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...
Eloise "Ellie" Yanez
May 15, 2017
Eloise "Ellie" Yanez, age 92, passed away Monday, May 15, 2017. She was born February 4, 1925 in Detroit. She was one of eleven children born to Joseph and Felicia (Pea) Yanez. Eloise was handicapped due to polio at an early age. In spite of many health challenges throughout her life, she worked full time in the insurance field in...
Wendell "Waz" Wasnich
May 15, 2017
After a lengthy battle with Parkinsons disease, Wendell Eugene "Waz" Wasnich, of Chippewa Lake, passed away on May 15, 2017 in Big Rapids at the age of 75. He was born on July 12, 1941 in Midland to Glenn and Thelma (Cunningham) Wasnich. Wendell happily married Barbara Kowalk on May 25, 1963 in Lansing. He proudly served in the United...
Fawn Elaine Daggett
May 8, 2017
Fawn Elaine Daggett, age 92 of Big Rapids, passed away Monday, May 8, 2017. She was born in Remus on May 15, 1924, the daughter of Vern R. and Rosalinda (Zielke) Crittenden. Fawn was raised in Remus where she met and married her high school sweetheart, George M. Daggett. Together they established and operated the Daggett Funeral Home in Barryton...
Larry A. White
May 7, 2017
Larry A. White, age 66 of Mecosta, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 7, 2017 at home. He was born on February 23, 1951 to Leonard and Alberta (VanSlyke) White in Grand Rapids. Larry attended Union High School in Grand Rapids. He entered the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1972. Larry was born and raised in...
Joan R. Montague
May 5, 2017
Joan R. Montague, age 84 of Big Rapids, passed away Friday, May 5, 2017 at home with her family by her side. She was born July 6, 1932 in Reed City, the daughter of Floyd and Gail (Morris) Correll. She graduated from Reed City High School in 1950. Joan married Brian Montague on June 15, 1951 in Reed City; together...
Dale F. Simpson
May 4, 2017
Dale F. Simpson, 71, of Rodney, passed away quietly at home on May 4, 2017. He was born at Womens Hospital in Detroit on May 11, 1945, to the late Floyd D. and Jeanne G. (Cairns) Simpson. He had a quintessential childhood growing up in Dearborn Heights with a working father, stay-at-home mom, and an older brother, Wayne. After graduating...
John Herman Lunden
May 4, 2017
John Herman Lunden, 85, of Big Rapids, Michigan, passed away May 4, 2017. A celebration of Johns life will be held at noon on Monday, June 5 at Ferris State University, University Center, 805 Campus Drive, Big Rapids, Michigan. The family will greet friends beginning at 11:00am. To put yourself in a celebratory mood please wear a special/funny hat as...
Rocky A. Symon
Apr 23, 2017
Rocky A. Symon, age 63 of Stanwood, passed away Sunday, April 23, 2017 at his home. He was born June 24, 1953 in Muskegon, the son of Harry and Joyce (Lavassuer) Symon. Rocky married Yvonne Arnson on July 29, 1972 at the St. Peter Lutheran Church in Big Rapids, where they attended. Together Rocky and Yvonne raised their daughter in...
Grace E. Cushman
Apr 22, 2017
Grace E. Cushman, passed away on Saturday, April 22, 2017 in Grand Rapids at the age of 83. She was born in Detroit on September 3, 1933 to Mossum and Iva (Miller) Syer. Grace was raised in Detroit and graduated from Cooley High School in 1951. She enjoyed making stained glass windows and crocheting dog pads for the Humane Society....
Robert A. "Rob" Reuther
Apr 19, 2017
Robert A. "Rob" Reuther, age 59 of Canadian Lakes passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, April, 19, 2017. He was born August 3, 1957 in Detroit, the son of Kenneth and Barbara (Crimmins) Reuther. Rob graduated from Plymouth Canton High School in 1975 and attended Ferris State University. He was a skilled and sought after house painter and craftsman. Rob owned and...
Shirley Ann Miller
Apr 16, 2017
Shirley Ann Miller, age 72 of Big Rapids, passed away Sunday, April 16, 2017. She was born February 25, 1945 in Brighton, MI the daughter of Melvon and Janet (McCall) Krueger. Shirley had made her home in the Big Rapids Area for over 30 years. She was a devout member of The Woods Free Methodist Church in Stanwood. Shirley is...
Kathelyn "Katie" Mae Cota
Apr 14, 2017
Kathelyn M. "Katie" Cota, age 87 of Lakeview and Zephyrhills, Florida, passed away Friday, April 14, 2017 at home in Florida. She was born May 18, 1929 in Pontiac, MI the daughter of Howard and Pearl (Kelly) Schuberg. Katie graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1948. It was there she met George Cota (Class of 1947) and they were...
