Obituaries
Richard Edward Orns
Jan 8, 2026
Richard “Dick” Edward Orns, a lifetime resident of Battle Creek, Michigan, went to his Heavenly home on January 8, 2026, at the age of 81.
Dick was born on April 12, 1944, to Richard Edward Orns, Sr. and Mildred Orns. He was a proud graduate of Harper Creek High School, Class of 1962, and a veteran who faithfully served in the...
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...
John E. Gessner
Jan 5, 2026
John E. Gessner, 79, of Battle Creek, passed away on January 5, 2026. He was born on July 18, 1946, in Nashville, TN, to Frederick and Martha (Battle) Gessner. John had been a resident of Battle Creek since 1963, graduating from Harper Creek High School in 1965 and earning his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University. He honorably served in...
Toby Alfred Conine
Jan 5, 2026
In Loving Memory of Toby Conine
Our hearts are broken as we share the loss of our Son, a Brother, a Father, an Uncle and a Cousin.
Toby Conine, who passed away after a devastating and aggressive battle with leukemia. What began as an unimaginable diagnosis quickly turned our world upside down. Toby fought with everything he had, but this disease moved...
Joan Kathryn (Thomas) Bauman
Jan 4, 2026
Joan Bauman, 98, died on January 4, 2026, with everlasting love in her heart for her family and friends.
She was born on November 7, 1927 in Muskegon, Michigan to James and Frances (Russman) Thomas and grew up in Battle Creek. She attended St. Philip Catholic School through 9th grade and graduated from Lakeview High School.
She attended St. Camillus School of...
The Honorable John Holmes
Jan 4, 2026
The Honorable John R. Holmes
“The Honorable John R. Holmes, age 81, of Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away peacefully at Beacon Hospital in Kalamazoo on Sunday, January 4, 2026 with his wife and five children by his side.”
John was born on June 6, 1944, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to David N. and Margaret (Symons) Holmes. He grew up in Battle Creek,...
Shirley Y. Baumgartner
Jan 3, 2026
Shirley Y. Baumgartner, 89, of Battle Creek, died January 3, 2026 peacefully at home. Shirley was born February 11, 1936 in Battle Creek to Harry (James) and Agnes (Snook). She worked as a home maker, held several manufacturing jobs throughout the years and opened & ran Battle Creek Uphostery with her husband Walt Wilkey & son Don Reed. After Walt’s...
McKenzie Maree Michelle Karaba
Jan 2, 2026
McKenzie Maree Michelle Karaba, 17, died tragically on January 2nd, 2026. McKenzie was born January 21st, 2008 in Battle Creek, MI. Born 21 years after her sisters, Kenzie was a welcomed surprise and had a special relationship with her mother that kept her young.
She was full of life and enjoyed doing many different arts/crafts, cardio drumming and going out to...
John L. Golyar
Jan 1, 2026
John L. Golyar, age 94, passed away January 1, 2026.
John was born March 26, 1931 in Battle Creek to George and Mary (Buncic) Golyar. He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School and served honorably in the U.S. Air Force. He worked for 40 years at the Kellogg Company, retiring in 1993.
John married the former Virginia Daniels, who preceded him...
Linda M. Hallack
Jan 1, 2026
Linda M. Hallack, 79, of Augusta, died Thursday, January 1, 2026. Linda was born October 23, 1946 in Grand Forks, North Dakota to Robert and Phyllis (Meagher) Keely. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Grand Forks in 1964. She was employed as a field dispatcher for Michigan Bell Telephone/AT&T and a member of the AT&T pioneers for more...
Benjamin Forbes Gillett
Dec 30, 2025
Benjamin Forbes Gillett, 86, of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully at Majestic Care on Tuesday, December 30. 2025.
Ben was born June 9, 1939, in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Kenneth Ray and Letha Grace (Conklin) Gillett. He grew up in Kalamazoo and Comstock and was a 1959 graduate of Adelphian Academy in Holly, Michigan. In 1959, he began working with his father-in-law...
Jacquelyn (King) Inglett
Dec 30, 2025
Jacquelyn Joy (King) Inglett, 95, of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully in her sleep at Bickford of Battle Creek on Tuesday, December 30, 2025.
Jackie was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 20, 1930, the daughter of Helen (Erickson) and Sam Duka. Helen died in 1932 and Jackie was adopted and raised by William and Louise (Brooks) King. She graduated from...
Ted Fitzgerald
Dec 30, 2025
Ted Fitzgerald, 72, of Battle Creek passed away peacefully with his family at side on Tuesday morning, December 30, 2025.
Our beloved redheaded Irishman, Ted Fitzgerald, was born in Hastings, Michigan on June 22, 1953, the youngest child of U.G. Fitzgerald and Betty Jane (Dunning) Fitzgerald. When Ted was 11 his father died leaving his mother and three siblings to face...
Latricia Ann "Trish" Leatherman
Dec 29, 2025
Latricia Ann Leatherman (Gilmore), 80, of Battle Creek, MI, passed away on December 29, 2025, surrounded by her loving daughters.
Trish was born on August 8, 1945, in Battle Creek, Michigan and married Michael Dale Leatherman on October 30, 1965. Together, they built a life in Barry County (Lacey, MI). She was a devoted wife, mother and Meme who cherished time...
Jason Mark Bouchard
Dec 27, 2025
Jason Mark Bouchard, 45, passed away December 27, 2025.
Jason was born April 19, 1980, to David and Cheryl (Wogomon) Bouchard. He liked cars and trucks, and he enjoyed building a trucking business with his dad. He also loved dogs and NASCAR.
Jason is survived by his parents, Cheryl and David; brother, Jeffrey Bouchard; sister, Michelle (Dean) Bouchard-Destefani; aunts and uncles, Julie...
Mark E. Webb
Dec 24, 2025
Mark E. Webb, 67, of Ludington, MI died December 24, 2025. Mark was born December 16, 1958 in Terre Haute, IN to Ernest and Dora (Peterson) Webb. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1981 from Purdue University, a Master of Science Degree from Southern Illinois University in 1986 and his Juris Doctor Degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law...
Paul W. Osburn
Dec 24, 2025
Paul Wilson Osburn (85), better known to his family, friends, and community as Uncle Paul, passed peacefully at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan, on the evening of December 24th, 2025, following a day of visits and shared memories from his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Paul was the second of six children born to Guy and Ola Osburn in Nashville,...
Michael B. Darr
Dec 24, 2025
Michael B. “Mike” Darr, 77, of Battle Creek, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. A loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, Mike’s life was marked by his deep love for family, his pride in his service, and his quiet, steady presence.
Mike was born on September 26, 1948, to Carlos and Margaret Darr. He graduated from Battle...
Nila Jo Godde
Dec 24, 2025
Nila Jo Godde, 85, of Augusta went home to be with her husband, Bob on December 24, 2025.
Nila was born August 26, 1940 in Grand Rapids, the daughter of Willard and Ally White. Nila loved crafts of all kinds, oil painting, knitting, and quilting. She even made clothes for her children. She always had a project or several to work...
Deborah Kay (Lybarger) Perkins
Dec 24, 2025
Deborah Kay “Ama” (Lybarger) Perkins, age 73, of Battle Creek, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 24, 2025, after a brief illness.
She was born on May 7, 1952, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to the late Clyde and L. Jane (Muraski) Lybarger. She graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1970. Debbie married Michael Lee Perkins, the...
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