Barbara Jean (Darling) Todd Barbara Jean (Darling) Todd passed away peacefully with her family by her side on June 13, 2019 in Aurora, Colorado.  Barbara was born in Portland, MI on November 30, 1953 to Wellman R. Darling, Sr. and Barbara J. (Newlin) Darling.  Barb graduated from Lakewood HS in 1971.  She married the love of her life, Richard Todd on June 18, 1977.  They moved to Colorado in 1984 with their 3 children: Melissa, Heidi, and Aaron.  Barb started...

         Ardath Wilcox was born April 27, 1925 to Leo and Ethel Hynes.  She grew up on a farm near Woodbury, Michigan with her brothers Glendon, Cecil, and Lynwood (Lindy).  During the teen years and into early adulthood, the family gathered every Sunday night for music nights.  They performed at local gatherings and events such as PTA nights.   Ardath also sang at various venues with a women’s trio.  After graduating from...

"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...