Obituary Listing

Oct 20, 2025

Celebrating a Life of Adventure, Stewardship, and Service

Joseph B. Petty, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away on October 20, 2025, in Newaygo, Michigan, at the age of 81. Born on April 12, 1944, in Evanston, Illinois, Joe's life was a vibrant tapestry woven with adventure, service, travels, and exploration.

A Life...

Oct 14, 2025

Delores Jean Verburg passed away at her home in Howard City on October 14, 2025. She was born on March 15, 1945 in Grand Rapids to James Tuttle Sr. and Evelyn (Ducavas) Tuttle.

Playful at heart, Delores loved playing cribbage with Dick Verburg and Katie Raymond, taking casino trips, bowling and her pets. She also enjoyed hunting...

Oct 14, 2025

William Francis Fitzgerald Jr., 98, of Stanwood, passed away peacefully on October 14, 2025 at Faith Hospice Trillium Woods in Bryon Center, Michigan surrounded by his children. He was born in Detroit on February 23, 1927 to William Francis Fitzgerald and Ella Belle (Chrystler) Fitzgerald.

Bill shared countless stories of his childhood, growing up in Detroit with...

Oct 12, 2025

Florence Loraine Pemberton, of Big Rapids, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2025 at the age of 96. She was born in Big Rapids on January 23, 1929 to Fred and Opal (Bacon) Jenkins.

A local resident all her life, Florence graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1947. She was married to Virgil Allers for 57...

Oct 12, 2025

Frank Christie, of Mecosta, passed away on October 12, 2025 at the age of 78. He was born on July 22, 1947 to Chris and Eleanor (McLeod) Christie.

Always with a positive attitude and sharp mind, Frank was a man who could make anyone smile. Despite limitations, he was brave and strong, and he would help anyone...

Oct 8, 2025

Richard Lynn Batchelder, 74, of Rodney, passed away on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. He was born on June 10, 1951, in Big Rapids, the son of Herbert and Bertha (Ripley) Batchelder.

Richard was united in marriage to his beloved wife, Sherry, who preceded him in death in 2015. He was employed by the Michigan National Guard for...

Oct 6, 2025

Jeffrey Lynn Christensen Sr. of Morley, Michigan passed away peacefully on October 6, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.

Jeffrey was born to Einar and Doris (Towne) Christensen on September 22nd, 1963, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jeff will be remembered by all as someone who was always there whether you needed a helping hand, or someone to talk...

Oct 5, 2025

Lloyd R. Berry, of White Cloud, passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on October 5, 2025. He was born on December 4, 1932 in Grand Rapids to Loyd and Edith (Brooks) Berry. He was lovingly known as "Buck" and "Roger" to many.

As a young man, Buck served four years in the Air Force during...

Oct 1, 2025

Dylan Levi Marek of Stanwood passed away on October 1, 2025 at the age of 17. He was born on November 1, 2007 to Casey and Anneke (Veenstra)Marek in Grand Rapids.

Dylan was a joy to the people who were privileged to know him. He was a devout Christian who attended The Woods Church and was proud...

Sep 29, 2025

Rex Leland Hampel, of Rodney, went to be with his Lord on September 29, 2025 at the age of 73 surrounded by his family. He was born on July 25, 1952 to Bruce and Evelyn (Maguire) Hampel in Rodney, where he lived his whole life.

After his graduation from Chippewa Hills High School in 1970, Rex earned...

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...

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....

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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 awe and inspire those...