Robert Ward Iii
Dec 29, 2024
Robert C. Ward III, age 67, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 29, 2024, near his home in Stanwood, Michigan. Rob was born on February 23, 1957, and raised in Wyoming, Michigan. He graduated from Rogers High School in 1975, where he participated passionately in various recreational sports. For the past 30 years, he made his home in Stanwood, where...
Thomas Freiberg Sr.
Dec 24, 2024
Thomas (Tom) Earl Freiberg Sr, age 88, of Big Rapids passed away on December 24, 2024. Tom was a husband, father, brother, and friend to all. He was born and lived his whole life in Big Rapids. Throughout his life, Tom was a hard worker, generous, and always willing to help. As the youngest boy in his family who fought...
Martin Davis Jr.
Dec 22, 2024
Martin E. Davis Jr., 67, of Hersey, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 22, 2024. He was born on March 30, 1957, in Big Rapids, Michigan, to Martin and Josephine (Ottobre) Davis. Martin grew up on the family farm near Big Rapids, where he developed a passion for mechanics and a love of drag racing in his younger years. His...
David Idema
Dec 22, 2024
David Idema, 87, of Hersey, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 22, 2024. He was born on April 6, 1937, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Bert and Harriett (Lubben) Idema. On June 25, 1960, David married the love of his life, Ruth Ann Engstrom, in Big Rapids. Together, they built a beautiful life. Dave was the proud owner and operator...
David Rivera
Dec 20, 2024
David Charles Guadalupe Rivera, 59, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2024. Born on August 15, 1965, David was the eldest of three sons to Mary Hinkley (Martinez) and the late David Rivera. David proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He had a passion for lifes simple joysspending time outdoors camping, and playing pool. An exceptional cook, David...
Suzanne Closson
Dec 16, 2024
Suzanne Closson, age 76, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2024, at Altercare of Big Rapids. Born on March 17, 1948, Suzanne was the beloved daughter of Jayne and Stub Hampel. She is survived by her cherished aunt, Roma Warmington, and her dear cousins, who will remember her with love and fondness. In accordance with Suzanne's wishes, cremation has taken...
Dawn Staszkiewicz
Dec 16, 2024
Dawn R. Staszkiewicz, age 66, of Rodney, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 16, 2024. She was born on May 27, 1958, in Grand Rapids, the daughter of Harold and Shirley (Hall) Osburn. In 1986, Dawn married her true love, Ted Staszkiewicz, and together they built a life centered on love, faith, and family. She was a devoted member of...
Alvah "Alvie" Lintemuth
Dec 14, 2024
Alvah "Alvie" Lintemuth, age 81, of Stanwood, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 14, 2024. He was born on April 22, 1943, in Martiny Township, Mecosta County, the son of Kennard and Gertrude (Jehnzen) Lintemuth. On February 18, 1967, at Zion Lutheran Church in Broomfield Township, Alvie married the love of his life, Dianne Maeder. Together they shared 56 years...
Edward Shepard
Dec 14, 2024
Edward Kenneth Shepard, 57, passed away December 14th, 2024, in his home, surrounded by his family. He fought a brief and difficult battle with cancer but died peacefully with little pain. Ed, the youngest of six, was born in Alma, Michigan, on April 22, 1967. He attended Ferris, where he earned Bachelor degrees in Accounting and Computer Information Systems, as...
Connie M. Hurst
Dec 14, 2024
Connie Mae (Thomas) Hurst, 76, of Big Rapids, MI, passed away peacefully in her sleep during the early hours of Saturday, December 14, 2024. Connie was born on June 16, 1948 to Fred and Luella (Cook)Thomas. To say that Connie was a wonderful and amazing person would be an understatement. To know her was to love her. She was a...
Bill Erbes
Dec 12, 2024
Garth "Bill" Erbes, age 67, of Reed City, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 12, 2024. He was born on April 6, 1957, in Reed City, Michigan, the son of Garth O. Erbes and Leona (Knoop) Reichow. Bill graduated from Reed City High School in the Class of 1975. On October 20, 1979, he married the love of his life,...
Sandra Lee Richardson
Dec 12, 2024
Sandra Lee (Cutler) Richardson, 78, of Ponca City, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2024, in Croton Township, Michigan. Born December 9, 1946 to Charles and Betty (Beduhn) Cutler, Sandra was a woman of remarkable spirit and boundless love. She brought joy and creativity into every aspect of her life, from her passion for riding motorcycles to her many...
Mirl Spencer
Dec 4, 2024
Mirl Marvin Spencer, age 89, of Mecosta, Michigan, passed away on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. He was born on October 14, 1935, in Coldwater, Michigan, the son of Almon and Rosetta (Fields) Spencer. Mirl honorably served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War as part of a tanker unit in the 23rd Infantry. After his military...
Harold "Doug" Brand
Nov 25, 2024
Harold "Doug" Brand, age 68, of Barryton, passed away on Monday, November 25, 2024. He was born on May 7, 1956, in Ionia, Michigan, the son of Harold Maynard and Joanne (Corwin) Brand. Doug graduated from Chippewa Hills High School in 1974. Doug proudly served his country as a veteran of the United States Army from 1975 to 1977. He...
Harry D. West
Nov 23, 2024
Harry D. West, 72, of Barryton, passed away on Saturday, November 23, 2024. He was born on November 9, 1952, in South Haven, Michigan, to Clarence and Lucille (Castles) West. Harry worked as a telephone technician for AT&T, previously Michigan Bell, dedicating over 50 years of service before retiring. He was a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast and a proud member of...
Donald Stewart Jr.
Nov 15, 2024
Donald Wayne Stewart Jr., 66, of Big Rapids, passed away on Friday, November 15, 2024. He was born on June 27, 1958, and proudly served his country in the United States Navy, where he worked aboard a submarine. He took great pride in his military service. After his time in the Navy, Donald followed his passion for driving, embarking on...
Lee Lemerand
Nov 15, 2024
Lee Martin Lemerand, 75, of Chippewa Lake, passed away on Friday, November 15, 2024. He was born on July 5, 1949, in Tecumseh, Michigan, to Dale and Vera (Pennington) Lemerand. Lee proudly served his country as a radio operator in the United States Army 101st Airborne Division. After his military service, he began a career at General Motors, where he...
Jack Benson
Nov 13, 2024
Jack Benson, age 79, of Stanwood, passed away on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. He was born on July 24, 1945, in Big Rapids, Michigan, the son of Gilbert and Maude Benson. Jack attended Morley-Stanwood Community Schools, where he made lifelong friends and excelled in basketball. He was proud to be part of an undefeated state championship basketball team. On August...
Laurie Kailing
Nov 10, 2024
Laurie Anne Kailing, of Hersey, passed away unexpectedly at home on November 10, 2024, surrounded by her loving husband and children. Born on October 24, 1967, in Southfield, Michigan, Laurie was the daughter of Lawrence Sanders and Margaret Semelroth. As a young child, she moved with her family to Frankfort, Michigan, where she grew up just three blocks from Lake...
Carmelo "Butch" Palumbo
Nov 9, 2024
Carmelo "Butch" Palumbo, age 80, of Stanwood, passed away peacefully with family by his side on November 9, 2024. Born on November 27, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan, Butch was the son of Frank and Josephine Palumbo. He graduated from Denby High School and enjoyed a successful career as a truck driver, beginning at Bejin Trucking and later joining UPS. On...
