Yvonne M. Booth (Drake), Vicksburg, died June 19 at Rose Arbor Hospice. Yvonne was born September 1, 1947 in New Castle, Ind. to Eleanor Smith and George Drake. She was the oldest of three children. Yvonne graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1965 and shortly after married Ron Prosser. Soon their first daughter, Wendy, was born, followed 11 months later by Janet. Later in life she married Wayne Booth and went back to college where she earned a medical assistant degree. Yvonne was preceded in death by her mother, Eleanor Smith, and her two dearest friends, Sandy Dorbin and Wendy Britton. She is survived by daughters Wendy (Steve) Pheils and Janet (Jim) Mendocha; siblings Keith (Chantel) Drake and Gail Munn; nieces and nephew Kim Hoffmaster, Tammy Munn, Ciara Hoffmaster, Haley and Drew Nye, and Ellie Hoffmaster-Six; former husband Wayne Booth and step children Brian (Stacy) Booth, Brenda Stevens, and Cary (Cheryl) Booth. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Brianna VanCamp, Paul Pheils, Matthew and Michael Mendocha, Jeremy and Justin Followell, Lindsey Cowan, Lance and Amber Brunt, Rachel, Jacob, Artem, Sergei and Ana Booth. Donations may go to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.
Donna Fornoff, Lawton, formerly of Vicksburg, passed away surrounded by family June 2. Donna was born March 10, 1959 to Richard and Florence (Smith) Noel. Donna is survived by her husband, Dave Fornoff; children Tyler and Haley; many grandchildren; siblings Christine Brown and Richard Noel; nephews and a niece Mike Dailey, Matthew Dailey, and Collette Holden; and several great nieces and nephews including Kaylen Holden, Skyler Holden and Tessa Keeler. She was preceded in death by parents Richard and Florence Noel and mother-in-law Gloria Fornoff. Donna’s service was held on Thursday, June 6, at McCowen and Secord Family Funeral Homes, Rupert-Durham Chapel. Please visit her page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to American Diabetes Association.
Thomas Kelley, 74, Vicksburg, passed away June 24. Tom was born on August 23, 1944 to Elmer and Donna (Truax) Kelley in Kalamazoo. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 52 years, Vickie; his son, Tom (Mychi) Kelley, and his grandson, Michael. Also surviving are his sisters, Sharon (Greg) Kilburn and Mary Beth Barret; his sister-in-law, Ruth Kelley and brother-in-law, Keith Sutton, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, Jose and Jesusita Escamilla; siblings Patrick Kelley and Michaeline Sutton. Tom graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1963. He served his country proudly in the United States Army. He enjoyed being on the lake and entertaining family and friends. Tom was active in his church and with the Knights of Columbus. He was an animal lover, especially with his favorite cat, Lucy. Please visit his page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to St. Martin of Tours Parish.
Michelle Paulette McCowen, 53, Portage, passed away June 23. Michelle was born on April 23, 1966 in Fort Wayne, Ind. to Joe and Carolyn “Sue” (Rice) Tiernan. She graduated from Western High School in Jackson and went on to become a certified nursing assistant. Michelle worked at Bronson Medical Hospital in Kalamazoo as an emergency department technician for 15 years. She loved staying up late watching movies, perfecting her amazing goulash and lasagna recipes, and telling stories around the campfire. She loved animals and accumulated 88 of them over the years. Michelle is survived by her parents, Joe and Sue Tiernan; children Meghan Karle of Brooklyn, Madison Burns of Chicago, Mackenzie McCowen of Vicksburg, Joey McCowen of Vicksburg, and Stephen McCowen of Vicksburg; a sister, Tine (Paul) Prinzi of Clinton Township; niece Kadra Prinzi of Clinton Township; and best friend Mary Wilson of Kalamazoo. She was preceded by sisters Kendra and Shawn Marie Tiernan; and a nephew, Caden Prinzi. Donations may go to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Janet Rae Pheils, 84, Schoolcraft, died June 13. Janet was born in Sturgis to Daryle and Ruby (Harris) Pheils. The oldest of three, she grew up on the family farm in Howe, Ind. Shortly after the birth of her son, Steven, she moved to Schoolcraft. After retirement from Newhouse Printing Supplies, she delivered Meals on Wheels, and worked every Thursday at the Schoolcraft Auto Auction. Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Daryle and Ruby Pheils, great nephew Nick Hensley and brother-in-law Merl Hensley. She is survived by her son, Steven (Wendy) Pheils, her grandchildren, Brianna VanCamp and Daryle Paul Pheils; her sister, Beverly (Keith) Schraeder; her brother, Daryle Frank (Gail McClish) Pheils; nephew, Scott Hensley; nieces Michelle (Jeff) Todd and Sandra (Tom) Capps. She is also survived by great nieces and nephews Danielle Hensley, Kyle (Mckayla) Todd, Carly Todd, Sam Todd, Thomas Capps and Ryan Capps.
William Richard (Dick) Rafferty, 86, passed away June 8. Son of John and Lorena Rafferty, he was born December 15, 1932 in Kalamazoo. Upon graduation from Schoolcraft High and WMU, he was a teacher and coach in Schoolcraft for over 30 years, and was named to the Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. He served on the Village Council and Schoolcraft Community Schools Board of Education. He is survived by his wife Nancy, children Richard (Mary) Rafferty, Kathleen Dixon, Donald (Janice) Rafferty, James (Toni) Rafferty; grandchildren Dianna (Chad) Coley, Cullen (Ashley) Dixon, Cormac Dixon, Jack and Ian Rafferty, Jozie and Drew Rafferty; great granddaughters Kylie and Kinsley Dixon; many nieces, nephews, and extended family. Visit his page at avinkcremation.com. Donations may go to First Presbyterian Church of Schoolcraft.
Shirley M. Sharp, 90, Vicksburg, passed away peacefully at her home June 14. She was born in Schoolcraft, on July 17, 1928, the daughter of Lawrence and Alice (Downey) Beebe. She was one of eight children. Shirley worked at Sutherland Paper Company and also at Vicksburg Schools as a cook. Shirley was married to Quincy Sharp on Jan. 28, 1950, and together they farmed and raised three boys, Eddie (Dee Chriscoe) Sharp, Craig Sharp, and Jeff Sharp. She was blessed with eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Carl (Irene) Beebe and Ronald “Gus” (Mary) Beebe, and by her best friend, Sarah Evans. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Quincy; and by five siblings. Donations may go to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or to Advanced Illness Management at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Visit her page at eickhofffuneralhome.com.
Iva Joyce Snyder, 98, Fulton, passed away June 26. She was born February 13, 1921 in Brady Township, the youngest of Charles and Muriel (Buss) Stuck’s six children. In 1938, she graduated from Athens High School as valedictorian. On May 11, 1941, she married Richard Snyder, who died in 1975. She was also preceded in death by her parents, a son Philip; great granddaughter, Kaylee Mendham; brother, Milton (Ruth) Barnes; sisters, Laura Growth, Eola (Perry) Barnes, Nora (Harold) Wise, Charlotte (Winston) Rice. She is survived by her two daughters, Carol Brigance and Linda (John) Wyant; one son, Steve Snyder; two grandsons, Timothy LaPlante and Jeffery LaPlante; two granddaughters, Aimee (Dan) Mendham and Nicole (David) Furgason; five great grandchildren, Joshua LaPlante, Tanner Mendham, Jacob Mendham, Jacob LaPlante, Eli Furgason, a brother and sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to Southern Care Hospice and/or the Fulton Christian Church.
Jackie Terpstra, 69, Vicksburg, passed suddenly while visiting family in Colorado June 18. She was born in Vicksburg to Nellie Bergeon on June 10, 1950. She was raised by adoptive parents Russell and Shirley Franks. While working at Tully Enterprises, she met Jeff Terpstra. They married December 1, 1989. Jackie is survived by her husband, her son, Bob Adams (Stacey); brother-in-law Bradley Terpstra, grandchildren Laura Adams (Eric), Nikki Price (Kareem), Bobby Adams (Heather) and Dakotah Adams. She is also survived by her great grandchildren Heaven, Skei, Anthony, Tristin, Stormy, Haiden, Trinten, Paeyton, Jai’lea, Alei’a; siblings Jim Ames, Linda Butler, Randy Franks, Greg Franks, Tom Franks, Kimberly Kiser, Janice Bergeon Sparks, Charles Bergeon and Fred Bergeon as well as her special daughter in law, Edith Adams. She was preceded in death by her mother, Nellie Bergeon; her adopted parents, Russell and Shirley Franks; brother Lloyd Clark and sister Diane Barker. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com.