Obituaries

Mar 8, 2017

Larry A. VanAuken, 68 of Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2017.  He was born on June 21, 1948 in Battle Creek, the son of  Merle and Veryl VanAuken.  Larry was a beloved son, husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather with a passion for his family, friends and the great out-of-doors (especially Beaver Island, MI.!)  In 1966,...

Mar 6, 2017

Naomi Louise Barber, 79, formerly of Battle Creek, MI, died March 6, 2017 at The Heritage Community of Kalamazoo, MI of Parkinson’s disease.

She was born on May 18, 1937 in Elwood, IN, the daughter of Lincoln (“Pem”) and Jeanette (Babbitt) Robbins.  As a child, she participated in youth groups and other activities of Elwood’s First Methodist Church.

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Mar 4, 2017

Verna M. Coleman, age 89, of Defiance, Ohio passed away Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. She was born August 3, 1927 in Hillsdale County, Michigan the daughter of Harry and Eva (McCarty) Hamilton. Verna was a 1944 graduate of Jonesville High School. While living in Union City, Ohio she worked at Sheller...

Mar 1, 2017

Walter Fredrick Merriman, age 87, of Battle Creek, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2017. He was born February 16, 1930 in Dunlap, Tennessee the son of Claude and Beulah (Land) Merriman. Fred moved to Battle Creek following his service in the U.S. Army and retired from Eaton’s in 1985 where he had worked for 25 years as an electrician...

Feb 25, 2017

Mary "Marlene" Perry age 79, of Battle Creek, passed away peacefully at home on February 25, 2017.  She was born on November 24, 1937 in Mason City, Washington, the daughter of Muriel and Jessie (Davis) Grenier.  Mary came to Battle Creek from Albion, Michigan where she then made her home.  She graduated in 1956 from Battle Creek Central High School, and...

Feb 25, 2017

Donna Jean Kelley age 88, of Battle Creek, passed away on February 25, 2017 at her residence.  She was born on March 21, 1928 the daughter of Charles and Bertha (Mumford) Lampman.  Donna was a graduate and valedictorian of Battle Creek Central High School in 1946.  She was united in marriage on December 24, 1947 in Battle Creek to...

Feb 22, 2017

Brent J. Banaszak age 38, of Battle Creek, passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2017.  He was born on April 7, 1978 in Battle Creek, the son of John and Linda (Densmore) Banaszak.  Brent was a lifelong area resident of Battle Creek, and graduated in 1997 from Harper Creek High School.  He was employed at Marshall Excelsior as a materials...

Feb 21, 2017

Dorothy Carene Ecklund, age 89, of Battle Creek, passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at Brookdale Senior Living.  She was born on May, 30, 1927 in Normandy, Tennessee, the daughter of Euless and Cloie (Stone) Jones.  Dorothy was united in marriage to Robert B. Ecklund on December 9, 1944 at the chapel at Camp Forrest in Tullahoma, TN. ...

Feb 18, 2017

William F. “Jack” Mudd, age 88, of Battle Creek, went home to the Lord on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 8, 1928 in Weona, Arkansas to Floyd and Velvya (White) Mudd. Jack served in the Army during the Korean War and retired from Michigan Carton. He is survived...

Feb 16, 2017

Robert E. Broach, age 87, of Battle Creek, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 16, 2017. He was born December 21, 1929 in Battle Creek, Michigan the son of Elmer and Lillian (Crampton) Broach. A 1948 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School, he joined the Michigan Air National Guard following graduation and was activated during the Korean War...

Feb 15, 2017

Beatrice R. Young, Age 90, Of Battle Creek, Died Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at the Oaks at Northpointe Woods. Beatrice was born on January 10, 1927, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Felix and Gregoria Rodriguez. She had been an area resident since 1942 coming from Laredo, TX. Beatrice Lived in Chicago until 1933 then moved to Laredo, Texas...

Feb 14, 2017

Rosemary Fulling, Age 62, Of Battle Creek,  Died Tuesday, February 14, 2017 in Battle Creek. Rosemary was born on November 17, 1954, in Enterprise, AL, the daughter of Joseph C. and Minnie M. (Wooten) Larock. She had been an area resident for 45 years graduating from Lakeview High School in 1972 and then attended Kellogg Community College. On July...

Feb 12, 2017

C. Wendell Strickland, Age 92, Of  Johnstown, Twp., Passed away on February 12, 2017 at home with his loving family at his side. Wendell was born on December 17, 1924 to Earl and Beryl (LeGear) Strickland near Bedford. He was a 1942 graduate of Hastings High School. On May 8, 1960 he married Wilma J. Hart. They had 56...

Feb 6, 2017

Steven P. Martinovich, age 91, of Battle Creek, passed away Monday morning, February 06, 2017 at Evergreen Manor surrounded by his loving family. He was born November 22, 1925 in Battle Creek, Michigan the son of Imbro and Francika Martinovich. A 1943 graduate of St. Philip Catholic Central High School he went on to serve in the Army during...

Feb 5, 2017

Lynn A. “Boze” Smith, age 83, of East Leroy, passed away Sunday, February 5, 2017. He was born March 4, 1933 in Girard Township, Michigan the son of Ray J. and Anna M. (Johnson) Smith. A 1951 graduate of Athens High School, he went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Following his...

Feb 3, 2017

Eugene Patrick Hull, age 85, of Battle Creek, formerly of Florence, Montana, passed away Friday, February 3, 2017. He was born June 26, 1931 in Stanley, North Dakota the son of Samuel and Hazel (Heller) Hull. Pat served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from February 13, 1951 until February 12, 1954. He went on to work...

Jan 31, 2017

Thomas A. “Howie” Howard, Age 61, Of Battle Creek, Died Tuesday, January 31, 2017, in Battle Creek. Thomas was born on December 17, 1955, in Battle Creek, the son of Donald and Joan (McCauley) Howard. He had been a lifelong resident of the area graduating from Battle Creek Central High School in 1974 and then attended Kellogg Community College....

Jan 30, 2017

Shannon K. Bennett age 65, of Battle Creek passed away on Monday, January 30, 2017.  She was born on August 1, 1951 in Battle Creek, Michigan, the daughter of Russell and Treva (Schlosser) Willavize.  Shannon previously lived in Joelton, TN before coming to the Battle Creek area.  She was married to Russell Alton Mayo in 1966, the father of...

Jan 30, 2017

Florence Jane (Brown) Matthews, Age 95, Of Battle Creek, Died Monday, January 30, 2017. She was a resident of Battle Creek, especially in the Lakeview area. She was born to Carl and Gertrude (Bowles) Brown, February 19, 1921 in Assyria, MI. She moved to Battle Creek and attended Battle Creek Public Schools, graduating from Battle Creek Central High School...

Jan 27, 2017

Ralph W. Gardner, age 95, of Battle Creek, died Friday, January 27, 2017, at the Bronson at Home Hospice Residence, following a brief period of declining health. Ralph was born on April 8, 1921 in Wayne County, Ohio to the late Harvey and Alta (Miller) Gardner and graduated from Walnut Creek High School in 1939. After high school he...