Faith Wilson
Sep 28, 2025
Faith Wilson, 26, of Lake, passed away on Sunday, September 28, 2025. She was born on July 21, 1999, in Saginaw, the daughter of Terry Wilson and Jolene Nieznajko.
Faith graduated from Beaverton High School with the Class of 2018. She was very artistic and had a deep love for poetry and music, often turning her poetry...
Kathleen Joy Payton
Sep 22, 2025
Kathleen Joy Payton, age 71, passed away unexpectedly on September 22, 2025. She was born on August 26, 1954, to Clifford and Lillian (Dunn) Atwood.
Kathy spent more than 20 years working in Home Health Care. She lovingly cared for her own mother for more than six years, an experience that deepened her compassion for helping others....
Mary Kleckler
Sep 20, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Elizabeth (Voorhees) Kleckler (87) of Big Rapids, Michigan, who passed away on September 20, 2025 at the Big Rapids Fields. She was born on May 17, 1938 in Cadillac, Michigan to Frank and Alice (Harris) Voorhees.
She married Wayne Kenneth Kleckler on June 26, 1954,...
Marilyn J. Dodge
Sep 20, 2025
Marilyn Joan Dodge, 93, of Chippewa Lake, passed away peacefully with her daughters at her side on September 20, 2025. She was born May 22, 1932, to Leo Mack and Frances (O'Connell) Mack in Detroit.
Marilyn married Harry Dodge on July 7, 1951. They lived in three different homes built by Harry on Chippewa Lake before moving...
Thomas K. Wilber
Sep 18, 2025
Thomas Kenneth Wilber, of Big Rapids, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2025 at the age of 55. He was born to Ken and Gerry (Hull) Wilber in Lakeview on August 17, 1970.
Tom was a farm boy at heart. Growing up, Tom loved to help his grandfather on the farm. This passion carried into his adulthood...
Kathleen R. Denslow
Sep 18, 2025
Kathleen Rose Denslow, 74, passed away on September 18, 2025. Kathie was born on June 27, 1951 to Kenneth and Donna (Simon) Helms. She met the love of her life Tommy Denslow, and they married August 31, 1968. For 57 years they built a life of love and comfort together.
Kathleen spent over 27 years being a...
Leo Thorne
Sep 13, 2025
Leo Luther Thorne passed peacefully in the arms of his loving parents on September 13, 2025. He was born on September 10, 2025 at 9:33 A.M., and his family is grateful to have spent those three beautiful, unexpected, and blessed days with Leo. While his time on Earth was brief, his impact on those around him was remarkable.
...
William Sleeman Jr.
Sep 10, 2025
William "Bill" Sleeman Jr. age 64, passed away on September 10, 2025.
Bill was born on February 1, 1961, to William Sr. and Gloria (Heaton) Sleeman. During high school, Bill met the love of his life, Rose LaFountain. Though life took them on separate paths for 40 years, their love endured, and they were joyfully reunited later...
Larry Ford
Sep 8, 2025
Larry Paul Ford passed away peacefully in Big Rapids at the age of 88. He was born to Paul and Martha Ford on February 23, 1937 in Morley. Larry was raised in the village of Morley, graduating from Morley High School in 1955. Following graduation, Larry enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served until 1963. He was discharged...
Patricia Kidder
Sep 7, 2025
Patricia (Pat) Alma Kidder. Adventurous, delightful, sharp as a whip and fiercely independent, leaves a legacy of loving memories, a stash of empty chocolate wrappers and a vast collection of treasured trinkets for her loved ones.
Although she passed on September 7, 2025, in Big Rapids at the age of 82, her indomitable spirit continues to both...
Gary Weber
Aug 28, 2025
Gary Weber, 63, of Morley, passed away on August 28, 2025. He was born on July 18, 1962 to Clarence and Wanda Weber in Grand Rapids. Gary and his beloved wife of 22 years, Sherrill Weber, were born in the same hospital only two weeks apart.
No one threw bigger bonfires, blasted louder music, or had more...
Nancy E. Burmeister
Aug 26, 2025
Nancy Eden Burmeister, of Big Rapids, passed away on August 26, 2025. She was born on November 10, 1942 to David and Anne (Henry) Hodges in charming, southern city of Covington, Kentucky.
Before her passing, Nancy and her husband, William Burmeister, spent 59 delightful years married. They raised three children together: Jesse Stuart Burmeister, Jacob "Jay" William...
Geraldine M. Wheeler
Aug 18, 2025
Geraldine "Gerri" Wheeler, of Big Rapids, passed away peacefully at age 94. She was born to Halla Wheeler and Lila (Baker) Yarrington on January 19, 1931 in Lansing, Michigan.
What brought Gerri the most joy was people: helping others, chatting at Dibble's Five and Dime, and spending time with her family. Many locals knew her as "Little...
Malissa Ann Wells
Aug 16, 2025
Malissa Ann Wells, fondly known as "Mo," passed away on August 16, 2025, at the age of 54. She was born on June 19, 1971, to Dean and Linda (Brown) Morris.
Mo had a kind and playful spirit, known for her love of animals and her great sense of humor. She especially adored her cats and even...
Alan Former
Aug 16, 2025
Alan Lee Former, 78, of Big Rapids, passed away at home on August 16, 2025. On July 25, 1947, Alan was born to Herman and Doris (Roeters) Former in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
As a young man, Alan was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge, Alan worked as an electrician...
Jack Schippers
Aug 15, 2025
Jack Edward Schippers, 56, passed away unexpectedly on August 15, 2025. Jack was born January 23, 1969 to Danny and Constance (Woodard) Schippers.
Jack was a hobbyist, always looking for the next fun thing to learn or do. He could fix anything you needed him to, and loved spending time outdoors fixing campers, fishing, and going to...
Susan Jancek
Aug 14, 2025
Susan Kay Jancek, 77, of Big Rapids, Michigan, passed away on August 14, 2025, with her family by her side. Born on January 27, 1948 in Muskegon, Michigan to Robert and Irene (Karchinski) Strasser, Susan grew up in Whitehall, Michigan, graduating from Whitehall High School.
Susan traveled to Denver, Colorado in 1970 where she lived and made...
Joe C. Hamilton
Aug 8, 2025
Joe Carr Hamilton, 75, of Big Rapids, Michigan, passed away on August 8, 2025. Born on April 10, 1950, to Carr and Eva (Tribe) Hamilton, Joe spent his life in Big Rapids, where he built a legacy of kindness, generosity, and hard work.
Joe was known for his willingness to help anyone in need—whether it was mowing...
Timothy G. Wilson
Aug 6, 2025
Timothy George Wilson, 33, of Edmore, passed away on August 6, 2025, surrounded by those who loved him most.
Born July 27, 1992, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Tim was the beloved son of Timothy Wilson and Shari Hartman. He was a devoted partner, father, son, brother, and friend. But above all, Tim lived for his family. His...
Merlyn Ghent
Aug 3, 2025
Marjorie "Merlyn" Ghent, 93, of Paris, Michigan, passed away on August 3, 2025. She was born in Bitely, Michigan on July 26, 1932 to Harold Curtice Sr. and Inez Amanda Curtice. She married her husband, William Ghent on October 13, 1949, and hey spent 56 wonderful years together before Bill's passing in 2006.
Joy was brought to...
