Josephine M. Williams
Jan 24, 2017
Josephine M. Williams, age 91 of Big Rapids, passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital. She was born February 8, 1925 in Big Rapids, the daughter of Frank and Agnes (Spedowski) LaRocque. Josephine graduated from Big Rapids High in 1942. In September of 1943 she married Clifford Williams in Trenton, New Jersey, where he was...
Dr. Charles R. Hurt
Jan 22, 2017
Dr. Charles Raymond Hurt, passed into glory on Sunday, January 22, 2017 at home, in Big Rapids, with his beloved family at his side. He was born on June 27, 1932 to George and Lula Frances (Dortch) Hurt Sr. in Memphis, TN. In 1950 he graduated from Melrose High School, in Memphis. He graduated from Tennessee State...
Adda Adams
Jan 21, 2017
Adda Lucille Adams, age 98, formerly of Big Rapids, passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at The Lodge at Samaritas in Grand Rapids. She was born Adda Stewart to Ora and Naomi Stewart on May 20, 1918 in Newago County, Goodwell Township. One of seven children, she grew up on a farm until the family moved to Big Rapids...
Dr. Donald J. Hitzemann
Jan 20, 2017
Dr. Donald J. Hitzemann, age 69 of Big Rapids, passed away January 20, 2017 in his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born September 4, 1947 in Reed City to Rose and Russell Hitzemann. Don graduated from Reed City High School in 1965. On September 6, 1969 he married Jean Gawne in Reed City. Don graduated as a...
Thomas A. Gunn Sr.
Jan 17, 2017
Thomas A. Gunn Sr., age 84 of Morley, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at his home. He was born January 6, 1933 in Grand Rapids, the son of Irving and Ruth (Moore) Gunn. Tom was honorably discharged from the United States Army after serving during the Korean War. He married Kathryn "Katie" Rupel in 1981 and together they...
Thelma Reed
Jan 16, 2017
Thelma (Pyrett) Reed, age 95 of Weidman, passed away at home on Monday, January 16, 2017. She was born June 3, 1921 in Isabella County, the daughter of Ralph and Olive (Todd) Lynch. Thelma married Jacob Pyrett in 1941. They owned and operated Pyretts Variety Store in Thompsonville, MI and then owned East Side Market...
Ryleigh Anne Spedowski
Jan 13, 2017
Ryleigh Anne Spedowski born on December 17, 2016 went to be with Jesus on January 13, 2017. Ryleigh is the daughter of Brent and Norma (Sprague) Spedowski of Zeeland, MI.
Ryleigh was loved, held and cared for by her loving parents, sister and extended family that surrounded her throughout her short life. Brent,...
Patricia A. Bentley
Jan 13, 2017
Patricia A. Bentley, age 49, of Big Rapids, passed away Friday, January 13, 2017 at her home. She was born July 10, 1967 in Flint, the daughter of Garry and Judy (Panek) Stewart. Patricia married the love of her life, Francis "Chris" Bentley and together they made their home in Big Rapids. She liked all animals; Patricia had two dogs,...
Barbara Watros
Jan 11, 2017
Barbara Anna Watros, age 82 of Stanwood, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at home with her family at her side. She was born on August 15, 1934 in Lansing, Michigan to Peter and Velma (Grant) Maurer. When Barbara was a teenager her family moved to Charlevoix. She met and married Clifton Watros and they made their home...
Mary C. Crame
Jan 9, 2017
Mary C. Crame, age 92 of Stanwood, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, January 9, 2017. She was born December 13, 1924 in Mecosta County, Aetna Township, Michigan, the daughter of Herman and Janetta (Borema) Ulrich. Mary contracted Rheumatic Fever at a young age but overcame the physical limitations and graduated in 1943 from Morley High School. She...
Dr. George B. Pusczak
Jan 9, 2017
Dr. George B. Pusczak, age 80 of Big Rapids, passed away Monday, January 9, 2017 at Spectrum Health Big Rapids. He was born March 27, 1936 in Detroit and was raised in Lakeview by his parents George and Inez (Griffin) Pusczak. George graduated from Lakeview High School in 1953 and then attended Central Michigan University. He completed his medical degree...
Phyllis Ann Bongard
Jan 7, 2017
Phyllis Ann Bongard, age 81 of Rodney, passed away Saturday, January 7, 2017. She was born February 16, 1935 in Colfax Township the daughter of Daniel and Lena (Somers) Lintemuth. Phyllis graduated from Mecosta High School in 1953. She retired from Wolverine World Wide in Big Rapids. Phyllis was an active member of the Rodney United Methodist Church for many...
Betty M. Murray
Jan 7, 2017
Betty M. Murray, age 98 of Big Rapids, passed away Saturday, January 7, 2017. She was born September 4, 1918 in Pittsburgh, PA the daughter of Robert A. and Hazel A. (Dix) Patton. Betty married John Murray on October 12, 1946 and they made their home in both Pittsburgh and Erie, PA. She worked as a ticket agent for TWA...
Shirley Rice Davis
Jan 6, 2017
Shirley Rice Davis, age 98, passed away on Friday, January 6, 2017, at Porter Hills Village in Grand Rapids, where she has resided for the last 20 years. Shirley was born on August 22, 1918 to the late C. Edgar and Grace (Lyman) Rice in Hinsdale, IL. She earned an associates degree from...
Jean O. Pruden
Jan 2, 2017
Jean O. Pruden, age 90 of Big Rapids, passed away Monday, January 2, 2017. She was born May 24, 1926 in Elmira, New York, the daughter of Lawrence and Alverta (Mansuy) ODaniels. She married James Pruden on August 3rd 1946 in Elmira New York and together they raised their family in Madison Heights. Jean was employed by Detmers Equipment as...
Helen Patricia Root
Jan 1, 2017
Helen P. Root, age 78, of Barryton/Remus, passed into Gods care on Sunday, January 1, 2017 in Mt. Pleasant at the Woodland Hospice House. Helen was born at home in Sherman Twp., Isabella Co., MI, on December 16, 1938, to Francis and Bertha (Terry) Blodgett. Helen married Eugene L. Root on September 1, 1956 in Barryton. They made their home...
Jessica Joy Richards
Dec 31, 2016
Jessica Joy Richards, age 13 of Big Rapids, passed away Saturday, December 31, 2016 at home. She was born May 31, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. Jessica was a student at the MOISD. She was known for her beautiful smile and loving personality. Jessica will be greatly missed. She is survived by her mother, Marilyn Richards of Big Rapids; two...
Duane Paul Miles
Dec 31, 2016
Duane Paul Miles, age 74, formerly of Oxford, passed away on Sunday, December 31, 2016 at his home in Barryton. He was born on June 4, 1942 in Pontiac the son of Robert and Dorothy (Hudson) Miles. Duane graduated from Avondale High School in 1961. After graduation he entered the United States Army and was also in the reserves. Duane...
Robert Blaine Donders
Dec 31, 2016
Robert Blaine Donders, known to those close to him as Toad or Bob, passed away at his home, near Barryton, on Saturday, December 31, 2016, at the age of 99. He was born on May 18, 1917, at home in Lake, MI, to Dr. Albert and Elizabeth (Barnes) Donders. Just prior to serving...
Ronald Keith Eichenberg
Dec 30, 2016
Ronald Keith Eichenberg, 89, of Reed City, passed away Friday, December 30, 2016 at his home. Ronald was born on August 26, 1927 in Hawkins, Michigan to Leonard and Blanche (Bregenzer) Eichenberg. He served in the United States Army as a Corporal and later served as a Master Sargeant in the US Army Reserves. Ron was a kind and loving...
