Gaspare Scavone was born on June 27, 1951 in Alcamo, Sicily, Italy to Giacomo and Rosaria (Matranga) Scavone. Gaspare's hard work ethic and playful spirit started off at a young age and became the foundation of how he will always be remembered. He enjoyed playing various childhood games with his older cousins and even started working at a very young age. He was hired over his friends as a strawberry picker, due to the fact that he was the only one who did not like to eat the strawberries....

Bertha Kingsley, age 80 of Kalamazoo, passed away peacefully in her home on September 17, 2020. She was born October 30, 1939 in the Netherlands. She was the daughter of Claus and Nancy (Medendorp) Peterman. Bert, as she liked to be called, married Norman Kingsley on July 22, 1960. She graduated from Portage High School in 1958 and began working at Upjohn Company and Southern Michigan Equipment. She then retired from Kalamazoo Public Schools where she worked as a secretary for 18 years. Bert...

Sandra "Sandy" Jean Nichols, 82, passed away on Wednesday, September 16, 2020. She was born May 25, 1938 in Kalamazoo to the late Aquilla and Thena (Baxter) Smith. Sandy was full of love and kindness. Everyone around her became better people by knowing her. She was fortunate enough to be able to stay home and raise her four children prior to working 20 years at Upjohn's. Sandy enjoyed baking, shopping, and decorating at Christmas time followed by a margarita or two with her...

Mike Francisco passed away peacefully on September 16, 2020, after years of living with several chronic medical conditions. Mike grew up in Parchment, MI, the son of Joseph and Mary Francisco and alongside seven brothers and sisters. It was a household where there was always something going on but the craziness seemed normal if you lived there. The stories from those years would be retold a hundred times over Mike's lifetime, always ending in laughter and a feeling of comfort from a...

Passed away Tuesday afternoon, September 15, 2020 at her home. Pat was born May 2, 1936 in Spencer, WI the daughter of Kenneth and June (Borth) Moorehouse. Prior to her retirement, she was a bus driver for 28 years with the Comstock Public Schools. Pat was a member of Galesburg United Methodist Church and enjoyed playing cards and bowling. She enjoyed the trips up north to the cabin, but mostly loved spending time with her family and friends. On May 26, 1956, Pat was united in marriage to...

Passed away Tuesday morning, September 15, 2020. Betty was born April 2, 1924 in Detroit, MI the daughter of Harry and Lillian (Zuehlke) Hall. She was a member of St. Michael Lutheran Church. On May 17, 1947 she was united in marriage to her loving husband, Clarence "Mac" McCoy who preceded her in death on December 4, 2008. Betty is survived by her sons, Tom McCoy, Jack (Diane) McCoy; 5 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date...

John W. Kneeland, 74, passed away Monday, September 14, 2020, in the afternoon at his home in Portage. He was born August 29, 1946 in Lansing, MI to the late Frank and Dorothy (Skidmore) Kneeland. John was united in marriage to Nancy Williams on September 15, 1989. John served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era, from April of 1966 until honorably discharged in April of 1969. John had many interests but most important to him was to live a life that reflects Jesus. He enjoyed woodworking,...

MORELAND, James C. Sturgis, MI Formerly of Kalamazoo, MI James Clarence Moreland died unexpectedly Monday, September 14, 2020 at his home. He was born October 12, 1949 in Kalamazoo, MI a son of the late Maynard L. and Eva R. (Garrison) Moreland. Jim grew up in the Kalamazoo area. He attended Portage Central where he played football and later graduated from Galesburg High School. Jim joined the Navy in 1968 during which he traveled to many places including France, Italy, Spain, Denmark and...

DAAM, Donald S. of Portage, Michigan Donald S. Daam, age 93, went home to be with his Lord on September 13, 2020. Donald was born June 12, 1927 in Kalamazoo, the son of William and Florence (VanHaften) Daam. He was a 1945 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School where he lettered in Basketball and Tennis. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1945-1946. Returning from the service, Donald worked for his father at Midway Auto Supply from 1946 until 1961 when he went into a partnership with his...

Ruth Ann Batts, age 77 of Portage, passed away at Bronson Hospital on September 12, 2020. She was born on September 24, 1942, in Vicksburg, Michigan, the daughter of Lester D. and Esther M. (Griggs) Canavan. Ruth graduated from Vicksburg High School. On July 31, 1967, she married Otto Batts. Together, they started Maple Hill Community Church, with Otto as its pastor. Ruth also found her passion when she started her own home décor business, Simple Pleasures. She worked in several...