, 1991.
Jordan worked with and was a member of the IBEW local 876.
Jordan enjoyed spending his time with his friends and family, playing Xbox, and constantly making jokes. Jordan was wonderful...
Scott C. Johnson
Mar 18, 2024
On March 18th, 2024, Scott Charles Johnson went home to be with Jesus. He was born June 26th, 1954, to Charles and Dorothy Johnson in Royal Oak, MI. He is survived by his sister, Sherry (Jim) Wheeler of Ann Arbor, MI; and his four children, Nathaniel (Brenda) Johnson of Kalamazoo, Brandon Johnson of Galesburg, Joshua Johnson of Kalamazoo, and Lydia...
Carol Ann Newton
Mar 18, 2024
Carol Ann Newton, 77 of Richland, passed away peacefully at Rose Arbor on March 18, 2024. She was born on November 11, 1946, to Wayne and Irene (Kooyers) Wood in Detroit, MI.
Carol graduated from Parchment High School in 1964 where she was involved in band and student council. Her administrative career expanded over many decades as a secretary, retiring...
James "Jim" Homer Swope
Mar 18, 2024
James “Jim” Homer Swope, Loving Husband, Father, and Grandfather, 78, of Vicksburg, MI, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2024.
Jim was born January 25, 1946, to Carl and Virginia Swope in Hillsdale, MI. The middle child of three, he graduated from Jonesville High School in 1964. Immediately after high school and following in his father’s footsteps, he started a tool-and-die...
Dorothy Irene Balkema
Mar 18, 2024
Went into eternal life to meet her Savior on March 18, 2024. Dorothy was born to the late Jacob and Gertie (Kiel) Bouma, on February 13, 1935, in Portage, Michigan. In her school years, Dorothy worked in the celery fields and later, the UpJohn Company. Eventually she met the love of her life, John Balkema, and married him on September...
Roy J. Secor
Mar 18, 2024
Roy J. Secor, 80, of Kalamazoo, passed away at his home on March 18, 2024. He was born in Dowagiac, MI on November 5, 1943 to Lester and Phylis (Henderson) Secor.
Roy graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1961, Western Michigan University in 1965, and earned his Master’s degree from Western in 1968. Roy dedicated 37 years to Otsego High School...
Jacqualyn "Jackie" Klepper
Mar 16, 2024
Jacqualyn Klepper, age 75 of Kalamazoo, died on March 16, 2024. She was born on August 11, 1948, in Kalamazoo, MI, to Richard “Dick” and Marilyn (Noteboom) Klepper. She graduated as the salutatorian from Mattawan High School in 1966 and earned her teaching degree from Central Michigan University. After graduating with her elementary teaching degree, Jackie moved to Albuquerque, New...
Kenneth John Betten, MD
Mar 15, 2024
Kenneth John Betten, MD, age 86, of Kalamazoo passed away March 15, 2024.
Kenneth was born on May 24, 1937 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He loved sports and played basketball while at Calvin College. After graduating from the University of Michigan Medical School and completing his residency, he spent 3 years in the Army, serving at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center...
Frieda A. Walter
Mar 13, 2024
Frieda Ann Walter left this world peacefully on March 13, 2024, at the age of 94, surrounded by family. Frieda’s legacy of love and kindness will forever echo in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Born August 5, 1929, in Maple Grove, New Lothrop, Michigan, to Anthony and Mary Turnwald, Frieda was the ninth of eleven children....
Mary Jane Gibson
Mar 13, 2024
Mary Jane Gibson, age 90, of Richland and formerly of Portage, passed away March 13, 2024. She was born March 2, 1934 in Kalamazoo to the late Henry and Grace (Sluys) Boven.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Richard “Dick” Jack Gibson; daughter-in-law, Shelly VanderMolen; and son-in-law, Gary Storteboom.
She is survived by her children, Rick Gibson, Linda Gibson, and...
Genevieve Brussee
Mar 13, 2024
Genevieve Betty Brussee, age 95 of Kalamazoo, died on March 13, 2024. She was born August 8, 1928, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the daughter of Nicholas and Tillie (VanderVeen) Howing.
On May 6, 1949, Genevieve “Gene” married Stanley Brussee, with whom she built their family, including her children: Barbara (Ron) Wells, Robert (Lynda) Brussee, and David (Patty) Brussee; her 12 grandchildren and...
Donald Peter Merriam
Mar 9, 2024
Don passed away on Saturday, March 9, 2024, surrounded by his children. He was born on January 5, 1935, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Donald A Merriam and Florenece (Van Donnelen) Merriam. Don was later adopted by Eleanor (Beaty) Merriam – all have preceded him in death.
After graduating from Portage High School, Don served three years in the US Navy. After...
Patricia Dale Wooden
Mar 9, 2024
Patricia Dale (Baker) Wooden of Kalamazoo, Michigan, died on March 9, 2024, at the age of 85. Patricia was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 29, 1938, to the late Robert and Birja (Brinker) Baker. In 1959, Patricia married Jack D Wooden. Jack died in 2014 after the two had spent nearly 55 years together.
Patricia attended and graduated from State...
Katie M. Allen
Mar 9, 2024
Passed away Saturday afternoon, March 9, 2024. Katie was born October 11, 1938 in Kalamazoo the daughter of Duane and Marjorie (Hamilton) Eckler. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
On June 28, 1958 Katie was united in marriage to her loving husband of 65 years, James Allen who survives. Also surviving...
Donna Lee LaPointe
Mar 8, 2024
Donna Lee LaPointe left this world suddenly on March 10, 2024; just days before her 65th birthday.
Donna was born to Lucille and Richard Dintaman on March 20, 1959. She spent her younger years waitressing and running an adult foster care home. To those who knew Donna, running a foster care home demonstrated exactly what was at her core: a caregiver....
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