Obituaries
Karl King Behnke
Sep 12, 2025
The family will receive friends 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, Battle Creek where a service to celebrate his life will be held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 17, 2025. The service will be Live-streamed and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/event/5378801. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the...
Donald J. DeNooyer
Sep 11, 2025
Donald Jay DeNooyer, a lifelong Battle Creek resident, was thrilled to finally arrive at his heavenly home on September 11, 2025, at the age of 95. Don was best known for his love language of service—in the roles of car dealer, Christian school advocate, volunteer, landscaper, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. As a Master Gardener, he beautified his surroundings one...
James Raymond Faber
Sep 7, 2025
James "Jim" Raymond Faber, 87 of Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Sept. 7, 2025, after a love-filled life of family, faith, education, service and community.
Jim was born March 2, 1938, in Madison, Wisconsin, to Raymond and Lilian (Zadrazil) Faber. He grew up on the family farm in DeForest, Wisconsin, attended Pumpkin Hollow School, St. John’s in Waunakee and...
Ronald Lee VanDyke
Sep 4, 2025
Ronald Lee VanDyke, 87, of Battle Creek, Michigan, died peacefully Thursday, September 4, 2025, surrounded by his family.
He was born December 11, 1937, in Holland, Michigan. He was the second of three siblings. He was the son of Arthur and Elsie (Wybinga) VanDyke.
Ron worked at Pennfield Schools, retiring in 1998 after serving 34 years as a teacher of physical education...
Michael Duane Bruce
Sep 4, 2025
Michael Duane Bruce, age 67 of Battle Creek, went to be with the lord surrounded by his family at home.
Mike was born and raised in battle creek, the son of Myron Bruce and Dena Abbott. Mike attended Battle Creek Central High School and later received a degree in welding. Mike was a dog handler, math tutor, and very knowledgeable on...
John O. Ritter
Sep 4, 2025
John Orla Ritter, 69, of Battle Creek passed away Thursday, September 4, 2025.
John was born January 23, 1956 in Battle Creek to John H. and Sylvia (Blodgett) Ritter. He enjoyed working on lawn mowers, racing, and scratch-off lottery tickets. He loved his dog, Hoppy. He was a man who was there for his family, anytime you needed him.
John is survived...
Angela Joan Ziegler
Sep 2, 2025
Angie Ziegler passed away at 62 years of age on September 2, 2025. She was born on August 17, 1963 to Al and Mary Spitz in Battle Creek, Michigan. Angie graduated from St. Philip Catholic High School in 1981 and went to Kellogg Community College.
She is survived by her siblings Anne Bernard, Gary Spitz, Chris Lozier, Julie Hurst, Lisa Spitz...
Kirk Madsen
Sep 1, 2025
Kirk, 65, died unexpectedly at his home in Battle Creek on September 1, 2025. He’d probably want us to keep this short and not make a big fuss — but since we get the last word, here goes.
Kirk grew up in the big white farmhouse on Saint Mary’s Lake Road, where his mother, Marilyn, ran the Art Farm Gallery. He...
Larry A. Graves
Aug 30, 2025
Larry A. Graves, 73, of Burlington, died August 30, 2025. Larry was born February 21, 1952, in Battle Creek to Rodney and Patricia (Kelley) Graves. He graduated from Lakeview High School and worked as a dispatcher at the Kellogg Company for 27 years. He was a proud member of the Kellogg 25 Year Club.
Larry was an outdoorsman at heart, enjoying...
Danny Ray Crawford
Aug 27, 2025
Danny Ray Crawford, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on August 27, 2025. He was 78 years old.
Born and raised in Battle Creek, Michigan, Dan was the son of Clyde R. Crawford and Donna M. Kopsell. He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School and soon after enlisted into the United...
Bessie Lee Houston
Aug 27, 2025
Mrs. Bessie Houston, age 79, of Battle Creek, MI peacefully passed away on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 in the comfort of her son, Dennis.
Bessie was born June 7, 1946 in Sunflower, Mississippi to proud parents, Inez and Walter McClinton.
Bessie gave her life to the Lord and became a member of Calvary Grace Baptist Church on June 25, 2024 under the...
Fred R. Beronja
Aug 26, 2025
January 14, 1948 – August 26, 2025
Fred R. Beronja, 77, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. He was born January 14, 1948, to Samuel and Marilyn (Minier) Beronja. Fred graduated from Springfield High School before attending Western Michigan University, where he studied history education. He later began a 32-year career with the Kellogg Company.
A lifelong fan of the...
James Henry Connor
Aug 25, 2025
James H. “Jim” Connor, born March 15, 1941, to James H. and Rose M. Connor (Sloto), passed away on August 25, 2025. Born and raised in Gilbert, Minn., Jim attended Gilbert High School, and upon graduation he went on to earn his Bachelor of Education degree from Winona State Teachers’ College (now Winona State University) in Winona Minn., and his...
Virgene Marie (Wisnieski) Franks
Aug 25, 2025
Virgene Marie Franks was born November 26, 1939, in Dodge, Nebraska, to Elma Bures Wisnieski and Anton Wisnieski. As a toddler, she moved with her parents and sister, Elma, to Mount Clemens, Michigan, after drought forced them from Nebraska. Shortly after, her father was killed during a labor strike, leaving her mother to raise two young daughters. Despite the distance,...
Dar Cem
Aug 23, 2025
Dar Cem, the eldest son of the late Hrang Kap (Hlawn Ceu tribe) and Thawr Iang, was born on July 3, 1954, in Falam, Chin State, Burma (Myanmar).
Dar is preceded in death by the following siblings: on paternal side, Rev. Bawi Lian Thawng, Ting Ley and surviving siblings are Ngun Sang, Sung Cer, Than Cung Nung, Rev. Dr. Lal Pek...
Jo Ann Armstrong
Aug 23, 2025
Jo Ann Armstrong, 75, died Saturday, August 23, 2025 at The Oaks in Battle Creek. Jo was born December 31, 1949, in Niles, MI to Robert and Rita (Hemminger) Murphy. She graduated from Lakeview High School.
Jo was a member of the Battle Creek community for most of her life. She worked at K-Mart and Meijer for many years, building relationships...
Patricia "Pat" Miller
Aug 23, 2025
Patricia J. "Pat" Miller, age 88 of Battle Creek passed away peacefully at home on Saturday morning, August 23, 2025. She was born in Battle Creek on June 4, 1937, the daughter of Charles F. and Lilah G. (Hall) Briggs. Pat graduated from Battle Creek Central High School with the Class of 1955 and received her bachelor’s degree from Western...
Douglas "Dougie Fresh" Boyer
Aug 21, 2025
Douglas Arthur “Dougie Fresh” Boyer, age 64, passed away on August 21, 2025, in Bedford, Michigan. Born on August 25, 1960, in Battle Creek, Michigan, Doug lived a life defined by devotion—to his family, his work, and the countless people fortunate enough to know him.
Doug attended Kellogg Community College briefly before pursuing further education in skilled trades, focusing on sheet...
Joseph John "Joe" Yezic
Aug 18, 2025
Joseph John Yezic, 66, of Battle Creek, MI, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2025. Joseph was born on May 6, 1959, the son of Milan Yezic and Evelyn (Squires) Yezic in Battle Creek.
Joseph attended St. Jerome school and St. Philip Catholic Central. During his teen years Joseph worked in the commissary at Speed’s Coffee Shop. Joseph enjoyed working on...
Frank R. Caswell Sr.
Aug 14, 2025
Frank R. Caswell, Sr., 94, of Battle Creek, died August 14, 2025. Frank was born March 29, 1931 in Battle Creek to Roy and Luella (Riker) Caswell and faithfully served his country as a member of the United States Army. Frank was employed as a forklift operator for Post Cereals for over 30 years. He loved hunting and fishing. In...
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