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David Jacob Ruiz, age 32 of Kalamazoo, passed away unexpectedly on Monday July 6, 2026. He was born May 20, 1994, in West Covina, CA to Joan Ruiz and moved to Kalamazoo in 2006. David attended KRESA Woods Edge School when he was younger. Despite his lifelong challenges, David was known for his sense of…
Harold James Van Dyke was called home to be with his Savior on July 1, 2026. Harold was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on April 29, 1951, the son of the late Thomas and Nina (Kannegieter) Van Dyke. Harry was a life-long resident of the Kalamazoo area, and spent his years being quietly and consistently…
Esther M. Ford age 87 of Portage, passed away Tuesday June 30, 2026, at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Esther was born April 13, 1939, in South Haven, the daughter of Charles and Mary (Jones) Lamb. Esther was born the fifth child in a family of eight children (seven were girls). Even in such a large family…
Beverly A. Carter age 78 of Galesburg passed away Monday June 29, 2026, at Centrica Rose Arbor Place. Beverly was born June 18, 1948, in Sarnia Ontario, Canada the daughter of Leonard and Frieda Maness. Beverly was a graduate of Port Huron High School, and a member of the Aamjiwnaang Chippewa Tibe of Sarnia. She…
Judith A. Hotchkiss, age 81 of Portage, Michigan, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2026.Born on May 3, 1945, Judith lived a life defined by hard work, generosity, and a deep love for both family and community. In October 1970, she married the love of her life, William Hotchkiss, beginning a partnership that would span…
Jerry Vern Bishop age 87, passed away at Bronson Hospital on June 25, 2026. He was born in Kalamazoo on April 15, 1939, the son of the late Arthur and Emma (Widmeyer) Bishop. After graduating from high school, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was honorably discharged and returned to make Southwest Michigan…
Stuart “Stu” Spyker, age 62, passed away peacefully at his home on June 24, 2026, after a long battle with dementia.Stu was born on February 22, 1964, in Hastings, Michigan, to Leonard and Lois (Good) Spyker. He graduated from Hastings High School with the Class of 1982 before attending Western Michigan University.On September 14, 1996,…
Dagnita “Nita” Butlevics age 90 of Grand Rapids, formerly of Kalamazoo passed away Wednesday afternoon, June 24, 2026. Nita was born in Riga, Latvia on August 29, 1935, the daughter of Vladimir and Ella Berzins. She was married to Helmut Osvalds Butlevics who preceded her in death in 1993. As a child, Nita immigrated to…
Dr. Evan P. Kokales, age 84, passed away on June 24, 2026. He was born in Ann Arbor, MI on July 19, 1941. On May 29, 1965, he married the love of his life Sharon Ann (Sodt) Kokales, who survives. He is also survived by three children, Paul (Teresa) Kokales, Therron (Mandy) Kokales, and Jeremy…
Gladys Irene “Glady” (Blackledge) Rolfs, age 82, lost her battle with Lymphoma and Bone cancer on June 23, 2026; she was at her home surrounded by loved ones. She was born in Marion, MI, on February 13, 1944, the third of four children to Leslie “Pudge” and Eleanor Blackledge. On June 17, 1965, she married…
