James Shank Paw Paw It is with sadness the family and friends of Jim Shank share the news of his passing due to a heart attack on Friday, June 7th, doing what he loved – outdoors running machinery and helping friends. A 1983 graduate of Paw Paw High School, Jim was born and raised in Paw Paw, where he excelled in 4-H, enjoyed motorsports during his youth with his cousins, competitive pistol shooting, and was an avid nurseryman – so much so, that he pursued a career in Landscape Design and Mai…

Susan Mundo Paw Paw Susan Elizabeth Mundo, 68, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away peacefully in her home on May 30, 2019 in Paw Paw, MI. She was born on June 22, 1950, in Kalamazoo, MI, the daughter of Charles Lewis Graham and Shirley Helen Davis. Susan graduated from Mattawan High School in 1968. She worked for Schafer’s Flowers in Kalamzoo for many years until she moved to Arizona. Sue resided there for 23 years until she returned home to Paw Paw to be closer to her family. Sue loved to entertain …

Thomas Schmidt Lawton Thomas William Schmidt, 73 Years, of Lawton, MI, passed away on Sunday, June 2, 2019, after a long battle with cancer. Born on December 9, 1945, in New York, NY, the son of Peter Herman Schmidt and Phyllis Rose Shandoff. Tom worker at Seelye Ford for nearly 40 years until his retirement several years ago. It is well known that Tom loved golf and was a huge Michigan State fan, GO GREEN! Tom is survived by his wife of 37 years, Christine (Wasko) Schmidt; daughter, Jen…

Robert Bass Jr. Paw Paw Robert Charles Bass Jr., 79, of Paw Paw, MI, died on Saturday, May 25, 2019, in Kalamazoo, MI. He was born May 22, 1940, in Kalamazoo, the son of Robert Charles Bass Sr.. Bob enjoyed watching television, going to the casino and gambling, relaxing in the barn and avoiding his house chores. Bob also loved a good baseball game. Surviving are his Wife, Diane Bass, Children, Tennille (Benjamin) Tackett, Robert (Shelly) Britton, Kenneth Britton, Sherry (Alan) Darlison, Lauri…

Patricia Van Sickle Paw Paw Patricia J. Van Sickle, age 91, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2019 at her home. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, and son Terry Van Sickle.  She is survived by daughter-in-law Colleen Van Sickle, sons, Dyrle Van Sickle, Mike (Joyce) Van Sickle, Jeff (Joanne) Van Sickle and daughter Lisa (Millard) Lockwood; 12 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; siblings Clint Hunt and Ruth Troup; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Family will receive f…

Linda Wagonmaker Lawton Linda Joyce (White) Wagonmaker, 73 died peacefully on May 25, 2019 after a wonderful life filled with love and family. Linda was the devoted and supportive wife of more than 50 years to Scott Ka Wagonmaker, who survives.  She was the proud mother of Jennifer (Dominic) Dale and Ryan (James) Caldwell and the loving grandmother to Joshua (Hannah) Dale, Army Sgt. David “Austin” Dale, Carlos Clark and Jacob, Cloee and Lydia Caldwell.   She was the daughter of…

Norman Zimmerman Three Rivers Norman Henry Zimmerman, 88, of Three Rivers, MI, passed away on Friday, May 24, 2019, in Kalamazoo, MI. He was born on April 1, 1931, in Ionia, MI, the son of Henry and Wanda Zimmerman. Norman graduated from Hopkins High School. After graduating he joined the US Air Force, where he served faithfully from 1950 to 1954 and later served in the Army Reserves for 16 years. He was very proud of his service to the country. He worked for years at the Miller Road United S…

Brenda Coffey Lawton Brenda Joyce (Ambs) Coffey, 72, of Lawton MI passed away at home on May 17, 2019 surrounded by her kids, grandkids and brother. Brenda was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on February 24, 1947 to Richard and Donna Ambs. Shortly after the birth of Brenda’s sister Cheri two years later, Donna packed up her girls and left Richard to pursue a better, and safer, life for them. She then met and married Larry Ottney who would then be forever known as Dad to Brenda. He was a strong an…

Bethany Wons Paw Paw Bethany Elaine Wons, 76, of Paw Paw, passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, MI. She was born December 24, 1942 in Fort Worth, Texas, the daughter of the late Edmond A. Slate Sr.and Durralee (Justis) Slate . Beth proudly served in the United States Army as a medical corpsman during the Vietnam War. Upon her return home she did a lot of Volunteer work. She was a senior companion for many years and she enjoyed keeping them company and making …

James Husa Lawrence James John Husa, Sr. passed away on May 15, 2019 at age 94 years old.  Born in Chicago, Illinois on May 2, 1925, he resided in Berwyn, Illinois from the age of one year until the time he left to attend the University of Illinois, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree.  He met his first wife, Ruth Maria, who was studying piano performance, at the University of Illinois.  Mr. Husa received a Master of Arts degree from Michigan State University.  He …

Gaylann Morse Lawton Gaylann Sue (Stuut) Morse, 56, of Lawton, MI passed away on May 13, 2019, surrounded by her family. She was born in Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, MI on August 14, 1962, the daughter of Richard Stuut and Sandra (Hissong) Plunkett and raised by her beloved dad, Hughie Plunkett. Gayl graduated from Lawton Community Schools in 1980.  She was Miss Lawton that same year.  Her family is deeply imbedded in the community going back to her Great Grandfather.   …

Catherine Smith Lawton Catherine Alice Smith, 93, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away on May 10, 2019 in Lawton, MI. She was born on January 26, 1926 in Fort Wayne, IN, the daughter of Ward and Geraldine Horn. She graduated from South Side High School in 1944. The family moved to Paw Paw, Michigan in 1945.  Catherine married Frederick Smith of Paw Paw in 1949. After 67 years of marriage her preceded her in death on November 12, 2016. Katie worked for a Paw Paw winery for 14 years and later for s…

Keith Yokum Paw Paw Keith Duane Yocum, 78, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away on Monday, May 6, 2019, at his home in Paw Paw, MI. He was born on November 18, 1940 in Gary, IN, the son of William Yocum and Marge Peters. Keith worked at Welch’s as a maintenance system advisor and retired in 2005. He loved his work and everyone who worked with him loved him. He was a freemason and a 32nd degree past master. Keith was an avid professional wrestling fan and a mechanic. He had a passion for how things wor…

Ernest Markovich Paw Paw View   Send Flowers

Victoria Bulson Paw Paw Victoria Ellen Bulson, 28, of Paw Paw, passed away Monday April 29, 2019 in Paw Paw. She was born April 29, 1991 in Toledo, Ohio, the daughter of Timothy Bulson and Valarie (Wessel) Vanderzel. Victoria was active at Freshwater Community Church in Paw Paw including bible fellowship and Freshwater Celebrate Recovery. She was also active with the First Reformed Church of Decatur Celebrate Recovery and Riverside Church Celebrate Recovery in Three Rivers. Victoria was carin…

Karen German Mattawan Karen Ann German, 59, of Mattawan, MI, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2019 in Kalamazoo, MI. She was born on December 9, 1959, in Kalamazoo, MI, the daughter of William German and Florence (Hunt)Thiel. Karen was very accomplished given the cards she was dealt. She worked at Bronson Methodist Hospital for 26 years and retired in 2012. She loved seeing her friends at work and church. She was a member of the Salvation Army in Kalamazoo. Karen loved to be out and she co…

Elizabeth Cummings Mattawan Elizabeth Louise Cummings, 56, of Mattawan, MI, went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 18, 2019, at her home in Mattawan, MI.   She was born September 23, 1962, in Detroit, MI, the daughter of James Cummings and Nancy Crews. Liz had a passion for the outdoors and a respect for nature. She enjoyed playing tennis, spending time with her kids, coastal beaches, and living her life to the fullest every chance she got. Liz was very charismatic and she did…

Nancy Steele Kalamazoo Nancy Louellen Steele, 79, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 13, 2019.   Born October 23, 1939, in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Coramay (Abrams) and Richard O. Wheeler, Nancy graduated from Mattawan High School in 1957 and attended Tracey’s Beauty Academy and graduated as a cosmetologist.    She received her Associate in Applied Science with a General Marketing Major from Kalamazoo Valley Community College on May 10, 1983….

Theresa Sirrine Theresa Marie Sirrine, 31, of Paw Paw, MI, died April 15, 2019 in Kalamazoo. She was born August 12, 1987 in Paw Paw, MI, daughter of James Wood and Linda Sirrine. Theresa graduated from Paw Paw High School. She worked at Family Fare and the Marathon. She loved music, crafts and arts. She liked drawing and coloring but she adored her children and spending time with her family and friends. Surviving are her mother, Linda Sirrine, father, James Wood, step-mom, Julie Bissenden, D…

Virginia Atwater Lawton Virginia “Ginnie” Atwater, 82, of Lawton, passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at her home. She was born May 16, 1936 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of the lateTony and Alice (Miles) Stimac. Ginnie was active with her family, their home was the “neighborhood house”. She was a Brownie troop leader, softball coach and player. She enjoyed bingo and bowling and loved trips to the casino to play the slots. Most of all, Ginnie was an avid reader. Some of her jobs over the years……

Anthony Benzie Paw Paw Anthony L. Benzie, 86, of Paw Paw, MI, died April 3, 2019, in Kalamazoo, MI. He was born on April 27, 1932, in Burnside, PA, the son of Stanley Benzie and Agnes (Rybarcek) Benzie. Anthony graduated from Montgomery Schools in Pennsylvania. He proudly served in the Unites States Army as an engineer during the Korean War. Tony was a very hard worker and that showed in his time as a coal miner, farmer, and tool & die maker. He was a member of the American Legion and the…

Robin Nitz Paw Paw Robin Sue Nitz (nee Rennhack), a lifelong resident of southwest Michigan, left this world for a better place on Sunday, March 31.  She was born on October 28th to the late Dick Paul (D.P.) Rennhack and Lucille Rennhack (nee Reck) in St. Joseph.  She attended Immanuel Lutheran School in Bridgman and graduated as the salutatorian of the Paw Paw High School class of 1971.  She took great pride in raising her children, Rebecca (Jeff) Zuhlke and Eric (Michelle) Ni…

Wanda Eichaker Kalamazoo Wanda Eichaker, 78, of Kalamazoo, passed away Monday April 1, 2019. She was born July 19, 1940 in Benton Harbor, the daughter of the late Robert and Margaret (Versaw) Stohrer. Wanda and Ronald were members of the Kalamazoo Corvette Club for 19 years, she enjoyed the color tour in the fall and dinner cruises with the club. She took pride in her 1957 turquoise Chevy that she has owned for many years. She loved trips to South Haven to watch the waves and sunset. In addit…

Timothy Deaner Paw Paw Dedicated, caring and selfless, Timothy Deaner’s world revolved around his loved ones. He was the definition of a hard working family man, but knew how to balance it with a good amount of fun, a true jokester. While his days with us were far too few, the lasting gifts of his life will long live in the hearts of all who were blessed to know him.  On October 15, 1961 Kurt and Nancy Deaner welcomed their son, Timothy Alan Deaner. Timothy’s childhood was filled with mi…

Candace Laufer Paw Paw Candace Louise Laufer, 72, of Paw Paw, MI, died March 25, 2019, in Kalamazoo, MI.   She was born April 5, 1946, in Ludington, MI, the daughter of William and Jeanne (Wiegand) Wood. Candy graduated from Ludington High School in 1964 and then Central Michigan University in 1968 with her degree in education. She taught English and Journalism in the Lawrence Public Schools for nearly 40 years before her retirement in 2009. Throughout her many years in the school, …

Henry Youngblood Paw Paw View   Send Flowers

Dr. Kenneth Steuer Ph.D. Mattawan Dr. Kenneth Andrew Steuer, Ph.D., 61, died March 14, 2019, at home in Mattawan, MI. He was born in 1957, in Sayville, NY, the son of Andrew and M. Dorothy “Dot” (Schunk) Steuer.  Ken attended the University of New Hampshire, earning his bachelor’s degree in history. He then attended Georgetown University earning a Master of Science in Foreign Service. He later earned an M.A. in political science and eventually a Ph.D. in history from the University of Mi…

Lawrence Spencer Lawton Lawrence Lewis Spencer, 89, of Lawton, passed away Thursday, March 14, 2019 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born March 14, 1930 in Lawton, to the late Lawrence and Dorothy Spencer. He is survived by his daughter, Gayle (Ken) Beach of Paw Paw, son, Tom Spencer of Lawton, grandchild, Lee (Abbigail) Beach of Paw Paw,  Great-Grandson, Cameron Beach of Paw Paw and great-granddaughter, Bryn Beach of Paw Paw. He was preceded in death by his wife Lois, …

Kenneth Steuer Mattawan View   Send Flowers

Clarence Longcore Mattawan Clarence Earl Longcore Jr., 88, of Mattawan, passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at his home. He was born May 3, 1930 in Comstock Park, Michigan, the son of Clarence Earl Longcore Sr.and Nola (Hayden) Longcore. Clarence retired from Local #7 as a union truck driver and was a former member of the AMA (American Motorcycle Association). He enjoyed working on various things in his workshop, especially rebuilding wheel horse lawn tractors and woodworking making things …

Pamela Froeber Lawrence Pamela Sue Froeber, 64, of Lawrence, MI, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on March 13, 2019, at home.   She was born September 6, 1954, in Saint Joseph, MI, daughter of James and Jacqueline (Snyder) Emhoff. Pam graduated from high school and was a very proud working woman. She was big into selling Avon and cleaning homes. She was a beloved housewife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, niece, and friend. She was kind to ever…

Lois Peter Paw Paw Lois Mary Peter, age 92, passed away March 12, 2019 at Maple Lake Assisted Living in Paw Paw with her family at her side.  Lois was born June 8, 1926 in White Rock, South Dakota, the daughter of Emery and Velva (Kiefer) Germaine.  She married Wayne Harvey Peter on November 21, 1945, in Minneapolis, Minnesota before moving to Paw Paw.  After raising her family and retiring from the Paw Paw Plating company, Lois and Harvey enjoyed traveling, camping, dancing an…

Dale Richmond Sr. View   Send Flowers

Jonathan Vore Paw Paw View   Send Flowers

Thelma French Mattawan Thelma Mae French, age 90, passed away March 9, 2019 at Rose Arbor with her family by her side. She was born September 12, 1928 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of the late O.C. and Theo Effie (Diamond) Hunkins. In 1947 she met Junior French who had just gotten home from the Navy. They were married May 17, 1947 and Junior joined the Air Force. Following with Junior, they settled in South Carolina where they started their family. After Junior was out of the service they retune…

Alton Newbre Lawton Alton Lester Newbre, 92, of Lawton, passed away March 4, 2019 at his home. He was born August 17, 1926 in Kalamazoo, the son of Lester and Ruth Newbre. Alton served in the Army during the WWII era, he retired from driving truck after many years. He was a member of the Shriner’s, Eagles and the VFW.  Alton was very adventurous and was always on the go. He enjoyed being with others and never met a stranger. Some of the things Alton enjoyed would be, flying, sky diving, …

Gladys Thompson Lawrence Gladys Thompson, 78, of Lawrence, passed away Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at her home. She was born September 30, 1940 daughter of the late Chester and Mable (Trusdell) Sousley. Gladys Enjoyed traveling and going to the casino with her friends, the “HAGS” and spoiling her grandchildren. She is survived by her son, Bryan Casasanto, two daughters, Roberta Casasanto and Angela (Mike) Houser; six Grandchildren, Olivia (Max) Eberhart, Julia  Casasanto, Kale Casasanto-Zimme…

Rita Bober Lawton Rita Jeanette (Morin) Bober was the second oldest of eight children and was happily married to Norman for 54 years. She graduated with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Howard University. She enjoyed observing the plant world all-around her and expressed gratitude for their healing presence.  An avid reader she was also known for eating nuts while playing solitaire on the computer at night.  She is survived by her loving husband Norman, her 3 children Genevieve…

Brenda Young Paw Paw Brenda Kay Young, age 59, of Paw Paw, passed away Tuesday, February 26, 2019. She was born October 18, 1959 in Paw Paw, the daughter of the late Luther Melson and Vernie (Westmoreland) Melson. Brenda was a active member of Living Waters Church II, where she was a Sunday school teacher. She cherished time spent with her grandchildren and was an avid shopper! She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Young July 24, 2017. She is survived by her two daughters, Laura Te…