Obituaries
Frances R. Thompson
Aug 4, 2026
Frances R. Thompson, 93, of Richland, died August 4, 2026. Fran was born May 15, 1933 in London, Ontario, Canada to Edmund and Jeanette (Breadner) Alexander. After she graduated high school she worked in a lab. During this time she met her future husband, John Thompson, whom she was married to for over 40 years. Later in life she went...
Byron Kent Hodgson
Aug 3, 2026
Byron Kent Hodgson 1926-2026
Byron Kent Hodgson, 99, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 3, 2026, at his home in Richland, Michigan. Byron was born on August 15, 1926, in South Bend, Indiana, the only child of Joy (Ferree) and Orville Hodgson.
Byron’s early years were shaped by resilience and hard work. After his father was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis,...
Versa Grace (Sturdivant) Harrison
Aug 1, 2026
Versa Grace (Sturdivant) Harrison, 85, of Battle Creek, Michigan, died in Pineview Memory Care, on hospice with Centrica Care Navigators.
Versa was born April 4, 1941, in Hindman, Kentucky, one of ten children, to Roger and Lola (Williams) Sturdivant. She lived in Hindman until eighth grade, when she moved to Battle Creek, graduating from Springfield High School in 1959. She and...
Lawrence Harry Peake
Jul 31, 2026
Lawrence Harry Peake passed away on July 31, 2026, at the age of 79. The son of Royal and Phyllis Peake, Larry was born on Oct 9, 1946 in Ann Arbor, MI. He was the fourth of seven children.
Larry graduated from Ann Arbor Pioneer High School in 1965. He attended Cleary Business College in Ypsilanti, MI. Because of his training...
Todd M. Ahrens
Jul 31, 2026
Todd Michael Ahrens, 62, of Delton, MI and formerly of Combined Locks, WI. died Friday, July 31, 2026, at Beacon Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan, following heart surgery complications.
Todd was born January 31, 1964, in Appleton, Wisconsin the son of James William and Alice Marie (Van Grinsven) Ahrens. He grew up in Combined Locks, WI and was a 1982 graduate of...
James Carl Horton
Jul 31, 2026
James Carl “Jim” Horton of Indianapolis, Indiana and formerly of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully, with his family at his side, on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Westside Village Healthcare.
Jim was born September 9, 1949, in Battle Creek, Michigan to Kenneth Carl and Leola Frances (Uldricks) Horton. He was a 1967 graduate of Lakeview High School, went on to Central...
Kathleen Marie Zmudka
Jul 28, 2026
Kathleen Marie Zmudka of Galesburg, MI, passed away unexpectedly at her home on July 28, 2026 at the age of 66.
Kathleen was born on October 27th, 1959 in Chicago, IL to Robert Michael Wood-Hall and Theresa Marie Fitzstephens. She received her diploma from Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette, IL. Kathleen spent her life as a homemaker, spending countless hours...
Patricia E. "Pat" Paul
Jul 23, 2026
Patricia ‘Pat’ Emma Oversmith Paul, 78 went to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 23rd, 2026 after a several year cancer journey. She was surrounded by her family.
Pat’s Celebration of Life services will be held at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek. Visitation is Thursday, July 30, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and...
James LeRoy Boyd
Jul 23, 2026
James LeRoy Boyd, 71, of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Bronson Hospital in Battle Creek after a courageous five-year battle with Parkinsons and Alzheimer’s.
James was born July 29, 1954, in Battle Creek, Michigan to Estal and LaVonne (Penland) Boyd. He was a 1972 graduate of Lakeview High School. In 2004, after 30 years, Jim...
Celia "Loretta" Ruby
Jul 22, 2026
Celia “Loretta” Tyler (Ruby-Strand), 101 (a month away from 102!) years old left us peacefully on July 22, 2026 in Battle Creek, Michigan. She was born in 1924 in Iowa, before TVs were invented, and she lived long enough to use an iPad to keep up with her family and friends. She married Col. Robert C Ruby in 1946 and...
Lillie "Elaine" Paradise
Jul 22, 2026
It is with deep love and sorrow that we share the passing of Lillie Elaine (Herrell) Paradise, 76 of Battle Creek on July 22, 2026. She was born May 25th, 1950, to Bradford and Gena Herrell in Nashville, TN. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend, who lived a wonderful life.
Elaine worked at many fine establishments...
Jack L. Germinder, Jr.
Jul 21, 2026
In Loving Memory of Jack Lee Germinder Jr.
Jack Lee Germinder Jr., 70, unexpectedly finished the final chapter of his life on Earth on July 21, 2026, and has undoubtedly begun a glorious new story in Heaven. He leaves behind a family who adored him, a library that may never be fully cataloged, and countless people who will forever hear a...
Kenneth E. "Ken" Halstead
Jul 21, 2026
Kenneth Halstead, 92, of Battle Creek, died July 21, 2026. Ken was born August 12, 1933 in Barry County to Clark and Vera (Coger) Halstead. He served his country honorably in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. After his time in the service, Ken started working for the Kellogg Company where he worked for 30 years, retiring...
Ramona Joan "Mona" (Roush) Colvin
Jul 20, 2026
Ramona Joan (Roush) Colvin, 92, of Augusta, Michigan died peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.
Mona was born February 12, 1934, the daughter of Raymond and Elizabeth (Long) Roush.
Surviving are her husband, Melvin Franklin Colvin; children, Stephanie (Timothy Dykgraaf) Green of Richland; Stephen (Cheryl Van Horn) Lepper, Timothy (Tamie) Lepper, James (Amy)...
Martin J. "Marty" Fruin
Jul 18, 2026
Martin J. “Marty” Fruin, 69, of Battle Creek, passed away July 18, 2026, surrounded by his family. Marty was born January 16, 1957 in Battle Creek to James and Barbara (Bridenstein) Fruin. Shortly after high school, Marty went to work for the Kellogg Company in 1976. A “lifer” at Kellogg’s, he worked in the packaging department his whole career before...
Mary Jane "Jane" (Tannert) Haefner
Jul 17, 2026
Mary Jane “Jane” (Tannert) Haefner, 89, of Battle Creek, Michigan died at Rose Arbor Place in Kalamazoo, on Friday, July 17, 2026.
Jane was born November 18, 1936, in Bronx, NY, the daughter of Walter and Mary Ella (McClain) Tannert. She grew up in the Bronx and graduated from St. Helena Catholic High School for Girls in 1954. Jane met Al,...
Jerry W. Hobson
Jul 16, 2026
Jerry W. Hobson, 89, of Richland, MI died July 16, 2026. Jerry was born to William Thomas and Emma Jane Hobson in Des Moines, Iowa. He attended Cedar Falls High School and graduated from Iowa State College with a Bachelor of Science. Jerry played clarinet in the Iowa State marching band and was a member of the Iowa State Players....
Michael J. Wygant
Jul 15, 2026
Michael J. Wygant, 62, of Battle Creek, died July 15, 2026. Michael was born November 30, 1963 in Battle Creek to David and Betty (Vaughn) Wygant. He graduated from high school and went on to serve in the United States Navy. After his time in the service, Michael was a truck driver for many years. He enjoyed camping, fishing and...
Thomas L. Godde
Jul 14, 2026
Thomas L. Godde, 85, of Augusta, died July 14, 2026. Thomas was born October 28, 1940 in Battle Creek to George and Helen (Reams) Godde. He graduated from Kellogg High School. He worked at the Kellogg Company, where he was affectionally known was “The Buzzard,” retiring in 1999.
Thomas was a member of the Kellogg 25 Year Club. He loved golfing...
Brenda Lee Williams
Jul 9, 2026
Brenda Lee Williams, 61, of Dowling, Michigan, went to be with her Heavenly Father on Thursday, July 9, 2026, while surrounded by her loving family.
Brenda was born on December 17, 1964, to Norman H. Woodmansee and Joyce A. Myers.
On January 12, 1990, Brenda married the love of her life, Terry Williams, in Barry County, Michigan. During their 36 years of...
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