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LEHOCKY -- August Paul Lehocky, aged 83, of Wayland, passed away at home in the presence of his family, on Tuesday, September 25, 2001. "Gus" was born in Trencin, Czechoslovakia and at the age of two came to live in the USA with his parents and younger brother, Stephen. He grew up and graduated from high school in Downers Grove, Illinois. Most of his working years were spent as a building contractor, just like his father. He enjoyed family activities and in particular watching his children and grandchildren play sports. He is survived by his best friend and wife of 54 years, Mary Ann (Krulac); children, Gary (Sandra), Janis (Jack), Jack (Debra), Bob (Lynne), Lori; grandchildren, Sandra, Eric, Ross, Kristyn, Katie, Carrie; brother, Stephen (Mae). Scripture Service was held Thursday at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial was Friday at St. Therese Church with Fr. Gary Pamment as celebrant. Interment Sts. Cyril & Methodius cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Western Michigan. Arrangements by Archer, Hampel & Kubiak, Wayland Chapel.
BOUWENS -- Randall "R.J." Bouwens, aged 20, of Wayland Twp., passed away Wednesday, September 5, 2001, following a brain aneurysm. He is survived by his parents, Randy & Pearl Bouwens; brothers, Rychard Bouwens, Rob (Julie) Bouwens; sister, Becky (Evan) Smith; grandparents, Richard & Myrtle Damaske, Rynard & Bernadine Bouwens; girlfriend, Susan Martin of Rochester, NY; nephew, Josiah Smith; also numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. R.J. was an honor student in Mechanical Engineering at Cedarville University, Ohio. Funeral Services were held 1:00pm Saturday at Calvary Church of Wayland with Pastor Michael Hasper officiating. Interment Elmwood cemetery. Memorials my be made to Pine Ridge Bible & Conference Center or New Tribes Mission School at Tambo, Bolivia. For To Me To Live Is Christ and To Die is Gain. Philippians 1:21. Arrangements by: Archer, Hampel & Kubiak, Wayland Chapel.
LYNN -- Barbara A Lynn, aged 67, of Burnips, MI, died Wednesday, August 15, 2001 at Spectrum Health, Butterworth Campus, Grand Rapids, MI. Mrs. Lynn was born March 12, 1934 in Detroit, the daughter of Raymond and Margaret Mayrand. She had been a member of the TOPS Club of Dorr for 48 years. Surviving are her husband, Carl; three children and their spouses, Ronald and Sally Lynn of Dorr, Cathy Gates of Burnips and Danny and Jayne Lynn of Hamilton; 7 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Ray Mayrand of Burnips and James and Carol Mayrand of Ohio; 3 sisters Marilyn and Gus DeBates of Grandville, Pat and Muriel Stone of Hilliards and Susie Post of Burnips. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Sandra Kay Lynn; son, Michael James Lynn; and sister, Mary Jane Mayrand. Funeral Services were held Friday at the Gorden Funeral Residence, Hopkins Chapel. Pastor Kenneth Reeves officiating. Interment Salem Township cemetery,. Memorial contributions may be made to the Burnips United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society.
PRITZ -- Frederick W Pritz, age 84, of Lakeland, FL, formerly of Hopkins, passed away Aug 14, 2001. Mr. Pritz was a machinist at Rockwell International in Allegan. He was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. He was a WWII Army Vet serving under Patton in the 50th Armored Infantry, as a Staff Sergeant in Europe. Served in the battles of Normandy, N France, Ardennes and Rhineland. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart with 2 Oakleaf Cluster, 4 bronze stars and was wounded 3 times during the war. Nov 1, 1944 in France; Jan 1, 1945 in Belgium and Feb 27, 1945 in Germany. He is survived by his wife, Ann; 3 daughters Denise Dawson of IL, Jo Stone of IL and Lynn Cruikshank of FL; 1 brother William Pritz of South Haven, MI; 2 sisters Laraine Olson of South Haven, MI and Dorothy Morse of Traverse City, MI; 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Memorial Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Gentry - Morrison Funeral Home, Southside Chapel, Lakeland FL.
KOTRBA -- Virginia (Jean) Kotrba, aged 76, of Wayland & formerly of Gun Lake, passed away Saturday, August 11, 2001. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Eugene; children, Gary & Janice Kotrba, Jim & Vicki Kotrba and Joylyn & Doug Culver; grandchildren, Janine, Janell, Jayne, Greg, Keasha, Kevin, Aaron, Jaime, Mystique, Hickory, Nathan & Lynley; great-grandchildren, Richard, Hope, Zach, Haley, Trevor & Gabriel; also one great-great-granddaugher, Alecia; brother, Jerry (Peg) Merren & sister, Colleen (Roman) Marklevitz; brother-in-law, Richard Hines; sister-in-law Theresa (Bud) DeVries. She was preceded in death by her sister, Bette Hines & brothers, Bob Merren, Al Wiggins & Ray Wiggins. Jean was a charter member of the Wayland VFW Ladies Auxiliary. VFW Ladies Auxiliary Service was held Monday. The Parish & Knights of Columbus Council #4036 Hilliards prayed the Rosary on Monday at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church with Fr. Gary Pamment as Celebrant. Interment in Elmwood cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church Bldg fund or Allegan Co Wings of Hope Hospice. Arrangements by Archer, Hampel & Kubiak, Wayland Chapel
VAN GORDER -- Lorena Van Gorder, age 66, of Watson Twp, MI, passed away Friday, August 10, 2001 at her home. Mrs. Van Gorder was born October 1, 1934 in Gypsy, KY the daughter of John and Gaynell (Marshall) Clemens. She graduated from Hopkins High School and received her BS and Master of Arts from Western Michigan University. Lorena taught at Wayland Union School in Special Education for 1 year and then for Plainwell Schools for 19 years before her retirement in 1993. She was an active member of both the Otsego VFW Auxiliary Post 3030 and Friends of the Library in Plainwell. Lorena also started the Plainwell Teachers Bowling League, taught Sunday school and started Story Time at Wal-Mart for the kids. Following her retirement, she and her husband Frank traveled the countryside, always making a stop in Las Vegas. Lorena was an avid reader and gardener. She was preceded in death by a daughter Anita in 1957, by her parents,1 sister Jean and 3 brothers: Ray, John and Jim. On October 6, 1951 she was united in marriage to Frank Van Gorder who survives. Also surviving are 3 daughters: Leslie (Norm) Pigeon of Hopkins, MI; Annette Eichler of Allegan, MI; Melain Gratz of Dorr, MI; 6 grandchildren: Adam, Jesse, Raechel, Erin, Cara, Casey; 3 sisters: Mickey Addair of Allegan, MI; Jolene (Norbet) Byran of FL; Joyce (Robert) VanderPal of Las Vegas, NV and many nieces and nephews. Funeral Services were held Tuesday at the Winkel Funeral Home, with Pastor John Peshlakai officiating. Interment Mt. Home cemetery. Memorials may be made to VFW National Home for Children.
ASPINWALL -- Rosa I. Aspinwall, aged 92, of Hopkins & formerly of Wayland, passed away Thursday, July 26, 2001. She is survived by her children, Aaron (Linda) Aspinwall, Irene (Arnold) Blain, Mary (Lee) Swainston; grandchildren, Vicki (Rick) Schafer, Matthew (Rhonda) Blain, Jill (Owen) Coffey, Joshua Blain, Janet (Jason) Selby & Amy Swainston; four great-grandchildren; one sister, Nellie Yordy; also her sister-in-law, Mildred Moore. Mrs. Aspinwall was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard; granddaughter, Rosa Aspinwall & great-grandson, Logan Blain. Memorial Services were held Friday, August 3, at United Church of Wayland with Pastor Nancy Zerban officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to United Church of Wayland Camp Fund. Arrangements by Archer, Hampel & Kubiak, Wayland Chapel
BAUER -- Albert David Bauer, aged 62, of Wayland, passed away Monday, August 6, 2001. He is survived by his wife, Sally; children, Robert (Shannon) Bauer, Aaron Bauer, Maria (Blake) Melinn, Heidi (Mike) Slyker; eight grandchildren; sister, Karen (Claude) Spellman; brother, Robert (Kathy) Bauer; also many nieces and nephews. Funeral & Committal Services were held Thursday at the funeral home with Rev. Dan Roxbury officiating. Interment Garfield Park cemetery. Arrangements by Archer, Hampel & Kubiak, Wayland Chapel
BRIGANCE -- Rosalie Marie Brigance of Kalamazoo, passed away Thursday, August 2, 2001. Rosalie was born April 11, 1933 in Kalamazoo, Michigan the daughter of Carl "Tom" and Bertha (Dobson) Sheppard. Prior to her retirement she worked in the cafeteria at both Comstock North Elementary and Parchment Middle Schools. Rosalie was a member of Victory Church of The Nazarene and also attended Southside Church of The Nazarene. She was also active with Senior Services Eastwood Mealsite. On December 29, 1948 she was united in marriage to William Oliver Brigance in Angola, Indiana. She was preceded in death by her husband on February 28, 1999; 3 brothers: Saunders, Carl and Paul, and 2 sisters: Etta Mae and JoAnn "Jodi." Surviving are 3 daughters: Gloria Jean (George S.) Bodnar of Portage, Lisa Denise (Donald L.) Darrow of Hopkins and Tamara Rose (William F.) Bone of Green Bay, WI; 9 grandchildren: Rhonda Jean (David L.) Pressley, Steven E. and William N. Bodnar of Kalamazoo; Sara Rose and Kara Marie Bone of Green Bay, WI; Dustin Tyler and Donald Lance Darrow of Hopkins; William and Daniel Brigance of Tennessee and Sandra Nelson of Detroit; 4 great -- grandchildren: Jacqueline, Jessica, Eric and Jason; 2 sisters: Nola Castle of Kalamazoo and Jeryl "Jeri" (Brent) Spano of Bloomington, IL; several nieces and nephews, and her companion, Red Baron. Services were held Monday at the LANGELAND Family Funeral Homes, MEMORIAL CHAPEL. Interment followed in Mt. Ever-Rest cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Fund.
NEW -- Donald Lee New Sr, age 58, of Shelbyville, MI & formerly of Decatur passed away Sun, Aug 5, 2001 in U of M Medical Center, Ann Arbor. Donald was born Feb 2, 1943 in Combs, KY, the son of Rosco & Dana (Baker) New. He was formerly employed by Conrail Railroad formerly known as Penn Central & Rudy Manufacturing in Dowagiac. He had a master's degree in auto mechanics & was a master carpenter. He married
Dorothy Dale Aug 10, 1972 in Dowagiac & she survives. Also surviving, 3 daughters Carolyn (William) Brand & Melissa (Larry) Johnson both of Coldwater, Katherine (Kevin) Collier of Allegan, 3 sons Donald Lee New Jr of Dandridge, TN, Roy New of Ypsilanti, Alex (Jess) New of Quincy, MI. 9 grandchildren, 3 sisters Rozel Lewis & Patsy Brown both of Decatur, Linda Moore of Norfolk, VA, 4 brothers Ron (Kathy) New of Dowagiac, Kolly (Nancy) New of Marcellus, Lee (Terry) New & Jim (Angie) New both of Kalamazoo. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services were held Thursday at the Newell Funeral Home in Decatur, with Rev Boyd Saylor officiating. Burial in Hill cemetery, Lawrence.
ALFLEN -- Edwin John Alflen of Mesa, AZ, was surrounded by his family when he was called to his heavenly home on July 28, 2001. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Louise and children Amy (Joseph) Kertesz of Scottsdale, AZ, E. John Alflen of Traverse City, MI, Linda Alflen of Grand Rapids, MI, Melanie (Dr. James) Ranta of Grandville, MI and Elizabeth Alflen of Paso Robles, CA. He is also survived by his very special grandchildren, Sarah and Jessica Decke, Mollie and Katie Goggins, James J. and Philip Ranta. Ed is also survived by his brothers, Vernon (Mary Lou) of Bradenton, FL, Victor (Adeline) Alflen of Wayland, MI and Walter (Helen) Alflen of Wayland, MI. Edwin served in the army during World War II and for over 30 years owned and operated Edward Alflen & Sons Chrysler Plymouth Dodge dealership in Wayland, Michigan along with his wife. After his retirement in 1981 he enjoyed traveling and RVing. Cremation has already taken place and the funeral will be at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Mesa, AZ. A graveside service will be held at Resurrection cemetery, Wyoming, MI in the near future. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Mayo Foundation or the Hospice of the Valley, (Phoenix, Arizona).
CHAPPELL -- Gerald D. Chappell, 95 of Hopkins, died Monday, July 23, 2001 at Laurels of Sandy Creek. Mr. Chappell was born September 25, 1905 in Dorr, MI the son of Clark and Lena (Sturgis) Chappell. Surviving are 2 sons, Ronald & Joyce Chappell of Wyoming, MI, Stuart & Carolyn Chappell of Montrose, CO; a son-in-law, Irvin Morris of Hopkins; 11 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; 1 great great granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille in 1993 and a daughter, Barbara Morris in 1978. A Funeral Service was held Friday at the Gorden Funeral Residence, Hopkins Chapel. Mr. Comer Skinner speaking. Interment Maplewood cemetery, Hopkins Township. Memorial contributions may be made to Allegan County Meals on Wheels.
At approximately 08:00 hours on Sunday, 8 July 2001, Seaman William R. Wenzel; husband, father and grandfather, left this life to be with his fallen shipmates from World War II. Bill served in the United States Navy for seven years and was a survivor of the sinking of the U.S.S. Quincy (CA-39) at the battle of Savo Island off Guadalcanal, on 9 August 1942. His final battle with cancer was one of courage and determination to make it through his final days with dignity. As normal with his generation, his courage and determination to carry on these past few months has been an inspiration to us all. He was a wonderful grandfather to our children, as they loved each other dearly. To us he was the greatest husband, father and grandfather. Bill will be sorely missed by us all as he sails the seven seas in the face of God, once again. Arrangements by Archer, Hampel & Kubiak, Dorr Chapel.
COOK -- Andrew Cook, Gun Lake. Andy's life began January 9, 1923 in the Netherlands. His parents were Folkert Frank and Ebeltje Alice (Wolthuis) Cook. When Andy was a baby he came with his family to the United States and they settled in Kalamazoo. He served overseas as a B-17 crew member in the Army Air Corps during World War II from 1942 to 1946 and was involved with flying planes from the U.S. to Europe for use in the war. During that time, his squadron had to land their planes on Greenland because of a storm and they were stranded there for nine days. After the war, Andy married
Gusty Martha Minarik on June 29, 1946 and they lived in Kalamazoo until moving to Gun Lake in 1961. He was a professional truck driver and was actively involved with aviation through the Plainwell airport. Andy retired from the Teamster's and was a member of VFW Post 7581. He was active with the Greenland Expedition Society, which later became The Lost Squadron P-38 Restoration Program. The group was involved with bringing back to the U.S. and restoring planes from the time they were stranded in Greenland. Andy's other interests include fishing, watching auto racing, gardening and he was a handyman. Most of all he is remembered for helping raise five good children. His family includes his wife of 54 years, Gusty Martha; five children and their spouses, Michael and Patti Cook, Frank J. and Julia Cook, Anthony G. and Leslie Cook, Cynthia A. Webber Cook, and Andrew Cook, Jr.; a brother, Martinus Kok; 17 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Andy died Thursday, June 14, 2001 at Life Care Center in Plainwell. Preceding him in death were his parents and 3 brothers, Peter, Matthew and John. a Celebration of Life Service was held Monday at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall and Gren Funeral Home, Plainwell Chapel. Burial with military honors followed at Fort Custer National cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Michigan Air, Land & Sea Museum in Grand Rapids.
