OBITUARIES

Nov 6, 2022

Richard L. “Dick” Barkel, age 86, of Coopersville passed away Sunday, November 6, 2022. Dick was born in Wright Twp. MI to the late Ernest and Sophia (Glace) Barkel. Dick was a graduate of Coopersville High School and served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of St Michael’s Catholic Church in Coopersville, a Life Member of the...

Nov 5, 2022

Francis Jay Meerman, age 97, went home to be with his Lord and Saviour Saturday, November 5, 2022 at home surrounded by family He was a life-long member of Eastmanville URC Church. He was born in Coopersville, MI. to the late William and Gertrude (Knoper) Meerman. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife...

Oct 29, 2022

Gerald A. Benkert, age 68, of Nunica, MI., passed away unexpectedly Saturday, October 29, 2022. He was born in Grand Haven, MI to the late Charles and Doris (Hendricks) Benkert and preceded in death by several loved ones. Gerald was a lifelong resident of Nunica, volunteer fireman for Crockery Twp. fire department. Was a 1972 graduate and football player...

Oct 21, 2022

Charles Peter Falk, age 85, of Marne, MI., passed away Friday, October 21, 2022 peacefully at his home. He was born in Grand Rapids, MI to the late Peter and Ruth (Esselstrom) Falk. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his son Mark, granddaughter Harmony, sister Janet and brother Paul. Charles was a man of...

Oct 5, 2022

Sally Jane Lillie 3/18/1929 – 10/05/2022 age 93 went home to our Heavenly Father on Wednesday, October 5, 2022. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Lillie, her parents, Martha and Elmer Briggs; parents-in-law, Lee and Marion Lillie. Sally is survived by her children, Thomas (Kay) Lillie, Martha (George) Taylor, and Deborah (Gary) Kammer; grandchildren, Caleb (Erica)...

Oct 4, 2022

Philip John Hecksel, age 78, passed away Tuesday, October 4, 2022. He was born in Grand Haven, MI to the late Sherman and Kathleen (Mellow) Hecksel. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers Sherman Dale Hecksel and David Hecksel; nephew Sherman John Hecksel; great niece Isabel Umlor; brother-in-law Joe Young; sisters-in-law Elaine Hecksel...

Sep 27, 2022

Ruth Jean (Hoban) VanderLaan, age 92, passed away Tuesday, September 27, 2022. She was born in Ravenna, MI to the late Anthony and Inez (Green) Hoban. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Clayton VanderLaan, brother Edward Hoban and son-in-law Harry Langlois Jr. Ruth enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, was...

Sep 26, 2022

Harriet Jean (Bouwman-Heath) Sacksteder of Irons, Michigan, died peacefully on September 26, 2022, at the age of 90. Harriet was born on September 27, 1931 and raised in Coopersville by the late John and Sarah (Busman) Bouwman along with her three brothers, Gerald, William, and Frederick. Their mother passed away and they were raised by Jennie (Busman) Bouwman. She...

Sep 26, 2022

Delores J. Lee, age 86, of Conklin passed away Monday, September 26, 2022. She was born in Muskegon, MI., to the late George and Helen (Pieczynski) Everett. Delores was the Postmaster at the Conklin post office for many years. She enjoyed working in her flower garden and trying out new restaurants.. Delores was preceded in death by her husband...

Sep 16, 2022

Evan Michael Schierbeek, age 29, of Marne passed away on Friday, September 16, 2022. Evan was preceded in death by grandparents John & Grace Schierbeek and Glenn and Nelva Stroven. He is also greeted at his arrival into Heaven by his Uncle Randy Schierbeek and Aunt Mary Breen and cousins Chuck Breen, Ryan Broene, Jessica VanHeest, and Logan Gamez....

Sep 14, 2022

Karen Patricia (Bergenson) Rodgers, age 71, died peacefully with family at her side on Wednesday September 14, 2022 at Fountain View Assisted Living of Coopersville after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Karen was born on November 11, 1950 in Yonkers, New York the second of five children to Walter and Ruth (Hogg) Bergenson. She...

Sep 14, 2022

Jean Arlene Meeuwsen, age 81, passed away Wednesday, September 14, 2022. She was born in New Era, MI to the late Edward and Della (Mulder) Flipse. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her siblings Carol (John) Oppenhuizen and Joyce Hamm. Jean loved spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling and...

Sep 12, 2022

Lydia Marie Fowler, age 89, passed away Monday, September 12, 2022. She was born in Baraga, MI and grew up in Chassell, MI. She was preceded in death by her parents Swande and Alma (Kauranen) Godell, husband Burton Fowler, sister Dorothy (Carl) Carter, brothers Donald (Audrey) Godell and James (Lois) Godell; nephews, Randy Carter, Bruce Carter and Don Godell...

Sep 12, 2022

Dennis Lee Bouma, age 70, of Marne, passed away Monday September 12, 2022. He was born in Grand Rapids, MI., to the late Paul and Betty (VanderHoff) Bouma. Dennis loved spending time with his family and 11 grandchildren. He was a man of strong faith and will be remembered for his prayers of humility. Dennis enjoyed traveling with his...

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...