Spencer Duwayne Burr
Jul 19, 2017
Spencer DuWayne Burr, age 88 of Reed City, passed away Wednesday, July 19, 2017, at his son DuWaynes home from Metastatic Melanoma. In hospice care for two months prior to his death, Spence died peacefully in his sleep. Born February 27, 1929, in Detroit, he was the son of the late Ernie Burr and Rev. Viola (Stevens) Rehkopf. Spencer married...
Michael J. Lafferty
Jul 13, 2017
Michael J. Lafferty, age 70 of Big Rapids, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, July 13, 2017. He was born August 29, 1946, in Fallon, Nevada, the son of James and Frances (Harmon) Lafferty. Michael graduated from Ionia High School in 1964. He married Peggy Rodgers on September 4, 1965, and together they raised their family in Paris and Hersey. Michael was...
Betty L. Howe
Jul 6, 2017
Betty L. Howe, 86, of Big Rapids, died Thursday, July 6, 2017, at Altercare of Big Rapids. She was born December 18, 1930, in Big Rapids, the daughter of the late Merrell and Celia Cox.
Betty was a resident of the Big Rapids/Morley-Stanwood area for most of her life working 30 years as...
William E. Johnson Jr.
Jul 5, 2017
William E. Johnson Jr., age 69 of Barryton, formerly of Lansing, passed away with his family at his side, on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at his home in Barryton. He was born September 19, 1947 in South Park to William and Dorothy (Olhansk) Johnson. Bill graduated from St. Clair High School in 1966 and had great memories from his 50th...
Charles L. "Chuck" Clark
Jul 2, 2017
Charles L. "Chuck" Clark, age 66 of Big Rapids, passed away Sunday, July 2, 2017 at home. He was born July 13, 1950 in Barryton the son of John Lewis and Ruth Evelyn (Dow) Clark. Chuck was honorably discharged from the United States Army serving during the Vietnam War. He is survived by his brothers and sisters; John N. (Agnes)...
Carroll B. Benjamin
Jul 2, 2017
Carroll B. Benjamin, age 94 of Lakeview, passed away Sunday, July 2, 2017. He was born October 31, 1922 in Hinton Township, Mecosta County, the son of Ben and Maude (Johnson) Benjamin. Carroll graduated from Mecosta High School in 1940. He married Esther Hubbard on November 16th and together they raised their family in the Lakeview area. Carroll took over...
Terry L. Hammink
Jun 27, 2017
Terry Hammink, age 44 of Paris, fought colon cancer. On June 27, 2017 he went home peacefully, finally knowing his worth in life by accepting the love of his family and friends. He was born November 2, 1972 in Grand Rapids. He enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged. Terry remained a true patriot his entire life....
Phyllis J. Grimm
Jun 25, 2017
Phyllis J. Grimm, age 90 of Fort Collins, Colorado formerly of Rockford, Michigan, joyously joined her Lord and Savior Sunday, June 25, 2017 in Colorado. She was born March 15, 1927 in Holland, Michigan, the daughter of John and Henrietta (Nehmer) Janssen. Phyllis graduated from Rockford Senior High School as the Valedictorian in 1945. She achieved her Bachelor Degree in...
Norma Schumaker
Jun 21, 2017
Norma (Martin) Schumaker, age 88 of Big Rapids, passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at her home. She was born October 5, 1928 to Orville and Frances Martin. Norma was born and raised in Sears until she graduated from Evart High School in 1946. She then went to Grand Rapids to work. Norma married one year later and was the...
Howard W. Doxtater Jr.
Jun 14, 2017
Howard W. Doxtater Jr., age 70, of Paris passed away on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 in Grand Rapids. Howard was born on December 10, 1946 in Grand Rapids to Howard and Betty (Cook) Doxtater Sr. He graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1966. Howard worked at Ferris as a custodian. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing....
Scott "Pops" Allen Cain
Jun 12, 2017
Scott Allen Cain Pops, age 57 of Cedar Springs, passed away Monday, June 12, 2017 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Fortunately, after being saved two years ago, he was able to enter Heaven peacefully while surrounded by people who cherished him, showering him with love, and saying their see you laters. Scott was...
David F. Hall
Jun 11, 2017
On Sunday, June 11, 2017, we lost our father, David F. Hall, 86 of Big Rapids, who was the kindest and most loving father we could have asked for. His life was devoted to his wife Marjorie and their children. We will miss his gentle and caring personality, sense of humor and never ending smile. David was born on December...
Mark Edward Gilman
Jun 7, 2017
Mark E. Gilman, 54, passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at his home. He was born on May 1, 1963 in Clare, MI to Edward and Carolyn (Bazaire) Gilman. When Mark was 22 he sustained injuries in an automobile accident that left him wheelchair bound. He lived his life to the fullest,...
Shirley Mae Smith
Jun 3, 2017
Shirley Mae Smith
March 2, 1940 June 3, 2017
Shirley Mae (Lewellen) Smith, 77, of Canadian Lakes died unexpectedly and peacefully with her family at her side on June 3, 2017. She is survived by her daughters Amy (Ken) VanderLaan of West Olive, Ann (Bryan) Zvibleman of Pleasant Ridge,...
Betty Jo Bronson
Jun 2, 2017
Betty Jo Bronson, age 58 of Morley, passed away after heart complications on Friday, June 2, 2017 in Grand Rapids. She was born in Charlotte, MI on May 7, 1959 to Raymond and Edith (Cool) Losey. Betty was a huge Nascar and Betty Boop fan. She enjoyed watching American Pickers and football on t.v. In the summer she spent time...
Gerald "Jerry" Allard
Jun 2, 2017
Gerald "Jerry" Allard, age 80 of Hersey, passed away on Friday, June 2, 2017 in Grand Rapids. On August 25, 1936 he was born in Detroit to Homer and Bernice (Harnden) Allard. Jerry married Johann Russell on June 19, 1968 in Mt. Clemens and they moved to Hersey in 1978. Jerry was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force...
James Edward Cool Jr.
May 26, 2017
James Edward Cool Jr., age 47, left us by his own choice on Friday, May 26, 2017 at his home in Sherman Township, MI. He was born on August 15, 1969 in Big Rapids. He leaves behind his son, James Edward Cool III and his mother, Dora Cotter, who he remained close to, as a united front...
Richard "Dick" L. Lyons
May 25, 2017
Richard "Dick" Lyons, age 68 of Big Rapids, went to be with his Lord, Thursday, May 25, 2017.
He passed peacefully at his home, surrounded by his beloved family.
Dick was born October 13, 1948 in Big Rapids the son of Carl and Patricia (Stratton) Lyons. Growing up in...
Mary A. Peffer
May 24, 2017
Mary A. Peffer, age 83 of Big Rapids, passed away Wednesday, May 24, 2017. She was born on New Years Eve in 1933 and was raised in Marne. Mary was the daughter of Nicholas and Anna (Fleming) Mergener. She graduated from Coopersville High School. Mary married Jackie Peffer on June 16, 1956 in Marne and together they raised their family...
Michael Anthony Walt
May 17, 2017
Michael Anthony Walt, age 65 of Big Rapids, was the third of six children born to Elgen and Dorothy (McGill) Walt in Traverse City. With many children, its not surprising his favorite childhood memories involved family game nights and teasing his sisters. Although he never enjoyed swimming, he loved walking along Lake Michigan, and he would later take his wife...
