Obituaries
Bessie Lee Houston
Aug 27, 2025
Mrs. Bessie Houston, age 79, of Battle Creek, MI peacefully passed away on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 in the comfort of her son, Dennis.
Bessie was born June 7, 1946 in Sunflower, Mississippi to proud parents, Inez and Walter McClinton.
Bessie gave her life to the Lord and became a member of Calvary Grace Baptist Church on June 25, 2024 under the...
Fred R. Beronja
Aug 26, 2025
January 14, 1948 – August 26, 2025
Fred R. Beronja, 77, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. He was born January 14, 1948, to Samuel and Marilyn (Minier) Beronja. Fred graduated from Springfield High School before attending Western Michigan University, where he studied history education. He later began a 32-year career with the Kellogg Company.
A lifelong fan of the...
James Henry Connor
Aug 25, 2025
James H. “Jim” Connor, born March 15, 1941, to James H. and Rose M. Connor (Sloto), passed away on August 25, 2025. Born and raised in Gilbert, Minn., Jim attended Gilbert High School, and upon graduation he went on to earn his Bachelor of Education degree from Winona State Teachers’ College (now Winona State University) in Winona Minn., and his...
Virgene Marie (Wisnieski) Franks
Aug 25, 2025
Virgene Marie Franks was born November 26, 1939, in Dodge, Nebraska, to Elma Bures Wisnieski and Anton Wisnieski. As a toddler, she moved with her parents and sister, Elma, to Mount Clemens, Michigan, after drought forced them from Nebraska. Shortly after, her father was killed during a labor strike, leaving her mother to raise two young daughters. Despite the distance,...
Dar Cem
Aug 23, 2025
Dar Cem, the eldest son of the late Hrang Kap (Hlawn Ceu tribe) and Thawr Iang, was born on July 3, 1954, in Falam, Chin State, Burma (Myanmar).
Dar is preceded in death by the following siblings: on paternal side, Rev. Bawi Lian Thawng, Ting Ley and surviving siblings are Ngun Sang, Sung Cer, Than Cung Nung, Rev. Dr. Lal Pek...
Jo Ann Armstrong
Aug 23, 2025
Jo Ann Armstrong, 75, died Saturday, August 23, 2025 at The Oaks in Battle Creek. Jo was born December 31, 1949, in Niles, MI to Robert and Rita (Hemminger) Murphy. She graduated from Lakeview High School.
Jo was a member of the Battle Creek community for most of her life. She worked at K-Mart and Meijer for many years, building relationships...
Patricia "Pat" Miller
Aug 23, 2025
Patricia J. "Pat" Miller, age 88 of Battle Creek passed away peacefully at home on Saturday morning, August 23, 2025. She was born in Battle Creek on June 4, 1937, the daughter of Charles F. and Lilah G. (Hall) Briggs. Pat graduated from Battle Creek Central High School with the Class of 1955 and received her bachelor’s degree from Western...
Douglas "Dougie Fresh" Boyer
Aug 21, 2025
Douglas Arthur “Dougie Fresh” Boyer, age 64, passed away on August 21, 2025, in Bedford, Michigan. Born on August 25, 1960, in Battle Creek, Michigan, Doug lived a life defined by devotion—to his family, his work, and the countless people fortunate enough to know him.
Doug attended Kellogg Community College briefly before pursuing further education in skilled trades, focusing on sheet...
Joseph John "Joe" Yezic
Aug 18, 2025
Joseph John Yezic, 66, of Battle Creek, MI, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2025. Joseph was born on May 6, 1959, the son of Milan Yezic and Evelyn (Squires) Yezic in Battle Creek.
Joseph attended St. Jerome school and St. Philip Catholic Central. During his teen years Joseph worked in the commissary at Speed’s Coffee Shop. Joseph enjoyed working on...
Frank R. Caswell Sr.
Aug 14, 2025
Frank R. Caswell, Sr., 94, of Battle Creek, died August 14, 2025. Frank was born March 29, 1931 in Battle Creek to Roy and Luella (Riker) Caswell and faithfully served his country as a member of the United States Army. Frank was employed as a forklift operator for Post Cereals for over 30 years. He loved hunting and fishing. In...
Larry L. McComb, Sr.
Aug 12, 2025
Larry L. McComb, Sr. 51 died Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at his home surrounded by family after a lengthy illness. Larry was born October 30, 1973 in Battle Creek to Elverta (Cupps) McComb and Clarence McComb. He played football for Pennfield High School, graduating and later attending culinary school. Larry was a very talented chef and cooked food at various...
Curtis Charles Miller
Aug 11, 2025
Curtis Charles Miller, formerly of Kalamazoo, MI and Shamokin, PA passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on August 11, 2025 in Park Ridge, Illinois.
Curtis is survived by his children Karen Miller (David Morris) and Mark (Jaehee) Miller; grandchildren Jasmine Miller, Leia Miller, and Laura Morris (Jim Miller); and cherished sister Lois (Tom) Martin. He also leaves behind several...
Stanley K. Mains
Aug 10, 2025
Stanley K. “Stan” Mains, 87, of Battle Creek, died August 10, 2025. Stan was born February 3, 1938 in Battle Creek to Dewitt and Pansy (Winslow) Mains. He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School and then served his country honorably in the United States Air Force. Stan was happily married to his wife, Linda, for 64 years.
Stan was employed...
Lloyd Austin Kellum
Aug 10, 2025
Lloyd A. Kellum 89, of Battle Creek, died peacefully at home under the care of his loving wife, family, friends and Centrica Care Hospice on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
Lloyd Austin Kellum was born July 4, 1936, in Battle Creek, Michigan to Lloyd Amos and Florence Eunice (Kendall) Kellum. Lloyd completed grades 1-12 at Battle Creek Academy in a ten-year span....
Lori Jean (Beguhl) Claussen
Aug 7, 2025
Lori Jean (Beguhl) Claussen, age 60, of Richland, MI, passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday, August 7, 2025, surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous five-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Lori was born on March 20, 1965, in Wessington Springs, SD. She moved to the Kalamazoo area in 1988 where she pursued her passion for music and...
Mary S. Smith
Aug 6, 2025
Smith, Mary Suzette (Sloan), age 69, of Dowling, MI., passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at The Oaks in Battle Creek.
Mary was born June 3, 1956 in Flint, MI to Richard D. and Geraldine (Rogers) Sloan. She was preceded in death by her parents; stepparents, Dottie Sloan and Bob VanderVeen; her siblings, Jeffrey Sloan, Jeanette M. Sloan, twin sister...
Melvin Woolf
Aug 5, 2025
Melvin Woolf, age 88, a life-long Richland/Kalamazoo resident, passed away on August 5th at Kauhale Memory Care, in Otsego. He was born in 1937 to Clark and Mildred Woolf in Pullman Michigan. Melvin was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou Woolf, and his oldest son, Clark Woolf. Melvin graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and was President of...
Nancy L. Chantrene
Aug 5, 2025
Nancy L. Chantrene, Battle Creek
Nancy L. Chantrene, 70, of Battle Creek, died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday afternoon, August 5, 2025. She was born in Battle Creek on December 26, 1954, the daughter of Jesse H. and Lois J. (Sult) Finney.
Nancy married Rhan B. Chantrene in Battle Creek on January 7, 1972: he sadly preceded...
Gilbert Perez Ortiz, Jr.
Aug 3, 2025
Gilbert Perez Ortiz, Jr., age 55, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Gilbert was born September 13, 1969, in Albion, Michigan, the son of Gilbert and Rosie (Perez) Ortiz. Gilbert grew up in Albion and Battle Creek, Michigan. He was a 1988 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. He earned his...
Ruth Ann (Brown) Bayn
Aug 3, 2025
Ruth Ann Bayn, born November 7, 1939 to Edward and Ethel (Carver) Brown in Newberry, Michigan, peacefully went to sleep and awoke in the presence of Jesus.
She graduated from High School in June 1957 at the age of 17, and July of that same year she began her career of 31 years at Michigan Bell Telephone Company, transferring to Kalamazoo...
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