Obituaries

Joan Kathryn (Thomas) Bauman

Joan Kathryn (Thomas) Bauman

Jan 4, 2026

Joan Bauman, 98, died on January 4, 2026, with everlasting love in her heart for her family and friends.

She was born on November 7, 1927 in Muskegon, Michigan to James and Frances (Russman) Thomas and grew up in Battle Creek. She attended St. Philip Catholic School through 9th grade and graduated from Lakeview High School.

She attended St. Camillus School of...

The Honorable John Holmes

The Honorable John Holmes

Jan 4, 2026

The Honorable John R. Holmes

“The Honorable John R. Holmes, age 81, of Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away peacefully at Beacon Hospital in Kalamazoo on Sunday, January 4, 2026 with his wife and five children by his side.”

John was born on June 6, 1944, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to David N. and Margaret (Symons) Holmes. He grew up in Battle Creek,...

Shirley Y. Baumgartner

Shirley Y. Baumgartner

Jan 3, 2026

Shirley Y. Baumgartner, 89, of Battle Creek, died January 3, 2026 peacefully at home. Shirley was born February 11, 1936 in Battle Creek to Harry (James) and Agnes (Snook). She worked as a home maker, held several manufacturing jobs throughout the years and opened & ran Battle Creek Uphostery with her husband Walt Wilkey & son Don Reed. After Walt’s...

McKenzie Maree Michelle Karaba

McKenzie Maree Michelle Karaba

Jan 2, 2026

McKenzie Maree Michelle Karaba, 17, died tragically on January 2nd, 2026. McKenzie was born January 21st, 2008 in Battle Creek, MI. Born 21 years after her sisters, Kenzie was a welcomed surprise and had a special relationship with her mother that kept her young.

She was full of life and enjoyed doing many different arts/crafts, cardio drumming and going out to...

John L. Golyar

John L. Golyar

Jan 1, 2026

John L. Golyar, age 94, passed away January 1, 2026.

John was born March 26, 1931 in Battle Creek to George and Mary (Buncic) Golyar. He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School and served honorably in the U.S. Air Force. He worked for 40 years at the Kellogg Company, retiring in 1993.

John married the former Virginia Daniels, who preceded him...

Linda M. Hallack

Linda M. Hallack

Jan 1, 2026

Linda M. Hallack, 79, of Augusta, died Thursday, January 1, 2026. Linda was born October 23, 1946 in Grand Forks, North Dakota to Robert and Phyllis (Meagher) Keely. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Grand Forks in 1964. She was employed as a field dispatcher for Michigan Bell Telephone/AT&T and a member of the AT&T pioneers for more...

Charles Lawrence "Larry" Clark

Charles Lawrence "Larry" Clark

Jan 1, 2026

Charles Lawrence “Larry” Clark, 91, crossed over peacefully, after a brief illness, on Thursday, January 1, 2026 at Lakeview Assisted Living with grandchildren by his side.

Larry was born on June 9, 1934 in Muskegon, MI the son Charles Richard and Lorrene Madaline (Bright) Clark. He lived in Clark’s Corners Robinson Township near Grand Haven, MI until his father became the...

Benjamin Forbes Gillett

Benjamin Forbes Gillett

Dec 30, 2025

Benjamin Forbes Gillett, 86, of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully at Majestic Care on Tuesday, December 30. 2025.

Ben was born June 9, 1939, in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Kenneth Ray and Letha Grace (Conklin) Gillett. He grew up in Kalamazoo and Comstock and was a 1959 graduate of Adelphian Academy in Holly, Michigan. In 1959, he began working with his father-in-law...

Jacquelyn (King) Inglett

Jacquelyn (King) Inglett

Dec 30, 2025

Jacquelyn Joy (King) Inglett, 95, of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully in her sleep at Bickford of Battle Creek on Tuesday, December 30, 2025.

Jackie was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 20, 1930, the daughter of Helen (Erickson) and Sam Duka. Helen died in 1932 and Jackie was adopted and raised by William and Louise (Brooks) King. She graduated from...

Ted Fitzgerald

Ted Fitzgerald

Dec 30, 2025

Ted Fitzgerald, 72, of Battle Creek passed away peacefully with his family at side on Tuesday morning, December 30, 2025.

Our beloved redheaded Irishman, Ted Fitzgerald, was born in Hastings, Michigan on June 22, 1953, the youngest child of U.G. Fitzgerald and Betty Jane (Dunning) Fitzgerald. When Ted was 11 his father died leaving his mother and three siblings to face...

William John "Bill" Tema

William John "Bill" Tema

Dec 29, 2025

William John Tema (Bill) graduated into the arms of His Savior on Monday, December 29, 2025, peacefully in his bed at Beacon Pointe. Bill was born on June 23,1937 in Manitoba, Mississippi to a cheese factory manager and his wife, an immigrant from Finland. He would become the middle child (Michael, Martha). Because of his father’s work, they moved from...

Latricia Ann "Trish" Leatherman

Latricia Ann "Trish" Leatherman

Dec 29, 2025

Latricia Ann Leatherman (Gilmore), 80, of Battle Creek, MI, passed away on December 29, 2025, surrounded by her loving daughters.

Trish was born on August 8, 1945, in Battle Creek, Michigan and married Michael Dale Leatherman on October 30, 1965. Together, they built a life in Barry County (Lacey, MI). She was a devoted wife, mother and Meme who cherished time...

Jason Mark Bouchard

Jason Mark Bouchard

Dec 27, 2025

Jason Mark Bouchard, 45, passed away December 27, 2025.

Jason was born April 19, 1980, to David and Cheryl (Wogomon) Bouchard. He liked cars and trucks, and he enjoyed building a trucking business with his dad. He also loved dogs and NASCAR.

Jason is survived by his parents, Cheryl and David; brother, Jeffrey Bouchard; sister, Michelle (Dean) Bouchard-Destefani; aunts and uncles, Julie...

Mark E. Webb

Mark E. Webb

Dec 24, 2025

Mark E. Webb, 67, of Ludington, MI died December 24, 2025. Mark was born December 16, 1958 in Terre Haute, IN to Ernest and Dora (Peterson) Webb. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1981 from Purdue University, a Master of Science Degree from Southern Illinois University in 1986 and his Juris Doctor Degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law...

Paul W. Osburn

Paul W. Osburn

Dec 24, 2025

Paul Wilson Osburn (85), better known to his family, friends, and community as Uncle Paul, passed peacefully at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan, on the evening of December 24th, 2025, following a day of visits and shared memories from his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Paul was the second of six children born to Guy and Ola Osburn in Nashville,...

Michael B. Darr

Michael B. Darr

Dec 24, 2025

Michael B. “Mike” Darr, 77, of Battle Creek, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. A loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, Mike’s life was marked by his deep love for family, his pride in his service, and his quiet, steady presence.

Mike was born on September 26, 1948, to Carlos and Margaret Darr. He graduated from Battle...

Nila Jo Godde

Nila Jo Godde

Dec 24, 2025

Nila Jo Godde, 85, of Augusta went home to be with her husband, Bob on December 24, 2025.

Nila was born August 26, 1940 in Grand Rapids, the daughter of Willard and Ally White. Nila loved crafts of all kinds, oil painting, knitting, and quilting. She even made clothes for her children. She always had a project or several to work...

Deborah Kay (Lybarger) Perkins

Deborah Kay (Lybarger) Perkins

Dec 24, 2025

Deborah Kay “Ama” (Lybarger) Perkins, age 73, of Battle Creek, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 24, 2025, after a brief illness.

She was born on May 7, 1952, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to the late Clyde and L. Jane (Muraski) Lybarger. She graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1970. Debbie married Michael Lee Perkins, the...

Lynn DeRushia

Lynn DeRushia

Dec 24, 2025

Lynn DeRushia, 86, of Battle Creek, Michigan died at home on Wednesday, December 24, 2025.

Lynn was born June 29, 1939, in Battle Creek, Michigan to Elwynne and Suzanne (Riste) DeRushia. He attended Battle Creek Central High School and played trumpet in the marching band and orchestra. Lynn worked for the B. C. Enquirer and News and Bailey Park Meat Market...

Jack L. "Fat Jack" Weakley

Jack L. "Fat Jack" Weakley

Dec 21, 2025

Jack “Fat Jack” L. Weakley, 81, of Marshall passed away peacefully at Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall on Dec 21, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on December 1, 1944 in Marshall to Arthur and Wilma (Ellis) Weakley. Jack worked at multiple car repair shops including Wolverine Auto and lastly at the Main Street Marathon in Battle Creek.

Fat Jack...