Obituaries

Nancy Ann Dake

Nancy Ann Dake

Feb 24, 2026

Nancy A. Dake, 79, of Battle Creek, died February 24, 2026. Nancy was born July 7, 1946 in Battle Creek to Oliver and Ona (Whitman) Clapper. She graduated high school and went on to receive her associate’s degree. She worked as a nurse’s assistant for many years. Nancy married David Dake in 1978. He sadly preceded her in death in...

Mary J. Lipscomb

Mary J. Lipscomb

Feb 22, 2026

Mary J. Lipscomb, 84, of Dowling, passed away February 22, 2026 while wintering in West Palm Beach, FL. Mary was born January 8, 1942 in Battle Creek to Jewell A. and Frances E. (Glau) Hoyt.

Mary graduated from Athens High School, Class of 1960. After graduation Mary attended Kellogg Community College.

Mary worked as a secretary and met Gary while they were...

Jacklyn F. "Jackie" Wilson

Jacklyn F. "Jackie" Wilson

Feb 21, 2026

Jacklyn F. "Jackie" Wilson, age 64, of Battle Creek died Saturday, February 21, 2026. She was born in Battle Creek on May 2, 1961, the daughter of Jack Leon and Janet Sue (Coleman) Lazarus and graduated from Comstock High School. Jackie continued her education at Wright Beauty Academy and Everest Institute, and has worked at Advantage Private Nursing for many...

Yvonne Gail Rose

Yvonne Gail Rose

Feb 19, 2026

With tender hearts and deep love, we share the peaceful passing of our beloved Yvonne Gail Rose. Yvonne, 71, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, February 19, 2026. She was born on March 25, 1954, in Battle Creek, MI. Yvonne was the cherished daughter of Barbara and Bruce Welcher.

Yvonne graduated from Lakeview High School and...

Maxine Newton

Maxine Newton

Feb 16, 2026

Maxine Newton was born on March 4, 1930, in Tyra Hallow, Jackson, Kentucky. Her birth certificate reflects the date of March 15th for her birthday as that was the midwife's recollection by the time she got to town. Maxine was born to Nora Mae (Roberts) and Martin Daniel Perkins. Maxine was the eldest of seven children: Forrest (Barbara); Luther Columbus;...

Doris Mary (O'Brien) Urban

Doris Mary (O'Brien) Urban

Feb 14, 2026

Doris Mary Urban, 92, of Battle Creek, MI died with daughters at her side on February 14, 2026, at Bronson Battle Creek hospital, while recovering after a 3rd hip surgery within four months. These last months of her life were very exhausting and disorienting for her, including eight sleeping location changes from October 2025 to February 2026. But her pain...

Jerome Edwin "Jerry" Kalkowski

Jerome Edwin "Jerry" Kalkowski

Feb 14, 2026

Jerome Edwin “Jerry” Kalkowski was born July 6, 1937, the son of Steven and Gertrude (Sobieszezyk) Kalkowski in Howard County, (Boelus) Nebraska where he grew up. Jerry was a 1955 graduate of Boelus High School, where he played football, track, baseball and named homecoming king his senior year.

Jerry enlisted in the Air Force and served his country on January 8,...

Maria Zubaly

Maria Zubaly

Feb 13, 2026

Maria Zubaly, 89, of Battle Creek, MI, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2026, with both her loving daughters by her side. Maria was born March 6, 1936, in the little town of Mucsony, Hungary.

Maria was raised on a farm and lived a simple, happy life as a child. She always shared fond stories about her loving parents and happy...

Charlotte Ann Bouwkamp

Charlotte Ann Bouwkamp

Feb 12, 2026

Charlotte Ann Bouwkamp, age 72, passed away Thursday, February 12, 2026 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was born October 11, 1953 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to George and Kathleen (Brunn) Nota. Char earned her associates degree and worked at D&W Food Centers for 30 years in a variety of retail leadership positions.

 On January 20th, 1989, she married...

Clifford "Buddy" Goodman

Clifford "Buddy" Goodman

Feb 9, 2026

Clifford “Buddy” Goodman, age 81, of Battle Creek passed away peacefully on February 9th, 2026.

Buddy was born April 25th, 1944 in Kentucky the son of Andy and Anna Goodman.

Buddy married Sandra [DePuy] Goodman on October 17th, 1970. Sandra passed on September 13th, 2012. Buddy and Sandra are survived by their 6 children: Alan Michael, Erik (Velvet) Michael, Wendy (Rick) Beatty,...

Corey B. Gaskell

Corey B. Gaskell

Feb 7, 2026

It is with profound sadness that the family of Corey Brandon Gaskell announces his unexpected passing. Surrounded by the love and support of his family and friends, during a time of worship, Corey was taken home to our Lord on February 7, 2026. He was taken too soon after a brief battle with Leiomyosarcoma, an aggressive and rare form of...

Rolene J. "Rollie" Longman-Ritzler

Rolene J. "Rollie" Longman-Ritzler

Feb 7, 2026

Rolene J. “Rollie” Longman, age 91, of Battle Creek, passed away peacefully at home, beside her loving husband, on Saturday, February 7, 2026. She was born on April 2, 1934, in Battle Creek, Michigan, the daughter of Rolen and Estelle (Eggleston) Cummings.

Rolene married Edward G. Longman on October 3, 1954, at Lakeview Baptist Church in Battle Creek. They shared 51...

Thomas Wesley Sidnam

Thomas Wesley Sidnam

Feb 6, 2026

We remember, reflect, and celebrate the life of Thomas Sidnam, age 84, who passed on Friday, February 6, 2026.

There are so many ways to describe Tom’s life— a son, brother, husband, uncle, father/dad, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and teammate. Where does it end? The simple answer is: it doesn’t. Tom was so many things to so very many people during his...

Carol Lee "Squeak" Mendez

Carol Lee "Squeak" Mendez

Feb 5, 2026

Carol Lee “Squeak” Mendez, 68, of East Leroy, Michigan passed away peacefully at her residence, with her family at her side, on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Carol was born October 29, 1957, in Nashville, Michigan, the daughter of Chester Lewis and Helen Marie (Bauer) Dill. As a child, she moved with her family to Battle Creek. Carol attended Pennfield High School....

Gerald Alan McWilliams

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...

James Edward Wood

James Edward Wood

Feb 4, 2026

James Edward “Jim” Wood, 71, passed away Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Jim was born March 29, 1954 to Edward and Anne Wood. He was a lifelong resident of Battle Creek and graduated from Harper Creek High School in 1972. He was a well driller by trade at Wood Well Drilling, where he proudly drilled the first plastic well in Michigan. He...

Michael Keith Sells

Michael Keith Sells

Feb 2, 2026

Michael Keith Sells was born June 12, 1953 and passed away February 2, 2026. He was born in Battle Creek Michigan and raised by his parents, Nel and Carl sells. He was the owner of Sells and Son Roofing for over 40 years. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Dorothy Sells; his two sons, Shane Sells, Jami...

Steven Sang-Sang

Steven Sang-Sang

Feb 2, 2026

Steven Sang Sang (Tawng Tun) (May 28, 1985 – February 2, 2026)

Steven Sang Sang was born on May 28, 1985, in Inginkhone Village. He was the son of the late Norbert Sang Thawng and Monica Hrin Thluai, and the seventh of eight children.

In 2000, Steven moved to Malaysia, where he later built a family with his wife, Banedeth Zung Hngel...

Cindy Jo Clemens-Bailey

Cindy Jo Clemens-Bailey

Feb 2, 2026

Cynthia Jo Clemens-Bailey

August 30, 1960 - February 2, 2026

Cindy, a woman of deep song, adventurous spirit, and quiet strength, passed away on February 2, 2026. After a long and private struggle, Cindy’s weary heart has finally found the profound peace and stillness she so deserved.

Born in Angola, Indiana, to Jack and Norma Clemens, Cindy was an outgoing and vibrant child,...

Valerie O'Brien

Valerie O'Brien

Feb 2, 2026

Valerie O’Brien, age 92, of Gull Lake, Michigan, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026. She was born Valeria Johan Geisz on May 4, 1933 in Detroit, Michigan, to Peter and Isabelle (Hoppa) Geisz. She attended Dominican Catholic High School in Detroit, then attended Barry College in Miami, Florida on a music scholarship, before returning to Michigan and graduating from...