Mary Balestra Ryan
Jul 5, 2018
Mary B. Ryan, 71, died peacefully on July 5, 2018, surrounded by family. Mary, daughter of Nicola and Gloria Balestra, was born in the small mountainous village of Roccacinquemiglia in the region of Abruzzo, Italy. She was the eldest of six children. Mary and her family immigrated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in August 1956 aboard the SS Giulio Cesare after a...
Paula L. Benson
Jul 4, 2018
Paula L. Benson, age 72 of Stanwood, passed away Wednesday, July 04, 2018 after a brief battle with stage four cancer; she was at home surrounded by her beloved family. She was born April 25, 1946 in Grand Rapids the daughter of Edward J. and Vivian I. (Empie) Ryan. She married Anthony "Jack" Benson in Big Rapids on August 29,...
Eleanor A. Hallberg
Jul 3, 2018
Eleanor A. Hallberg, age 84 of Stanwood, passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2018. Loving mother of Karl (Arlene) Hallberg of Clinton Township, MI; Keith (Sabine) Hallberg of Williamsburg, OH; and Amy (Richard) Brennick of Stanwood, MI. Dear grandmother of Nicholas, Jesse, Valerie and Alexis Hallberg; Christen (John) Boyd, Timothy (Bobbie) Hallberg, Ariel (Nick) Greenwood, Natasha (Brandon) Carroll, Daniel, Joseph, and...
Alvin K. Torry
Jul 1, 2018
Alvin K. "Buzz" Torry, age 81 of Big Rapids, passed away Sunday, July 1, 2018. He was born January 4, 1937 in Reed City the son of William and Viola (Gaedcke) Torry. Alvin was honorably discharged from the United States Army serving in the 11th Airborne Division during the Korean War. Alvin worked and lived in the Big Rapids area...
Christopher Todd Ramsvig
Jul 1, 2018
Christopher Todd Ramsvig, 33 years old of Paris, MI, left this earthly life after a short battle with Melanoma, on July 1, 2018, and is with our Savior. He was born on April 2, 1985, in Muskegon, MI to Robin Lee Tice LaMadline and the late Scott Kevin Ramsvig. He leaves behind a wonderful son, Christian Scott Ramsvig, brother Adam...
Carl J. Metzger
Jun 30, 2018
Carl Metzger passed away peacefully on June 30, 2018 at home in Stanwood, Michigan. Carl was preceded in death in 2012 by his beloved wife Naomi with whom he shared 67 years of marriage following their wedding in 1945. Also preceding him in death were his parents, his brother Don, and his grandson Ian. He...
Nancy J. Gerst
Jun 30, 2018
Nancy Jean Gerst, age 75, of Big Rapids passed away on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at Altercare of Big Rapids. She was born in Lansing, MI on April 14, 1943 to Frank and Beatrice (White) Bushre. Nancy graduated from Big Rapids High School. On June 25, 1960 she married Jimmie R. Gerst Sr. and they made their home and raised...
Jennifer L. Maginnis
Jun 23, 2018
Jennifer L. Maginnis, age 47 of Big Rapids, passed away peacefully, Saturday, June 23, 2018 with her loving family by her side. She was born September 12, 1970 in Big Rapids the daughter of Gordon and Julia (Williams) Knopf. Jennifer graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1988 and then attended Ferris State University for a time. She married Donald...
Carolann Keith
Jun 21, 2018
Carolann Keith, 61, of Mecosta, MI, went home suddenly to be with her Lord on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at Spectrum Health Big Rapids. She was born on April 15, 1957 in Detroit, MI to George and Glena Jean (Sias) Webb. She graduated from Madison Heights High School in 1975. Carol had engineering degrees and used her education as an...
Eloise Marion Lundberg
Jun 18, 2018
Eloise Marion Lundberg, age 95 of Big Rapids, MI, surrounded by loved ones at her daughters home, went peacefully to be with her Lord on June 18, 2018. Born to Mark and Marion (Peck) Lamos on March 29, 1923, Eloise grew up in Barryton, MI. She was a cheerleader and drum majorette for Barryton High School, and enjoyed summers at...
Benjamin R. Snavley
Jun 15, 2018
Benjamin R. Snavley, age 33 of Big Rapids, passed away Friday, June 15, 2018 at the Rex Street Home in Fremont. He was born June 9, 1985 in Big Rapids, the son of Randall and Karla (Koss) Snavley. Benjamin enjoyed music and being outdoors. He had a gentle and happy spirit that touched many peoples lives. Benjamin loved and was...
Norman Lyle Silvernail
Jun 12, 2018
Norman Lyle Silvernail died peacefully on June 12, 2018. He was born 10/19/1919 on a farm near Cass City, Michigan, during the Great Depression. He had a hard life. His father died when he was 7. He was the middle of 11 children, in a blended family, and the only one to graduate from High School. He married the love...
Virginia Sarah Parker
Jun 10, 2018
Virginia Sarah (Wibirt) Parker age 94 of Reed City, passed away Sunday, June 10, 2018 at her home. She was born July 24, 1923 in Lake County to Herman and Carrie (Gingrich) Wibirt. Virginia was the seventh child of eight in the family. She graduated from Belding High School in 1941. She married Robert Frank Parker in Reed City, MI...
Eva Marie Mcdonald
Jun 9, 2018
Eva M. (Luke) McDonald, 68, of Walker went to soar with the eagles on Saturday, June 9, 2018. Eva was born in Lakeview, MI on October 17, 1949 to Jake and Roberta (Stanton) Luke. She was proud to be a member of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe. Throughout her life she resided in many places but Grand Rapids...
John A. Jamieson
Jun 7, 2018
John A. Jamieson, age 62, a lifelong resident of Barryton, passed away Thursday, June 7, 2018 at his home following a battle with gallbladder cancer. He was born June 25, 1955 in Lakeview, the son of John and Gladys (Brown) Jamieson. John graduated from Chippewa Hills High School in 1974. He married Christy "Cricket" Robinson on September 24, 1982 and...
Walter Hein
Jun 6, 2018
The Twenty-Third Psalm The Lord is my Shepherd: I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no...
Bernard F. Elandt
Jun 3, 2018
Bernard F. Elandt, 74 of Zephyrhills, Florida, previously of Kalkaska, died June 3, 2018 at the home of his daughter Stacey Wilkinson in Kalkaska, surrounded by his loving family. "Bernie", as he was known, was born on August 9, 1943 to Doris L. Hollenbeck and Frank B. Elandt in Roseville, Michigan. Bernie moved to Stanwood at the age of two...
Sandra Stankrauff Peter
Jun 3, 2018
Sandra Stankrauff Peter passed away peacefully in her sleep at home in Mecosta, Michigan on Sunday, June 3, 2018. She was 76.
Mrs. Peter was born on December 10, 1941 in Detroit to her parents, Russell and Irene Stankrauff. She grew-up in Grosse Pointe, MI and attended Central Michigan University. She graduated in...
Norman R. Merrill
May 31, 2018
Norman R. Merrill, age 83 of Big Rapids, passed away Thursday, May 31, 2018 quietly at his home lovingly surrounded by family.
Early in life Norman went by Junior, or Junior Sage. To him, life initially taught him, at times harshly, to make his own way through his earthly journey. This road was long...
Margaret L. Whipple
May 31, 2018
Margaret L. Whipple, age 92 of Morley, passed away Thursday, May 31, 2018 at her home. She was born December 3, 1925 in Mt. Pleasant, the daughter of Ralph and Doris (Smith) Woodard. Margaret married Clare Whipple on June 21, 1942. She was the Aetna Township Treasurer for many years and a member of the Rogers Heights Christian Church. Margaret...
