The Grand Rapids Press

Wanda Lee Mudget passed away on March 25, 2024, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Born on September 26, 1942, in Ottawa County, Michigan, to the late Austin and Dorothy (Veldman) Alward, Wanda's life was a testament to the power of love, education, and faith. Wanda's journey began at Western Michigan University, where she earned her degree in Education in 1964. Her love for gardening was not just a testament to her green thumb but also a symbol of her ability to cultivate growth and beauty in all aspects of her life. Wanda found solace and strength in studying scriptures, a practice that deepened her faith and provided her with guidance throughout her life's journey. Above all, Wanda's greatest joy...

Gary Lee Jaarda passed away in Naples, Florida on January 15, 2024. Born in 1947 in Holland, Michigan, Gary was preceded in death by his first wife Lois Anne (Fredricks) Jaarda, who was also his high school and college sweetheart; his parents Gerald and Kathleen (Elenbaas) Jaarda, in-laws Russel J. and Audrey (Beckman) Fredricks, two brothers-in-law Steve Bushouse and Edgar "Ed" Fredricks and sister-in-law Helen Fredricks. Gary remarried in 2006 and is survived by his second wife, Mary Snyder Jaarda of Naples, whose companionship he greatly enjoyed as they made many wonderful memories together. Gary and Mary enjoyed an active lifestyle including golfing, boating, traveling and entertaining...

Harry Fellmer, 95, sadly passed away on January 13, 2024, in Palm Harbor, Florida. Harry was born on September 2, 1928, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years Doreen, parents Harry & Sadie Fellmer, brothers Thomas & Edwin Fellmer, and son-in-law Ted Maynard. Harry is survived by daughter June (John) Gorman, daughter Diane Maynard, and son Bob (Penny) Fellmer, four Grandchildren, seven Great-Grandchildren, and five Great-Great Grandchildren. Harry attended Union High School and then served in the US Army during the Korean War. He worked for Diesel Division of General Motors for over 30 years. Harry & Doreen together enjoyed retirement in...

Curt VanHouten, age 84 of McBain went home to be with his Lord on Monday, January 8, 2024. He was born to Perry and Tressa (Westmaas) VanHouten in Highland Township on June 23, 1939. Curt married Shirley Jean DeVries on June 16, 1961. Curt was the owner/operator of the McBain Thriftway for many years doing his own butchering in the meat department, he carried that skill on with him as an employee of both L&J Meat Market and Ebels General Store. He lovingly served his community in many areas, some of which include Missaukee EMS, Spiritual Care at Munson Hospital Cadillac, Hymn Time, Jail Ministry, NMC School Board, Kids Hope Mentor, and as a member of the Amen Chorus. (Curt loved...

Carole Brucene (Trotter) Nelson passed to the Lord on January 2, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Born to James and Marian Trotter in Hazel Park, Michigan on January 18, 1944. She is survived by her loving husband, Ronald of Houston and three sons, Christopher of Houston, Aaron Horton of Baldwin, Michigan and Nathan Horton of Tucson, Arizona. During her life, Carole pursued peace and happiness through dance, art, friendship and faith. At times, Carole lived in Indiana, Ohio, California and Texas but she loved Grand Rapids, Michigan as her home. Burial was on January 8 at Forest Lawn East Cemetery in Webster, Texas. Crowder Funeral Home 111 E. Medical Center Blvd. Webster, TX 77598 281-280-9000

David Vander Ploeg, 87, died peacefully on November 20, 2023 at Provision Living in St. Joseph, Michigan. Beloved husband to Sheryl (Kragt), his wife of 64 years, loving father to his children Dan (Dixie), Dawn (Jim) Hartwell, and Janice (Michael) Visser; proud grandfather to Rachel and Steve Taplin, Luke and Caleb Vander Ploeg, Esther and Hunter Anthony, Erin and Paul Genua, Ryan and Lauryn Hartwell, David and Audrey Hartwell, Sarah Hartwell, Abigail and Elizabeth Visser, cherished great grandfather of Kensington, Holden and Beckett Genua, Aaron, Addison, Braedon and Landon Taplin, Stevie and Lincoln Anthony. Son of John and Josephine of Holland, MI. Brother to late Joyce (late Webb)...

Peacefully passed away with his family by his side on Oct. 8, 2023. Visitation: 12-1p on Tues., Oct. 17, 2023, at Flanner Buchanan - Oaklawn - 9700 Allisonville Rd., Indy., service at 1pm. Full obituary at www.flannerbuchanan.com

Velma (Gehring) Lohmann, age 89, of Lake Mills, WI, originally from Waseca, MN, passed away on September 7, 2023 of natural causes. Velma lived in Grand Rapids MI from 1976 to 2015. For most of the years, Velma was better known to students, fellow colleagues and education staff as Mrs. Lohmann. She began her many years in education in Minnesota, Iowa and then in Michigan, having retired in 1995. Her work continued in retirement working for several colleges and Universities such as the University of Chicago, IL, Research Triangle Institute in Raleigh-Durham, NC and Westat Inc. in Rockville, MA. This work entailed Educational Research as well research in other areas. For many years she...

Jean Ann DeVlieger Posey took her final breath September 1, 2023 in Hendersonville, Tennessee where she lived for the last 2 years. She resided in Grand Rapids, MI, Pensacola, FL, Escondido, CA and Hendersonville, TN. For those that knew Jean, she was the same stubborn and fiercely independent woman until the end. She loved gardening, baking, swimming and travel, all pleasures she passed to her children. Her passion for genealogy was her focus after she retired. Jean leaves behind 3 children-Nicola "Nicky" Finch (Tim) of Greensboro, NC; Deana Righter (Devin) of Hendersonville, TN; and James John "JJ" Posey (Kelley) of Weaverville, NC; seven grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren,...

Mary Jane Schopf, nee Boyles, 84, of Naples, Florida, died on Monday, July 17, 2023. Mary Jane was born on January 30, 1939 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, daughter of the late Gerald D. and Hazel E. (Stearns) Boyles. She had been a winter resident of Bonita Springs, Florida beginning in 1996 and in 2012, she and her late husband, Craig, decided to make it their permanent home. In 2017 she moved to Naples, Florida, where she resided at the time of her passing. Mary Jane was a graduate of Michigan State University where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Education. She was a member of the Alpha Phi International Fraternity and a lifetime alumni member of Michigan State. She was a past member...

Robert "Bob" William Davis, (87), of Hastings, Michigan, passed away on July 3, 2023. Bob met the love of his life, Sandra Purchis, of Nashville, Michigan, in 1957, and they married on November 8. 1958. They enjoyed 64 wonderful years together. Bob was born to Charles and Charlotte (Longwell) Davis on August 28, 1935, in Grandville, Michigan. His family moved to Hastings when he was a young boy. Over the years Bob worked for E.W. Bliss, Hartz Mountain, Archway Cookies and McKee Baking Company (Little Debbie). Bob was a veteran, having served in the Naval Reserves and the U.S. Army (137th Armored Ordnance Maintenance Battalion in Germany). He was very proud of his service to our country. He...

Dr. Eugene Louis Golanda, of Elberta, MI, died May 16, 2023, at the age of 87, just five days short of his birthday. He is survived by his wife, 3 daughters, 9 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. There will be a celebration of life at 1- 4:30pm on August 10th at the Crystal Lake Golf Course 8493 Fairway Dr. Beulah, MI 49617. Please email any memories to [email protected] Thank you for all for your prayers, hugs and messages of support. Arrangements by Jowett Family Funeral Home, Benzonia, MI.

Nila Rae Phelps, 98, peacefully went home in the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Nila Rae was born December 6, 1924, in Oberlin, Ohio to the late Eugene and Thelma Derrick. She is also predeceased by her husbands, Robert Harvey Brandow and Richard Willis Phelps, Sr., siblings, Elbert Derrick, David Derrick, Warren Derrick, and baby brother Joseph Derrick. Nila Rae Phelps is survived and will be lovingly remembered by her children Bobbie Rae (Harry) Bisher, Douglas (Gail) Brandow, Cheryl Lee (David) Vought, and Debbie Jo (Henry) Schwarz, grandchildren Mark Gina, Jesse, Jonah, Heather, Levi, Luke, Ethan, Daniel, and David, 31 great-grandchildren, and her sister Phyllis...

Pamela Kay (P.K.) Cummings peacefully entered the Kingdom of heaven to be with Jesus on Saturday, April 29, 2023. She was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on February 26, 1947 to Fredrick A. and Casimira Kay Cummings. Her Celebration of Life memorial will take place at 10 am, June 17th, 2023 at Memorial Park Rotunda, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN.

George John Zubrickas, 71, passed away unexpectedly on April 12, 2023, due to cardiac issues. Born March 8, 1952, he was the son of the late Stasys and Hedwig (Haming) Zubrickas. On December 28, 1978, George married the love of his life, Judith Ann Langoni. She survives him. Also left to cherish his memory are four siblings: Gunther (Eileen) Zubrickas, Ruth Adent, Regina (John) Payne and Renata (Rene) Hebert; his dear pet bird, Toby; and many loving nieces and nephews; and their children. George was an extremely loving and devoted husband to Judith. He was kind and generous to everyone he met. A very intelligent man, he attended the University of Illinois where he received his...

David Guy Linsea of Middleville passed away unexpectedly at home on February 6, 2023, age 64. He was born on October 7, 1958, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Vincent G. and Maxine (DeLong) Linsea. David graduated from Grand Rapids Central High School and Grand Rapids Community College. He was a truck driver for Columbian Logistics/Sprinter Services in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He married Lori VanAsperen on September 22, 1979. David liked antiques and enjoyed watching "Pickers", Pawn Stars, and Mecum Car Action. He loved fishing and walking in the woods but most of all he LOVED spending time with his family. David was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ronald Perdue, Michael...

Cynthia "Cindy" Marie Scholl, 66, of Bloomington passed away Monday, November 14, 2022 at Brookdale Assisted Living. She was born October 16, 1956 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Gordon Heeringa and Thressa Adama Heeringa. She was retired from Indiana University. Survivors include her children, Sara (Cody) Walton of Bloomington, Todd (April) Scholl and Scott Scholl both of Martinsville; a sister, Bonnie (Gary) Pirok of Grand Rapids; a sister-in-law, Karen Heeringa; four grandchildren, Ahvay and Ryder Scholl and Mason and Emmett Walton; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; her former husband, Kary Scholl; and a brother, Tom Heeringa....

Diane Dickinson Corkill, 92, of Dunwoody, Georgia, passed away to her Heavenly Home on October 27, 2022. Diane was born on December 27, 1929, to Donald and Thelma Dickinson in Holland, Michigan. After graduating from Fennville High School as an Honor Student in 1947, Diane studied at Michigan State University. In 1950, Diane married the love of her life, David Corkill. They knew each other their entire lives, and Diane's baby book even marked her attendance to David's 5th birthday party. The two were married for 67 years until David passed away on July 29, 2017. They had three children and Diane took great pride in raising them. Later in life, Diane enjoyed cooking herself 3 healthy meals...

Mr. Robert L. DeKorne, aged 82 of College Station Texas, passed away Friday September 30, 2022. Services will be held Wednesday October 5 at Wellborn Cemetery. Public viewing will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., with graveside service being held at 1:00. Survived by his wife Betty of 60 years, son Robert L. DeKorne (Nancy), daughter Karen (Gary) Coombs, grandchildren Michael (Victoria) Coombs, Martha Coombs, Luke Coombs, siblings Jean Stevens (Joe), Bud (Judy) DeKorne, Ruth Denzel, and dozens of nieces and nephews. Express condolences at CallawayJones.com

Born James Harold Mitchell on July 22, 1928 in Montcalm County, Michigan, adopted in 1936 and changed last name to Haack. Jim passed the morning of Sept 16, 2022, peacefully in his sleep after an acute illness. A Visitation will be held September 21st at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home Chapin Chapel, from 5-7 pm. A funeral service will be held at St. Jacob's Lutheran Church in Chapin, on September 22nd at 2 p.m., with internment to follow in the Amick Family Cemetery across the street. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.caughmanchapin.com for the Haack family.

Karlyn Zick Sisson passed away on August 30, 2022 at the age of 86. A longtime resident of Holland, Michigan and Bonita Springs, Florida, she was the daughter of Berrien County Michigan Circuit Court Judge Karl F. Zick and Coralyn Hull Zick. One of two college educated sisters, she graduated from Benton Harbor High School and Western Michigan University with her B.A. in Business Education. Karlyn married her husband Ronald Sisson in 1960 and they shared a loving marriage, sailing, tennis, family, and a successful family door business together for over 60 years. Karlyn is survived by her children Scott (Amy)Sisson, Ronalyn Sisson, Karin Sisson, Steve (Lauri) Sisson. Karlyn's sister Chalene...