Obituaries

Vernial "Nig" LeBlanc

Vernial "Nig" LeBlanc

Mar 2, 2025

Mrs. Vernial (Williams) LeBlanc, affectionally known as “Nig” transitioned peacefully on March 2, 2025 surrounded by family and friends. She was born on April 10, 1951 to Beulah Johnson in Little Rock, Arkansas. As a toddler, the family moved to Battle Creek, MI where she met and fell in love with Charles ‘Doc Beatty’ LeBlanc, married in Sept, 1973.

Vernial attended...

Constance D. "Connie" Penny

Constance D. "Connie" Penny

Feb 28, 2025

Constance D. “Connie” Penny, 87, died Friday, February 28, 2025 at Rose Arbor Hospice. Connie was born October 15, 1937 in Kalamazoo to Walter and Florence (DeRyke) Anderson. She graduated from Galesburg High School in 1955. On June 30, 1955 Connie married Edgar Penny in Galesburg, who sadly preceded her in death in 2008. 

Connie enjoyed traveling and wintering in Okeechobee,...

Phillip Arthur Rowe

Phillip Arthur Rowe

Feb 27, 2025

Phillip A. Rowe, 72, of Battle Creek, lost his final battle on this earth on February 27, 2025 while trying to recover after surgery for a fractured vertebrae. 

Phil was born on November 23, 1952, the son of Wilbur and Dorothy (Fann) Rowe. He attended Battle Creek Central High School and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1969. After receiving...

Carolyn Ann Ouding

Carolyn Ann Ouding

Feb 25, 2025

Carolyn Ann Ouding passed away on February 25, 2025 at the age of 86. 

She was born March 31, 1938 to parents Joel and Kathrine Larsson. Carolyn graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and then went on to earn an associates degree from Michigan State University. Caroyln married Robert Ouding in 1960 and they had three lovely sons together. Carolyn was...

Wendell R. Zull

Wendell R. Zull

Feb 25, 2025

Wendell R. Zull, 89, of Bellevue, died February 25, 2025. Wendell was born July 17, 1935 in Battle Creek, MI to Ralph and Alice (Wood) Zull. He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School, class of 1954 and worked 33 years at Ralston Purina, retiring in 1994. 

On April 1, 1967 Wendell married the former Charlene Murphy, who survives. Wendell is...

Clara Louise Scherer

Clara Louise Scherer

Feb 25, 2025

Clara Louise “Didge” Scherer of Battle Creek, MI went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 25, 2025 in Kalamazoo, MI at the age of 80 surrounded by her family. Born in Battle Creek, MI August 13, 1944 to Clara Wittrock (Doyle) and John Wittrock.

Didge is survived by her three wonderful children, Roger “Adrian” Scherer, Clara (Thomas) Reed...

Donna Jean (Wheeler) Rozell

Donna Jean (Wheeler) Rozell

Feb 25, 2025

Donna Jean Rozell, 83, of Battle Creek, Michigan died at Calhoun County Medical Care Facility on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. 

Donna was born September 26, 1941, in Marshall, Michigan, the daughter of Allen Herbert and Virginia Maxine (Phelps) Wheeler. She grew up in the Gull Lake Area, graduated from Kellogg Agricultural School and earned her associate’s degree in accounting from Kellogg...

Debra L. "Debbie" Burns

Debra L. "Debbie" Burns

Feb 24, 2025

Debra L. "Debbie" Burns, age 63 of Battle Creek passed away peacefully on Monday evening, February 24, 2025 at the Rose Arbor Place in Kalamazoo with her son and daughter by her side. Debbie had been fighting illnesses for a while, but she fought to the end. She was born in Battle Creek on November 23, 1961, the loving daughter...

David Alan Drayton

David Alan Drayton

Feb 23, 2025

David Alan Drayton, age 79, of Battle Creek passed away Sunday, February 23, 2025. He was born in Battle Creek on August 24, 1945 and graduated from Harper Creek High School with the Class of 1963. David faithfully served his country as a member of the United States Army and retired from Ralston Purina in 2005 after more than 36...

William "Billy" Michael Geryl Wright

William "Billy" Michael Geryl Wright

Feb 21, 2025

William “Billy” Michael Geryl Wright, 39, of Battle Creek, passed away unexpectedly in bed with his love on February 21, 2025. 

He was born on April 4th, 1985, in Battle Creek Michigan, the son of Vicky Sue (Roberts) Wright and Michael Eugene Wright. He lived in Michigan for most of his life, and he lived in Florida for a couple years...

Ronald G. Flesch

Ronald G. Flesch

Feb 21, 2025

Ronald G. Flesch, 82, of Battle Creek, Michigan died Friday morning, February 21, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones at Centrica Rose Arbor Hospice Place in Kalamazoo.

Ron was born May 13, 1942, in Stitzer, Wisconsin to Leo Clement and Elizabeth A. (Novinski) Flesch. He grew up in Platteville, Wisconsin, was a 1960 graduate of Platteville High School and a 1965...

William P. Bates, Sr.

William P. Bates, Sr.

Feb 20, 2025

Born on June 2, 1945, William “Bill” Bates passed peacefully on the morning of Thursday, February 20, 2025. According to the dates, you would say he lived from 1945-2025, but we know it was what was within the “dash” that matters. He lived a life filled with experiences, achievements, and so much love. From professional baseball, to coaching his kids,...

Barbara J. Babcock

Barbara J. Babcock

Feb 19, 2025

Barbara J. Babcock, 86, of Battle Creek, died February 19, 2025. Barb was born October 5, 1938 in Coldwater, MI to Carl and LaMoyne (Hall) Babcock. She graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1956. Barb spent the majority of her working career as a computer and switchboard operator at Leila Hospital. 

Barb enjoyed music, playing bingo and watching tv,...

Robert Danny "Dan" Daniels

Robert Danny "Dan" Daniels

Feb 19, 2025

Robert Danny “Dan” Daniels, age 78 of Richland passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. He was born in Battle Creek on November 29, 1946, the son of the late Edward and Roberta (Harker) Daniels. Dan then lived in California for a few years where he graduated High School. He faithfully served his country as...

Jennifer D. Selby

Jennifer D. Selby

Feb 18, 2025

Jennifer Dey Selby, 77, of Bellevue, MI, passed away peacefully on February 18 in Ann Arbor, MI. She was born on February 6, 1948, in Battle Creek, MI, to Victor and Joan Fettes.

As a graduate of Lakeview High School, Jennifer continued her education in Chicago learning skills she would need in her career as a dental assistant. 

Jennifer is survived by...

Paul S. Jordan

Paul S. Jordan

Feb 17, 2025

Paul Simpson Jordan, 91, of Battle Creek passed away Monday, February 17, 2025. 

Paul was born February 27, 1933, to Emma Ruth and James R. Jordan and was raised on a farm. He attended a one-room school (Lincoln) and then attended Bellevue School. For two summers, he attended school in the mornings and worked at Mell’s Grocery Store in the evenings. 

He...

Karl Douglas Little

Karl Douglas Little

Feb 16, 2025

Karl Douglas Little, age 64, passed away after a long illness on February 16, 2025, in Cleveland, Tennessee. He was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on November 21, 1960, the son of Karl T. Little and Barbara (Hansen) Buskirk. 

Karl, sometimes known as Doug to close family, was a car enthusiast and worked as a mechanic until a disability forced him...

Melvin E. "Mike" VandenHeuvel

Melvin E. "Mike" VandenHeuvel

Feb 16, 2025

Melvin Earl “Mike” VandenHeuvel, 87, of Battle Creek passed away Sunday, February 16, 2025. 

Mike was born December 18, 1937, in Borculo, MI to Edward and Minnie (Byer) VandenHeuvel. He earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture and marketing. He also earned his pilot’s license. He was honorably discharged from the Coast Guard Reserves. Before he retired, he flew and drove for...

Bernard "Butch" Allen Mosher Sr.

Bernard "Butch" Allen Mosher Sr.

Feb 15, 2025

Bernard “Butch” Allen Mosher Sr., age 82, of Battle Creek, Michigan passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 15, 2025, surrounded by his children. Bernard “Butch” loved singing and playing country music with his band Hit or Miss for many years. They held numerous benefits to raise money for children with disabilities.

Butch is survived by his daughters, Amy (Ron) Godbey, Kimberlee...

Lisa M. Watson

Lisa M. Watson

Feb 15, 2025

Lisa M. Watson, 57, of Kalamazoo, passed away Saturday, February 15, 2025. Lisa was born January 30, 1968 in Kalamazoo to William and Bonnie Lou (Dunfield) Stacy. She graduated from Hackett Catholic Central and went on to Kalamazoo Valley Community College. During her working career Lisa worked at United Kennel Club and at Comstock Public Schools. 

Lisa married David Watson on...

Share by: