"Kenneth Lazern Newton: A Celebration of Life" Ken was born to Vernon S. & Ruth L. (Lehman) Newton on June 1, 1944 in Hastings and was raised in Woodland, Mich. all of his childhood, where many of his lifelong friends still reside.  As a young man, he enjoyed hanging out with his cousins and friends, as well as participating in many of the activities that the Woodland school had to offer.  He performed in school plays, but also enjoyed baseball, basketball, and...

Boneta Louise VanHouten Born April 8 1941 passed away at the age of 77 on March 24, 2019 following a lengthy illness. Bonnie married Roy Max VanHouten on October 24, 1959 and were married 50+ years until Roy passed away on September 16, 2010. Bonnie was preceded in Death by her father Leo H Wilcox and her mother Norma Arlene Weeks Stepfathers Lawrence Miller and Bob Weeks Brothers Paul Morehouse and Donald Wilcox. She is survived by Her brother Raymond Wilcox and her Sister-in-Laws Ardath...

Elna Moore Vermontville, Michigan Elna Moore, 92, Vermontville – It is with sadness that the family of Elna Moore announces her passing on March 23, 2019.  She was born on May 23, 1926, to the late Otto and Rowena (Deer) Moore.  She was preceded in death by her beloved older sister Lila Moore in 2018.  She will be missed by the many cousins who survive her and had the chance to spend many holidays with her. Elna was born and raised on the family farm and lived there...

           Vivian Charles Rairigh of Vermontville, passed away at home in the early morning of March 3, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. He was born at home in Woodland, Michigan on May 7, 1930 to Mearl and Clementine (Smith) Rairigh.            He attended school in Woodland until the middle of the 8th grade when his family moved to their farm in Sunfield Township. He completed his...

Marianne Gerda Joppie Hastings, MI Marianne Gerda Joppie, 91, passed away February 23, 2019 at the SKLD Nursing Home in Grand Rapids, MI. Marianne was born August 17, 1927 in Jena, Germany. Marianne was preceded in death by her second husband, Walter Joppie of Sunfield, MI, as well as her parents and her sister, Alfreda from Jena, Germany.  Marianne is survived by her son, Richard (Virginia) Cassidy, two granddaughters, Natasha (George) and Angie, four great grandsons, Anthony Wayne...

Duane Eldon Snavely Ionia, Michigan Duane Eldon Snavely, 96, formerly of Freeport, MI passed away on February 18, 2019. He was born on December 8, 1922, the youngest child of Ira Calvert and Virginia May Wine Snavely near Wauneta, Nebraska. His father was a minister in the Church of the Brethren, and the family lived in Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri, Indiana and Michigan. Duane graduated from Royerton High School (IN) in 1940. He had an agricultural exemption to the draft and farmed during...

Gary Lynn Gibbs, 77 of Eaton Rapids, MI passed away peacefully on February 14th, 2019 with family by his side, at Veterans Administration housing in Battle Creek, MI.  He was born October 24th, 1941 in Lansing, MI the first child of Leslie and Mary Jane (Jones) Gibbs.  For Gary life began on the Gibbs farm on Gale Road in Eaton Rapids.  He was no stranger to hard work, but eventually had six younger siblings to help in the milking of the cows and doing other farm chores. ...

   Betty Jean Kempf passed peacefully at her home to be with the Lord on February 9, 2019 at the age of 97.  Jean, as she was called by her family and friends, was born to Harvey and Mabel (Hosey) Nye February 6, 1922 as the middle child of five including Dorothy, Helen, Grace and Harvey.  She grew up a country girl having a love for horses, cattle, poultry, flowers and all the wonders and beauty of nature.     Jean met her future husband Henry Richard...

Marjorie (Marge) Jean (Sutherland) Mohrhardt went to be with the Lord in the early morning hours on Thursday January 31, 2019, East Lansing, MI at the age of 92.  Marge was ahead of her time.  A graduate of Woodland High School in 1945, she worked at various jobs and attended business college.  From a line worker at the Lake Odessa Canning Factory, an office worker at Diamond REO, a reporter for the Sunfield Sentinel reporting on the Dow area news and events, a tailor for Dick...

Gerald E. Lade of Sunfield died peacefully the evening of January 17, 2019, in Lakeland, Florida.  He was 87 years old. Jerry was born on March 19, 1931, in Grand Ledge, Michigan, to George and Ina (Hatch) Lade.  He attended school in Grand Ledge.  He was a farmer and heavy equipment operator.  He also worked for a time at Fisher Body in Lansing. Jerry joined the Army in 1948 at age 17.  He was initially stationed in Japan.  When the Korean War broke out his...