James Knepp Bell, 78, Schoolcraft, passed away Nov. 30. James was the son of Ramsay and Virginia (Knepp) Bell. He was born on November 3, 1941 in Washington, D.C. James graduated from Schoolcraft High School in 1959. After high school, he attended Michigan State University for a short time, before coming home to work. His family described him as independent, a creative thinker, unconventional, having a business mind, and a naturalist. In the 80’s, his family owned Bell’s Family Restaurant in Schoolcraft. He also owned Bell Real Estate and worked in his later years at Harding’s in Schoolcraft. Jim was a proud lifetime member of the Schoolcraft Lions Club. His hobbies included bow hunting and bowling. He enjoyed a good poker game. James is survived by his four children, James (Maureen) Bell, of Portage; Shane (Donna) Bell, of Florida; Tim (Sonja) Bell, of Louisiana; and Tamara (Don) Trudeau, of Nevada; 11 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Jeff (Vicki) Bell, of Schoolcraft. Visit James’ page at avinkcremation.com. Donations may go to the Schoolcraft Lions Club.
Lyle G. Brockway, 95, Grand Rapids, formerly of Vicksburg, passed away January 1. Lyle was born in Brady Township on April 15, 1924 to Omar and Ines (Stevens) Brockway. He graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1942 and attended Michigan State University until enlisting in the Army Air Corps. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters for flying thirty-five missions in B-17s over Europe during WWII. After the war, he married Maria Marian Dalman on July 5, 1947 in Vicksburg. Lyle was employed at Consumers Power Company for 37 years, rising to district superintendent in the Cadillac area before his retirement. Lyle and Maria had four children. He enjoyed many activities over the years, playing bridge, gardening, doing crosswords, caning chairs, square dancing, while always being an active member of the Vicksburg EUB and United Methodist Churches wherever he lived. He loved his time with his grandchildren and taught them all how to play cribbage. He served on the Brady Township Board as a trustee, United Way board in Manistee, taught Sunday school, and was a member and director of the American Contract Bridge Club. Lyle was preceded in death by his first wife, Maria in 1991; his parents; sisters Donna Kunselman, Margaret Harriger, Mary Brown; a brother, Donald Brockway; and a son, Michael Brockway. He is survived by his second wife, Roberta DeRoos; a sister, Bea Ross; children Ken (Barb) Brockway, Robert (MaryAnn) Brockway, Ann (Scott) Robare; a daughter-in-law, Fran Brockway; 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. A funeral service for Lyle will be held on Saturday, January 11, at 11 a.m. at the McCowen-Secord Funeral Home, Rupert-Durham Chapel, Vicksburg. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 10 a.m. Visit Lyle’s page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to the Red Bird Mission.
Jerrold “Jerry” L. Dailey, 80, Scotts, passed away Dec. 16. Jerry was born on March 21, 1939 in Vicksburg. He was the son of George and Imogene (Randall) Dailey. He graduated from the Vicksburg High School Class of 1957. On March 25, 1978, he married Marilee. He is survived by his wife; son Chad (Brooke) Dailey, of Schoolcraft; stepson Scott (fiancé Tomi Jo) Shrauger, of Jenison; grandchildren Jordan, Hunter, Paige, Brenna, Joey, and Carli. He is also survived by his sister-in-law: Louanne (Bob) Heemstra, of Kalamazoo and daughter-in-law Dawn Dailey, of Schoolcraft. He was preceded in death by his son, Scot Dailey. Visit Jerry’s page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to Lord of Life Lutheran Church and the Vicksburg Lions Club.
Bradley Jacob Dow, 22, Kalamazoo, passed away December 10. He was born January 31, 1997 in Norwich, Conn., the son of Bruce and Rachel (Smith) Dow. He graduated from Vicksburg High School in 2015, where he was a member of the Big Red Machine marching band. He was an avid musician, playing the trombone and drums. Bradley is survived by his parents, Bruce and Rachel of Scotts; brother Bruce (Donielle) Dow and their children, Jessica and Isaac of Comstock, and sister Meagan (Joseph) Stiver and their daughter, Addison, of Vicksburg. He also leaves his paternal grandparents Ronald and Bette Dow of Las Vegas. He is also survived by his girlfriend, Taylor Freemire, and dog, Remington Prince. Donations may go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention or to his GoFundMe to help offset expenses.
James S. Huntington, 67, Vicksburg, passed away peacefully December 6. James was born on July 20, 1952 in Kalamazoo. He was the son of Paul and Margaret (Hartman) Huntington. He graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1970. On December 18, 1976 he married Sheran Skipper in Missouri. James worked at Simpson Paper mill until it closed. James is survived by his children, Elizabeth Huntington of Vicksburg, Marcia Skipper of Vicksburg; Pamela (Dale) Mentor of Portage and Ronald Skipper of Comstock; 19 grandchildren; great grandchildren and his siblings, Robert (Jodi) Huntington of Scotts and Steven (Brenda) Huntington. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Pat and Larry. Visit James’ page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to Generous Hands.
Philip B. Maneikis, Schoolcraft, passed away December 25. He was born on November 14, 1944 to Victor and Margaret (Hammond) Maneikis. He married Cynthia M. Hull on July 30, 1966. They were married 38 terrific years and raised four wonderful Christian daughters. Phil retired from KVCC after teaching engineering manufacturing for 33 years. He also farmed 350 acres in Schoolcraft for over 40 years. He was a member of Lawton Evangelical (Mennonite) Church. Phil was passionate about helping those in need in devastated areas through Mennonite Disaster Service. He rebuilt and repaired homes for 2-3 months every year for 20 years. After Cyndi passed in 2003, he married Kathleen (DeForest) Schelb. Their combined family included daughters Tiffany Priest, Michelle (Jeff) Stahl, Jennifer (Scott) VanZanten, Melissa Chandler, and Jennifer Schelb. They also had 12 grandchildren and 2 great grandsons. Phil was predeceased by his brother, Dennis. In addition to the above family members, he is survived by his brother, Stanley. Visit Phil’s page at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Donations may go to Leukemia And Lymphoma Society or Lawton Evangelical Church to be used for missions.
William “Jim” Miller II, 68, passed away at his home December 22. Jim was born in Kalamazoo, on February 8, 1951 to the late William J. Miller “Bill” and Irene (Kramer) Miller. He was raised in Portage with his brother, Robert Jay Miller. After graduating from Portage Northern High School, Jim went on to Ferris State University. He later moved on to a career at the Upjohn Company (Pfizer) that spanned more than 37 years. Jim loved the people he worked with and enjoyed reminiscing with old friends and co-workers at the monthly retirement breakfasts. Jim loved sports! He enjoyed bowling and playing adult hockey as a goalie. One of his greatest passions was coaching and playing for the Upjohn slow pitch softball team, “Freak Bros.” He was proud of his friendship with the late Galesburg-Augusta Hall of Fame High School Football coach, Bill Maskill, and loved sharing stories of their friendship over the years. They enjoyed sharing breakfast three days a week for the last 10 years. Jim is survived by his son, William “Willie” Miller, of Schoolcraft, a brother; Robert (Tammy) Miller; grandchildren William “Jimmy” Miller IV and Mackenzie Fay Miller, a nephew, Bobby Miller, and niece, Andrea Miller. Visit his page at avinkcremation.com.
Josie Taylor-B Neel, 1, Vicksburg, passed away from complications with her heart December 7. She was born to JT Neel and Megan Oswalt on November 27, 2018. Within forty-eight hours of her birth, Josie underwent surgery to repair her congenital heart defect, truncus arteriosus. Josie enjoyed playing with her cousins, having her mom read and sing to her, and playing with her special baby dolls. She often loved to stare out the window looking for deer with her dad. There is no doubt that Josie Neel was a bright light in the lives of many. Her infectious smile could light up any room. Born slightly premature, she made up for her small stature in her larger-than-life personality. Josie is survived by her parents, JT Neel and Megan Oswalt, of Vicksburg; grandparents Shane and Heidi Neel of Vicksburg and Dan and Kelly Oswalt of Vicksburg; great grandparents Bonnie Oswalt, of Vicksburg; Kathy Lange, of Vicksburg; and Gary Neel, of Alabama; great-great-grandmother Darlene Cain, of South Haven. She is also survived by her aunts and uncles, Emily and Andy Foster, of Vicksburg; Derek and Katie Debiak, of Vicksburg; Justin and Morgan, of Otsego; and Wyatt Neel, of Vicksburg; special cousins Grady, Addy, Braelyn, Brynlee, and Easton. She was preceded in death by her great grandparents, Gordon Oswalt, Edwin and Ruth Martin, and Vivian Schroeder. Visit Josie’s page at mccowensecord.com. Donation checks be made payable in one of the parent’s names for a future memorial fund that will be set up in Josie’s name.
Phillip M. Stewart, 83, formerly of Vicksburg, passed away Nov. 29 in Bradenton, Florida. He was born to John and Ruth Stewart in Kalamazoo on November 26, 1936, the oldest of five children. Phillip attended WMU, where he obtained bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and physics. Phill co-founded Triple S Plastics in Kalamazoo, then moved it to Vicksburg. In addition, he founded Beacon Tool and Engineering. He was an inventor and held seven U.S. patents. In 1987, he moved to Sarasota, Florida. In 1988 Phill cofounded Stewart Industrial Supply in Bradenton with his brother, Dave Stewart, formerly of Vicksburg. He entered the teaching field by substituting at Sarasota Military Academy and IMG Academy. Phillip was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Jack Stewart, and his daughter, Sandra Baus. He is survived by his wife, Esther, his children Tammy Stewart, Teresa Vaal, Phillip Andrew Stewart and Diana Schau. He is also survived by his brothers, Dave Stewart and Bill Stewart, and his sister, Jeanne Qualls. Phillip had eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Donations may go to the Melanoma Research Fund at U of M. Checks may be made payable to U of M and sent to the Michigan Medicine Office of Development. You may also call 734-764-6777 or visit the website victors.us/philstewart to make your gift. You may also donate to Tidewell Hospice.
Hisko Timmermans, 72, Vicksburg, passed away November 30. On February 17, 1947, Hisko was born to Gerrit and Zwaantje (Hulsing) Timmermans in Groningen, Netherlands. His family immigrated to the United States in 1956. He graduated with the class of 1965 from Portage High. Hisko received his bachelor’s degree in education from WMU. He enlisted in the United States Army and served stateside. He remained in the reserves until 1976. Hisko worked for his father at Timmermans Plumbing and Heating, a family business. Following in his father’s footsteps, he later started his own business, Hisko Timmermans Plumbing Company and finished his plumbing career at Mall City Mechanical. Hisko was also actively involved in the Vicksburg community. Hisko enjoyed playing the guitar and singing in a local beach band. Hisko enjoyed a wide variety of sports. He was known to officiate the AYSO soccer games in Paw Paw as well as play on an adult league at the SoccerZone in Portage. He also played golf, ran in local races, and was a regular member of a spinning class at the Bronson Athletic Club. Hisko was married in 1969 to his first wife Diane (Karen) and together they raised three wonderful children; Kristi, Josh, and Matt. Later, he met and married his second wife, Barbara, on April 21, 1989, joining her two children, Lisa and Matt, with his three and forming their extended family. Hisko is survived by loving his wife of 30 years, Barbara; the children, Kristi (Matt) Hausler, of Petoskey; Josh (Maureen) Timmermans, of Ohio; Matt (Christina) Timmermans, of Ohio; stepchildren Lisa (Chris) Newman, of Vicksburg; Matt (Marcy) Leonard, of Arizona; 11 grandchildren; siblings Roelie (Doug) Caldwell, of Ludington and Garret (Sandra) Timmermans, of Kalamazoo; several nieces and nephews. Visit Hisko’s page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to West Michigan Cancer Center, AYSO, or Generous Hands.
Carol Woodburn, Schoolcraft, passed away peacefully December 4. Carol was born to Herbert and Marie Beischl on July 2, 1936. She is survived by her children, William (Sue Vanlaten) Woodburn, Chris Asher, Ross Woodburn, Robert (Michelle) Woodburn Jr. and Keith (Jackie) Woodburn; 11 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; a sister, Loleta Farrow; and many nieces and nephews. Carol was also known as “grandma” to many. She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Robert Woodburn Sr., parents, Herbert and Marie Beischl; siblings George, LeRoy, Alice, Mildred, Ruby and Judy. Cremation has taken place and burial will be March 13, 2020 at Schoolcraft Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at First Presbyterian Church in Schoolcraft. Visit Carol’s page at avinkcremation.com.