Obituaries

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....

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...

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...