Robert F. Freiberg
Jan 29, 2023
Robert F. "Bob" Freiberg, age 72 of Big Rapids, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2023. He was born in Big Rapids on September 7, 1950, the son of Robert Sr. and Anna (Schmidt, Sedlecky) Freiberg. Bob was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps in 1972 and then entered the Reserves until 1975. He was a member of Big...
Thomas J. Welch
Jan 25, 2023
Thomas J. Welch, age 62, passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at his home in Stanwood. He was born February 5, 1960 in Stanwood, the son of Cecil and Mary (Rockwell) Welch. Tom was employed for many years as a foundry worker, melting metal and creating molds at Sparta Foundry and Noam Corporation. He also worked at Stanwood Hospital as...
Noah Cargill
Jan 24, 2023
Noah (Peter) Cargill, age 13 of Big Rapids, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Noah was born in Big Rapids to Jennifer Cargill on November 30, 2009. He was currently in 7th grade at Morley Stanwood Middle School. Noah enjoyed sewing and listening to music. He was active on social media and playing games on his phone. Noah also...
Luann A Johnson
Jan 24, 2023
Luann A (Boozan) Johnson, 82 of Big Rapids, passed away peacefully at her home. She was born November 12, 1940, to Thomas and Gertrude (Cobb) Boozan. She graduated from St. James Catholic School in Ferndale, MI where she earned her varsity letters for Basketball. Luann also enjoyed singing in the choir and the school theater group. She loved reminiscing about...
Barbara Imogene Dennis
Jan 21, 2023
Barbara Imogene (Daniels) Dennis, born September 3, 1935 at the family home near Mecosta, passed away peacefully January 21, 2023 with family at her side. Barb attended Mecosta school, graduating from Chippewa Hills Adult Education in 1973. Barb loved to knit, crochet, and sew for family, and did many charitable projects as well. For over 50 years Barb was a...
William "Clyde" Cookson
Jan 16, 2023
William "Clyde" Cookson, age 88, passed away Monday, January 16, 2023 surrounded by loved ones. Clyde was born March 15, 1934 in Bolivar, Alabama, the son of John Frank and Alta Carrie (Ball) Cookson. He married Esther Stringer on May 14, 1983 in Big Rapids, Michigan. Clyde was a loving husband to his beautiful wife Esther; this year would have...
Nancy I. Lauseng
Jan 8, 2023
Nancy I. Lauseng, age 83, died unexpectedly Sunday, January 8, 2023 at her home in Barryton. She was born November 11, 1939 in Belleville, the daughter of Michael and Bernice (Burhardt) Knofski. Nancy was a bus driver for 32 years for Huron Township Public Schools, but her driving didnt stop there. She loved the open road, so she and Don...
Shelva Jean Davis
Jan 8, 2023
Shelva Jean (Cousineau) Davis, age 85, died peacefully Sunday, January 8, 2023 in Fremont. She was born April 28, 1937 in Reed City, the daughter of Charles and Flossie (Jones) Cousineau. Shelva graduated from Platteville High School in Colorado in 1955. She was a member of Newaygo United Methodist Church. Shelva enjoyed crocheting and coloring; but most of all she...
Dolores Nancy Coe
Jan 6, 2023
Dolores Nancy Coe, age 93, passed quietly into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, January 6, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 28, 1929, in Baroda, Michigan, the daughter of the late Harold and Josephine (Lake) Livengood. Dolores grew up in Bridgman, the oldest of five children. She was energetic...
Donald D. Snavley
Jan 5, 2023
Donald D. Snavley, age 89, died Thursday, January 5, 2023 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born November 24, 1933 in Paris, the son of George and Minnie (Carter) Snavley. He graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1951 and started working in the Tool & Die industry until retiring in 1995. Donald loved to work...
John Richard Blevens
Jan 4, 2023
John Richard Blevens, affectionately known as "Dick," age 88, passed away Wednesday, January 4, 2023 surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in Gallup, New Mexico on December 12, 1934, the son of Shirley and Isabell (Mattox) Blevens. Dick graduated from Farwell High School and enlisted in the United States Navy. His naval adventures took him all over the...
Barbara L. Deacon
Jan 2, 2023
Barbara Lucile Deacon, 93, passed away January 2, 2023. She is survived by her daughters, Judith (Grace Marlowe) Van meter of Holly, and Susan Van Meter of Big Rapids; son, Larry Michael (Katrina) Van Meter of Keego Harbor; and their daughters, Tina Marie (Bob Wahl) Reynolds and Cynthia Renee (Jeff) Long; great-grandchildren, Logan, Paige, and Gwyn Reynolds, Nicholas and Peyton...
Norma Jean Merrill
Dec 31, 2022
Norma Jean (Kailing) Merrill, age 83 of Big Rapids, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2022 with family by her side. Norma Jean started life in rural Michigan, where her father was a logger and sawmill owner. She attended school at Saint Philip Neri Catholic, obtaining her GED later in life. Norma stepped up at an early age with the...
Larry E Messenger
Dec 30, 2022
Larry E. Messenger, age 83 of Paris, passed away Friday, December 30, 2022 at his home. He was born in Niles on January 10, 1939, the son of Harold Sr. and Marie (Anderson) Messenger. Larry was raised by Richard and Belle Anderson after his mom passed when he was four. He was honorably discharged from the United States Marines in...
Dolores C. Vandawater
Dec 30, 2022
Dolores Constance (Zorovich) Vandawater, age 91, passed away Friday, December 30, 2022 in Big Rapids, Michigan. She was born in Big Rapids on November 18, 1931, to John "Jack" and Alma (Dinkel) Zorovich. Dolores was a Big Rapids High School graduate. She married Walter "Eugene" Vandawater and together they made their home and raised their children in the Paris and...
Dierdre I. Broome
Dec 29, 2022
Dierdre I. Broome, age 89 of Chippewa Lake, passed away Thursday, December 29, 2022 at Crestwood Village Assisted Living with her husband Ronald by her side. She was born in Remus on April 18, 1933, the daughter of Otto and Vivian (Nelson) Batchelder. Dierdre attended Barryton Elementary School until she and her family moved to Ferndale. She married Ronald A....
Pamela K Loyd
Dec 28, 2022
Pamela Kay Loyd, age 40 a lifelong resident of Rodney, passed away Wednesday, December 28, 2022. She was born in Big Rapids on December 7, 1982, the daughter of Paulette Daniels. Pam was a 2000 graduate of Chippewa Hills High School. She had many talents and was a hard worker. In the past, Pam was employed by...
Kenneth C. Welch
Dec 27, 2022
Kenneth "Ken" Cecil Welch, age 77 of Morley, was surrounded by loved ones when he passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2022. Ken was born May 20, 1945 in Muskegon, Michigan, son to the late Cecil and Mary Sicilia (Rockwell) Welch. Ken married Rose Mary Alcorn sharing 42 great years together. Ken was a truck driver for over 40 years going...
Jack P. Hoisington
Dec 20, 2022
Jack P. Hoisington, age 97 a lifelong resident of Stanwood, passed away Tuesday, December 20, 2022. He was born August 17, 1925 in Lakeview, the son of Pearl and Mabel (Rorick) Hoisington. Jack grew up on his fathers Buchanan Road farm. He attended the Cook School, just down the road, until 8th grade and then went on to graduate from...
Edith Mae Cady
Dec 14, 2022
Edith Mae (Ohls) Cady, 89, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2022, surrounded by her family. She was born May 8, 1933 in Mount Clemens, Michigan the daughter of Bernice (Ohls) Randall and Milo Loop. Raised by her loving aunt Edith (Allor) Salem she attended school in Pontiac, Michigan; spending summers with her grandparents in Mecosta. Edith was an entrepreneur owning...
