Obituaries
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...
Betty A. Islam
May 26, 2026
Betty A. Islam, 94, of Tucson, Arizona formerly of Battle Creek, Michigan was received by the hands of God and died on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 passing away peacefully at home in Tucson, Arizona surrounded by family.
She was born In Battle Creek, Michigan on August 14, 1931, to Elvina Sigourney and Claire Mayfield Moody and attended Lakeview High School.
Betty was...
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.
Judith M. "Judy" Groat
May 24, 2026
Judith (Judy) Groat, 82, passed away with the love of her life, Gus, by her side on May 24, 2026, in Marshall, Michigan. She was born on September 29, 1943, in Jackson, Michigan, to Horold and Arlene (Canute) Green.
Judy, her bother Gary, and their mother lived in Traverse City with the family during the war. Soon after the war, they...
Eden Sickle Vining
May 22, 2026
Eden Sickle Vining, 20, passed away May 22, 2026.
Eden was born February 13, 2006 in Chandler, Arizona to Shaun Kelly Vining and Lauren Zaccagni Sickle-Vining. He was a 2024 graduate of Lakeview High School.
Eden was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was ordained to the office of Elder and a holder of the...
Christine Anne (Goodacre) "Chris" Murdock
May 21, 2026
Christine Anne “Chris” (Goodacre) Murdock, 71, of Battle Creek died Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Vibrant Life Senior Living.
Chris was born February 11, 1955, in Battle Creek, Michigan the daughter of George and Stella (Opich) Goodacre. She grew up in Battle Creek and was a 1973 graduate of Pennfield High School. Chris was employed in the Inspection Department at Tokai...
George R. Stone
May 21, 2026
George R. Stone, 88, a resident of Pennfield Township, died May 21, 2026 surrounded by his loving family. George was born October 3, 1937 in Olivet, MI to James and Mabel (Custer) Stone. He graduated from Albion High School and went on to marry Phyllis Nash two years later in 1959.
George served his country honorably in the Army National Guard...
Kenneth L. Johnson
May 20, 2026
Kenneth L. Johnson, 94, of Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away peacefully, at Lakeview Assisted Living, after a life well lived on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
Ken was born on February 7, 1932, in Norway, Michigan, to the late Albert and Edna (VanDamme) Johnson. He was the youngest of four and grew up in Vulcan, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula, where he...
John Binns Albright
May 17, 2026
John Binns Albright, 87, of Battle Creek and formerly of Lansing, Michigan died peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
John was born January 24, 1939, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of John Earl and Gertrude Lois (Binns) Albright. He grew up in Downriver Detroit, near Allen Park and was a 1957 graduate of Melvindale High School....
Julie Ann (Walter) Lepper
May 13, 2026
Julie Ann Lepper, 80, of East Leroy, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2026 with her family by her side.
Julie was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, on January 17, 1946, to John and Edythe (Whitney) Walter. She was a lifelong resident of the Battle Creek area and a proud graduate of Harper Creek High School, Class of 1964. Following graduation,...
Mark W. Robinson
May 13, 2026
Mark W. Robinson, 69, of Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2026.
Mark was born on November 5, 1956, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to Beatrice (Codling) Closs. Later in life, he was blessed to gain Lowell Closs as a father, who loved Mark as his own. He was a lifelong Battle Creek resident and graduated from Battle Creek...
Jeanette Sue (Davis) Hall
May 12, 2026
Jeanette Sue (Davis) Hall, 92, of Battle Creek, Michigan, died peacefully at Thornapple Manor in Hastings on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Jeanette was born on November 5, 1933, in Battle Creek, Michigan, the daughter of Tom Folk and Pleatta Lorean (Hall) Davis.
She grew up in Battle Creek and was a 1952 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. Throughout her time...
Mary R. Gothard
May 12, 2026
Mary Roberta (VanDenberg) Gothard, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and talented artist, passed away peacefully on May, 12, 2026. She was 86 years old.
Born on April 28th, 1940 in the family home on Harmonia Road, Battle Creek, MI. She graduated from Springfield High School in 1959. Mary lived a life filled with creativity, love, and quiet strength. On...
Desmond A. "Des" Jones
May 9, 2026
Desmond A. “Des” Jones
North Sherman Lake
Augusta, MI
Desmond A. Jones died on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at home with family by his side at the age of 97. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn in 2018 and his son Gary in 2025. He is survived by his son Mike (Sharon) Jones of Delton; and daughter Kristin (Ted) Jenkins...
Mary Lou (Phelps) McConkie
May 8, 2026
Mary Lou McConkie, 93, of Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 8, 2026, surrounded by the loving care of her family, the Pineview staff, and Gentiva Hospice.
Mary Lou was born on August 13, 1932, in Battle Creek, Michigan, the daughter of Lewis and Carol (Cady) Phelps. She spent her early years in Bay City before returning to...
Jimmie Davis "Jim" Collins, Jr.
May 7, 2026
Jimmie Davis “Jim” Collins, Jr., age 55, of Battle Creek, Michigan died at home on Thursday, May 7, 2026, after battling cancer.
Jim was born February 3, 1971, in Battle Creek, Michigan the son of Jimmie Davis and Sandra (Parks) Collins. He grew up in Battle Creek and dropped out of Pennfield High School in the 11th grade. He was employed...
John M. "Jack" Barnes
May 6, 2026
John M. Barnes, 87, of Battle Creek, died May 6, 2026. John was born November 16, 1938 in Battle Creek to John and Alma (Burgess) Barnes. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree and served his country honorably in the United States Army. In his free time, John loved woodworking and was very talented.
John married the former...
Christina Beauchamp
May 6, 2026
Christina Beauchamp, a woman of deep faith and boundless love, went peacefully to be with the Lord on May 6, 2026.
Born with a spirit that nurtured everything she touched, Christina found her greatest peace in her yard. She spent countless hours tending to her immaculate flowers, finding a unique beauty in the quiet growth and the changing seasons. Her gardens...
Dorothy Elizabeth "Dottie" Shouldice
May 5, 2026
Dorothy Elizabeth “Dottie” Shouldice, age 66, of Battle Creek, Michigan died at home on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, after a brief illness.
Dorothy was born July 11, 1959, in Battle Creek, the daughter of Larry Edward and Joan Elizabeth (Abbott) Shouldice. Dottie was a 1977 graduate of Pennfield High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in hotel restaurant management from Central...
Barbara Louise (Hughey) Tijerina
May 5, 2026
Barbara Louise (Hughey) Tijerina, a lifelong Battle Creek resident, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Calhoun County Medical Care Facility (CCMCF) in the loving care of her family and the wonderful staff of CCMCF.
Barbara was born August 20, 1932, in Battle Creek to Glenn Blenkarn and Lenora (Hurt) Hughey. She was a...
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