Obituaries
Lynwood Malcolm Gray
Feb 17, 2025
Lynwood Malcom Gray, 85 of Houston, Texas and formerly of Battle Creek, Michigan departed this life on February 17, 2025.
He was born on August 29, 1939, in Battle Creek to Ronald and Dorothy (Curtis) Gray. He grew up in Athens and Vermontville and was a 1958 graduate of Vermontville High School. He attended Argubright Business College in Battle Creek and...
Mary Ellen Bearden
Jun 2, 2025
Mary Ellen Bearden, age 89 of Richland, Michigan passed away peacefully on Monday, June 2, 2025. She was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on February 24, 1936, the daughter of Henry and Johanna (Rottschafer) Scholten. Mary Ellen received her nursing degree from Blodgett School of Nursing in Grand Rapids and her Bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from the University...
Johnny Lee Prentice
Jul 3, 2025
Johnny Lee Prentice, 70, of Battle Creek, died Thursday, July 3, 2025. Johnny was born September 4, 1954 in Battle Creek to Lenwood and Ida (Young) Prentice. He was raised in Battle Creek and attended Pennfield schools. Johnny always had a very strong work ethic. Over the years, he worked at United Steel and Wire, Battle Creek Wire and most...
LaRita J. "Rita" (Elliott) Finney
Jul 2, 2025
LaRita J. “Rita” Finney, 94, of Battle Creek, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at The Villa in Marshall, with her family at her side.
A complete obituary will be published here. If you have any questions prior to that please call us at 269-962-5527.
A graveside service to celebrate Rita’s life will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery 1:00 p.m....
Donald Dale Carley
Jul 1, 2025
Donald Dale Carley, age 85 of Delton, passed away at home Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
Don was born in Battle Creek on July 25, 1939, the son of Dale and Winnie (Betts) Carley. He was a truck driver for many years, working for L.C. Howard, A&C Carriers and Davis Oil among others. Don also owned and operated Don Carley and Sons...
Deborah "Debbie" Frantz
Jun 28, 2025
Deborah Mae “Debbie” Frantz, born on October 30, 1955, in Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home on June 28, 2025 surrounded by her family and friends, after battling illness over the years and a brief battle with Cancer.
Debbie was a proud graduate of the Pennfield High School Class of 1974. Throughout her life, she worked diligently, dedicating many...
Maria Nina Gesmundo
Jun 26, 2025
Maria was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Serafino “Gus” Gesmundo and Marian “Midge” Gesmundo, one of 13 children born into a large and loving Italian family that became an integral part of the Richland/Gull Lake community.
Maria had a love for God, and the teachings of Jesus. She lived these beliefs - she was kind, compassionate, generous, forgiving, faithful, courageous, and...
Thomas Alan Balluff
Jun 26, 2025
Thomas A. Balluff April 1, 1951– June 26, 2025
Thomas A. “Tom” Balluff, 74, passed away of natural causes at home in Battle Creek, Michigan on Thursday evening, June 26, 2025.
Born and raised in Battle Creek, Tom enjoyed a happy childhood alongside his beloved sister, Ruth Balluff (Justesen). He was the son of the late Frank and Thera Balluff, and he...
Dale Wayne Wagner
Jun 23, 2025
Dale Wayne Wagner, 91, of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully at Kairos Dwelling on Monday, June 23, 2025.
Dale was born December 21, 1933, in Battle Creek, the son of Paul and Irene (Kelley) Wagner. He grew up in Battle Creek and was a 1952 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. Dale Wayne Wagner and Mary Ann Paulson were united...
Becky Sue Sherman
Jun 23, 2025
Becky Sue Sherman, 66, of Battle Creek passed away Monday, June 23, 2025.
Becky was born in Battle Creek on July 9, 1958, the daughter of John and Carolyn Jane (Reick) Barker. She attended Pennfield High School and worked for Michigan Paperboard. She loved her family and was a good-hearted person.
Becky is survived by her daughter, Stacy Barker; sister, Brenda Barker;...
Marilyn Dee Stoddard
Jun 23, 2025
MARILYN DEE STODDARD moved into her heavenly mansion on June 23, 2025 with Jesus as her Guide.
Born Minerva Marilyn Thompson to Oscar Lee Thompson and Minerva Madge Hopkins in Wardell, MO on November 17, 1947, she was one of seventeen children (including a twin sister who died in infancy).
Forced to leave high school to care for her younger siblings after...
Michael Eugene Walker
Jun 19, 2025
With great sorrow we announce Michael Eugene Walker, 69, died at his home in St. Joseph, MI with his wife, Kathy (Rayburn) Walker, by his side. On June 19, 2025 his fight against ILD ended in peace.
Michael was born November 25, 1955, to Omar and Marian (Hussey) Walker in Battle Creek, MI. He is preceded in death by his daughter,...
LeRoy Earl "Roy" Oliver, Jr.
Jun 19, 2025
LeRoy Earl “Roy” Oliver, Jr., 60, of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully, after a long illness, on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Majestic Care.
Roy was born July 7, 1964, in Battle Creek, Michigan to LeRoy Earl and Sandra Jan (Hamilton) Oliver, Sr. He grew up in Athens, Michigan and was a 1982 graduate of Athens High School. Roy became his...
Sharon Lee (Chivington) Schele
Jun 17, 2025
Sharon L. Schele, 84 of Battle Creek passed away June 17, 2025 after a brief illness. She was born January 24, 1941, in Dayton, Ohio to Raymond and Ruth (Cruzen) Chivington. As a small child, she moved to Battle Creek with her family and was a 1959 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. Sharon loved all kinds of dance...
Gordon Wayne Squires
Jun 16, 2025
Gordon Wayne Squires, age 86 of Richland passed away peacefully on Monday, June 16, 2025. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on January 21, 1939, the son of Wayne and Geraldine (Carpenter) Squires. Gordon graduated from Dearborn High School and continued his education at Western Michigan University, where he received a BS & MS in Aviation Engineering Technology.
Gordon faithfully served...
Michael Leon "Mike" Byers, Sr.
Jun 15, 2025
Michael Leon Byers, Sr., 74, of Battle Creek, Michigan passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, June 15, 2025. He went through Heaven’s Gates and joined the love of his life, Teresa A. (Wood) Byers, who preceded him in death on June 26, 2014. They were united in marriage on November 2, 1991.
Mike, the eldest of five children, was...
Jack W. Gray
Jun 14, 2025
Jack W. Gray, 99, a lifelong Battle Creek resident, passed away Saturday, June 14, 2025.
Jack was born March 6, 1926, in Battle Creek, Michigan to Howard A. and Helen M. (Casey) Gray and was raised by his beloved aunt, Grace. Jack was a 1944 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. He honorably served with the 8thAir Force 1944-46, flew...
Carl Lewis Harnden
Jun 13, 2025
Carl Lewis Harnden, 76, went to be with the Lord on June 13, 2025.
Carl was born December 10, 1948 in Allegan to Lewis and Verna (Brimley) Harnden. As a teenager he enjoyed playing various sports and when he was in the eighth grade, he decided that he wanted to become a physical education teacher. In high school, he played football,...
Gordon Neal "Skip" Huff
Jun 13, 2025
Gordon “Skip” Neal Huff, 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 13, 2025 in Howell after a battle with Alzheimer's. He hung on long enough for his son to fly in from California.
He was born in Battle Creek on Oct. 13, 1937, to Roswald and Gladys (Micklatcher) Huff, the second of four children. After graduating from Battle Creek...
Ross Robert Poole
Jun 12, 2025
Ross Robert Poole, age 36, passed away unexpectedly on June 12, 2025. Born on September 19, 1988, Ross was a beloved son, brother, father, uncle, and friend whose soul was as vibrant as it was kind.
Ross deeply loved science fiction, movies, and storytelling—especially anything related to Star Wars. He brought laughter, imagination, and light to everyone who knew him. Though...
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