Sarah D. Schippers
Mar 23, 2026
Sarah Dawn Schippers, age 53, passed away unexpectedly at her home on March 23, 2026. The daughter of Gail Altschwager and Sharon Stewart, she was born on Christmas day in 1972.
Sarah will be remembered for her kind and loving spirit. You could always find her spending time with the ones she loved most, including her beloved cat, Joey. She loved...
Ernest Smith
Mar 20, 2026
Ernest Smith, 74, of Big Rapids, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2026.
He was born on April 20, 1951, in Greenville, the son of Ray and Alma (Nelson) Smith. He was united in marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Priscilla Lile. Together, they built a life centered on love, family, and a strong foundation that carried them through the years.
Ernest worked...
Joseph Sheppard Sr
Mar 18, 2026
Joseph "Joe" Edward Sheppard Sr. passed away peacefully at his home in Big Rapids on March 18, 2026. He was born in Lansing on November 8, 1954, the son of Bernard and Delores (Litke) Sheppard.
Late in high school, Joe enlisted and proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. He was an avid supporter of the Detroit Lions, and a...
Kathryn Robbins
Mar 14, 2026
Kathryn Louise Robbins passed away peacefully in her home in Big Rapids on March 14, 2026. She was born on December 2, 2026 in Champaign, Illinois to Howard and Bernice (Brewster) Bailey.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Daggett Gilbert Funeral Homes. According to Kathryn's wishes, no services will take place.
Patricia Reed
Mar 12, 2026
Patricia “Pat” Alice Reed passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, Thursday evening, March 12, 2026, at the age of 74.
The words kind, loving and accepting are an understatement when describing Pat. She was always there to take a call, or stop to chat, and talk to you like an old friend, regardless of how long it’d been since you last...
Steven Ladner
Mar 11, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we announce Steven Lloyd Ladner, age 41, passed away unexpectedly at his home on March 11, 2026. The son of Roger and Creana Ladner was born on September 8, 1984, in Big Rapids.
When Steven was little before computers and technology took over the culture, he could be found riding his bike on the rails...
Virginia Kienitz
Mar 7, 2026
Virginia Marie (Donley) Kienitz, 91, of Big Rapids, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2026. She often said, “I’ve been lucky, I don’t have a bit of pain, and not many people live to be 100.”
Virginia grew up on her family farm in Paris, Michigan. She married Alton (Al) Kienitz in 1955. In 1953, she began working as a telephone...
Ellis F. Seaman Jr.
Mar 5, 2026
After traveling many roads and many miles for over 35 years as a truck driver, Ellis Fredrick Seaman Jr., age 77, took his final trip into the arms of Jesus on March 5, 2026. He was born to Ellis and Dorothy (Thomas) Seaman Sr., on December 22, 1948.
The best way to describe Ellis was that he was on fire for...
Donald W. Jamieson
Mar 5, 2026
Donald Wesley Jamieson, age 83, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on March 5, 2026. The son of John and Gladys (Brown) Jamieson, he was born December 9, 1942.
Donald spent 65 years with the love of his life Shirley Marie (Yelland) Jamieson, and together they built a life full of endless love, adventure, and laughter. He was...
Randy Stein
Mar 2, 2026
Randy Jim Stein passed away at his home in Big Rapids on March 2, 2026 after a long illness. He was born on February 17, 1951 in Pontiac Michigan to Herman and Phyllis (Werner) Stein
He earned his master's degree from Michigan Technological University, and an ABD PhD at Penn State University. Randy worked at John Deere and IBM and in...
Esther L. Simpson
Mar 2, 2026
Esther Lavina Simpson, 76, of Rodney, MI, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on March 2, 2026. She was born to David and Arvilla (Oisten) Kaylor at Allegan General Hospital, Allegan, MI, on October 20, 1949, and graduated with honors from Allegan High School with “the Class of ’67.”
She began her professional career at Ferris State University...
Diann Wassenaar
Feb 27, 2026
Diann Janette Wassenaar, of Barryton, passed away on February 27, 2026. She was born on January 7, 1951 in Weidman to Harvey and Neita (Frantz) Blackmer.
In 1969, Diann graduated from Chippewa Hills High School in Remus. Throughout her life, Diann enjoyed caring for plants and tending to her garden. She was also very crafty and skilled in crochet.
Diann is survived...
Ronald Broome
Feb 27, 2026
Ronald A. Broome, 95, of Chippewa Lake, passed away on Friday, February 27, 2026. He was born on September 27, 1930, in Detroit, the son of Albert and Irma (Tabbert) Broome.
As a young boy, Ronald began working at his father’s gas station. When he came of age, he enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served his country. Upon...
Nancy Horan
Feb 27, 2026
Nancy Horan, 91, of Big Rapids, passed away on Friday, February 27, 2026.
She was born on April 19, 1934, in Big Rapids, the daughter of Jess and Leda (Smith) Vliet. A lifelong resident of Big Rapids, Nancy graduated from Big Rapids High School and was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church of Big Rapids, where she attended throughout...
Robert Parker Jr.
Feb 27, 2026
Robert L. Parker Jr., 43, of Howard City, passed away on Friday, February 27, 2026, after a courageous 14-year battle with cancer. He was born on April 3, 1982, in Big Rapids, the son of Robert Sr. and Mary (Moore) Parker.
On October 17, 2015, he married the love of his life, Desiree Kern, in Stanwood. Bobby personally built the perfect...
Roberto R. Rosales
Feb 25, 2026
Roberto Rosales passed away on February 25, 2026, at the age of 87. Born in Detroit, he was the eighth child of the late Antonia and Jose Rosales and preceded in death by seven siblings and his granddaughter Lindsay.
Survived by his wife, Patricia (of 42 years), daughter Catherine "Cat," and four children from his first marriage: Arthur (Sheryl) Rosales, Cherie...
Robert Corlew
Feb 25, 2026
Robert Corlew, age 43, of Big Rapids, Michigan, passed away on February 25, 2026, surrounded by his family.
Rob was born on January 26, 1983, at Hackley Hospital in Muskegon, Michigan, to Kathleen Ann Corlew (Lamkin) and Errol Lee Corlew. He grew up in Muskegon and spent his early years tinkering, building, and repairing anything he could get his hands on....
Patricia Hurst
Feb 21, 2026
Patricia Ellen Hurst, 77, passed away on February 21, 2026 in Big Rapids. She was born on March 18, 1948 in Grayslake, IL to James and Bernice (Raymond) Golden.
Whether she was feeding the deer, tending to her garden, or searching for morel mushrooms, Patricia thrived in nature. She was also an expert at finding hidden gems at antique stores.
Patricia is...
Larry Sawchuk
Feb 21, 2026
Lawrence LeRoy Sawchuk, 75, of Big Rapids, passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2026. He was born on September 3, 1950, in Detroit, the son of Mac and Sophie (Okonowski) Sawchuk.
On October 17, 2014, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Terri. Together they traveled, camped, and embraced a fun, adventurous life. Larry worked as an...
James Walls
Feb 18, 2026
James R. Walls, a longtime resident of Hartford, Michigan, more recently of Big Rapids, Michigan, and a winter resident of Crystal River, Florida, was called home to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, passing peacefully at home surrounded by family on February 18, 2026, after a valiant and grace-filled battle with glioblastoma. He was 82 years old.
James believed...
