Obituaries

May 2, 2017

Donald Loyd Knapp, Age 90, Died Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at Evergreen Senior Care and Rehab Center. He was born July 7, 1926, in Vernon, Michigan, the son of Genevieve Mae (Rohrabacher) and Loyd Burdette Knapp. His stepfather was Leo A. Dunton. In 1944, Don was a State Class A track champion in the half mile. Immediately after graduating...

Apr 27, 2017

William Henry Bachman, of Battle Creek, exchanged time for eternity on April 27, 2017 in the care of his loving children.

Bill was born at home in St. Clair Shores, Michigan on June 22, 1928 to William Henry and Clara Frances Bachman.  He grew up with his brothers Paul and Ed Sampson and Robert Bachman.

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Apr 24, 2017

Robert Glen Korp, Age 91, Of Battle Creek, Died Monday, April 24, 2017, at Glenn Arbor Hospice Residence. Robert was born on August 29, 1925, in South Bend, IN, the son of Roland G. and Dorothy (Burgoyne) Korp. He had been a lifelong resident of the area. He was a veteran serving in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to...

Apr 23, 2017

Daniel Lee Smittendorf, age 56, of Kalamazoo, passed away Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. He was born September 7, 1960 in Battle Creek, Michigan the son of Lee and Janice (McElvain) Smittendorf. A 1979 graduate of Vicksburg High School, Dan worked in the Maintenance Department of Bronson Hospital for over 30 years. An avid runner, Dan...

Apr 21, 2017

Hazel Jean Davis age 82, of Battle Creek, passed away peacefully Friday, April 21, 2017 with her daughter by her side holding her hand. Hazel was born on Nov 8, 1934 in her parents’ home, George and Lena Huggins Lint in Waverly, WV. Hazel grew up in Akron, OH and Williamstown, WV and was an outstanding student and prominent...

Apr 18, 2017

Carol Culver Walbeck, 96, of Battle Creek, passed away on April 18, 2017 at Hubbard Hill Retirement Community in Elkhart, Indiana.  She was born on March 1, 1921 to the late Homer and Grace (Randall) Culver in Tekonsha, Michigan.  Carol married Kenneth Walbeck on December 22, 1940 in Tekonsha, Michigan; he preceded her in death on April 25, 1988....

Apr 18, 2017

Warren Lee Solomon, age 75 of Battle Creek passed away Tuesday, April 18, 2017 surrounded by his loving family and special friends.  He was born June 17, 1941 in Battle Creek, Michigan, the son of Glenn F. Solomon and Ethel L. Patten Solomon.  He graduated from Kellogg Consolidated High School in Hickory Corners.  He ran track and played varsity...

Apr 17, 2017

Darlene Ruth Mayo, Age 86, Of Battle Creek, Died Monday, April 17, 2017, at Evergreen Senior Care and Rehab. Darlene was born on January 19, 1931, in Battle Creek. She had been a lifelong resident of the area graduating from Battle Creek Central in 1949. In 1950 she was united in marriage to Mason D. Mayo who survives. Darlene...

Apr 12, 2017

Mildred A. Sullivan age 89, of Battle Creek passed away on April 12, 2017 at her residence.  She was born on April 10, 1928 in Dowling, Michigan, the daughter of Barney and Elsie (Hamner) Williams.  Mildred graduated in 1946 from Hastings High School before moving to Battle Creek.  Mildred was united in marriage on June 23, 1950, in Battle...

Apr 11, 2017

Paul J. Komarck, age 88, of Sarasota, Florida and formerly of Battle Creek, passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2017. He was born January 28, 1929 in Battle Creek, Michigan the son of Frank G. and Anna H. (Frcak) Komarck. Paul graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1947 and was the President of Komarck, Inc. for over 30...

Apr 10, 2017

Lucille “Lu” (Massa) Behnke died peacefully in her home at Brookdale Assisted Living in Napa on April 10, 2017.

She was born on January 30, 1924 in Mulberry, Kansas, daughter of Victor and Mary (Peppina) Massa.  She moved to Battle Creek, Michigan after high school graduation in 1942.

She married Reinold “Ryan” Behnke on March...

Apr 9, 2017

Thomas "Tom" William Tobolski, age 72, of Battle Creek passed away April 9, 2017 peacefully in the arms of his family. He was born May 7, 1944 in Battle Creek to William and Kathryn (Galarda) Tobolski. Tom attended St. Philip Catholic Schools, where he was an accomplished varsity athlete and student. He graduated in 1962. He went on to...

Apr 7, 2017

Paul D. Ratliff, Age 63, Of Battle Creek, Died Friday, April 7, 2017, at his residence. Paul was born on November 29, 1953, in Battle Creek, the son of James and Alaine ( Grant) Ratliff. Paul was a lifelong resident of the area graduating from Battle Creek Central High School in 1971 and then received his Associates Degree in...

Apr 3, 2017

Jalaine R. Smith age 72, of Battle Creek, passed away on April 3, 2017.  She was born on January 23, 1945 in Battle Creek, the daughter of Raymond and Isabelle (Strong) Keagle.  She grew up in Climax, Michigan as a child, graduating from Climax High School before moving to Battle Creek.  She was united in marriage to Larry Kruger...

Apr 1, 2017

Linda L. Irish age 77, of Battle Creek, passed away on April 1, 2017.  She was born on June 25, 1939 in Battle Creek, the daughter of Homer and Gladys (Little) Imus. Linda graduated from Lakeview High School.  She was united in Marriage on July 21, 1962 in Battle Creek to Lloyd E. Irish.  Linda was employed with Harper Creek High...

Mar 31, 2017

Kathie M. Thomason, age 48 and Howard R. Bergman, age 60, of East Leroy, passed away Friday, March 31, 2017. Together for 30 years, they loved their time spent with each other and died as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. They were members of Binder Park Zoo were they spent many summer days, enjoyed biking,...

Mar 31, 2017

Earl D. Torrey, age 94, of Climax, passed away Friday, March 31, 2017 at the Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo. He was born June 26, 1922 in Banfield, Michigan the son of George Edward and Gladys Mary (Allison) Torrey. Earl served in the U.S. Army during WWII in the Pacific Theatre receiving the Bronze Star. Following his honorable discharge he...

Mar 31, 2017

Kathie M. Thomason, age 48 and Howard R. Bergman, age 60, of East Leroy, passed away Friday, March 31, 2017. Together for 30 years, they loved their time spent with each other and died as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. They were members of Binder Park Zoo were they spent many summer days, enjoyed biking,...

Mar 30, 2017

Linda L. Rugg age 69, of Battle Creek, passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2017.  She was born on April 3, 1947 in Battle Creek, Michigan, the daughter of  Delvin and Bertha (Reid) Darling.  Linda was a lifelong area resident, graduating from Springfield High School in 1965.  She was employed from 1983 to 2009 at Denso Manufacturing, later working in...

Mar 29, 2017

Robert (Bob) Thomas (Tommy) Dilliner, age 87, of Battle Creek, passed peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. He was born June 24, 1929 in Battle Creek, Michigan the son of Russell and Julia Dilliner. Bob grew up in Battle Creek where he attended and graduated from St. Philip High School. He proudly...