Obituaries
Elzora Wagner
Jun 26, 2021
Elzora “Ellie” Wagner 93 of Kalamazoo passed away Saturday June 26, 2021 at Rose Arbor Hospice. Ellie was born May 27, 1928 in Battle Creek the daughter of Robert and Ruth (Boyce) Leiter. She was a member of Parchment United Methodist Church, Founding member of the Friends of the Library in Parchment and she enjoyed quilting, cooking and especially playing...
Priscilla Elaine Stewart
Jun 23, 2021
Priscilla Elaine Stewart passed away June 23, 2021. She was born in Chicago, IL on June 30, 1937, the Daughter of Joseph and Evelyn (Legenza) Stewart. Priscilla is survived by her son, John (Mickie) LeMieux; her Sister, Gail Stewart; Three Grandchildren, Zackary, Tyler and Brett; and several nieces and nephews. Preceded in her death are her Parents; her Brothers, Edward,...
Barbara Ann DeKam
Jun 21, 2021
Barbara Ann Dekam 71 of Kalamazoo passed away Friday June 21, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Barbara was born March 27, 1950 in Parchment the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Lester) Francisco. She retired after 27 years as a BSN for Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Surviving are three children, Monica Francisco-DeKam, Gabriel...
Janet Elizabeth Graham
Jun 21, 2021
Janet died peacefully at home, June 21, 2021, with family by her side. She was a traveler, gardener, writer, and avid reader. She believed that actions speak louder than words and was an activist for social justice her entire life. Janet looked to see the good in all. Janet was predeceased by her parents, brother: Duncan Graham, nephew: Gabe Lepine,...
Steven Engel Pavey
Jun 17, 2021
Pavey, Mr. Steven E. Kalamazoo, MI Steven passed away June 17, 2021. He was born in Kalamazoo on May 13, 1943, the son of George and Kathryn (Engel) Pavey. He was a retired Iron Worker from Austin Company in Portage. He was a member of the Agape Christian Church. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. On December 5, 1964 Steven married...
Bennie Ray First
Jun 15, 2021
Bennie Ray First passed away unexpectedly at his home in Kalamazoo, MI on June 15, 2021. Bennie was born June 8, 1955 to parents Bennie Gene First and Gwendolyn Rae (Crawford) First in Inglewood, California. His parents, grandparents, and special aunt, Kay Wilder proceeded him in death. Bennie is survived by his sister Linda Walker, nephews Louis and Jonathan. And...
Charles Betke
Jun 3, 2021
Charles Betke passed away Thursday June 3, 2021 at Rose Arbor Hospice. Charles was born July 21, 1928 in Chicago, IL the son of Henry & Lucille (Bierbaum) Betke. He was a Korean War Veteran serving in the U.S. Army, and retired as a bricklayer. On March 10, 1956. Charles was united in marriage to the former Joan Thornton who...
Angelina Mary Grindatti
Jun 2, 2021
Passed away peacefully Wednesday June 2, 2021 at Woodside in Friendship Village. Angelina was born February 15, 1921 in Philadelphia, PA the daughter of Caesare and Grace (LaVerghetta) D’Adamo. She was a First Lieutenant Registered Nurse in the Army Nurse Corps during WWII. After moving to Kalamazoo, Angie worked as a nurse in a local pediatrician's office, became a foster...
John David Justice, Jr.
May 27, 2021
John D. Justice, Jr. passed away Thursday May 27, 2021 at home. John was born April 6, 1957 in Flint the son of John and Georgeana (Robarge) Justice. John was a U.S. Navy veteran serving with Attack Squadron 35. He was a truck driver for Williams Trucking and enjoyed playing pool, collecting baseball cards, sports and spending time with his...
Donna Engle Branstner
May 21, 2021
Donna E. Branstner, beloved mother, grandmother and dear friend of many passed away peacefully on May 21, 2021 at her home in Parchment MI. Formerly of Birmingham, MI. Donna was born November 14, 1929 in Elyria, Ohio. At the start of her career, she worked in Administrations for Wayne State University, Detroit. Donna had astute business acumen. She was office...
Margaret "Peggy" Piper Hegel
May 10, 2021
Retired respected Suzuki piano teacher, Peggy Hegel, died on May 10, 2021 after a late-life onset of ALS. Peggy’s piano teaching career began when unbeknownst to her, her second-grade daughter announced during Show-and-Tell “My mother will teach piano lessons to anyone who wants them!” Peggy retired at 80, forty-eight years later. Peggy’s Suzuki piano studio was a family affair with...
Nancy Jo Rodgers
May 8, 2021
Nancy Jo Rodgers passed away Saturday, May 8th, 2021 at Home. Nancy was born September 16, 1957 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She worked at Short Stop in Kalamazoo. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. surviving are her two children, Keith and Erin Rodgers; Her brother, Robert Baldwin; her three sisters, Betty (Bart) Stocking, Sandra Ritesema and Sharon (Paul)...
Brenda Anne Schaafsma
May 8, 2021
Passed away Saturday 8, 2021 at Rose Arbor Hospice. Brenda was born December 6, 1967 in Nuremberg, Germany; she received her bachelor’s and master’s degree from Wells College in Aurora, NY. Brenda was employed as a Senior ITS Specialist at Zoetis and she enjoyed knitting, puzzles, feeding the humming birds, going to farm the farm market and cooking. On October...
Nellie Mae Reist
May 4, 2021
Nellie Mae Reist 91 of Portage passed away Tuesday May 4, 2021 at Brookdale of Portage. Nellie was born December 9, 1929 in Kalamazoo the daughter of Percy and Ida Mae (Jewell) Willis. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, flower gardening, feeding the wild birds and she was an avid reader and great cook. On August 4, 1946 in Kalamazoo Nellie was...
Tommy Gene Clements
May 1, 2021
Tommy Gene Clements 72 of Copper Township passed away Saturday May 1, 2021 at home. Tommy was born August 11, 1948 in Wynne, AK the son of R.T. and Elsie (DeLoach) Clements. Tommy enjoyed working with tractors and taking care of his miniature donkeys. On July 14, 2000 in Kalamazoo, MI, Tommy was united in marriage to the former Christine...
Ruby Jewel Johnson
Apr 30, 2021
Ruby Jewel Johnson Passed away April 30, 2021 at home. Ruby was born in Catron, MO on January 23, 1934, the daughter of Elmer and Delia (Lawrence) Ballard. She was employed by Kalamazoo public Schools in Food Service. She attended Liberty Chapel in Dowagiac. Ruby was preceded in death by a son: Terry Johnson, sisters: Bonnie Ballard, Betty Thrasher, Virginia...
Florence Ethel Cook
Apr 30, 2021
Florence Ethel Cook Passed away on April 30, 2021, Florence was born in Three Rivers, Michigan on December 12, 1918, the daughter of Lee and Belle (Currier) Knapp. She graduated from Kalamazoo Central in 1937 and was employed at Harding’s Market. She first married Richard Rowley who passed in 1960. She later married George Cook, who passed in 2007. Surviving...
William Paul Hutchison
Apr 22, 2021
William Paul Hutchison 55 of Portage passed away Thursday April 22, 2021 at home. William was born February 15, 1966 in Pittsburgh, PA. The son of Robert and Helene (Dowds) Hutchison. He was an Army Medic and obtained his Nursing Degree while he was serving and was formerly employed as a nurse at Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital. William was an artist...
Ulysses Tom Huntley
Apr 20, 2021
Ulysses T. Huntley 69 of Portage passed away Tuesday April 20, 2021 at home. Ulysses was born November 6, 1951 in Miami, FL. He is a son of Thomas and Bertha (Coker) Huntley. He attended the University of Miami and retired from the Stryker Corporation. Ulysses was a Vietnam War veteran serving in the Marine Corps, he was a member...
Viola Lucille Blum
Apr 14, 2021
Viola Lucille Blum 96 of Kalamazoo passed away Wednesday April 14, 2021 at home. Viola was born December 6, 1924 in Vernon, MO the daughter of King Saul and Bessie (Rose) Jones. She retired as an English and Spanish teacher for Gull Lake High School. Viola was a member of North Eastern Baptist Church and enjoyed flower gardening. On August...
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Adams - Redmond Funeral Home and Cremation Service
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