Obituary Listing
Recent Obituaries
Ruth Henderson
Jan 27, 2026
Ruth A. Henderson, 95, passed away on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at The Brook Assisted Living Home of Big Rapids.
Ruth was born April 30, 1930, in Chase, Michigan to Bernhart (Ben) and Ellen Mae (Armstrong) Brocker. She attended Chase School through 10th grade, then moved to Reed City to complete her last two years and graduated from Reed City High...
Cornelia "Keil" Basch
Jan 25, 2026
Cornelia Lea Basch, fondly known as "Keil", passed away peacefully with her family by her side on January 25, 2026. Keil was born on June 10, 1949 to Keith and Myrtle (Coker) Black in Muskegon, Michigan.
She graduated with her Bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University, and served the children of her community as their kindergarten teacher for more than 30...
Lawrence Benson
Jan 24, 2026
Lawrence Edward Benson, of Morley, was born on March 3, 1939, to Marshall and Grace Benson. He passed away peacefully on January 24, 2026. Lawrence was the last surviving sibling of nine.
Lawrence was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Howard City, Michigan.
Lawrence met and married the love of his life, Jean M. (Stenberg), and together they were blessed with...
James Sabo Jr.
Jan 24, 2026
James Richard Sabo Jr, 82, passed away in Grand Rapids on January 24, 2026. He was born on January 4, 1944 to James "Nick" Sr. and Gladys (Tripp) Sabo in Detroit.
On June 28, 1975, James married the love of his life: Carolyn Wilkie. Together they made their home in Morley for over 20 years. He served in the United States...
Raymond G. Hare
Jan 14, 2026
Raymond G. Hare, 89, of Big Rapids, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. He was born on March 26, 1936, in Reed City, the son of Edward and Mary Ann (Herring) Hare.
Ray graduated from Reed City High School, Class of 1955, and began his career with Michigan Bell. On April 27, 1959, he was united in marriage to...
Gregory R. Bambach
Jan 12, 2026
Gregory Robert Bambach, age 65, passed away on January 12, 2026, in Weidman, Michigan.Gregory was born on September 12, 1960, in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. He attended Beal City Public Schools and graduated in 1979. Masonry was his life’s work, and he took great pride in working with his hands and building things meant to endure.Gregory found his greatest peace...
Mildred Burden
Jan 12, 2026
Please copy and paste this link to your browser to view Mildred's memorial service: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89358262859?pwd=fDrH6LibXWbvYz44owbJZ7ocfbWLvs.1
Meeting ID: 893 5826 2859Passcode: 555258
Mildred Ellen Burden went to be with the Lord on January 12, 2026 in Big Rapids. She was born on June 4, 1940 in Battle Creek to Furman and Elizabeth (Antrim) Wolfe.
On June 26, 1958, she was united in marriage to...
Paula Finney
Jan 10, 2026
Paula Marie (Myers) Finney went to be with her parents and son on Saturday, January 10, 2026 with her family by her side. Paula was born on July 25, 1944 in Reed City, Michigan to Russell and Pauline (Argue) Myers. She lived most of life in the Barryton area. She was a 1962 graduate of Barryton Rural Agricultural School....
Virginia L. Ecker
Jan 6, 2026
Virginia Lou Ecker, lovingly known as "Jenny" to those who knew her well, passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, surrounded by her daughters.
Jenny was the daughter of Harry and Gladys Pollaski. She was born on April 13, 1931, in Chase, Michigan, and was one of five children.
She is...
James H. Carter
Jan 6, 2026
James Howard Carter, 85, of Big Rapids, passed away on January 6, 2026. He was born on June 11, 1940, in Walnut Log, Tennessee, the son of James Sherman and Flossie (Morton) Carter. On February 3, 1962, he was united in marriage to Ramona Duty, and together they were blessed with 63 wonderful years of marriage.
James proudly served his country...
James L. Tater
Jan 4, 2026
James (Jimmy) Louis Tater, born on August 16, 1971, in Detroit, Michigan, to Dorothy and Louis Tater, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 4, 2026 in Barryton, Michigan.
Jimmy was the beloved oldest sibling of Cynthia (Graham) and Jody Tater. He was predeceased by both of his parents, Dorothy and Louis.
Jim lived with an...
Norma Smith
Jan 3, 2026
Mrs. Norma Jean (Tulip) Smith, age 96, of Mecosta and formerly Belmont, Michigan passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, January 3, 2026. She was born May 7, 1929 to Claude and Grace (Thompson) Tulip, and she was a graduate of Creston High School.
Her true love was doing things with her family and friends. She was a...
Mike Malcomnson
Dec 30, 2025
Michael "Mike" Lloyd Malcomnson passed away at his home in Big Rapids on December 30, 2025. He was born on September 21, 1952 in Big Rapids to Robert and Barbara (Tice) Malcomnson.
A lifelong learner and an educator at heart, Mike earned his bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and his master's degree from Central Michigan University,...
Karen Jetter
Dec 29, 2025
Karen Mae Jetter, 79, of Big Rapids Michigan, passed away Monday, December 29, 2025, due to an aneurysm. She was born on October 18,1946, in Big Rapids, the daughter of Charles and Doris Balcom.
She enjoyed a full and meaningful life, having careers in real estate, floral design, and as senior citizen site director. She loved working...
Susan Lynn Cornell
Dec 28, 2025
Susan Lynn Cornell, 41, of Morley, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025. She was born on February 13, 1984, and was raised the daughter of Lanny and Janet (Johnson) Newman.
On August 21, 2004, Susan was united in marriage to her best friend, Michael Cornell. They met around New Year's at a party, instantly drawn to...
Ralph Manting
Dec 28, 2025
Ralph Farra Manting, 84, of Big Rapids, passed away on December 28, 2025. He was born on April 21, 1941, in Big Rapids to Jack and Kathryn (Hanchett) Manting.
He was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, serving his country from 1961-1964. On July 20, 1974, Ralph was united in marriage to Judy (Post)....
Clyde A. Bulmer
Dec 27, 2025
Clyde "Allen" Bulmer, 95, of Big Rapids, passed away on December 27, 2025.
Clyde enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking, and running a sawmill. He loved to travel, especially driving to Florida to escape the Michigan winters, a journey he continued to make on his own well into his early 90s. Above all, Clyde was a devoted and loving...
Jon R. Fry
Dec 25, 2025
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Jon Rocco Fry of Grant Center, who passed away December, 25th 2025.
He was born in Big Rapids July 19th 1961 to Dick and Theresa Fry and raised on the Fry farm in Grant Center alongside 3 brothers and 3 sisters.
Jon began school in...
Linda Lou Vandyke
Dec 23, 2025
Linda Lou VanDyke, of Morley, went to be with the Lord on December 23, 2025. She was born on July 17, 1951 in Conklin, Michigan to Nick and Phyllis (Strowbridge) VanDyke.
Raised as a Catholic, Linda was a devoted Christian throughout her life. She enjoyed travelling God's creation and taking scenic tours, often in Florida, Texas and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Linda...
Carl Miles
Dec 21, 2025
Carl Adrian Miles, of Morley, passed away at the age of 51 on December 21, 2025. He was born in Lakeview to Robert and Cathy (Wondergem) Miles on April 26, 1974.
Carl graduated from Morley-Stanwood High School in 1992, where he played several team sports including football, baseball, and track. In his adulthood, Carl enjoyed playing softball...
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