OBITUARIES

Sep 11, 2022

Ronald Ernest Brownlee, age 65, passed away at his home Sunday, September 11, 2022. Ron was born in Detroit, MI., to the late Ernest and Lucile (Corell) Brownlee. He was a graduate of Spring Lake High School and worked at Herman Miller. Ron had a deep love for animals especially exotic animals and over the years he has cared...

Sep 4, 2022

Phillip Gene Yordy, age 89, passed away Sunday, September 4, 2022. Gene was born in Allen County, Indiana to the late Charles and Katherine (McKenzie) Yordy. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his son Randall Yordy, brothers Robert Yordy and Paul Yordy, brothers-in-law Robert “Buster” Lipe and David Lipe. Gene served in the United...

Aug 26, 2022

Donna Harriet (Conran) Portenga, age 89, of Ravenna, passed away Friday, August 26, 2022 peacefully with her children by her side at the Tibbet Elder Care Home in Ravenna. Donna was born in Slocum MI, to the late Arnim and Emma (Maycroft) Conran. She owned and operated Donna’s Catering in Ravenna for many years. Donna catered many weddings and...

Aug 24, 2022

Carol A. Gura, age 81, passed away Wednesday, August 24, 2022. She was born in Grand Rapids, MI to the late Anthony and Mary Sutton. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Delmar and brother Ken. Carol enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and watching them play sports. Carol will be deeply missed...

Aug 24, 2022

Stanley Gillespie, age 72, passed away Wednesday, August 24, 2022. He was born in Conklin, MI. to the late Gerald and Delores (Gillhespy) Gillespie. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Sandie, granddaughter Halley Gibbons, brother Bob and brother-in-law Dan Norton. Stanley loved to work and be outdoors, he enjoyed mowing his lawn...

Aug 2, 2022

Russell D. Lowell, aged 71, of Conklin, MI passed away very unexpectedly Tuesday August 2, 2022 at his home. Russ was born in Grand Rapids MI., to the late Robert and Dorothy (Jansma) Lowell. He served in the U.S. Navy, worked at Knape and Vogt in Grand Rapids as a machine setter for 30 + years, and was a...

Jul 27, 2022

On Wednesday, July 27, 2022, Violet E. Rhoades also known to many as Bobbe, passed away at the age of 90 at her son’s home in Coopersville, Michigan.  She was surrounded by her family and her faithful dog, Popco.

Bobbe, nicknamed by her sister, was born in Long Island on January 9, 1932. A long-time resident of...

Jul 23, 2022

Joyce E. Johnson, age 90, passed away Saturday, July 23, 2022. She was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan to the late James and Della (VanderVeen) Bolitho. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Charles Johnson in 2011, brothers Gordon and John Bolitho. Joyce loved spending time with her family, working with her grandchildren...

Jul 17, 2022

Ronald E. Barkel, age 88, passed away Sunday, July 17, 2022. He was born in Coopersville, Michigan to the late Ernest and Sophie (Glace) Barkel. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Nancy and brother Darryl. Ron served in the United States Army 11th Airborne division. He started and ran the Dr. Jazz...

Jul 17, 2022

Albert Drost, age 97, was called home to the Lord Sunday, July 17, 2022. Albert served in the U.S. Army during WW II and was preceded in death by his wife Ruth (Cooper) Drost on Feb 3, 2013. He is survived by his six children,  eleven grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.  They are Dirk Drost (Derek and Abigail) ,...

Jul 15, 2022

Larry “Haze” Hazewinkel, age 71, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, July 15, 2022. He was born in Grand Rapids, MI to Floyd and Lois Hazewinkel. Larry loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, playing golf, fishing, hunting, camping and shooting billiards. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 26 years...

Jul 10, 2022

Caroline Lucille Idziak, age 81, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2022. Caroline was born on August 28, 1940 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Ervin and Joyce Johnson. Caroline’s siblings include twin sister, Marilyn Hover, sister, Dorothy; and brothers Harvey, Corky and Kenny Johnson. Caroline married her lifelong love, Robert J. Idziak, on October 6, 1956 at the age...

Jul 8, 2022

Noel E. Jordan, age 71, passed away Friday, July 8, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister. Noel was a graduate of Coopersville High School, served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He will be deeply missed by his wife Wendy Jordan; children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings and several nieces and...

Jun 29, 2022

Mr. William R. Averill, age 67, passed away June 29, 2022. Bill was born in Muskegon, MI to the late Vernon and Elizabeth (Cunningham) Averill. He was a graduate of Coopersville High School Class of 1972 and served in the U.S. Navy. Bill was a man with many lessons that he did not hold back from anyone. You could...

Jun 25, 2022

Willem Teunis “Bill” Henke, age 80, passed away Saturday, June 25, 2022 surrounded by his family at Butterworth Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Willem was born in Rhenen, Netherlands to the late Willem Cornelis and Metje (Bunt) Henke. Willem cared deeply for his family and others and also had an adventurous spirit. Willem along with his wife Lydia and...

Jun 25, 2022

Mary Eileen (nee Ryan) Lawson (100 years old) passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 25, 2022, in Coopersville, Michigan.

Mary was born near Hartford, Michigan, to John Patrick and Sarah Rose (Latus) Ryan. She was a 1939 graduate of Hartford High School and attended Western Michigan University before marrying Kenneth W. Lawson in 1942. They...

Jun 12, 2022

Sherman Dale Hecksel, age 84, of Coopersville, passed away at his home Sunday, June 12, 2022. He was born in Muskegon, MI., to the late Sherman Edward and Kathleen (Mellow) Hecksel. In addition to his parents Sherm was preceded in death by his son Sherman John Hecksel on Sunday, Feb. 1, 1998, brother and sister-in-law David and Joyce Hecksel,...

Jun 8, 2022

Steven Kurt Boss, age 53, passed away Wednesday, June 8, 2022. He was born in Zeeland, MI to the late Stanley and Lucille (Lotterman) Boss. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his father-in-law Terry Nash. Steve worked for Standard Lumber and Supply, served on the Chester Twp. Fire Department for 27 years, enjoyed fishing,...

Jun 5, 2022

Sam Street Hughes II, passed away at the age of 88 on June 5, 2022. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter Piper, brother John Hughes, sister Tempa Richards and his parents Judge Sam and Irene Hughes. Sam graduated from Lansing Eastern High School, attended MSU, served in the U.S. Navy and retired from the State of Michigan...

May 28, 2022

Marjorie Ann (Church – Busbee) Rhoads, age 92, of Marne passed away Saturday, May 28, 2022. She was born in Detroit, MI. to the late Dewey and Ina (Hammer) Church. Marjorie was a very kind and giving person, the neighborhood kids all knew her as Mom and enjoyed hanging out at her house. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, crocheting, gardening,...