Janice “Jan” Applebey, Vicksburg, passed away peacefully August 10. She was known as “Mom”, “Sis”, “Jan”, “Auntie Jan”, “Granny” and “Apple” to all who loved her. Jan was born January 18, 1940 to Stanley Hattis and Helena Shlagor in Kalamazoo. Jan is the proud mother of two children, Kerenda Applebey and Ron (Kim) Applebey; grandmother to Jynell (Clint) Tackett, Nick (Ashley) Ruggles and Martez (Jessica) White; and great grandmother to Melody Tackett, Brooklyn Tackett and Rylee Ballard. Jan is also sister to Althea Smith of Florida, Yona Reed of Florida, Stanley (Wanda) Hattis Jr. of Minnesota, Ronald Hattis of Michigan, and Larry (Ruth) Hattis of Alabama. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. Jan was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Meredith “Jay” Applebey. Jan worked as a packer at Stewart-Sutherland Bag Company for 20-plus years. She enjoyed gardening, and driving around with her best friend looking for wildlife. She enjoyed sewing, painting, and knitting and crocheting. She played cards or dice almost every day. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to Rose Arbor Hospice.
William “Bill” Berner, Vicksburg, 77, passed away at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. Bill was born April 8th, 1942 the son of William and Donna (Stratton) Berner. He was a Vicksburg resident for over 40 years. Bill is survived by his wife of 37 years, Vicki (Babbitt), his son Jeffrey Berner, his daughter Jodi (Briant) Daniel, grandchildren Benjamin (Alyssa) Berner, Jason (Emily) Wyman, and Nichole (Brian) Vane, as well as seven great-grandchildren. Bill’s life was dedicated to his wife and family. He was loving, funny, intelligent, generous, kind, accepting, and often a bit mischievous. His family was his pride and joy. In accordance with Bill’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Donations may go to the West Michigan Cancer Center. Visit his page at langelands.com.
June Bobish, 103, Schoolcraft, passed away June 19. June was one of four children, including her sister Margaret and brothers Forrest and John. Until June’s passing, she was the oldest living graduate of Vicksburg High School. After graduation, June went to cosmetology school in Grand Rapids. Upon graduation, she returned to Vicksburg to open her own beauty shop on Main Street. The Beauty Shop was open for 58 years. June married Tony Bobish at the age of 39. They were married 60 years before Tony passed away at the age of 106 years old in 2015. They lived together in the home Tony built until relocating to Gaylord. June turned 103 on June 18 of this year. She is survived by many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to Hospice of Michigan. The family is being assisted by the McCowen & Secord Funeral Home, Rupert-Durham Chapel, Vicksburg.
Dennis (“Louie”) Layne Eberstein, 62, Schoolcraft, passed away July 30. He was born July 17, 1957 in Vicksburg to the late Robert and Barbara (Kline) Eberstein. Louie graduated from Schoolcraft High School, and after a year in California, returned home to Schoolcraft. Louie spent his time building a dedicated circle of friends and helping out those close to him. He also enjoyed riding his motorcycle, especially in the mountains of West Virginia. Marrying late in life, Louie adored and was dedicated and committed to his wife of 6 ½ years, Laura. Louie is survived by his wife, Laura Eberstein; and brother Mike (Jeanne) Eberstein. Following Louie’s wishes, he will be cremated and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Donations may go to St. Jude Hospital for support of families and research; West Michigan cancer center to support research, or Schoolcraft’s Historical Society for operation and maintenance of the Underground Railroad House.
Bonnie Sue Gose, 83, East Leroy, passed away August 19. She was born on January 13, 1936 to Leonard and Grace (Williams) Davis. Cooking was a big part of Bonnie’s life; she was a wonderful cook. Nurturing was in Bonnie’s nature through her unconditional love. Bonnie is survived by her children, Rick (Vonda) Gose of Luther, Sandy (Ray) Smith of East Leroy, and Bob (Carol) Gose of Vicksburg; 13 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Peggy (Charles) Sams of Marcellus and Mike (Linda) Davis of Indiana. Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Dale; daughter, Sarah Blankenship; siblings Bill Davis, Tom Davis, Noami McGill and twin siblings that passed at birth. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to Alzheimer’s Research.
Irene Green, 92, Vicksburg, passed away August 19. Irene was born on October 4, 1926 to Delbert and Mary (Bush) Burr. Irene’s family includes her daughter, Janet Green (Robert Poats); her sister-in-law, Doris Burr, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Merle, her son, Owen Green, siblings David, Pauline Miller, Merle and Stanley Burr. She was also preceded by a special companion of eight years, Ralph Ramlow. Irene started her working career as a truck driver for D&E Weiandt in 1958, becoming the first woman to join Teamsters Local No. 7. She retired in 1983 to travel in her Ford Model T’s. Those travels took her in 1984 from New York to Seattle on the 75th Anniversary Ford Rerun Tour and in 1987 from Texas to Alaska, a Model T adventure covering 10,500 miles. She was a member of the Model T Ford Club International, local chapter Tin Lizzie Travelers, Model T Ford Club of America and a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Three Rivers. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.
Joyce D. Green, 86, Vicksburg, went to be with her Lord August 13 at Park Village Pines, Kalamazoo. She was born May 27, 1933 to the late James Roelofs and Dena Holthouse. Joyce married Robert Green on June 16, 1951. Settling in Vicksburg, they were together for 65 years. Joyce was a librarian at the Vicksburg District Library, retiring in 1991 and a member of the Victorian Garden Club. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert; and her son, Michael James. Joyce is survived by her daughter, Cindy Hammond and her husband, Scott; son David Green and his wife, Amy; grandsons Jacob, Benjamin, and Noah; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Donations may go to Generous Hands, Inc. or Lakeland Reformed Church.
Stuart Todd Hayner, passed from this earth July 2, embraced by family. Todd, born June 9, 1967 was curious over his entire life about the universe and metaphysics, keeping his parents, Clarence Hadley II and Rosemary Hadley, bewildered. Todd worked at Stewart Sutherland for years. It was during this time that he used his name, Stuart. Stuart owned and operated Selective Tree Service. He is survived by Judy Lee Hayner; his mother, Rosemary Hadley; his beautiful daughters, Brittany (Ryan) Bleeker and Emily Hayner; siblings Jason Hadley, Larry Davis, Leslie Gunderson, Kyle and James Hayner and Jennifer Bradley; stepchildren Jerry and Erica Root; grandsons Ryan and Eli Bleeker and JP Root; nieces and nephews, Alexis and Jaden Gunderson, Paige, Kyle, Lacey and Ella Hadley and Jake Davis. A potluck to celebrate his life and share memories will take place on Saturday September 21st at 3:00 PM at 906 Vicker Street, Vicksburg.
Robert “Bob” Hildebrand, 80, Vicksburg, passed away July 31. He was born to Rollin and Bessie Hildebrand on October 30, 1938. Bob attended Vicksburg schools and became a professional mason. He always had an impeccable yard that was the envy of the neighborhood. He built a pond in his backyard and spent a significant amount of time tending to his meticulous flowerbeds as well as cleaning the pond. Outside of his work, he was a professional fisherman, winning many tournaments over the past several years. Popular among the competitive fishing industry, he traveled the country to fish. Bob is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joyce; their son, Rick Hildebrand of Vicksburg; granddaughters Jodie (Chad) Ostertag of Portage and Jessica (Jim) Cutshaw of Vicksburg; great-grandchildren Kyllie Zeller, Jim Cutshaw, and Aaden Ostertag. He is also survived by siblings Ron (Marylou) Hildebrand of Vicksburg; Virginia Bogema of Schoolcraft; Ruth Fritz of Pennsylvania; and Margaret (Dick) Fifer of Scotts. He was preceded in death by his brother, Howard Hildebrand. Visit his page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.
Bruce P. Loker, 89, Vicksburg, died Aug. 21, following a long illness. He was born in Fulton on March 21, 1930, the son of Perry C. and Marian (Vance) Loker. He graduated from Athens High School and served in the U.S. Army for two years as a military policeman. Bruce was married to Dolores Denny on Feb. 25, 1955. Together they raised their children and operated a dairy farm near Fulton. Bruce was a pilot and enjoyed flying his Cessna. He attended the Factoryville Bible Church. Bruce is survived by his wife, Dolores Loker; children Rodney (Roseann) Loker of Vicksburg, Raymond (Tracie) Loker of Fulton, Perry (Cheryl) Loker of Vicksburg, Penny (Matthew) Mills of Belton, Mo., and Dawn (Randy) Adams of Raymore, Mo.; 23 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; a brother, Max (Elaine) Loker; sisters Margaret (Francis) West and Vera Boyer; a sister in law, Beatrice Loker; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Royce; granddaughter, Jenny; and brother, Dale. Donations may go to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Visit his page at eickhofffuneralhome.com.
Corey A. Theobald, 33, Schoolcraft, passed away July 30. Corey was born January 12, 1986 in Kalamazoo, a son of Peter and Judith (Oswalt) Theobald. He was a lifelong Kalamazoo area resident and was employed with Harding’s several years ago. Corey is survived by his parents; a brother, Kyle Theobald; and several grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Donations may go to Twelve Baskets Food Pantry. Visit his page at langelands.com.
Vivian Elizabeth Blevins Watz, 95, died peacefully July 29 at the Heritage Community Nursing Home in Kalamazoo. Vivian was born on July 19, 1924, in Detroit, the daughter of William and Vivian Duke. World War II took her husband Marty Watz overseas for three years and while he was gone, Vivian wrote faithfully to her husband every day. During the war, she worked third shift at a factory inspecting shells for the war effort. When Marty came home, they bought a home in Harper Woods, where they lived for the next 45 years, raising four children. Vivian worked as a telephone operator for many years. After Marty died in 2010, Vivian moved to Spring Manor Apartments in Portage. Vivian is survived by her children, Diane Watz-Frisinger, Martin, Jr. (Sandra), Janet Glaes (Charles) and Steven (RoseAnn); grandchildren, Joshua Frisinger, Melissa Heimbough (Hayes), Jonathan Glaes (Jessica), Tyler Glaes, Natalie Glaes, Steven Watz, and Alexandra Watz; and great-grandchildren Sophia Frisinger, Hunter Glaes, Mason Glaes, and Gabriella Glaes. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to Generous Hands, Alzheimer’s Association or the Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation.