Obituaries
Maylene J. "Rusty" (Robbins) Bonnell
Jan 18, 2026
Maylene Janet “Rusty” (Robbins) Bonnell, 88, of Battle Creek, Michigan (MI) and part-time resident of San Benito, Texas (TX) passed gently in her sleep on January 18, 2026.
Rusty was born January 9, 1938, in Battle Creek, the youngest child and daughter of Richard Ross Robbins and Genevieve “Jane” (Kleinfeldt) Robbins. Rusty was employed at the Kellogg Company in the Packing...
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....
Eleanor J. Fry
Jun 5, 2026
Eleanor Jeanne (Welling) Fry, 90, of Galesburg and formerly of Augusta died peacefully on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Beacon Hospital in Kalamazoo.
Eleanor was born September 22, 1935, in Augusta, Michigan to Leo Joseph and Caroline Martha (Godde) Welling. She grew up on the farm outside Augusta and was a 1953 graduate of Galesburg-Augusta High School. Eleanor was employed as...
Ross Lowell Jarrard
May 28, 2026
Ross Lowell Jarrard, age 93, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2026, at Lakeview Assisted Living, surrounded by his loving family. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Lakeview Assisted Living for the compassionate and loving care they showed Ross and his family during his time there.
Ross was born on August 20, 1932, in...
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...
Eleanor Jean (Rogers) Bell
May 22, 2026
Eleanor Jean (Rogers) Bell, 91, of Galesburg, Michigan died on Friday, May 22, 2026.
Eleanor was born November 5, 1934, in Augusta, Michigan to Edward H. and Miriam L. (Krieger) Rogers. She was raised in Augusta and graduated from Galesburg-Augusta High School in 1952.
Eleanor Jean Rogers and Francis Walter Bell were united in marriage at the Brooks Memorial Methodist Church on...
Mary Jane Latowski
May 28, 2026
Mary Jane (Gould) Latowski, age 88 of Battle Creek, passed away peacefully on Thursday May 28, 2026. Mary was born in Dowagiac MI on February 21, 1938, the daughter of Charles (Fred) and Helen (Phillips) Gould.
Mary completed her Undergraduate Degree in Education at Western Michigan University and began her teaching career in Gull Lake Schools, Richland MI, where she met...
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...
Terrence "Terry" Haughey Dolan
Apr 18, 2026
Born to Esther and Don Dolan, Terry grew up as one of four children, a family that later grew to eight when his mother remarried Albert James. To know him was to love him. A humble, kind, loyal, generous, and hard-working man whose life was defined by service for others, passion for learning, and love for his family.
From his earliest...
Peter John "Pete" Beguhl
Mar 28, 2026
Pete, age 63, died peacefully Saturday evening, March 28, 2026 at Sue’s Loving Care, Kalamazoo, MI, after surviving with Parkinson’s for 12 years.
Pete, the son of Dean D. and Norma J. (Smith) Beguhl (both former employees of Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home), was born on November 8, 1962 in Wessington Springs, South Dakota.
Pete attended Roberts Wesleyan College in New York,...
Michael E. Low
Apr 18, 2026
With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Michael E. Low, of Augusta, MI, on April 18, 2026, at the age of 79. Mike was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was married to the love of his life and soulmate, Margaret Low, for 58 remarkable years. Together for over 60 years.
A passionate and respected educator for nearly 40...
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...
Michael Roland Marsh
Jun 1, 2026
Michael "Boo Boo" Roland Marsh, 77, of Battle Creek, Michigan, went to his heavenly home on June 1, 2026, surrounded by comfort and peace.
Mike was born on December 17, 1948, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to Roland and Anne Mae (Chamberlain) Marsh. He was known for his athletic spirit, sense of humor, and deep love for family and friends. Mike graduated...
Caroline "Jean" (Bush) Schlubatis
May 31, 2026
Caroline "Jean" (Bush) Schlubatis, 80, of Battle Creek, Michigan, passed peacefully on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at Beacon Hospital in Kalamazoo.
Jean was born on April 23, 1946, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to Homer M. and Carolyn H. (Bush) Bush. She grew up in Battle Creek and was a 1964 graduate of Pennfield High School, going on to earn her beautician...
Arthur L. Holtman
May 30, 2026
Arthur L. Holtman passed away May 30, 2026 at Friendship Village at age 95.
He was the oldest of four children born to Ruth and Claus Holtman. He had two sisters, Grace Demi and Jean Adam and a brother, Paul Holtman who preceded him in death. While in the Air Force, he met his wife, Phyllis Woods. They had two children,...
Elaine Ann Baker
May 30, 2026
Elaine A. Baker, 85, of Battle Creek, died May 30, 2026. Elaine was born April 27, 1941 in Charlotte, MI to Lansing and Wilma (Taylor) Coplin. She graduated from Olivet High School in 1960 and later married James Baker on August 10, 1963. Elaine attended Argubright Business College and worked at Sears Roebuck & Co. She also was a daycare...
Ryan Scott Rowse
May 30, 2026
Ryan Scott Rowse, age 44 of Kalamazoo and formerly of Battle Creek and Hastings, died at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Ryan was born March 12, 1982, in Battle Creek, Michigan to Timothy Allen and Julia Mae (Clements) Rowse. He grew up in Battle Creek until 4th grade and then lived in Hastings, MI, where he graduated...
John J.H. "Joe" Schwarz, M.D.
May 27, 2026
HON. JOHN J. H. SCHWARZ, M.D.
John Joseph Henry “Joe” Schwarz, M.D., former Battle Creek Mayor, State Senator and U.S. Congressman, died Wednesday, May 27, 2026. He was 88 years-old.
He was born November 15, 1937, to Dr. Frank and Helen (Brennan) Schwarz. For much of his childhood the Schwarz family lived at Fort Custer where his father, a U.S. Army Medical...
Hazel I. Bowers
May 26, 2026
Hazel I. Bowers, 87, of Battle Creek, died May 26, 2026. Hazel was born February 13, 1939 in Battle Creek to Leland and Muriel (Hibbard) Bundy.
A full obituary will be available soon. Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.
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