Constance "Connie" Joan Jones, age 78, of Kalamazoo passed away October 14, 2021. She was born February 11, 1943 in Nashville, MI to the late Clifton and Arloa (Swift) Baxter. She grew up on the Baxter family farm with her older brother David and younger brothers, Steven and Rodney. Music was a very big part of all the children's lives and Connie went on to play the saxophone and the piano. After graduating from Nashville High School, she attended Western Michigan University as...

Betty Jean Cherette, age 84 of Galesburg, died on October 10, 2021. She was born April 20, 1937, in Wolfe County, Kentucky, the daughter of Noah and Nora Creech. From the age if 2 years she was raised in Bloomingdale, Michigan, where her parents moved. Betty was the 7th of 8 children. In addition to her parents, her 4 sisters and 2 brothers preceded her in death. She is survived by her son Michael Morford and her daughter Teri Lee Davis, both of Florida, along with several grandchildren and...

Sherry Schoonmaker, age 73 of Kalamazoo, died at home on October 9, 2021. She was born April 11, 1948, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Benjamin and Henrietta (Ouding) Terpstra. Sherry was a Comstock High School graduate. She worked as a cook at Ridgeview Manor Nursing Home for 23 years. She was a member of gracespring Bible Church. Sherry belonged to the T.O.P.S. organization, volunteered with the Red Cross. She was a volunteer escort of Shepherd Center, sewed for the Gospel Mission Quilts and...

Robert J. Philipp, age 84 of Vicksburg, died at home on October 8, 2021. He was born on September 22, 1937, in Kalamazoo, the son of Robert S. and Margaret J. (Griffin) Philipp. Bob was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School and he served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War era. Bob attended Ferris State University before transferring to Michigan State University, to play baseball, where he graduated. He worked as a custodian of records for 5/3rd Bank, retiring several years after...

Shirley Zheutlin Grekin was born in 1923 in Jersey City, New Jersey to loving and supportive parents, Diana and Willam Zheutlin. Shirley died on October 8th in Seattle. She is predeceased by her older brother Bertram Zheutlin (2010). After graduating from Lincoln High School in Jersey City, she followed her brother to University of Michigan. On her first date with another young man, she met the man who was to become her husband, Robert Grekin. Graduating from the University at...

Richard John Goldschmeding, affectionately known as Dick, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend left the world on Friday, October 8th, 2021 to be with his Heavenly Father in eternal life. He was surrounded by his family and heartfelt prayers from all who offered them. Dick was born in 1949 in Kalamazoo, MI to John and Dorothy (Van Tholen) Goldschmeding where he attended Portage Public Schools and terrorized neighborhoods across the town. Following his formative years of picking...

Ronald Wayne Harper, 83 of Portage, formerly of Climax, went to be with his Lord October 7, 2021. He was born April 10, 1938 in Cadillac, MI to the late Harry and Elinor (Hansen) Harper. Ron was a resident of Climax for over 40 years, before moving to Portage in 2016. He served his country in the Army from 1961 - 1963, attaining the rank of Sargeant, prior to Honorable Discharge. He also served in Army National Guard from 1963-1968. Ron was employed by Fuller / Eaton Transmission as a...

Ruth Clara Andrus passed away peacefully at her home Wednesday evening, October 6, 2021. She was born July 18, 1928, in Conklin, MI a daughter of the late Philip and Matilda (Kraft) Fahling. Ruth attended Trinity Lutheran School and Sparta High School where she graduated valedictorian of her Senior class. A few years after graduation, she began employment as a telephone operator for Michigan Bell before moving into their business office where she remained until retiring in 1982. During her...

Norman Carl Peterson age 88, of Portage, passed away on October 5, 2021 at his home. He was born February 25, 1933, in Kalamazoo to the late Carl and Rose (DeDoes) Peterson. Norm retired from National Water Lift Company where he was an engineer. He was married for 39 years to Sandra Kay Ballinger, until her death in 2000. On August 20, 2005, Norm married Lucille Esther Lounsberry of Gobles, Michigan. During their 16 years of marriage, they enjoyed numerous trips and cruises, including their...