Obituaries
Margaret Joyce (Kline) Upson
Apr 29, 2026
Margaret Joyce (Kline) Upson, age 89, of Bloomingdale and formerly of Richland, Galesburg and Kalamazoo died peacefully at Medilodge of Westwood in Kalamazoo on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Margaret was born August 16, 1936, in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Harold T. and Lois M. (Houts) Kline. She grew up in Kalamazoo and Richland and was a 1954 graduate of Richland High School....
Barbara M. Smith
Apr 27, 2026
Barbara M. Smith, 91, of Battle Creek, died April 27, 2026. Barb was born February 12, 1935 in Battle Creek to Darwin and Ruth (Gerrie) Pettibone. She graduated from Battle Creek Central High School and a couple of years later married Clinton Smith on June 4, 1955. Barb and Clint stayed in the Battle Creek area where they raised their...
Vernon Edward Brumm
Apr 26, 2026
Vernon Edward Brumm, 86, of Battle Creek, Michigan died Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital.
Vernon was born November 28, 1939, in Kalkaska, Michigan, the son of Claude and Eva (Shepardson) Rowley. Vernon was raised by his adopted parents, Carter Brumm and his wife. He grew up in Vermontville. Early in life he worked on a cow farm....
Joyce B. Shafer
Apr 24, 2026
Joyce B. Shafer, 92, of Augusta, died April 24, 2026. Joyce was born July 20, 1933 in Hastings to Edward and LoWave (Marshall) Bailey. She graduated high school and married Bill Shafer on September 27, 1952.
Joyce is survived by her two daughters, Valerie (Jerry) Daniels and Sheila Garrett; 6 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one great great-grandson and a sister, Maxine Garrett....
Michael D. Wood
Apr 22, 2026
Michael D. Wood, 59, died April 22, 2026, at Beacon Kalamazoo following a lengthy illness. Michael was born April 4, 1967, in Marshall to Charles (Dan) and Sandra (Shaver) Wood. When Michael was younger, he participated in 4-H, rodeos, and was active in the Cub Scouts. He graduated from Pennfield High School and went on to serve his country in...
David Louis Burnham
Apr 21, 2026
Following a courageous battle with cancer, David Louis Burnham, 71, of Battle Creek, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2026. Surrounded by his family, he reflected with gratitude on a life well lived and often joked, “I am a legend in my own mind.” Dave was a constant source of strength, the calm in a crisis and a trusted mentor...
Martin Henry Mitchell
Apr 21, 2026
Martin Henry Mitchell, 72, of Lansing and formerly of Battle Creek, Michigan died unexpectedly at his home on April 11, 2026.
Martin was born November 19, 1953, in Battle Creek, Michigan the son of Merlin Henry and Marilou (Leveiller) Mitchell. He grew up in Battle Creek and was a 1971 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. Marty was formerly a...
George M. Hakes
Apr 21, 2026
George Morrell Hakes of Battle Creek passed into eternity on April 21, 2026, surrounded by his family. Born in Jackson, Michigan, on July 31, 1948, to Donald and Gloria (Gauss) Hakes, George filled his 77 years with friendships, adventure, and grit.
While still a child, George woke hours before school to trap muskrats and mink, which he would sell for their...
Ronald Gene Dixon
Apr 20, 2026
Ronald Gene Dixon, age 61 of Battle Creek, passed away Monday April 20, 2026 He was born in Bay City, Michigan on October 13, 1964. Ron enjoyed riding motorcycles with his club brothers from the Centurions motorcycle club, that he was a president and member for over 35 years, and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was employed...
Harold F. Yother
Apr 20, 2026
Harold F. Yother, of Battle Creek, passed away on April 20, 2026 at the age of 93.
Harold was born in 1932 in Dayton, Tennessee. His presence had a profound and lasting impact on the lives he touched. A devoted husband, he married his beloved wife, Marjorie, in August 1955, and together they built a life centered on family, loyalty, and...
David M. Tipton
Apr 20, 2026
David Meredith Tipton, 73, of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully at home, under the loving care of his family, Senior Care Partners P.A.C.E., and Compassus Hospice, on Monday, April 20, 2026.
David Meredith Tipton, 73, of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully at home, under the loving care of his family, Senior Care Partners P.A.C.E., and Compassus Hospice, on Monday, April 20,...
Jerilyn Lee Finn Cummings
Apr 17, 2026
Jerilyn Lee “Jeri” Finn Cummings, 84, passed away April 17, 2026.
Jeri was born March 31, 1942 in Battle Creek to Edward and Virginia Finn. She belonged to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Jeri is survived by her sons, William Sawyer and David Hamp; daughter, Georgia Edwards; grandchildren, James Luke Sawyer, William James Sawyer, Amanda Lynn Bruno, Michael Lee Bruno, Brandy...
Albert Allen Morley
Apr 17, 2026
Albert Allen Morley, 88, formerly of Battle Creek, passed away Friday, April 17, 2026.
Al was born November 20, 1937 in Munising Albert C. and Magaret (Allen) Morley. He was from the Upper Peninsula and loved its natural beauty. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Army and was a paratrooper in the 82nd and 11th Airborne Divisions. Al graduated...
Kimberly Jean (Kitchen) Wensley
Apr 16, 2026
Kimberly Jean “Kim” (Kitchen) Wensley, age 64 of Carefree, Arizona passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Kimberly was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on June 5, 1961, the loving daughter of Joseph A. & Gretta L. (Stamm) Kitchen and moved to Houghton Lake, Michigan in 1973, where she graduated with the Class of 1979. She worked in early years in...
Michael Vearl Ray
Apr 15, 2026
Michael Vearl Ray, 70, of Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away on April 15, 2026.
Michael was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who lived a life centered around family, faith, and simple joys. He was united in marriage to his beloved wife, Nancy Ray, on March 19, 1982, and together they built a life filled with love and lasting memories.
He...
Enis C. Gray
Apr 12, 2026
Enis Candida Gray, 91, of Battle Creek, died April 12, 2026. Enis was born on September 21, 1934 in Yatesboro, PA to Carlo and Elena (Lorenzi) Armanini. She graduated from Yatesboro High School and moved to Battle Creek in 1952. A couple of years later she got a job at the Kellogg Company and had a lengthy career there, retiring...
Robert W. Mann
Apr 9, 2026
Robert “Bob” William Mann was born near Lawton, Michigan on October 15, 1937, to William A. Mann and Ruth O. Owen. He attended Howardsville, Marcellus, Dowagiac and Comstock schools in Michigan. Robert graduated from Cory-Rawson High School in Mt. Cory, OH in 1955. He earned multiple degrees from Central Missouri State College (now University of Central Missouri). He did additional...
Gregory T. DeWard
Apr 7, 2026
Gregory T. DeWard, 73, of Parchment, passed away unexpectedly April 7, 2026. Greg was born February 21, 1953 in Kalamazoo to Adrian and Judith (Kindy) DeWard. He grew up in Comstock, MI and graduated from Comstock High School and later from Kalamazoo Valley Community College. He worked 17 years in IT at The Upjohn Company and prior to his retirement...
Cindi Tyne Roth
Apr 4, 2026
Cynthia Tyne Roth, 73, of Springfield, Michigan, passed away at her residence on April 4, 2026, and was pronounced by the medical examiner.
Cindy was born on October 3, 1952.
She was employed in production at Gallagher Uniform, retiring in 2021 after 44 years of faithful service. Throughout her career, Cindy took great pride in her work and was often complimented by...
James "Jim" Kornoelje
Apr 4, 2026
James “Jim” Kornoelje, 90, of Battle Creek, Michigan died Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital, surrounded by his family.
Jim was born on March 20, 1936, in Battle Creek the son of Frederick and Theresa (Van Demere) Kornoelje. Jim grew up in Battle Creek, graduated from Battle Creek Central High School and attended Kellogg Community College. Jim owned...
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