Obituaries
Gerald Alan McWilliams
Feb 4, 2026
Gerald Alan McWilliams, 80, of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
Jerry was born October 21, 1945, in Jeffersonville, Indiana (along with his twin sister, Gail) to Robert L. and Iris L. (Jones) McWilliams. He grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan. Jerry was a graduate of Battle Creek Central High School, class...
Martin Henry Mitchell
Apr 21, 2026
Martin Henry Mitchell, 72, of Lansing and formerly of Battle Creek, Michigan died unexpectedly at his home on April 11, 2026.
Martin was born November 19, 1953, in Battle Creek, Michigan the son of Merlin Henry and Marilou (Leveiller) Mitchell. He grew up in Battle Creek and was a 1971 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. Marty was formerly a...
Joyce B. Shafer
Apr 24, 2026
Joyce B. Shafer, 92, of Augusta, died April 24, 2026. Joyce was born July 20, 1933 in Hastings to Edward and LoWave (Marshall) Bailey. She graduated high school and married Bill Shafer on September 27, 1952.
Joyce is survived by her two daughters, Valerie (Jerry) Daniels and Sheila Garrett; 6 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one great great-grandson and a sister, Maxine Garrett....
Vernon Edward Brumm
Apr 26, 2026
Vernon Edward Brumm, 86, of Battle Creek, Michigan died Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital.
Vernon was born November 28, 1939, in Kalkaska, Michigan, the son of Claude and Eva (Shepardson) Rowley. Vernon was raised by his adopted parents, Carter Brumm and his wife. He grew up in Vermontville. Early in life he worked on a cow farm....
Jerilyn Lee Finn Cummings
Apr 17, 2026
Jerilyn Lee “Jeri” Finn Cummings, 84, passed away April 17, 2026.
Jeri was born March 31, 1942 in Battle Creek to Edward and Virginia Finn. She belonged to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Jeri is survived by her sons, William Sawyer and David Hamp; daughter, Georgia Edwards; grandchildren, James Luke Sawyer, William James Sawyer, Amanda Lynn Bruno, Michael Lee Bruno, Brandy...
Ronald Gene Dixon
Apr 20, 2026
Ronald Gene Dixon, age 61 of Battle Creek, passed away Monday April 20, 2026 He was born in Bay City, Michigan on October 13, 1964. Ron enjoyed riding motorcycles with his club brothers from the Centurions motorcycle club, that he was a president and member for over 35 years, and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was employed...
Annette L. Zalner
Nov 29, 2025
Annette L. Zalner, 78, formerly of Battle Creek, passed away November 29, 2025.
Annette was born December 29, 1946 in Battle Creek to Robert and Winifred (Rathburn) Evans. She was a graduate of Battle Creek Central High School and spent her working career at Kellogg’s. In March 1977, she was united in marriage to John E. Zalner. Annette enjoyed attending her...
Lois Annabelle Martin
Mar 27, 2026
Lois A. Martin of Paw Paw, MI died March 27, 2026, at the age of 97. Lois was born in Kalamazoo, MI on March 14,1929. As a child she lived with her family on the Upjohn farms of Richland, where she did various jobs, especially attending and working with horses. After graduating from Richland High School in 1947, she was...
Ellen Kellay-Eldridge
Dec 23, 2025
Mrs. Ellen Kellay-Eldridge, 96, of Augusta, MI., died December 23, 2025. A graveside service to celebrate Ellen's life will be 12:00 p.m., Monday, May 11, 2026 at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Augusta Chapel. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.
Charlene Marie Edwards
Mar 8, 2026
Charlene Marie Edwards, age 68, was born on July 13, 1957, in Highland Park, Michigan, and passed away peacefully on March 8, 2026, in West Bloomfield, Michigan.
Charlene was preceded in death by her beloved grandparents and her mother, Francis (Heilman) Edwards.
She is lovingly remembered by her father, James Robert Edwards; her son, Christopher James Edwards; her daughter, Crystal Marie (John)...
Andrew Scott Atkins Johnson
2026
Andrew Scott Atkins Johnson, 40, of Lakewood, Colorado, passed away unexpectedly in early January 2026.
Andy was born on November 26, 1985, in Paw Paw, Michigan. He grew up in both Paw Paw and Mattawan, Michigan, and graduated from Mattawan High School.
A beloved son, brother, nephew, father, cousin, uncle, and friend, Andy treasured spending time with his loved ones. His presence...
Charles W. Perry
Nov 22, 2025
Charles W. “Charlie” Perry, 75, of Battle Creek, died November 22, 2025. Charlie was born May 8, 1950 in Battle Creek to Milo and Elinor (Thornton) Perry. He enjoyed playing guitar, photography and poetry.
Charlie is survived by his two daughters, Vikki (Timmy) Thurman and Cris (Andy) Pifer; four grandchildren, Ryan, Kaleb (Olivia), Veronica (Phil) and Njal; two sisters, Julie Collins...
Michael D. Wood
Apr 22, 2026
Michael D. Wood, 59, died April 22, 2026, at Beacon Kalamazoo following a lengthy illness. Michael was born April 4, 1967, in Marshall to Charles (Dan) and Sandra (Shaver) Wood. When Michael was younger, he participated in 4-H, rodeos, and was active in the Cub Scouts. He graduated from Pennfield High School and went on to serve his country in...
Cecil T. Young
Jan 8, 2026
Cecil Thomas Young, 95 of Battle Creek, MI went home to the loving arms of departed loved ones on January 8, 2026.
Cecil was born on September 23, 1930, in Alpine, Tennessee, to Thomas and Lestie (Winton) Young. He grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan, and graduated from Battle Creek Central High School. He proudly served his country by enrolling in...
Peter W. Hirsch
Feb 3, 2026
Peter W. Hirsch, 86, of Battle Creek, died February 3, 2026, at home surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Chicago, the eldest son of Robert W. Hirsch and Agnes (Bunescu) Hirsch. Growing up in Lawton, Michigan, he attended St. Mary’s of Paw Paw and St. Joseph Seminary of Grand Rapids before graduating from Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit....
Ralph E. Stacey
Mar 25, 2026
Ralph Edward Stacey, age 83, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2026, at his winter home in Lakeland, Florida Ralph was born on July 17, 1942 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of Arnold Floyd and Rena Tillie (Gernaat) Stacey. He was the oldest of ten children.
He joined the US Army on November 5, 1962. His basic training...
Shirley Van Rhee
Jan 15, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Shirley Yvonne Van Rhee, age 94, of Richland, Michigan, on January 15, 2026. Born in Oshtemo, Michigan, to Otto and Evelyn Haylett. Shirley dedicated her professional life to the care of others. A graduate of Central Michigan University, she served as a Registered Nurse and Occupational Health Nurse, beginning...
Ruth E. Hammond
Dec 18, 2025
Ruth E. Hammond, 95, of Battle Creek went to be with her Lord & Savior on Thursday morning, December 18, 2025 at Bronson Battle Creek. She was born in Parchment, Michigan on January 31, 1930, the daughter of Marion C. and Rhea E. (Porter) Smith.
Ruth married Robert C. Hammond on October 11, 1947; he preceded her in death on May...
Robert Beach
Jan 25, 2026
Robert F. Beach, 87, of Largo, FL passed away Sunday, January 25, 2026.
He was born April 2, 1938 in Grand Rapids, MI and was preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Mary Ellen Beach, and his sister, Sandra (Bill) Phillips.
“Bob” had a natural talent for woodworking, and after studying drafting at Ferris State University he married Judy Beach and...
David Louis Burnham
Apr 21, 2026
Following a courageous battle with cancer, David Louis Burnham, 71, of Battle Creek, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2026. Surrounded by his family, he reflected with gratitude on a life well lived and often joked, “I am a legend in my own mind.” Dave was a constant source of strength, the calm in a crisis and a trusted mentor...
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