Barbara Jane Ackerman, passed away peacefully Feb. 24, surrounded by family. Barbara was born in Grandville on March 9, 1935 to John and Freda Imanse. When Barb’s father started a business delivering home heating oil in 1945, the family moved to Vicksburg. Barb married her childhood sweetheart, Chuck (Charles), on October 7, 1952. Married for 65 years, and together for more, they shared a love of family and of sports, as spectators, but even more as participants. Barb and Chuck raised four sons who survive, Greg (Vicki), Rod (Sandy), Brian (Joyce), and Dave (Liz). They have 10 grandchildren, Kelly (John) Christiansen, Matt (Asmita) Ackerman, Jacob Ackerman, Amy (Doug) Collins, Adam (Kristen) Ackerman, Anna (Andy) Rosko, Allison (Josh White, fiancé) Ackerman, Audrey (Wesley) Cimmarrusti, Carley Ackerman and Cameron Ackerman. The family continues to grow with seven great grandchildren and one soon to join them in March. Barb is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Virginia and David Sargeant of Australia; brothers and sisters-in-law, Evelyn Charles, John (Sally) Ackerman, Denise (Doug) Parker, Bonnie (Tom) Ivens, DeWayne Bowen, Pat Imanse, Ron Boelman and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Bruce Imanse, sister June Boelman, brothers-in-law Walt Ackerman and Gus Charles and sisters-in-law Culia Ackerman and Mary Bowen. Along with her parents, Barb and Chuck were founding members of Lakeland Reformed Church where her funeral service was held. Donations may go to the church and the National Alzheimer’s Association. The family is being assisted by the McCowen & Secord Life Story Family Funeral Homes, Vicksburg.
Leroy A. Bross, 91, passed away Feb. 11. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Shirley A. Bross (Ackerman), brothers Charles Bross, Richard Bross and his parents, August and Rose Bross. He was born in Porter, Ind. on Feb. 24, 1926. Surviving are his children, Richard Bross (Sue), Swartz Creek, Mich., Allen Bross (Nora) Nashville, Mich., and Pamela DeCuypere (Jeff), Vicksburg. He is also survived by six grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, many friends, and special caregiver Patty DeCuypere. He quit school to join the navy, serving from 1943-1946, and the army, serving from 1948-1954. He was promoted to sergeant while serving in France. He was a mechanic with the zone’s 7805th Area Command in Orleans. He holds the American Theater Campaign medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater ribbon, Philippine Liberation medal, Good Conduct medal and Army of Occupation medal for service in Japan. After leaving the military, he went back to school to get his GED. From 1954 to 1960, he worked at Bilbia Marathon Station in Battle Creek. In May 1961, he went to work for the Department of Natural Resources, where he worked for 25 years. After the passing of his wife, he moved to Vicksburg to live with Pam and Jeff. He built a small cottage where he was able to watch wildlife at its glory. He was a founder of the Circle D Wildlife Refuge, responsible for a large part of the progress of the Refuge. Donations may go to Circle D Wildlife Refuge. He will be buried next to the love of his life at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta. Services will be held later in the spring, followed by a celebration of his life at Fort Custer Recreation Area.
Anna Marie (Matz) Linton, 107, Vicksburg, died Feb. 24. She was born February 14, 1911, to Pietro Mazza “Pete Matz” and Marietta “Mary Caterina,” who were children when they travelled to the United States from southern Italy. Ann grew up in an immigrant neighborhood south of Chicago known as “Hungry Hill.” The family moved to Vicksburg in 1923, where Pete and Mary started Matz’s Confectionery. As she grew up, Ann always helped her parents in the store. She graduated from Vicksburg High School and later from Western State Teachers College, the first in her family to complete both high school and college. Ann’s first job was teaching fourth grade in Vicksburg. Clayton Linton, a star athlete with James Dean looks, joined the staff as a teacher and coach. On June 15, 1940, they were married. Clayton joined the Navy and was stationed in the Aleutian Islands for the rest of WWII. After the war, Clayton became a principal at Vicksburg High School. Policy dictated that a husband and wife couldn’t teach in the same school system. Later on, Ann returned to teaching and taught first grade at Milham School in Portage. She also joined the teachers’ bowling and golf leagues, earning a few trophies. Ann and Clayton loved dining and dancing at the Elks Club and dining at the Beacon Club. She also volunteered at church, Borgess Hospital, and was an aide teaching reading at Sunset Elementary, where she received the Star Award. She went on a trip to Italy and Sicily when she was 96, visiting the towns where her parents and grandparents were born. Ann golfed until she was 93, and bowled until she was 100. At the age of 100, she left her home and spent the next seven years at Bickford Cottage of Portage. Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Mary Matz, her husband, Clayton Linton, and her brother, Joseph Matz, and his wife, Veronica. She is survived by her daughter, MaryAnn (Robert) Hayward; grandchildren Darcy (Stephen) Staley and Trent (Cindy) Hayward; and great-grandchildren Darby (Andy) Disselkoen, Emma Walhout, Alex Walhout, Megan Hayward, Macy Hayward, Samuel Staley, and Isaac Staley. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Lakeland Reformed Church in May. Donations may go to Lakeland Reformed Church, Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation (please designate student scholarships or teacher grants), or a charity of your choice.
Louise Claire Marks-Russell-Waldron, passed away March 7 at Fairview Nursing Home after several years of health issues. Louise was born on March 23, 1939 to Clair and Marion (McNett) Marks in Kalamazoo. When she was three years old, her mother married Maurice Russell, a military man. This gave Louise the opportunity to live in several states growing up. They moved back to Vicksburg to raise their family. Louise had eight brothers; Dan (Wendy) Russell, of Indiana, Tom and Judith Russell, of New Mexico, Joel Russell, Rick Russell, of Centreville, David (Kathy) Russell, of Portage, Ben Russell of California, Duane Marks, Clair “Bucky”, and a sister, Diane Marks. Louise had a fun-filled childhood with such a large family and lots of cousins to play with. She always had a fun filled spirit! In 1954 at the age of 15, Louise married Wayne Waldron of Vicksburg. They started a family right away. By the time she was 21 she had been blessed with four children; Michael Waldron, of Vicksburg; Steven (Kathy) Waldron, of Vicksburg; Diana (Alan) VanOrnam, of Vicksburg; and Christine (Randy) Mohney, of Schoolcraft. In 1979 she married Bruce Jones of Kalamazoo. They had several variety shops in Leonidas, Mendon and Centreville, which she loved. Louise loved being with people and loved being in retail. Louise was blessed with 15 grandchildren; Michael Waldron, of Saginaw, Amanda Waldron, of Vicksburg, Jesse (Susan) VanOrnam of Scotts, Nick VanOrnam, of Vicksburg, Shanna (Shawn) Herington, of Delton, Ben (Rebecca) Walters, of Vicksburg, Christina Markus, of Kalamazoo, Steven (Mary) Waldron, of Vicksburg, Sarah Waldron (Don Knowles), of Kalamazoo, and Callie Mohney, of Delton. Louise also had great grandchildren Logan, Keegan, Lilly, Zoey, Chloe, Charliegh, Isabelle, George, and Brinley. Louise was also a great great grandmother to Rieonta and Isabelle. Louise was preceded in death by her parents, Clair Marks, Maurice and Marion Russell and her brothers, Joel Russell, Clair “Bucky” Marks and her sister, Diane Marks. There was a graveside memorial to celebrate Louise’s life on March 24, at Factoryville Cemetery in Leonidas. The family is being assisted by the McCowen & Secord Life Story Family Funeral Homes, Rupert-Durham Chapel, Vicksburg.
Larry Dale Parker, 81, a former resident of Schoolcraft and Crossville, Tenn. for the last five years, died on his birthday, March 28. Larry grew up on a farm in Winterset, IA. He would tell fantastic and funny stories about farm life. His childhood pastimes involved fishing, hunting, and playing pranks. Later in life, you could catch Larry almost every weekend at States Golf Course. One of the highlights of his life was getting a hole in one. Larry was the biggest fan of all six of his children, all athletes. He loved fishing with his kids, would take them camping, and enjoyed spending time playing cards or board games. He served in the Marine Corps. He worked for General Motors for over 40 years, first in a plant near Chicago and later in Kalamazoo. He was known for being a very talented tool and die maker and even was rewarded for inventing a new manufacturing process at GM. Larry will be especially missed by his wife, Joyce, and his children, Kirk (wife Silke), Tom (wife Cathy), Rich (wife Yuki), Scott (wife Katsuyo), and Mandy (husband Huw). Larry is also survived by 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Mabel, a brother, Loren, and son, Mark.
Phyllis Adele Roe, 95, Scotts, passed away March 25. She was born on March 7, 1923 in Redford. She was the daughter of George and Grace (Grady) Lobig. Phyllis graduated from Climax High School in 1941. On September 26, 1942 she married Tony Roe. She worked as a clerk at Sinclair Market in Climax. She liked to play golf and go fishing and was the best fish cooker around. She is survived by her three children, Danny (Robin) Roe, of Climax; Jack (Lynda) Roe, of South Carolina and Roger Roe, of Virginia; eight grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and three great great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tony, sisters June Burgett and Josephine Wessel and brother Dale Lobig. A gathering will be held at American Legion Post 465 in Climax in April. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to Southern Care Hospice and/or American Legion Post 465. Family is being assisted by the McCowen & Secord Family Funeral Homes, Rupert-Durham Chapel.
Morris ‘Ron’ Salisbury, Scotts, passed away March 3 at Brookdale Assisted Living in Battle Creek. He was born on June 10, 1942 in Galesburg, the son of the late Morris and Alice (Scharping) Salisbury. Ron was employed by Kalamazoo County Road Commission for 37 years until his retirement in 1998. On October 27, 1962, he was married to Linda (Etter) Salisbury, who preceded him in death on March 10, 2013. Surviving are their daughters, Denise (David) Adams of Fulton, and Teri (Randy) Pack of Vicksburg; grandchildren David (Mary) Adams, Nina (Ian) Bostocky, Brittany (Randy) Pack, Angela (Markes) Prude, Lindsey (Kyle) Otis and Nicholas (Erica Dunham) Wolf; 10 great grandchildren; and a brother, James (Mary) Salisbury of Scotts. He was preceded in death by a toddler sister, Maureen Salisbury. Funeral services were held at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Climax Chapel. Interment followed in Boughton Cemetery. Donations may go to Grace Hospice or Brookdale Assisted Living, Battle Creek.
Steven Carl Woloszyk, died unexpectedly Feb. 23. He was born to Carl and Kathleen (Provost) Woloszyk on December 13, 1970 in Rogers City. His family included his wife, Dianne; stepchildren Nathan Thompson (Kristin) of Galesburg, Brandon Thompson (Angie) of Menifee, Calif. and Alyssa Thompson of Vicksburg; a brother, Brian, of Grand Rapids; grandparent Maxine Provost of Florida; an aunt, Diane (Terrence) Sheldon of Avon Park, FL, and Darlene (Richard) Lewandowski of Posen, Mich; a nephew, Joseph, a step-grandchild, Charlie Mae Thompson, and numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles from the Woloszyk, Provost, and Dianne’s families. Steven was preceded in death by three of his grandparents, aunt Jeanette (Duane) Maxwell; cousin Matthew Lewandowski and numerous aunts and uncles. Steven was a mortgage broker for 15 years. He was most recently employed for Prime Lending in Portage. He grew up and graduated from Grand Ledge High School. He completed a degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Finance from WMU. He enjoyed backpacking, running, traveling, deer hunting, reading, family and friends. Donations may go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kalamazoo or to the family.