Karen Andree Beaudoin, age 77 of Portage, died at Rose Arbor Hospice Home on December 6, 2022. She was born on August 8, 1945, in Grand Rapids, the daughter of Franklin and Saralyn (Gaikema) Andree. Karen received her master’s degree in library science from Western Michigan University. She began working at the Kalamazoo Public Library in 1966 and was a children’s librarian. On May 24, 1974, she married the love of her life, John Beaudoin. Beloved wife, cherished mother, loving...

Marvin E. DeVries, born April 8, 1931 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to John and Winnie (Morren) DeVries passed away on December 5, 2022 to join his Lord and Savior in Heaven.    Marv graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School in 1948 and received a Master Certificate from the Kalamazoo College Business and Industrial Management Center.   He joined the Upjohn Company in 1949 where he worked until retirement in 1990. He served as an Elder and Deacon as well as Sunday school...

Caryl passed away on Friday December 2, 2022 in her home. Caryl was born on January 27, 1953 in Joliet, IL. She was the daughter of Leslie and Mildred (Motta) Southcomb. Caryl was an extraordinary wife and mother. Prior to having children, she worked to put her husband through school. Once a mother, she really flourished. She enjoyed every minute of raising her three boys. She constantly volunteered at various school functions while carting her kids to a variety of sporting events. When she...

Richard was born June 18, 1932, to the late Frank W. and Amber (Bair) Hodapp. He attended Kalamazoo Central High School, and graduated in the class of 1950. Richard married Elaine Shirley Kitchen, his high school sweetheart, and she survives him. He worked in the trades as an insulator, and was a member of Heat and Frost Insulators Local 47, of which he joined December 3, 1951. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.  In his youth, Richard rode a unicycle and...

Wesley “Wes” Mitchell Swarthout, 88, of Climax passed away December 1, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Wesley was born on December 10, 1933, to the late Charles and Wilma (Crippen) Swarthout. He graduated from Climax-Scotts High School in 1950 and then went on to spend 4 years in the United States Air Force. On February 13, 1955, Wesley married Sandra Joan Fenwick. Wes and Sandra were lucky enough to have 67 loving years together. They were a beautiful team and built a...

June C. Mazzello, age 91 of Portage, died on December 1, 2022, at Story Point Assisted Living. She was born on November 27, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of John and Marie (Vyeko) Shon. June was a graduate of Mattawan High School. For over 30 years, she was the administrative assistant at Jack Lawrence Productions in Galesburg. On June 24, 2000, June married Daniel Mazzello in South Haven, Michigan. She was a member of St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Parish. June was a member of...

Dean Anthony Buyce died Thursday, December 1, 2022, in Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. He was born June 8, 1941, in Battle Creek, MI son of the late Clarence and Dorothy (Schoonard) Buyce. On March 26, 1983, Dean married the former Beverly Keyes-Slater who survives. Also surviving are five children, Donald Buyce, Dina Waggoner, Melonie Stewart Rick Slater, and Christine Clute; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; four siblings, Carol Weaver, Lavonne Swegels, Kurt Koch, and Dale Bennett;...

Charles "Bob" Robert Howard, 85 of Kalamazoo passed away peacefully on November 30, 2022. Bob was born on October 20, 1937, to the late Roy B. Howard Jr. and Helen P. (Phelps) Howard in Jackson, MI. Bob graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1956. On June 14, 1958, he married the love of his life, Kenna Jean Raney in Traverse City. Bob spent several years working for Town and Country Super Markets before spending 25 years in production scheduling at General Motors Fisher...

William “Bill” David Fike passed away unexpectedly Wednesday morning, November 30, 2022. He was born January 9, 1944, in Kalamazoo MI the son of the late Orville and Elizabeth (Slager) Fike and had been a lifelong area resident. Bill was a lifelong resident of Parchment and attended Parchment schools.  He worked at Brown Company/James River/Crown Vantage for 30 plus years until they closed. Bill's lifelong love was all types of racing and his Street Rod, as well as...