Ruby Jean Frank, 64, of Decatur, passed away on Sunday, February 21, 2021 at her home in Decatur. The family will receive guests from 4-7pm, Friday, February 26, 2021 at Newell Chapel, 83313 M-51, Decatur. Visitation will resume from 10am until time of funeral service at 11am, Saturday, February 27, 2021 at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, 66325 M-152, Dowagiac (Sister Lakes). Burial to follow at Hamilton Township Cemetery, Decatur. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church. Those wishing to leave an online condolence for the family may do so at www.newellchapel.com. Ruby was born December 4, 1956 in Niles, MI to Melvin and Donna...

Fred Prak, 91, of Decatur, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2021 at Bronson Lakeview Hospital in Paw Paw. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Decatur New Hope Community Church on Sunday, February 28, 2021 at 11:00 AM. Burial will take place at Harrison Cemetery. Refreshments will be provided following the service at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Newell Chapel, those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.newellchapel.com. Fred was born on July 14, 1929, in Decatur, to Harm & Margaret (Stam) Prak. On July 26, 1952, Fred married the love of his life, Joan Lutz, in Dowagiac. Fred was a truck driver for 35 years before retiring....

Nancy L. Ellsworth, 78, of Decatur, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 28, 2020, at Timbers of Cass County. A celebration of life service will be held at 2 pm on Thursday, December 31, 2020, at Newell Chapel, 83313 M-51, Decatur, MI. Burial will follow in Harrison Cemetery, Decatur. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 1-2 pm also at the funeral home. Due to COVID-19 and State regulation, masks and social distancing will be required. Memorial contributions in Nancy's name may be made to Riley's Hospital, Indianapolis. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.newellchapel.com. Nancy was born on November 5, 1942, in Decatur, MI. She worked for...

Larry Jim Queen, 65, of Decatur passed away in the comfort of his home on November 16, 2020. Larry was born on October 26, 1955. He was a long-time member of Carpenter's Union, Local 525. He was well known as a meticulous dry wall finisher that took tremendous pride in his work. Larry loved his family, the San Francisco 49ers, and watching birds at his bird feeders. Larry is survived by his wife of 33 years, Louanne (Rufo) Queen; his daughter, Maegen (Joshua) Richardson, and grandsons, Elijah and Ezra Richardson. He is also survived by Larry Queen, Amanda Queen, Brandon, Blake and Cameron. Per Larry's wishes, no services will be held. Memorial contributions may be given to the First Baptist...

Joan Nellie White, 85, passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2020, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. A private family Celebration of Life Service will be held. Friends may visit with the family for a graveside committal service on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 12:15 PM at Lakeside Cemetery in Decatur with Pastor Ron Coleman officiating. Out of respect for the family and guests in attendance mask will be required as well as social distancing. Memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel Church of God in Christ. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at https://www.starksfamilyfh.com/newell-chapel. Joan was born on October 15, 1934, in Decatur to Alba, Sr. &...

Joan Nellie White, 85, passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2020, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. A private family Celebration of Life Service will be held. Friends may visit with the family for a graveside committal service on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 12:15 PM at Lakeside Cemetery in Decatur with Pastor Ron Coleman officiating. Out of respect for the family and guests in attendance mask will be required as well as social distancing. Memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel Church of God in Christ. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at https://www.starksfamilyfh.com/newell-chapel. Joan was born on October 15, 1934, in Decatur to Alba, Sr. &...

Helen Marie Rybarski, 99, of Traverse City, MI, passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2020. Helen was born on June 18, 1921, in Hartford, MI, to Frank and Dora (Ottinger) Bigelow. Helen married William (Bill) Albert Rybarski on March 1, 1940, in Decatur, MI. Helen and Bill lived in Decatur and farmed until 1976, when she moved into town. In 1981, she moved to Traverse City. Helen enjoyed sewing and crocheting and was also known by her family as the "Yahtzee Queen." Helen loved to play games and cards with her family and friends. Helen is survived by her two daughters, Marsha (Michael) Knight of Traverse City, MI, and Kathleen (Richard) Pittman of Huntsville, TX; nine grandchildren, Michelle...

Wilbur (Bill or Willie) Mathews, Jr., 80, of Decatur, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 20, 2020 in Portage. He was born August 7, 1939 in Kalamazoo to Wilbur, Sr. and Neta (Cubitt) Mathews. Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will take place at 11:30am, Monday, July 27, 2020 at Lakeside Cemetery, Decatur. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the West Michigan Cancer Center & Institute for Blood Disorders. Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, and the outdoors. He was a long time railroad man, working for New York Central, Penn Central, Conrail and the Northfolk Southern railroads for a total of 35 years. Bill retired in 1999 and thereafter...

Susan C. Polomcak, 76, of Cassopolis, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at her home. A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2020, at 12PM, at Newell Chapel, 83313 M-51, Decatur, with Pastor James Abshagen officiating. Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, from 5PM until 7PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Decatur VFW Post #6248 Lady's Auxillary. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.newellchapel.com. Susan was born on August 30, 1943, in Portsmouth, VA, to Eujene & Helen (Pence) Lolmaugh. She graduated from Schertz Cibolo High School in Texas in 1961, she then continued her education...

Virginia Rose Stanek, 92, of Dowagiac, Michigan, passed away June 29, 2020, in Cassopolis, Michigan. She was born August 7, 1927, to Preston and Florence Scott in Chicago, Illinois. At the age of two her family relocated to the Spiceland, Indiana, area where she spent most of her early childhood years. They returned to Chicago for a while. As a teenager the family moved to Three Oaks, Michigan, for a couple years before locating to rural Dowagiac. In 1946 Rose met the love of her life, Frank Stanek, and they were married November 10 of that year. They moved into a home in Glenwood that Frank had purchased and started remodeling before entering the service. Frank preceded her in death...

Willie (Bill) D. Pasley passed away in his home on Monday, June 29, 2020. Willie was born August 31, 1942 at home in Harlan Co., Kentucky. He moved to Michigan as a young adult and finished high school in Dowagiac. Preceding him in death were his parents, Millie and Jack Pasley; sisters, Maggie Mercereau, Waverline Pasley and stepbrother, Algin Pasley. With his first wife, Delores Stiffler Nee Pucheloff, he had four children. He worked at Sundstrand in Dowagiac and in the mid 1970's, started his own excavation company specializing in driveways, septic systems, moving houses and installing basements on existing homes. On May 3, 2003, Willie married Dortha Benson. He loved roller skating,...

MACKELLAR, Wendell Bruce Age 82 of Lawton, Passed away Saturday, June 27, 2020 in the comfort of his home. Wendell was born August 28, 1937 in Lawton, the son of Carl and Marvel (Abbott) MacKellar. In early life, Wendell enjoyed farming and had many fond memories and stories of working with his Grandfather, Orville Abbott on the farm as he grew up. He attended the Shaw school near his home, and then finished his education at Decatur High School. He graduated in the class of 1955. He met the love of his life, Irene (Kay) Bowling of Dowagiac and they were married in December 13, 1958. Wendell joined the National Guard shortly after High School. He also worked for the Michigan Department...

Mary Cresence Graham, 82, of Decatur, MI, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 22, 2020, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, after a brief illness. Arrangements have been entrusted to Newell Chapel & Cremation Services. A private service with immediate family has taken place. Interment will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Decatur, MI, at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association - West Michigan, https://www2.heart.org/site/SPageNavigator/donatenowheart.html 3940 Peninsular Drive SE, Suite 180, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. Mary was born on February 6, 1938, in Paw Paw, MI. She was raised by her parents, Henry & Margaret (Mihelich)...

Evelyn S. Bajo, 95, of Decatur, passed away peacefully with family by her side, on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 in Portage. Cremation has taken place. A memorial gathering has been scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2020. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, www.hospiceswmi.org. Those wishing to leave an online condolence for the family may do so below. Evelyn was born September 30, 1924 in East Chicago, Indiana to Walter and Antonette (Kwapicz) Wasowicz. In 1946, Evelyn graduated from St. Catherine Hospital's cadet nursing program, where her long love of caregiving began. A proud nurse, Evelyn worked until she was 87, spending the last 30...

Raymond Paul Janssen, 96, of Dowagiac, passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2020 from Covid-19 virus infection at Bronson Hospital Kalamazoo. Two daughters also infected were able to be with him at his bedside. Ray was born in DePere, WI on June 10, 1923, the son of Peter and Anna Janssen. He married Eleanor Drake November 23, 1946 in Dowagiac, MI and were happily married over 70 years before he lost the love of his life. He is survived by five children. They include Thomas (Beth) Janssen of Marcellus, Teresa Hemenway of Dowagiac, Timothy (Judy) Janssen of Lawrence, Trudy (Dan) Coville of Portage, and Tena (David) Warkentien of Decatur. Also 21 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, and 7...

Leonard Safin, 82, of Decatur, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 13, 2020 in Kalamazoo. He was born July 17, 1937 in Decatur to Alexander and Mary (Gresik) Safin. The family will receive guests from 5-7pm, Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at Newell Chapel, 83313 M-51, Decatur. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am, Wednesday March 18, 2020 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 500 W. St. Mary's St., Decatur. Burial to follow at Lakeside Cemetery, Decatur. Those wishing to leave an online condolence for the family may do so at www.newellchapel.com. Memorial contributions may be given to the Decatur Public Schools Athletic Dept. Leonard is survived by his children: Christopher Safin,...

Arrangements have been entrusted to Newell Chapel. www.newellchapel.com.

Robert M. "Bob" Narregan, 74, of Decatur, passed away Monday, January 13, 2020 at his home. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held Saturday, February 15, 2020 from 11:00 A.M. until 2:00 P. M. at the Decatur VFW Post #6248, 560 N. Phelps St. Decatur with a Celebration of Life Service held Saturday at 12:00 Noon with Rev. Amber Nettleton officiating. Private burial will take place at Lakeside Cemetery in Decatur. Memorial donations in Bob's name may be made to the ASPCA, Decatur VFW Post #6248 or Decatur Human Services. Those wishing to sign Bob's Memory Book online may do so at www.newellchapel.com. Bob was born April 14, 1945 in St. Joseph, Michigan to Harold & Lorrane...

A service will take place on Mon, Jan. 20, at 1 PM at Newell Chapel, 83313 M51, Decatur. Burial will follow at Harrison Cemetery. Visitation is 11 AM - 1PM at the funeral home. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.newellchapel.com.

Janice "Jan" Carlen Hellenga, age 90, entered peacefully into fellowship with Christ our Savior in the comfort of her own home, on Christmas morning, December 25, 2019. Jan was born in Three Oaks, Michigan on April 30, 1929 to the late Carl and Mildred Carlen. After graduation from Three Oaks High School in 1946, while attending a Christian Endeavor Conference in Holland Michigan, she met the love of her life, Wayne Hellenga. Their relationship blossomed, and on December 8, 1946, an engagement was announced. With the late Reverend Al Hellenga (the father of the groom) officiating, Jan and Wayne were married May 30, 1947. Jan began her work career while still in high school as a secretary...

at the University of Michigan Hospital. Arrangements are pending at Newell Chapel and Cremation Services of Decatur. www.newellch.com