Obituaries

Obituary: Hershel Lamar Lashley

Editorial Staff Aug 28, 2024 2 min read

Funeral services for Hershel Lamar Lashley, age 85, of Lafayette will be held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Rock Springs Baptist Church in Lafayette with Bro. James Caulfield officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery…

Obituary: Diane Rumsey Grimm

Obituary: Diane Rumsey Grimm

Editorial Staff Aug 28, 2024 2 min read

Diane Rumsey Grimm, 70, of Mattawan, passed away Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024, at her home. She was born May 25, 1954, in East Lansing, Michigan, the daughter of the late Dalton C. Rumsey Sr. and Wilma F. (Blaesing) Rumsey. Diane…

Obituary: Thomas James Benchley

Obituary: Thomas James Benchley

Editorial Staff Aug 23, 2024 2 min read

We bid farewell to Thomas James Benchley age 77 of Evart. Born September 14,1946 and departed from this world on August 10, 2024. A pillar of strength and a beacon of love, his absence leaves a void in our hearts.…

Obituary: George L. Hercliff

Obituary: George L. Hercliff

Editorial Staff Aug 23, 2024 2 min read

George L. Hercliff, age 68 of Clare, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at his home with family by his side.  George was born the youngest of five children to Howard and Margaret (Cromie) Hercliff on August 26, 1955…

Obituary: Susan Balks, 71

Obituary: Susan Balks, 71

Editorial Staff Aug 21, 2024 3 min read

Susan M. Powers Balks, age 71, of Holland, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, surrounded by her family.  Susan was born in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. on March 16, 1953. When she was three years old, the family moved…

Obituary: LaVerne “Vern” Dale Kraft

Obituary: LaVerne “Vern” Dale Kraft

Editorial Staff Aug 21, 2024 3 min read

LaVerne “Vern” Dale Kraft went to be with his loving Savior Jesus Christ on August 13, 2024. Vern was born to his late parents Clifford and Daun (Curtis) Kraft on June 11, 1945, in Allegan, Michigan. Vern married the apple…

Obituary: Deborah L. Herwarth

Obituary: Deborah L. Herwarth

Editorial Staff Aug 19, 2024 2 min read

Deborah L. Herwarth passed away on Aug. 11, 2024. She was born on May 03, 1957, in Albion, Michigan to Billy and Dolores Hurdelbrink. Deborah enjoyed bowling, golf, and volleyball. She was a member of Professional Business Women and Albion…

Obituary: Deborah L. Herwarth

Obituary: Deborah L. Herwarth

Editorial Staff Aug 16, 2024 2 min read

Deborah L. Herwarth passed away on Aug. 11, 2024. She was born on May 03, 1957, in Albion, Michigan to Billy and Dolores Hurdelbrink. Deborah enjoyed bowling, golf, and volleyball. She was a member of Professional Business Women and Albion…

Obituary: Lawrence Gene “Larry” Slaughter

Obituary: Lawrence Gene “Larry” Slaughter

Editorial Staff Aug 16, 2024 3 min read

Lawrence Gene “Larry” Slaughter, 96, of Elkhart, passed away on Monday, August 12, 2024, at his home surrounded by loving family. He was born on October 6, 1927, in Albion, MI, to the late William James and Jennie Bertha (Austin)…

Obituary: Thomas Cradit

Obituary: Thomas Cradit

Editorial Staff Aug 16, 2024 2 min read

Thomas Cradit of Clare passed away on the evening of August 7, 2024 after a full life well-lived. He was born in Mt. Pleasant on March 5, 1943 to the late Jean and Neilan Cradit. Tom called Clare home for…

Obituary: Norman D. Cooper

Obituary: Norman D. Cooper

Editorial Staff Aug 16, 2024 3 min read

Norman D. Cooper, age 91 of Clare, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 12, 2024 at the MyMichigan Medical Center of Alma, with his wife by his side. On April 9, 1933, Norman was born one of twelve children to…

Obituary: Billy Joe Perkins

Editorial Staff Aug 14, 2024 2 min read

Billy Joe Perkins, 69, of Saugatuck passed away on Aug. 4, 2024. He was born on Sept. 16, 1954 in Sikeston, Mo. to Laverne and Grays Perkins.  Billy graduated from Saugatuck High School in 1973 and spent most of his…

Obituary: Robin Lee Schock

Obituary: Robin Lee Schock

Editorial Staff Aug 14, 2024 1 min read

Robin Lee Schock passed unexpectedly from a cardiac event at the age of 64. While in high school, she participated in many extracurricular activities such as basketball, cheerleading, softball and band. Robin graduated from Saugatuck High School in 1977, then…

Obituary: Howley Bolen

Obituary: Howley Bolen

Editorial Staff Aug 14, 2024 2 min read

Howley Bolen, Age 81, passed away Monday morning, August 5, 2024. Howley was born in Corydon, IN, on December 21, 1942, the son of Enoch and May (Smith) Bolen. On December 11, 1976, he married Sharon Lee Kelly who survives.…

Obituary: James Paul Dietz Sr.

Editorial Staff Aug 14, 2024 2 min read

James Paul Dietz, Sr., 78, of Lawton, passed away peacefully in his home with his family at his side, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. He was born Oct. 8, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Thaddeus and Ann Dietz.For the…

Obituary: Katherine L. Alderman

Editorial Staff Aug 14, 2024 2 min read

Katherine L. Alderman, Age 93 Of Bangor Passed away Monday, July 29, 2024 at Bronson Lakeview Hospital, Paw Paw.Katherine was born July 7, 1931 in South Haven the daughter of Edward and Thelma (Brouse) Brant, and has lived all of…

Obituary: William ‘Bill Beery

Obituary: William ‘Bill Beery

Editorial Staff Aug 7, 2024 2 min read

William ‘Bill Beery It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Mr. Bill Beery. Born on Aug/ 25, 1950, to Donna and Harold Beery, Bill lived a full and vibrant life until his peaceful departure on…

Obituary: Kim Marie Ter Beek

Obituary: Kim Marie Ter Beek

Editorial Staff Aug 7, 2024 2 min read

Kim Marie Ter Beek, age 62, of Hamilton, passed away Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. Kim was a courageous, strong, and determined woman who overcame many obstacles in her life; including bravely facing…

Obituary: Marian Frances Gowens

Obituary: Marian Frances Gowens

Editorial Staff Aug 7, 2024 2 min read

Marian Frances Gowens, 59 went to meet her Lord and Savior on Monday July 22,2024.  A beloved wife, loving mother and grandmother, caring daughter and cherished sister, she will leave a large void in many lives. Born Marian Frances O’Bryant…

Obituary: Joan M. Northrup

Obituary: Joan M. Northrup

Editorial Staff Aug 7, 2024 2 min read

Joan M. Northrup, 97, of Allegan, peacefully passed away July 26, 2024, at American House in Holland. Joan was born to Macon and Nelle Morris in St. Louis, MO.  After high school, she furthered her education at Mac Murray College…

By Mike Wilcox
Owner/Publisher

Every year, as the Christmas season draws near, I’m reminded just how generous our communities can be. For nearly two decades, Wilcox Newspapers has hosted what’s become one of my favorite traditions: our Annual Christmas Wish Program.

It started simply enough. We asked readers who were struggling to write in and tell us what would make their Christmas a little brighter. The idea was to connect local families in need with local people who wanted to help. Over the years, it’s grown into something truly special—and this year, we’re doing it again.