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Benjamin Howard, 84
Benjamin Howard, 84, of Plainwell died on April 13, 2006 at Kairos Dwelling. He was born Nov. 6, 1921, in Valleyview, Ky., to Ellard and Florence (Benton) Howard.
Ben grew up in Kentucky until entering the Army to serve during World War II. Following his discharge he moved to Kalamazoo, where his new bride Dorothy Goodhart lived, whom he married
on April 1, 1943.
For 40 years Ben worked as a machine tender for Allied Paper, until his retirement. Ben and Dorothy moved to Plainwell over 50 years ago.
Ben's family includes his wife Dorothy; children, Sandra and Dale Morse of Otsego, Gwen and Tom Chapman of Plainwell, Dave and Sheila Howard of Plainwell and Ken Howard of Cass City; grandchildren, Jeff Chapman, Wendy and Brian Bidwell, Dan Chapman, Joe and Kim Chapman, Mark and Rochelle Howard, Brad Howard, Tamara and Peter Koppers, Mike Morse, and Scott and Telesha Morse; great-grandchildren, Joshua, Ethan, Sarah, Emma, Meghan, Brenton, Kaitlynn, Kayla, Kyle and Taylor; siblings, Nelson and Mildred Howard and Christine Buckley, all of Kentucky; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Hazel and Edna.
Friends visited with Ben's family and viewed his Life Story Film on Friday at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG, 120 S. Woodhams, Plainwell, where his service will be Saturday at 2 p.m.
Catherine "Kitty" (NaNa) Cassar Hughes, 84
Catherine "Kitty" (NaNa) Cassar Hughes, 84, of Saugatuck Township, passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2006. She was born on Oct. 21, 1921, in Birkirkara, Malta, to Joseph Cassar and Giovanna Ciantar.
She lived in the Detroit area from 1949 until 1980 when she then moved to Douglas.
She was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Douglas, the Saugatuck Woman's Club, the Saugatuck-Douglas Art Club and the Maltese Society of the Detroit area. She was also involved with Christian Neighbors and Evergreen Commons.
On Oct. 1, 1946, she married
Allan Michael Hughes, who preceded her in death on March 30, 1995.
Surviving Kitty are three daughters, Stephen and Tanya Hughes-Sheridan of Saugatuck, Dennis and Helen Hughes-Robbins, of Nashville, Tenn., and Kevin Marin and Catherine Hughes of St. Croix, U.S.V.I.; 10 grandchildren, Brendt Sheridan, Aaron Sheridan, James and Carly Sheridan, Corey Robbins, Trevor Robbins, Monica Marin, Alex Marin, Sean Marin, Mara Marin and Liam Marin; two sisters, Doris Pace and Jane Zammit; one brother, Philip Cassar, all of Malta; and a niece, Denise Shipley and Randy Mellon of Saugatuck.
Preceding her in death are her husband Allan; a brother, Carmel Cassar; and two sisters, Rita Barbara and Marie Walker.
There will be no visitation. A memorial mass will be Monday, June 19, at 11 a.m. at the St. Peter's Catholic Church, Douglas. Interment will be at the Riverside cemetery in Saugatuck.
An online registry book is available at www.chappellfuneralhome.com.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Holland, the Saugatuck Woman's Club, the Saugatuck-Douglas Art Club or Evergreen Commons. Chappell Funeral Home, Fennville, assisted the family.
Maxine Taylor, 93
Maxine Taylor, 93, of Plainwell died on April 8, 2006, at Lakeview Community Hospital in Paw Paw. She was born March 27, 1913, in Allegan to Merle and Lyle (Miner) Taylor.
After graduation Maxine attended the Parsons Business College. For 35 years, she was employed with Hercules Power Co. as an executive secretary, retiring in 1978. She was always a very organized and professional woman.
Following retirement, Maxine enjoyed traveling with her good friend, Helen Glasscock. Maxine was a devoted and caring woman who had a special place in her heart for all of her friends. She enjoyed their company and taking them on errands.
Maxine had several collections, including Hummels, figurines and bears.
For many years she had attended the Disciples of Christ Church.
Maxine's family includes her niece, Joyce and John Byl of Apple Valley, Calif.; her nephews, William and Caroline Taylor of Otsego and Art and Jackie Taylor of Lawton; and several cousins.
Following Maxine's wishes, she has been cremated, and there will be no service. She will be laid to rest next to her parents in Miner cemetery at a later date.
Maxine's family has been cared for by the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG, 120 S. Woodhams, Plainwell.
Stacey A. Schmitt, 29
Stacey A. Schmitt, 29, of Plainwell passed away Thursday, April 6, 2006, in Kalamazoo. Stacey was born Oct. 14, 1976, in Allegan to Anthony and Denise Anne (Wallace) Schmitt.
She loved spending time with her daughter Morgan and with her family and friends. Some of her favorite activities were going to the beach, snowboarding and watching movies.
Surviving are her daughter, Morgan Anne; her mother and stepfather, Annie and Buddy Koehrn of Plainwell; her father, Tony (Deb Bodine) Schmitt of Delton; three brothers, Shane (Becky) Schmitt, Bryon (LaRayne) Schmitt and Patrick Schmitt, all of Otsego; one niece, Alexis Schmitt; her grandfather, Earl Wallace of Clearwater, Fla.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Friends met the family Monday at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, where services were Tuesday, Pastor Joe Shaler officiating. Burial followed at Mountain Home cemetery, Otsego.
Contributions in memory of Stacey may be made to Morgan's college fund or the Leukemia Foundation of Michigan.
Frieda VanDerPloeg, 86
Frieda VanDerPloeg, 86, of Otsego passed away Friday, March 31, 2006, in Kalamazoo. Frieda was born Oct. 17, 1919, in Chicago to William and Mary (Boersma) VanDerMolen.
On April 8, 1938, in Allegan she married
Chester VanDerPloeg who preceded her in death in 1988.
She was employed at DelVista Nursing Home, Kal-Equip and as a crossing guard at Dix Street Elementary School.
Frieda enjoyed shuffleboard, sewing, knitting and crocheting.
Surviving are a son, Chester "Chet" (Bobetta) VanderPloeg Jr. of Otsego; a daughter, Mary Ann (Alan Wayne) Wallace of Plainwell; five grandchildren, Gordon VanDerPloeg and Jill VanDerPloeg, Debbie, David and Diane Wallace; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Frieda was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
Friends met the family Sunday at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, where services were Monday with Pastor Joe Shaler officiating. Interment followed at Mountain Home cemetery, Otsego.
Contributions in memory of Frieda may be made to American Cancer Society or the Otsego United Methodist Church.
Lillian B. (Christman) Pranshka, 72 (April 15, 2009)
Lillian B. (Christman) Pranshka, 72, of Onondaga, formerly of Allegan, died Wednesday, April 15, 2009, in Allegan. Mrs. Pranshka was born Nov. 17, 1936, in Allegan, the daughter of William Sr. and Blanche (Stibal) Christman.
Surviving are her husband Gary; seven children, Glenda and Tim Knarian of Allegan, Rinda and Greg Branch of Otsego, Brett and Lori Bailey of Florida, Brock and Jana Bailey of Holland, Lauri and John Taylor of Paw Paw, Dan and Kandi Pranshka of Leslie and Tonya and Russ O’Donnell of Hastings; four brothers, Wilfred and Joyce Christman of Allegan, Kenneth (Tode) and Judy Warner of Louisiana, David (Rocky) Warner and Francis Freeman of Louisiana and Ronald Christman of Tennessee; three sisters, Lenora and Bob Griffin, Joyce and Ken Strand and Becky Warner, all of Allegan; 17 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, William Christman Jr.
Friends met with the family Friday, April 17, at Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel, www.gordenfuneral.com, where funeral services were Saturday, April 18. Pastor William Muller officiated. Interment followed at Oakwood cemetery, Allegan.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wings of Hope Hospice.
John E. Trisler, 58 (April 12, 2009)
John E. Trisler, 58, of Allegan died Sunday, April 12, 2009, at his home. Mr. Trisler was born Oct. 8, 1950, in Monroe, the son of John and Virginia (Jones) Rose.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and had been employed for 18 years at Hanson Manufacturing in Douglas. He was dedicated and loyal to work, family and friends.
Surviving are one son Aaron; mother, Virginia Trisler of Florida; one brother, Glennis Rose of Maryland; one sister, Bonnie Rose of Florida; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Friends met with the family today (Thursday), April 23, from 5 p.m. until the memorial service at 7 p.m. at Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel, www.gordenfuneral.
Memorial donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans.
Maxine E. Tromp, 86 (April 5, 2009)
Maxine E. Tromp, 86, of Fennville died Sunday, April 5, 2009, at Grace of Douglas nursing home. Born Jan. 12, 1923, in Bravo, she was the daughter of Haile and Emma (Burch) Orr.
Maxine was a retired secretary, formerly working for Haworth in Holland, Citizens Trust and Savings Bank in Saugatuck, Fennville High School and as Ganges Township clerk.
She was a member of Community Church of Douglas and past member of Ganges United Methodist Church, and she was formerly active in the youth ministries and as a Sunday school teacher.
She was preceded in death by her husband Lysle Tromp in 1993 and by one son, Lt. Cmdr. William Tromp in 1966 in Vietnam.
Surviving is her sister, Lillian Wright of Fennville, and several nieces.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 25, at Community Church of Douglas with Dr. Daniel N. Miller officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to Community Church of Douglas or Grace of Douglas (Harbors Health).
Jack Leep, 51
Jack Leep, 51, of Martin went home to be with his Lord on Saturday, April 22, 2006, after a year-long battle with cancer. A life long resident of Martin, Jack attended East Martin Christian Grade School and Kalamazoo Christian High School where he graduated in 1972. He was a member of the East Martin Christian Reformed Church and was the owner of Leep's Greenhouse in Martin.
Members of his family include his wife Chris; three children, Kelly and her husband Jay Allen of Paw Paw and Jill and Kevin, both of Martin; his mother, Violet Leep of Martin; two grandchildren, Aidan and Arianna Allen; two brothers, Tim and his wife Karen of Caladonia and Harvey and his wife Debbie of Martin; three sisters, Sally and her husband Mark Laning, Joyce and her husband Gary DeKoekkoek and Joanne and her husband Bruce Mejeur, all of Martin; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Friends viewed Jack's Life Story film and visited with his family Tuesday at Life Story Funeral Home-RDMG Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams. Funeral services were Wednesday, May 3, at East Martin Christian Reformed Church.
Visitors to Jack's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com may read his life story, archive a favorite memory, order flowers or make a memorial donation to the East Martin Christian Elementary School or Hospice of Michigan, Grand Rapids Chapter.
Kathryn I. Riley, 96
Kathryn I. Riley, 96, of Plainwell died Sunday, April 30, 2006. Kitty was born June 8, 1909, in Thompson.
She worked for several years at William Crispe Hospital as a registered nurse. Kitty is a long time member of St. Margaret Catholic Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband James Riley Sr. in 1970.
Members of Kitty's family include her sons, James Riley Jr. (Ester) of Marshall and William Riley (Liane) of Plainwell; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends viewed Kitty's life story film and visited with her family Tuesday at the Life Story Funeral Home-RDMG, Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams, where a Rosary was recited. Mass of Christian Burial was Wednesday, May 3, at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Otsego, 245 Court St.
Visitors to Kitty's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com may read her life story, archive a favorite memory, order flowers or make a memorial donation to the St. Margaret's Catholic Church.
Alice McCaffery, 81
Alice McCaffery, 81, of Martin died at her home on Sunday, April 23, 2006. She was born on Jan. 3, 1925, in Watson Township and has lived the majority of her life in the area.
Alice retired from Pipp Hospital in 1991 and was active at Martin United Methodist Church. She will be remembered for her great sense of humor and her generosity.
Members of her family include her two sons, Dave and his wife Cheri of Plainwell and Alan and his wife Melissa of Poulsbo, Wash.; three grandchildren; four sisters; and two brothers.
Friends viewed Alice's Life Story film and visited with her family and friends Wednesday, May 3, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home-RDMG Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. today (Thursday), May 4, at Martin United Methodist Church.
Visitors to Alice's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com may read her life story, archive a favorite memory, order flowers or make a memorial donation to the Scleroderma Foundation or the Martin United Methodist Church.
Albert Patrick, 93
Albert Patrick died peacefully at home on April 21, 2006. Born April 8, 1913 to William and Emma (Movsky) Patrick, in Lemont Furnace, PA, he grew up in Chicago and married
Louise Borchiani in 1940. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served as the Chief Radio Technician on the USS Merrimack during the invasion of North Africa. He loved electronics and radios and was an amateur radio operator for over 70 years. CQ-ers knew Al as W9EHW and later as W9EB. He was preceded in death by his wife but is survived by one sister, Frances Ness, two daughters, Antoinette (Niles) and Louise (Brighton, MI) and two grandchildren, Shannon and Mike Mee. Memorials in his honor may be made to Rainbow Hospice (Chicago) or the American Legion.
Martin Joseph Evans
Martin Joseph Evans of South Bend, Ind., passed away Tuesday, April 25, 2006. Born in Allegan County, he resided in the South Haven area most of his life.
He was the son of Homer and Pearl King Evans. He worked in road construction and later as a sales representative for Great Lakes Aerocam.
Surviving are his wife Lois; children, Scott Evans of Fountain Valley, Calif., Lorraine Medici of Mt. Horeb, Wis., and John Evans of Jenison; stepchildren, Micael Hoffman of South Bend Ind., Eric Hoffman of Sterling, Colo., and Rhonda Persson of Boonton, N.J.: 11 grandchildren; and brother and sisters, Helen Jerrett of Kalamazoo, Robert Evans of Allegan, Blanche Wilkinson of South Haven and Maude Butler of Florissant, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Clare, Dutch and Doug Evans; three sisters Ethel, Florence and June; and his first wife Dorothy Osman Evans.
Marty was an avid golfer and had the good fortune to shoot his age just a year ago and to record two holes-in-one-one in Michigan and one in Indiana.
His other pastimes were playing euchre and cribbage, bowling, cooking, and he was a great conversationalist who loved people. He and Lois spent many enjoyable hours dancing.
A funeral service was at the Palmer Funeral Home Friday, April 28, Lakeville, Ind. Also, a funeral service was at the Casco United Methodist Church, South Haven, on Saturday at 3 p.m. Burial followed at McDowell cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, 9272 Jeronimo Road NO, 107A, Irvine, CA, 92618.
Vernon H. Gulbranson, 85
Vernon H. Gulbranson, 85, of Otsego, formerly of Saginaw, passed away Friday, April 28, 2006, in Kalamazoo. Mr. Gulbranson was born Nov. 4, 1920, in Upham, N.D.
Vernon served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. For many years he was employed as a salesman with Swift & Co. and for 12 years was self-employed in a family-run food and meat market in Saginaw until retiring. After retirement he continued working in Saginaw area meat markets.
Surviving are two sons, Robert (Barbara) Gulbranson Sr. of Otsego and Ronald (Cheryl) Gulbranson of Dexter; three grandchildren, Robert (Elizabeth) Gulbranson Jr. and their children Craig and Kaitlyn, Bethany (Jim) Doerr and their children Grace Ann and Craig Earl, and Sarah Gulbranson.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann (Christianson) Gulbranson in 1999.
Cremation has taken place. Burial of ashes will be in Towner, N.D., at a later date.
Contributions in memory of Vernon may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, 222 N. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 100, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.
Winkel Funeral Home in Otsego is serving the family.
