Obituaries

Christine Anne (Goodacre) "Chris" Murdock

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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...

Patricia "Patti" Ford

Patricia "Patti" Ford

May 5, 2026

Patricia “Patti” Ford, of Richland, Michigan, passed away on May 5, 2026 surrounded by the love she so freely gave.

Born on October 16, 1954, to David and Betty Lou Levene, Patti lived a life rooted in kindness, faith, and devotion to her family. She was a proud 1972 graduate of Gull Lake High School. She married the love of her...

Duke F. Sells

Duke F. Sells

May 4, 2026

Johnie F. "Duke" Sells, 85, of Battle Creek, died May 4, 2026.  Duke was born November 10, 1940 in Cameron, Louisiana to George and Ruby Sells. He served his country honorably in the United States Army and then went on to be the captain of a charter fishing boat in the Gulf of Mexico.  

Duke is survived by his daughter,...

Annette M. Pratt

Annette M. Pratt

May 3, 2026

Annette M. Pratt, 79, died May 3, 2026. Annette was born November 17, 1946 in Buffalo, NY to Louis and Louise (Brancato) Martina. She graduated high school and went on to get her Associate’s Degree.

Annette married Jerry Pratt in 1969. They were married for 55 years after a whirlwind courtship. While engaged they lived in different states, but Jerry still...

Margaret Joyce (Kline) Upson

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

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...