(November 3, 1938 - April 10, 2010)  Betty L. Near, age 71 of Morley, passed away Saturday, April 10, 2010 at Spectrum Health, Butterworth Campus in Grand Rapids. She was born at home on November 3, 1938 near Grand Rapids the daughter of William and Ada (DeZeeuw) Reickard.  Betty is survived by her loving husband, Ken Near of Morley; 2 sons; Bill (Cheryl) Harris of Big Rapids, Brian (Amy) Near of Morley; 4 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; a sister Erma (John) Norman of...

(June 18, 1935 - April 7, 2010) Barbara J. Doke age 74, of Barryton passed away Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at Gratiot Medical Center in Alma. On June 18, 1935, Barbara was born in Detroit, MI to John and Hazel (Nass) Johnson. She has faithfully served on the Village of Barryton board for several years. Barbara is survived by her loving husband William R. Doke Jr., of Barryton, beloved children; Pam (Robert) Lucas and Paul (Jan) Doke both of Fenton, four grandson Jason (Melissa) Lucas, Justin...

(March 26, 1935 - April 7, 2010) John R. DeGear, age 75 of Stanwood, passed away Wednesday, April 7, 2010. He was born March 26, 1935 in Aetna Township, Mecosta County the son of Arthur and Daisy (Buchanan) DeGear. John began his working career as a lineman and then was made supervisor. He later was the business manager for Local #876 of the I.B.E.W. in Grand Rapids, retiring after 24 years at that position. John was a life member of Peninsular Lodge #10 of the Free and Accepted Masons in...

(August 18, 1920 - April 2, 2010)  Betty Elaine Crawford, age 89 of Big Rapids, went to be with her Lord Friday, April 2, 2010. She was born August 18, 1920 in Traverse City the daughter of the late Harry and Charlotte (Thies) Fouch. Betty graduated from Traverse High School. She married Charles Crawford in 1941. The couple lived in Traverse City until moving to Big Rapids in 1957. Betty was employed at Ferris State University until retiring as a counselor for the School of Allied...

(October 26, 1926 - March 15, 2010)  Raymond L. Hall age 83 of Big Rapids, went home to be with his Lord and join his wife Helen on Monday, March 15, 2010. He was born October 26, 1926 in Detroit the son of Edmund and Louise (Deeks) Hall. Raymond was honorably discharged from the United States Navy, serving during World War II in the Pacific Theater. He was a member of St. Paul’s Campus Parish in Big Rapids and a life member of the Knights of Columbus.  He is survived by his...

(February 18, 1960 - March 13, 2010)  Scott Alan Waite age 50, of Howard City, passed away Saturday, March 13, 2010 at the AFC home in Howard City. He was born on February 18, 1960 in Big Rapids to Henry and Agnes (Yarrington) Waite. He enjoyed fellowshipping with Grace Community Church in Howard City and was a music, movie and sports enthusiast. Scott is survived by: his father Henry A. Waite of Sand Lake, sister Gayle (Kenneth) Funk of St. Johns and their family; Jason (Teena) and...

(August 15, 1918 - March 11, 2010)  Iola B. Cummings age 91 of Barryton went home to be with her Lord on March 11, 2010 at Cedar Crest AFC Home in Remus. She was born August 15, 1918 in Fork Twp., MI to Floyd and Anna Mae (Dempsey) VanSyckle. Iola graduated from Barryton Rural Agricultural High School in 1937 where she was a member of the choir, participated in school plays and was her junior class president. On October 15, 1938 she married Dale Cummings and they made their home in...

(April 29, 1944 - March 9, 2010)  Kristine Bergelin Andres, 65, a lifetime resident of Big Rapids, died on March 9th, 2010, at home after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. Kristi was born on April 29th, 1944, in Washington D.C, to John O. and Helena Campbell Bergelin. She graduated from Big Rapids High school in 1962 at the top of her class and continued on to Duke University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree and was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. In 1967 Kristi...

(November 2, 1934 - March 7, 2010) "You were a treasure and a blessing for all of us and will be dearly missed."  Edward E. Gilman, age 75 of Lake, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 7, 2010. He was born on November 2, 1934 in Garfield Twp., Clare Co., MI to J.B. and Margaret (Phillips) Gilman. Ed graduated from Barryton Rural Agricultural High School in 1953 and enlisted into the U.S. Air Force in 1954. He was honorable discharged in 1958 and married Carolyn Bazaire of Lake on...

(September 30, 1917 - March 4, 2010)Helen “Leora” Townsend-Stone, 92, of Blanchard, MI passed away on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at the Masonic Home in Alma. She was born on September 30, 1917, in Pittsburg, PA the only child of Milton and Mabel (Morphy) Curtis. She married Lawrence Townsend on December 25, 1934 in Ithaca, MI. He preceded her in death on June 26, 1988. Leora then married Donald Stone on July 20, 1989 and he preceded her in death in 1995. Leora was a life member of the...

(February 27, 1925 - March 2, 2010)U.S. Veteran Eino A. Leppiaho, age 85 of Hersey, passed away Tuesday, March 02, 2010. He was born February 27, 1925 in Crystal Falls, MI the son of John and Hilma (Norback) Leppiaho. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army Air Force serving during World War II in the Asiatic – Pacific Theater. Eino was a member of American Legion Post #98 of Big Rapids and a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers. He was a mechanical engineer...

(February 23, 1921 - March 2, 2010)Patria Mayoral, age 89 of White Cloud, passed away Tuesday, March 02, 2010. She was born February 23, 1921 in Yauco, Puerto Rico the daughter of Nicholas and Maria (Ramona) Fraticelli.She married Joaquin Mayoral on January 1, 1949 at the Ascension Church in New York City. They moved to Chicago to make their home and lived there for nearly 30 years. Patria was a devoted wife and mother; her family was the center of her life. She loved being a homemaker and will...

(June 12, 1918 - February 10, 2010)  Norman E. Macey, age 91 of Canadian Lakes, formerly of Marquette and Berkley, passed away Wednesday, February 10, 2010. He was born June 12, 1918 in Detroit, the son of Leo and Justine (Narkus) Macey.  Norman was honorably discharged from the United States Army. He served as a Platoon Sergeant during World War II in the European Theater of Operations, with the 42nd Infantry “Rainbow” Division.  Norman married the former...

(April 15, 1936 - February 8, 2010)   James Roger VanAtten, 73, of Stanwood, passed away, Monday, Feb. 8th, 2010. He was born in Alma, MI April. 15, 1936, the son of James and Alma (Zinn) VanAtten. He graduated from St. Johns High School. Retired from the Dept. of Correction for the State of Michigan. He served in the US Army and was member of the American Legion. He enjoyed spending time with his family, reading, history, fishing, and loved his cat Sammie. He was a wonderful husband,...

(April 1, 1934 - February 7, 2010)  Violet “Marie” Croad, age 75 of Barryton (Tubbs Lake) passed away on Sunday, February 7, 2010 in Grand Rapids. She was born in Missouri on April 1, 1934. Her family moved to Alma when she was a young woman. She met her husband to be Eugene D. Croad in Alma and they were married on May 9, 1953 in Middleton. Marie and Gene made their home and raised their family in Greenville until making their cottage on Tubbs Lake their permanent home in...

(April 6, 1945 - February 5, 2010)  Esther L. McGuire age 64 of Grant Center passed away, Friday, February 5, 2010 at her home with her loving family at her side. She was born April 6, 1945 in Brinton (Coldwater Twp., Isabella Co.) to Floyd and Pauline (Sowles) Tower. In 1958 the family moved to Remus where Esther graduated from High School. On June 4, 1966 she married Robert L. McGuire in Big Rapids and they made their home and raised their family in Grant Center. Esther and Bob have...

 (July 15, 1920 - January 20, 2010)  Elinor E. Tetzlaff, lifelong resident of Big Rapids, passed away Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at the age of 89. She was born July 15, 1920 in Big Rapids on Osceola Street where she lived with her parents, Otto and Louise (Kaminski) Tetzlaff.  Elinor attended St. Peter’s Lutheran School and graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1939.  Elinor worked for several business in Big Rapids including; Scott’s 5 and 10 Store,...

(February 24, 1915 - January 19, 2010)  Mabel Irene Rosander, age 94 of Big Rapids, passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2010. She was born February 24, 1915 in Fountain, MI the daughter of William and Eleanor (Comstock) Tava.  She married John E. Rosander on May 9, 1937 in Cadillac. They moved to Big Rapids in 1945 when John opened a Chevrolet dealership on the north side of town.  Mabel was an avid golfer and bridge player. She was a long time member of the First United...

(November 24, 1919 - December 29, 2009)  Myra Isabell Watson age 90 of Big Rapids, passed away Tuesday, December 29, 2009. She was born November 24, 1919 in Bushnell, Illinois the daughter of Angell and Lena (Pierce) Pappas.  Myra married Earl A. Watson on March 14, 1940. They made their home in Bushnell, IL and later moved to Champaign-Urbana where they owned and operated “The Made-Rite Restaurant”. In 1960 they moved to Big Rapids to make their home. During the...

(Died December 28, 2009)  Ida “Ma” M. Sharrow, age 77 of Barryton, passed away December 28, 2009 unexpectedly at her home. She was born in Falling Timber, Pennsylvania on September 18, 1932 to Lester and Della (Rickard) Prough. As a young girl the family moved to Charlevoix. Ida married Robert Sharrow on Aug 16,1947 and they made their home in the Detroit area raising their children in Warren. In 1994 Ida and Robert moved to Barryton. Ida enjoyed crocheting, crafts, video...

(December 4, 1929 - December 11, 2009)  Lucille Mary Aris, age 80 of Grant Center passed away, Friday December 11, 2009. She was born on December 4, 1929 in Stanwood, MI the daughter of Arthur & Katherine Conners. Lucille worked hard during her life, working at Wolverine, Ferris & on the farm. She was very close to her family and treated each one as a special part of her life. She enjoyed gardening, flowers and yard saleing for bargains for her family. Lucille was preceded in death by...

(February 9, 1936 - December 10, 2009)  Garold E. Wible, 73 passed away December 10, 2009 at his home in Big Rapids. He was born February 9, 1936, in Bluffton, Indiana to Edward and Opal Wible. He proudly served two years in the Army as a paratrooper during the Korean War. Garold moved to Big Rapids from Grand Rapids in 1973. He was a member of the American Legion Post #98 where he served as the past commander. Garold was also a member of Eagles Aerie #2535 and AmVet Post #1941 both of...

 (December 2, 1929 - December 1, 2009)  Paul Edward Walton, age 79 of Big Rapids, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at his home.  He was born December 2, 1929 in Union Springs, New York, the son of Xenophen P. and Alice L. (Palmer) Walton. Ed was honorably discharged from the United States Army. He attended Ben Franklin University earning his degree in engineering. Ed spent the over 30 years as an engineer in the Aerospace industry; following his retirement...

(July 27, 1932 - December 1, 2009)  Norman “John” Martz, age 77 of Big Rapids, passed away Tuesday, December 1, 2009. He was born July 27, 1932 in Sand Lake the son of Charles and Ivah A. (Bradley) Martz.  As a young man John enlisted in the United States Army and served for over 20 years. He was stationed throughout the United States, Germany, Korea and Vietnam. John was awarded the Vietnam service medal and 3 bronze service stars. Following his retirement from the...

(February 2, 1938 - November 28, 2009)  Janet Elaine Thompson, age 71 of Big Rapids, passed away Saturday, November 28, 2009 at Mecosta County Medical Center. She was born February 2, 1938 in Dearborn the daughter of Kenneth and Elaine (Blank) Greenhoe. Janet grew up in Ionia where she graduated from High School. Following graduation she went to work as a switch board operator until she married Roy Thompson on January 12, 1957. The young couple moved to Six Lakes and later to Mecosta...

(November 7, 1937 - November 28, 2009)  Valdonna M. Hylton, age 72 of Sears passed away peacefully while in the company of her family at her sons home in Evart on Saturday, November 28, 2009. She was born November 7, 1937 in Flint, Michigan to William and Fern (Taber) Slocum. On April 15, 1957 she married Stanley Hylton and they made their home and raised their family in Flint. When Stanley retired in 1984 they moved to their current home in Sears. Valdonna had a delightful personality...

(May 13, 1921 - November 27, 2009)  George French Jr., 88 years and six months, peacefully left this world to be with his Lord, Friday November 27th, 2009. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Lucille of 61 years. He is survived by his daughter Norma (Bob) Patterson of Comstock Park MI, two sons, Ron (Jane) French of Hessel MI, Doug French of Traverse City MI, four grandchildren, Dannelle (Greg) Lavallee, Chris Patterson, Andrew (Heather) French, Kristine French, two great...