Mary Evelyn Bell, 79, Vicksburg, passed February 19. She is survived by her sons, Thomas (Lisa) Bell of Yardley, Pa., Matthew (Jackie) Bell of Vicksburg, and James Bell of Armada, Mich.; and grandchildren Anthony, Dmitry, Joanna, Katie, Marlena and Zbigniew. She is also survived by siblings Farmer (Linda) Harris, of Canada and Marilyn (Roy) Puckrin, of Canada. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Frank Bell, in 2012; and a brother, Bill Harris. A memorial service was held on Saturday, February 24 at Life Story Funeral Home, Vicksburg. Please visit Mary Evelyn’s webpage at http://www.lifestorynet.com where you can read her life story, sign the guestbook, and share a memory. Those who wish may make a contribution to the Vicksburg Library and Great Lakes Caring Hospice.
John L. Frakes, 62, Vicksburg, passed away February 13. He was born to John C. and Marjorie (Baldwin) Frakes on November 4, 1955. John graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1973 and received a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University. Right out of college, he began working for the City of Marshall. From there, John worked for the City of Battle Creek and then for the City of Allentown, Pa. He and his wife, Cyndi, spent seven years living there before moving back to the Vicksburg area in 1988. He was employed as treasurer and assessor for the City of Parchment from 1990 until retirement after 25 years. John’s family includes his wife, Cynthia; children Jonathan (Michele) Frakes, of Portage and Heather Frakes, of New York; grandchildren Gianna, Brighton, Everett, Aneli and Maverick; siblings Barb (Ted) Sanger, of Jackson; Randy (Rick King) Frakes, of Florida; and Karen (Steve) Marshall, of Georgia. The family received friends on February 23. A memorial service was held Saturday, February 24 at Wakeshma Community Church, Fulton. Please visit John’s webpage at http://www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign the guestbook and share a memory. Those who wish may make contributions to the Wakeshma Community Church and Hospice care of Southwest Michigan.
Linda Sue (Bartos) (Clark) Harvey, 73, passed away February 8, in the loving care of her sons in Canton, OH, while she was visiting. She was born on April 2, 1944 to the late Elton J. (Al) and June L. (Adams) Bartos. She grew up in the Vicksburg area, graduating from Vicksburg High School in 1963. In 1968 Linda married Richard Lee Clark, with whom she had two sons. Later, she and her sons joined the family of Wilbur Duane Harvey and his three children when they were married in 1979. They enjoyed many happy years together until Wilbur’s death in 2008. Linda was a kind and loving person, willing to help her friends from the Hearthside II apartments. She always enjoyed playing bingo, cards and walking dogs for her friends. She is survived by her sons, Douglas Alan Clark and Michael Lee Clark, both of Canton, Ohio, step-children Gary (Joanie) Harvey, Danny and Dawn Harvey, all of Kalamazoo, grandchildren Douglas Jr. (Bubba) Clark, Jacob Clark and Kala Clark all of Ohio, great-grandchildren Noah and Amelia Clark of Ohio, sisters Margie (Robert) Goertler and Shirley (Gary) Meyle, nieces Carmon (Bill) Kammerer of South Bend, Ind., Shelly (Shannon) Burnett, Erin (Scott) Brown, and Lahni (Francisco) Tapia all of Kalamazoo, and several step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren as well as cousins and friends. Donations may go to American Cancer Society or Aultman Hospice.
Dorothy Hastings, 87, Vicksburg, passed away February 8, surrounded by family. Dorothy was born on September 27, 1930 to Levi and Fanny (Johnson) Cox. Dorothy’s family includes her husband of 65 years, Tom; children Tom (Sharon) Hastings Jr., Maggie (Tim) Corbin and Ann (Tom) Hahn; grandchildren Molly and Hannah Blatt and brother Bill Cox of Miami, Fla. She was preceded in death by her parents; son Timothy, who passed away at birth; her sister, Jeannie Ladd, and her nephew, Jerry Lee Annis. Visit Dorothy’s page at lifestorynet.com. Dorothy was a loving, sweet woman. She was devoted to her family who will deeply miss her. A celebration of her life is being planned for this summer.
Charles D. Hord, 92, Schoolcraft and Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away January 26. Chuck was born in Three Rivers, on November 20, 1925, the son of Clyde and Letha Hord. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Phyllis Hord; sister Arlene Hord Wells and brother-in-law Jan, son Charles D. Hord, Jr. and wife Frenchie, step-children Sue and Rod Eliason, Martha and Patrick Phelps, Bruce and Mickie Sweet, and Craig and Theresa Sweet, several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and a great great grandchild. He was predeceased by his first wife, Ethyl Hord; brother Bill Hord, son Robert Hord and grandson Charles D. Hord III. Chuck served in the United States Army during WWII in the European Theater. He had a 40-year career as a railroad engineer on the New York Central, Pennsylvania Central and finally Conrail lines. He was a member of the Retired Railroaders. Chuck was an active member of the Schoolcraft United Methodist Church and Cleveland United Methodist Church in Florida and an avid golfer and member of the Deep Creek Golf Club. A memorial service will be held in Michigan in the spring. Contributions in his memory may be made to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) program or a charity of your choosing. We remember Chuck’s famous advice to “keep your head down”, and his work ethic, devotion and love of his family and friends. Visit his page at avinkcremation.com.
(Gerald) Jerry M. Kott, 82, Vicksburg, passed away February 19 at Borgess Hospital. Jerry was born on November 8, 1935 to Harlow and Grace (McNally) Kott. While growing up, Jerry was active in the Boy Scouts, and achieved the highest and most prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1954. From there, Jerry went on to Western Michigan University. With hard work, he also went on to get his certified life insurance underwriter’s license, which isn’t a license that is easy to get. Jerry was very successful in his career, and after many years he became vice president of Burnham and Flower Insurance Agency. He served as the Vicksburg Rotary Club president in 1976-77. Someone who lived life to the fullest, Jerry was truly one of a kind. He was a jokester with a great sense of humor and a fun-loving personality. Jerry had the amazing ability to get others to believe any story he told, and then in the end he almost always told them it was a joke. A funeral service was held on Monday, February 26 at Life Story Funeral Home in Vicksburg. Jerry is survived by his daughters, Diana (Hal) Blanchard and Ann (Rick) Hughey; a brother, James Kott; grandchildren Erin Courtney, Tiffany (André) Bouvrette, Allen (Dannette) Hughey and Kati (Matthew) Roberts; great grandchildren Rylie, Kamie, Lincoln, Kendall, Marshall and baby Delilah born on Feb. 21. He was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife of 50 years, Carol. Please visit Jerry’s memory page at http://www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his life story, archive a memory or photo and sign his memory book online. Memorial donations can be made to the Vicksburg Historical Society.
Glen Phillips, 91, Vicksburg, passed away peacefully at home Feb. 14. He is survived by his wife, Connie (Kuivenhoven-Kreider) Phillips; a brother, Max (Stella) Ball; children Sheri (Jerry) VanAvery, Gale (Cindy) Phillips and Sue (Frank) Roberts; stepchildren Terry Kreider, Karen (Bill) Kreider-Sorensen and Kay (Mark Bissot) Kreider. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and six step great grandchildren, plus many extended families. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Clarissa (Schmitt) Phillips, a brother and four sisters. A funeral service was held on Monday, Feb. 19 at Life Story Funeral Home, Vicksburg with burial at Mount Ever-Rest. Please visit Glen’s page lifestorynet.com. Donations may go to Hospice Care of SW Michigan, Loaves and Fishes, Boy Scouts of America and Juvenile Diabetes.
Linda Schuring, Vicksburg, passed away at home February 15. She was born to Daniel and Ramona (Murray) Moyle on July 20, 1942. She graduated from Mattawan High School in 1960. On Jan. 22, 1972, she married Jerry Schuring, who adopted her three children. She and Jerry were blessed with one son, J.J. In 1990, they established J.L. Milling Inc. together. She was an amazing cook who specialized in making olie cookins, which are a Dutch treat. Linda’s family includes her husband, Jerry; children Tim (Karen Furlong), Mike (Tracey), J. J. (Tracey DeVaney); grandchildren Sarah (Andy), Samantha (Adam), Timmy (Jessica), Shannon, Megan (Phil), Cassondra, Mikey, Shianne, Kody Bishop and Kaley Bishop; great grandchildren Tatum, Cohen, Peyton, Brooke, Alaina, Bentley, Emma S., Emma H., Ella, Delaney, Tensleey, Kimber, Jayce; brothers Danny (Barb) Moyle, David Moyle, Dicky (Sharon) Moyle; and her brother in law, Don Boven, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by parents, step-father Giles Wright; son Johnny; sister Mary Kay Boven. Visit Linda’s page at lifestorynet.com. Donations may go to Mattawan Area Pantry or Animal Rescue Project.
Alasdair Matthew Shaw, Vicksburg, passed away at 4:38 in the morning of February 3. At 7 pounds 11.8 ounces, 20 ½ inches, Alasdair came into this world as a stillbirth. “Though we may never know why or what wrong, we will love you forever. This very short time is precious. Maybe something could’ve been avoided? Maybe it was just meant to be. Your mother and I may never get to see you grow, drop you off at school, watch your high school baseball games, but that will never change how much either of us love you. I wish we had answers, I wish we knew why. Watch over your mother, watch over your brothers. Your daddy loves you.” Alasdair means defender of mankind, a suitable name for God’s newest angel. Alasdair is survived by his two brothers, Aiden and Asher, as well as his parents, Grace and Alex. Visit Alasdair’s page at lifestorynet.com.
Carolyn Lee Wise, 69, Scotts, passed away on February 21 at the Laurels in Galesburg. Carolyn was born March 4, 1948 to George and Caroll (Keller) Wise. Carolyn is survived by her mother, Caroll; her brother Richard (Carolyn Sue) Wise; one nephew Scott (Jill) Wise; nieces Shellie (Bill) Gibson and Alisha Wise; great nieces Grace Gibson, Emma Gibson and Allison Wise and great nephew Gavin Wise. Carolyn was preceded in death by her father, George. Carolyn worked many years for Dairy Herd Improvement Association. She grew up active in 4H and was involved in the Kalamazoo County Fair. Carolyn lived for her family that will deeply miss her. Visit Carolyn’s page at lifestorynet.com.