Obituaries

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...

Aalesia Christine-Lee "Sissy Boo" Robinson

Aalesia Christine-Lee "Sissy Boo" Robinson

Feb 1, 2026

Aalesia Christine-Lee Robinson, 20 of Lansing, Went Home on February 1, 2026 peacefully in her bed. She was born in Battle Creek on October 9, 2005, the daughter of Christoper and Lonny (Wade) Robinson.

Aalesia was a Trisomy 18 Warrior. She is survived by her mother, Lonny (Herb) Griffin of Lansing and her father, Christopher (Kristin) Robinson of Lansing; bonus mom,...

Thomas Frederick Marick

Thomas Frederick Marick

Feb 1, 2026

Thomas F. Marick, 92, of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully at Centrica Rose Arbor Place, with his family at his side, on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

Tom was born December 6, 1933, in Madison, Wisconsin to Louis and Lillian E. (Blumenthal) Marick. He grew up in Grosse Pointe Farms and was a 1951 graduate of Grosse Pointe High School South. Tom...

Charles A. Crafts

Charles A. Crafts

Jan 30, 2026

Charles A. “Uncle Chuckie” Crafts, age 73, passed away Friday evening January 30, 2026. He was born in Battle Creek on November 1, 1952, the loving son of George and Myra (Westphal) Crafts and graduated from Battle Creek Central High School with the Class of 1971.

Chuck is survived by his sisters, Becky Burdette and Florence (Jack) Hayman; his special children,...

Danny Dale Asher

Danny Dale Asher

Jan 28, 2026

Danny Dale Asher, 76, formerly of Battle Creek, Michigan died on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at his home in Cebu Philippines.

Danny was born August 31, 1949, in Leslie Kentucky, the son of Jessie and Linda (Allen) Asher. He lived in many places from Kentucky to Virginia and North Carolina. He honorably served his country in the U. S. Army. After...

Master Lee Davis

Master Lee Davis

Jan 26, 2026

Master Lee Davis, 79, of Battle Creek, Michigan died Monday, January 26, 2026, at Marshall Nursing & Rehabilitation.

Master Lee Davis was born September 10, 1946, in Itta Bena, Mississippi. He was the seventh of nine children born to the union of Mary Billups and Robert Davis, Sr.

Master Lee relocated to Battle Creek in November 1953. He attended Wilson and Ann...

Nikolas Duane Gillespie Sr.

Nikolas Duane Gillespie Sr.

Jan 26, 2026

Nikolas Duane “Nik” Gillespie Sr., age 36, of Battle Creek passed away January 26, 2026. He was born in Battle Creek on December 25, 1989, the son of Ed and Teresa (Graham) Gillespie. Nik attended Gull Lake Schools and graduated from the Delton Kellogg Alternative School. For most of his life, he worked as a roofer. Nik loved to fish...

Janice H. Standley

Janice H. Standley

Jan 26, 2026

Janice H. Standley, 88, of Climax, passed away peacefully, January 26, 2026 with her family by her side. Janice was born March 22, 1937 in Ann Arbor, MI to Carl and LaMoyne (Hall) Babcock. She graduated from Battle Creek Central High School and soon after married George (Joe) Morris. Together, they had five children. They were married for 28 years...

Robert Beach

Robert Beach

Jan 25, 2026

Robert F. Beach, 87, of Largo, FL passed away Sunday, January 25, 2026.

He was born April 2, 1938 in Grand Rapids, MI and was preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Mary Ellen Beach, and his sister, Sandra (Bill) Phillips.

“Bob” had a natural talent for woodworking, and after studying drafting at Ferris State University he married Judy Beach and...

Kenneth Kline Kennedy

Kenneth Kline Kennedy

Jan 24, 2026

Kenneth Kline Kennedy, II

Sept. 16, 1960 – JN. 24, 2026

Kenneth, 65, of Tustin, California passed away in the comfort of his home January 24, 2026. Born on September 16, 1960, in Los Angeles County, California. He was the son of the late F. Don (Burrows) Kennedy and Beverly Lucille (Reed) Kennedy. Kenneth is survived by two half-sisters, Linda (Kennedy) Goddard...

Larry Lee Winans

Larry Lee Winans

Jan 23, 2026

Larry Lee Winans, 76, of Battle Creek passed away Friday, January 23, 2026.

Larry was born May 19, 1949 in Hastings to Marshall and Grace (Main) Winans. He was united in marriage to Gwendolyn Kay Spencer on July 12, 1969. Larry served his country honorably in the Army. He went on to work at Pasco Beverage for fifteen years as a...

Cherry Dawson

Cherry Dawson

Jan 22, 2026

Cherry Dawson, age 87, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2026, in Battle Creek, MI, surrounded by loved ones, after a life rich in love, purpose and meaningful friendships.

Born on July 23, along with her twin brother Garry, in Battle Creek, MI, Cherry was the daughter of Robert and Cherry Hyslop. From an early age, she demonstrated an energetic personality,...

Irene (Szumowski) Czuk

Irene (Szumowski) Czuk

Jan 21, 2026

Irene Czuk passed away on January 21 in Tacoma, WA at the age of 88. 

Irene was born on March 6, 1937 in Lwow, Poland and was a long-term resident of Kalamazoo. She was the daughter of Frank and Julia Szumowski. She is reunited in death by her husband Felix Czuk. She is survived by her sister, Jeanette Coleman (Portage), son...

Mary Ann Crothers

Mary Ann Crothers

Jan 21, 2026

Mary Ann “Maryann” (Stenholm) Crothers, 91, born June 12, 1934 passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026 at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo, MI.

Maryann was the daughter of the late Albin Stenholm Sr. and Anna Domzalski Stenholm of Bedford, MI. Maryann graduated from Hillsdale High School in 1952, during which she worked at her mother’s restaurant in Bedford. Maryann met Carlton...

Judith L. "Judy" Melvin

Judith L. "Judy" Melvin

Jan 20, 2026

Judith Lynn Melvin passed away peacefully at home with family on January 20, 2026 at the age of 86. Judy was born December 31, 1939 in Hammond, IN, the daughter of Dale M. and Ada (Darby) Smith. She graduated from Valparaiso University in 1961 and was married that summer to Leigh Melvin. She taught English in Portage, IN, prior to...

Michael E. Bates

Michael E. Bates

Jan 19, 2026

Michael E. Bates, 67, of Battle Creek, died January 19, 2026. Michael was born in Battle Creek to Janet Bates on December 15, 1958. Mike graduated high school and went on to serve his country honorably in the United States Army. He loved riding his Harley and participated in many charity runs to help raise money for those in need....

Dale Richard Dittmer

Dale Richard Dittmer

Jan 17, 2026

Dale Richard Dittmer was born on December 23, 1937. Dale passed peacefully in his sleep on January 17, 2026.

He married the love of his life, Karen, in 1959. They remained happily married for 66 years. Dale was preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Lucille Dittmer and his eldest son, Eric Dittmer. Dale is survived by his loving wife,...

Joann (Frederick) Williston

Joann (Frederick) Williston

Jan 17, 2026

Joann entered her heavenly home on January 17, 2026. She was born on May 15, 1943 in Battle Creek, Michigan, the daughter of Paul and Bertha (Grunder) Frederick. She married John Williston on June 20, 1964, and they had two children, John B. (Heather Taylor) and Jennifer Ann Williston. Joann was a graduate of Pennfield Dunlap High School in 1961...

Joseph Michael Mario

Joseph Michael Mario

Jan 16, 2026

Joseph Michael Mario, 79, of Battle Creek passed away Friday, January 16, 2026.

Joseph was born June 9, 1946 to Joseph and Alberta (Bishop) Mario in Plainwell. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Army and worked as a telephone cable repairman. He enjoyed hunting, bowling, golf and especially loved ice fishing.

On July 19, 1969, he was united in marriage...