Obituaries

John O. Ritter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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...

Larry L. McComb, Sr.

Larry L. McComb, Sr.

Aug 12, 2025

Larry L. McComb, Sr. 51 died Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at his home surrounded by family after a lengthy illness. Larry was born October 30, 1973 in Battle Creek to Elverta (Cupps) McComb and Clarence McComb. He played football for Pennfield High School, graduating and later attending culinary school. Larry was a very talented chef and cooked food at various...

Curtis Charles Miller

Curtis Charles Miller

Aug 11, 2025

Curtis Charles Miller, formerly of Kalamazoo, MI and Shamokin, PA passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on August 11, 2025 in Park Ridge, Illinois.

Curtis is survived by his children Karen Miller (David Morris) and Mark (Jaehee) Miller; grandchildren Jasmine Miller, Leia Miller, and Laura Morris (Jim Miller); and cherished sister Lois (Tom) Martin. He also leaves behind several...

Stanley K. Mains

Stanley K. Mains

Aug 10, 2025

Stanley K. “Stan” Mains, 87, of Battle Creek, died August 10, 2025. Stan was born February 3, 1938 in Battle Creek to Dewitt and Pansy (Winslow) Mains. He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School and then served his country honorably in the United States Air Force. Stan was happily married to his wife, Linda, for 64 years.

Stan was employed...

Lloyd Austin Kellum

Lloyd Austin Kellum

Aug 10, 2025

Lloyd A. Kellum 89, of Battle Creek, died peacefully at home under the care of his loving wife, family, friends and Centrica Care Hospice on Sunday, August 10, 2025.

Lloyd Austin Kellum was born July 4, 1936, in Battle Creek, Michigan to Lloyd Amos and Florence Eunice (Kendall) Kellum. Lloyd completed grades 1-12 at Battle Creek Academy in a ten-year span....

Lori Jean (Beguhl) Claussen

Lori Jean (Beguhl) Claussen

Aug 7, 2025

Lori Jean (Beguhl) Claussen, age 60, of Richland, MI, passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday, August 7, 2025, surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous five-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Lori was born on March 20, 1965, in Wessington Springs, SD. She moved to the Kalamazoo area in 1988 where she pursued her passion for music and...