Cindy Chapman, 52, Scotts, passed away May 28. Cindy was born on September 24, 1965 in Three Rivers. She was the daughter of Marvin and Millie (Brown) Forsyth. She is survived by her husband, Mitchell; children Stephanie Allgaier and Andrew Chapman. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life is scheduled for her; more information will be provided in the days to come. Visit Cindy’s page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to her GoFundMe page.
Evelyn D. Chapman, 97, Schoolcraft, passed away June 10. Evelyn was born in Kalamazoo on November 22, 1920, the daughter of the late Carroll and Katherine (Beard) DesVoignes. Evelyn was also preceded in death by her step-mother, Mildred (Gish) DesVoignes. She was a kind and loving person whose gentle nature and warm smile made her a joy to be around. On August 14, 1943, she married the love of her life, Benjamin Chapman Jr., who preceded her in passing on January 25, 1985. In 2000, Evelyn moved to Schoolcraft, where she enjoyed working in her yard and spending time with her family and friends. She and her husband were long-time members of First Presbyterian Church of Schoolcraft. She was currently an assisted living resident of Heritage Community of Kalamazoo. She leaves to cherish her memory three daughters, Marilyn (Larry) Pierce, Ruth (Richard) DeVries and Linda (Kent) Bacon; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Norma Spicketts; sister-in-law, Phyllis DesVoignes; and several nieces, nephews, and great friends. Donations may go to the church c/o the funeral home. Visit her page at joldersma-klein.com.
Sharon Flickinger, Schoolcraft, died June 3. Sharon was born February 16, 1947 in Indianapolis, Ind., a daughter of Orval and Audrey (Russell) Rice. She was a Kalamazoo area resident most of her life and was employed with Western Michigan University for over 30 years, retiring in 2009. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents. On June 17, 1967, she was united in marriage to Thomas H. Flickinger, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Michael “Mike” (Jodi) Flickinger of Vicksburg; granddaughters Chelsea and Kaylee Flickinger; sisters Nancy Birch of Virginia and Debbie (John) Tucker of Colorado; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. A memorial gathering was held Saturday, June 16 at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel. Private burial will take place at a later date. Donations may go to Gift of Life or to the West Michigan Cancer Center. Visit her page at langelands.com.
Wendell L. Glidden, 78, Portage, formerly of Schoolcraft, passed away June 9. Wendell was born on September 26, 1939 in Kalamazoo. He was the son of Lloyd and Camilla (Hulbert) Glidden. Wendell is described as happy, smooth and caring. He loved to sing and watch the Detroit Tigers. You could never fool him however, with what time the Tiger game was on. Wendell was cared for the past few years by the loving staff at the Schuring Road Adult Foster Care. Wendell is survived by his siblings, Ronald Glidden, of Florida; Lee (Carla) Glidden, of Vicksburg; Thomas (Sandy) Glidden, of Climax; Elwin (Diane) Glidden, of Tennessee; Dawn (Jack) Grosenbach, of California; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings Alice Hannar, Linn Glidden and Robert Glidden. A funeral service was held on Thursday, June 14 at the McCowen & Secord Family Funeral Home, Rupert-Durham Chapel, Vicksburg, followed by burial at the Wildey Cemetery in Paw Paw. Visit his page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to the Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.
Dave Haywood, 57, Vicksburg, passed away June 8 at home surrounded by loved ones. Dave was born July 30, 1960 to Roland Haywood and Judy (Haywood) Preston. Dave was a lover of all things outdoors. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Maxine, spending time at their cabin up north snowmobiling, riding his Harley and most recently his boat in South Haven. Dave is survived by his mother Judy; mother-in-law Betty Dorey; his wife of 38 years, Maxine; children David Haywood (Tiffany) and Jennifer Caswell (Trevor); grandchildren Dylan Haywood, Isabelle Haywood, Victoria Haywood, Gavin Caswell, Gabrielle Caswell and many more extended family members. Dave was preceded in death by his father, Roland Haywood, and father-in-law, Marvin Dorey. Visit his page at avinkcremation.com.
Phyllis M. Jungjohan, 86, Mendon, died May 29, at her son’s home in Milton, Fla. following a long illness. She was born in Three Rivers, on Nov. 9, 1931, the daughter of Ray and Ruby (Draime) Anderson. She graduated from Vicksburg High School and Wright’s Beauty Academy. She was the proprietor of Phyllis’ Beauty Shop in downtown Mendon for over 29 years. Phyllis was an active member of the West Mendon United Methodist Church, the Mendon Women’s Club and the Order of Eastern Star Chapter 154. She served as trustee for the Mendon Carnegie Library; and was a member of the Friends of the Library. She enjoyed travel, gardening, chocolate, and large fancy hats. She was married to Kenneth Leroy Jungjohan on July 15, 1950. They resided near Mendon until Kenneth’s passing in 2014. Phyllis is survived by sons William (Lana) Jungjohan of Mottville, Mich., Gordon (Denise) Jungjohan of Destrehan, La., and Kenneth Jr. (Liza) Jungjohan of Milton, Fla.; eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, three great great-grandchildren, brothers Ralph (Betty) Anderson and Martin (Diane) Anderson; sister-in-law Laverna Anderson; brother-in-law Jerry Crabtree; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenneth; daughter and son-in-law, Linda (Gary) Phelps; siblings Arthur Anderson, Janet Crabtree, Joan (Garold) Conine, and Ruth Ann Manion. Donations may go to Heartland Hospice, the West Mendon Community Church or Mendon Food Cupboard. Visit her page at eickhofffuneralhome.com.
Marion Joseph (Skeeter) Pacukewicz, passed away on June 20. He was born in Mishawaka, Ind. on February 27, 1925 to Ludwig and Mary (Madjeda) Pacukewicz. His three older siblings did not approve of the name Marion, nicknaming him “Skeeter” after a comic strip character. Upon graduating from Mishawka High School in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the European theater and with occupation forces in the Asiatic theater. Skeeter was discharged in 1946, and then attended Kalamazoo College on the GI Bill. While living in Kalamazoo, he met Thelma Potts. They were married on July 12, 1947. The newlyweds soon moved to Mishawaka where he was employed by the Studebaker Corporation. In the mid-50s, he got into the grocery business, training as a meat cutter in Berrien Springs. In 1965, he was transferred to Vicksburg to manage the Thriftway grocery store and moved to Barton Lake. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. Skeeter was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Thelma; a daughter, Judi (Steve) Holton; a son, Gary Pacukewicz; a niece, Bernice McClure; sister in-law Betty Proovost; and several additional nieces and extended family. Donations may go to Kalamazoo Gospel Mission or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Services were held Saturday, June 23 at McCowen & Secord Family Funeral Home, Vicksburg. Visit his page at mccowensecord.com.
Charlotte Rice, died June 6. She was born to Charles and Muriel Stuck on March 3, 1919. She graduated from Fulton High School in 1939. She went through the nursing program at the state hospital in Kalamazoo. She was married to Win Rice in 1941. He went off to war that year. When she was in her 50s, Charlotte started working at the Bronson Vicksburg Hospital. Once they retired, Charlotte and Win took at least one trip a year going to places such as Alaska, Hawaii, Disneyland, Disney World, the Canary Islands, and Europe. Charlotte was proactive into her 90s. Charlotte’s family includes her children, Sue (Roger) Lucas and Mike (Carolyn) Rice; a sister, Iva (Dick) Snyder; grandchildren Wendy (Steve) Caverly, Kim (John) Hayes, Tony (Vickie Mann) Wells, Angie (Paul) Rechlin, Jill (Dave) Partaka, John (Stacia) Lucas and Kathy (Jason) Hopkins; and great-grandchildren Joshua Benn, Katy Benn, Brooke Perry, Sarah Hayes, Ty Hayes, Austin Wells, Nate Rechlin, Emilee Partaka, Davey Partaka, Lucas Hopkins, Sidney Hopkins and Brody Hopkins. Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Winston Rice; siblings Milton (Ruth) Stuck, Polly (Perry) Barnes, Laura Groth, and Nora (Harold) Wise. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to Vicksburg United Methodist Church or Hope Hospice in Cape Coral, Florida.
Arthur Edward Shultz, 73, Vicksburg, passed away June 15. Art was the son of Kenneth and Lena (Hildenbrandt) Shultz. He graduated from Vicksburg High School and then went on to work for over 30 years as a forklift driver for the General Motors Fisher Body. On January 21, 1967, in Vicksburg, he married the love of his life, Helen Huntington. Art was a jokester, fun loving, and a wonderful husband. He loved to fish, hunt, and was a wonderful woodworker. Up until a few years ago the family had a cottage near Hardy Dam. At home, Art was always seen with his two boxers, Willie and Ozzie. Art is survived by his wife, Helen; children Brenda (Dale) Butcher, of Vicksburg; Jodie Shultz, of Vicksburg and Amy (Scott) Bell, of Mendon; grandchildren Tyler Shultz, of Mendon; Brittany Warner, of Vicksburg; Ryan Bell, of Mendon; and Kyle Bell, of Mendon. He is also survived by his four best friends: Art English, of Athens; Stan Gose, of Vicksburg; Ronnie Miller, of Vicksburg; and Jerry Parsons, of Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Lena Shultz. Arthur has been cremated and will be interred at the Vicksburg Cemetery at a later date. Visit his page at mccowensecord.com. The family is being assisted by the McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes, Rupert-Durham Chapel, Vicksburg.
Phyllis L. Smith, passed away peacefully January 19, with her family and friends by her side. Phyllis was born July 22, 1935, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Merritt and Gertrude (Elgersma) Holt. She was employed at the Upjohn Company for 32 years before retiring. She was united in marriage to the love of her life, Roy Smith, on June 28,1955. Phyllis loved renovating the farmhouse she and her husband lived in near Vicksburg. She had a passion for creating beautiful flower gardens and she readily shared flowers from her own garden to help start others. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roy Smith; a brother, Milan Robert Holt; a sister, Ida Mae Cutshaw, and a daughter, Nancy Worthington. Phyllis is survived by her daughters, Amy Smith and Karen (Ted) Hammond; grandchildren Abby Hammond, Lyndsay Hammond and Tyler (Jennifer) Worthington, and several nieces and nephews. Donations may go to Rose Arbor Hospice or the Ladies Library Association. Visit her page at langelands.com.
David A. Watkins, 66, formerly of Schoolcraft, passed away June 1, at IU Health Goshen Hospital. He was born in Schoolcraft September 12, 1951 to the late George and Colleen (Shearer) Watkins. He was preceded in death by his sister, Ann Watkins. David was a computer analyst for many years and was also a member of the Eagles Lodge. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing pool, taking care of his birds and spending time with his grandchildren. On December 10, 2016, he married Patty L. Castle; she survives along with one son, Bryon (Jennifer) Watkins, stepchildren Rhonda (Patrick) Potter, Jared (Christina) Myrkle, Jonathan (Cassie) Myrkle, Jessica (Marty) Clawson, Angel Myrkle, Karilynn Swiger, Amanda Linville, Sebastian (Samantha) Wolf and Jasmine Beatty. Also surviving are 30 grandchildren and brothers John (Leeanne) Watkins and Robert Watkins. A celebration of life gathering was held Saturday, June 9, at Sister Lakes Community Church, Dowagiac. Due to David’s love of birds, please send memorial contributions to A Place To Call Home Parrot Rescue & Adoption. Elkhart Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Walter E. Wedel, 89, Fulton, passed away June 4. He was born to Benjamin and Mabel (Reebs) Wedel on September 9, 1928. His father worked on the family farm that was established in 1876. Walt graduated from Athens High School in 1946, was drafted into the Army and served during the Korean conflict. Walt also served for three years as the president of the USA National Shuffleboard Association. Within his community, Walt served in local government, including all positions on the board in Wakeshma Township, and also served as a Kalamazoo county commissioner. Walt and his wife, Ann, were inducted into the Michigan Farmer’s Hall of Fame as well as the Shuffleboard Hall of Fame. He was also a member of Wakeshma Community Church. Walt was kind and soft spoken, and his wit made him a true charmer. Walt’s family includes his wife, Ann; children Benjamin Wedel, of South Carolina; Cyndi Frakes, of Vicksburg; Tim Wedel, of Kalamazoo; and Lori (David) Fry, of Fulton; grandchildren Jonathan (Michele) Frakes, of Portage; Heather Frakes, of Kalamazoo; Jessica (Randy) Bartholomew, of Fulton; Michael (Catherine) Fry, of Ohio; Travis (Vanessa) Fry, of Ypsilanti; Levi Fry, of East Lansing; 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Walt was preceded in death by his siblings, Wayne Wedel, Rex Wedel, and Anna Crotser; and son-in-law John Frakes. Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 9 at the Wakeshma Community Church, Fulton, followed by burial at North Fulton Cemetery. Visit Walt’s page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan and Wakeshma Community Church.