Obituaries

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Lora Jane “Polly” Boodt, 97, Schoolcraft, passed away April 20, 2021 at White Oaks Assisted Living. She was born September 24, 1923 in Schoolcraft at the family homestead on West W Ave. in Prairie Ronde Township, the daughter of Leon and Elizabeth (Hoverman) Wood. She graduated from Schoolcraft High School in 1942 and married Robert L. Boodt, June 18, 1942 in Abilene, Texas. Polly retired from WL Molding. She joined Schoolcraft Chapter #262, Order of the Eastern Star, became an OES Life Member on June 6, 1994 and was a member of Corinthian Chapter #123, Schoolcraft. She enjoyed gardening, baking pies, making caramel corn, camping with the RV club, playing cards, fishing, crocheting and collecting “Polly” frogs. She is survived by her son, Robert L. (Kitty) Boodt of Owosso; son-in-law Kenneth Maxam of Kalamazoo; grandchildren Kim Maxam of Schoolcraft, Keith (Sarah) Maxam of Parchment, Laurie (McDowell) Maxam of Plainwell, Kevin (Stacy) Maxam of Paw Paw, Brian (Melissa) Boodt of Schoolcraft, Troy (Becky) Boodt of Baldwin, and Stormy Greenwalt of Owosso; sister-in-law Velura (Boodt) Wood of Vicksburg; special nieces, Kay (Glessner) Bivens of Virginia and Robbie (Kniss) Glessner of Lapeer; 12 great grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 46 years, Robert; daughter, Elizabeth C. Maxam; brothers Walter Wood of Vicksburg and William G. Wood of California; sisters and their husbands Erna and Ray Glessner of Lapeer (formerly of Schoolcraft) and Birdie and Charles Shapard of California and Texas; nephews Marshall L. Glessner of Lapeer and Rodger Bivens of Virginia. Donations may go to First Presbyterian Church of Schoolcraft.

David Brownell, 63, Vicksburg, passed away April 11, 2021. David was born on December 13, 1957 in Kalamazoo, the son of Peter and Joyce (Bradley) Brownell. David lived on Austin Lake for 30 years. He followed a life-long dream and opened and operated the Mercantile Kitchen Store for 10 years in Kalamazoo. He was employed by Allied Mechanical Services for the majority of his life. He loved the lake life, spending time laughing with friends and family, cooking large meals and working around the house. David is survived by his wife of 32 years, Nancy (Stinson) Brownell; children Mary Brownell and Mitch Brownell; brother Doug (Judy) Brownell; stepbrother Steve (Barb) Balinski; and stepsister Suzanne (Matt) Charlier. David was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Joyce Brownell; brother Scott Brownell; and stepmother Marilyn. Visit his page at avinkcremation.com and pour a vodka tonic in his honor.

Lois Bernice Evert Fulton, 98, passed away April 7, 2021. Lois was born April 20, 1922 at home in East Lansing to Paul and Cora (Mallory) Evert. Lois graduated from James Couzens Agricultural School, now Bath High School, in 1941, and she attended Lansing Business University. She married Robert James Fulton July 25, 1947. Lois worked for the Board of Water and Light and then the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. When Bob and Lois retired in 1986, they built their home at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp. Lois was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; daughter Penny Jean; son-in­ law Thomas Adams; and brothers and sisters-in-law Ray (Nina) Evert, Stan (Annabelle) Evert, Barbara Warner Fulton, Audrey Bishop Fulton and Dorothy (Bernard) West. She is survived by daughters Paula Fulton, Linda Adams, and Coralee (Dan) Behr, all of Vicksburg; grandchildren Kendra (Brian) Lee, Krista (Kelly) Kraemer, Aaron Behr, Andrew (Lydia) Behr, Adam (Danae) Behr and Michael Adams; great-grandchildren Alyse Kraemer, Lillianna, Autumn, Willow, Oliver, and Gabrielle Behr; and several nieces and nephews. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com.

Robert “Rob” James Garcia Jr., 42, passed away surrounded by his loving family on April 13, 2021. He was born on September 14, 1978 in Hollywood, Fla., the son of Robert J. Garcia Sr. and Molly A. Garcia. On August 27, 2011 he married Sara Franklin, and together they raised two wonderful children. Rob enjoyed playing video games, playing guitar and drawing. He earned an associate’s degree in art, created a comic book of his own and partnered to create a graphic novel. He loved having adventures with his family. Rob was preceded in death by his grandmother, Mildred Garcia; uncles John Garcia and James Garcia; aunt Mildred Pierce; and brother Jonathan Bradley. He is survived by his wife of 10 years, Sara (Franklin) Garcia; children Jaxon and Mackenzie Garcia; parents Robert (Patricia) Garcia and Molly Garcia; siblings Amanda Garcia, Jessica Vergauwen, and Elizabeth Eshuis; aunts Sharon Morgan and Donna Focht; uncle Michael Garcia; nieces, nephews, and many cousins. Donations may go to the family c/o Sara Garcia.

Richard Jay Henderson, 83, passed away surrounded by his loving family on April 9, 2021. He was born on June 13, 1937 in Wakeshma Township, the son of William and Dorothy (Spealman) Henderson Sr. He attended Vicksburg High School, worked at Fulton Service Station and eventually worked for CBS Hightron. After leaving CBS he worked for Kellogg’s for 36 years before retiring in 1993. He also farmed 300 acres in the Vicksburg area with his sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Ron Skippers. In retirement, he enjoyed golfing, going to Canada for fishing trips, cutting wood with his sons and brother, hanging out around a campfire, spending time with his grandchildren, and his yearly pilgrimage to Florida to escape the winter months. Richard was preceded in his passing by his loving wife of 62 years, Carol (Fish) Henderson; siblings Kenneth and Donna; and his parents. He is survived by his children, Rebecca (Jerry) Dunklee, Bradley (Vonda) Henderson, and Brent (Joan) Henderson; siblings Mary (Jim) Cousins, Bill Henderson, and Pat Smith; several grandchildren and great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Visit his page at mccowensecord.com.

Clinton “Skidge” Hill, 54, passed away on April 21, 2021. He was born on April 22, 1966 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, the son of Earl and Roxanne (Sayers) Hill. The family moved from Garden River, Ont. to the Kalamazoo area in 1998. Skidge was a die-hard fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Denver Broncos. He and his wife, Cora, enjoyed adventuring around the world, visiting casinos and deep belly laughs with their besties Rich and Donna. Skidge is survived by his wife of 22 years Cora; children Randi and Bryce; grandchildren Jordan and Tyler; siblings Karen (Jeff), Chad (Lora), Brent and Angel; special friend Clayton “Booker” Boissoneau; in-law’s Glenda (Ben), Wes (Maureen), Trixie (James), his late brother-in-law’s wife, Vanessa, and his mother and father-in-law, Glen and Alice Jones, as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Skidge was preceded in his passing by his parents, his brother Shawn, Baby Hill and a brother-in-law, Manny. Pay it forward with an act of kindness in Skidge’s memory.

Kenneth Alan Jones, 63, died unexpectedly in his Kalamazoo home on April 26, 2021. He was a well-known musician, performing with the Grand Rapids and Battle Creek symphony orchestras. He was a percussionist with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra for 45 years. Ken was born in Sturgis in 1957. His family moved to Schoolcraft in 1967. At the age of 13 he auditioned for Julius Stulberg and the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony. He remained with it for several years, taking tours throughout Canada and Europe. He graduated from Schoolcraft High School in 1975. After receiving a Board of Regents Scholarship, he attended Western Michigan University where he graduated cum laude, with a bachelor’s degree in music. For many years he taught instrumental music to elementary and middle school students in the Kalamazoo Public Schools. Ken was a talented and well-liked person by all who knew him. Preceding him in death were his father, Marion Jones, and his, brother Robert Jones. Left to grieve his passing are his son, Maxwell; his mother, Marilyn Jones, of Schoolcraft; sisters Kathleen Kelly and Laurie Bittle; brothers Larry Jones and Steven Jones; as well as four nieces and three nephews. An outdoor graveside memorial service will be held at the Schoolcraft Cemetery on May 7 at 11:30 am. Attendees are asked to bring a lawn chair.

Ila Rhe Kinder, 75, Vicksburg, passed away on April 21, 2021. Born in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, Ila was raised in nearby Hunter, the second of six children in the Sieber household. The daughter of cotton farmers, Ila and her family were not strangers to hard work. Ila graduated from Brinkley High School in Brinkley, Arkansas with the class of 1964. After high school, Ila began working for a shirt factory. In the early 1960s, she met and married Leland “Buddy” Kinder and raising their family became her focus. She was known for her sense of style and love of family. She treasured her girlfriends and the many adventures they had. She is survived by her daughter, Mischelle (Jim) Korelich of Vicksburg; grandchildren Logan (Joe) Schuiteboer of Kalamazoo, Ally Stafinski of Mendon, Olivia Kinder of Portage, and Audrey Koewers; siblings Thomas Sieber, Peggy Sullivan and Nadine (Bob) Freeland, all of Arkansas, and Carl Sieber of Vicksburg. She is also survived by her special friend, Walter “Buck” Buckallew. Ila was preceded in death by her husband, Leland “Buddy”; a son, Mark Kinder; and sister, Karen. Ila has been cremated. The family will have a memorial service at 11 a.m. July 21 at McCowen & Secord Funeral Home, 409 S. Main Street, Vicksburg. The family will greet friends one hour prior, beginning at 10 a.m. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com.

Walter DeWitt Layne, 90, Vicksburg, passed away peacefully at his home on April 10, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. Walter was born on April 22, 1930 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the son of Walter Scott Layne and Lois (Cooley) Layne. Walt’s family eventually settled on Long Lake in Portage. He attended University High School and transferred to Vicksburg High School where he played football and drove his 1930-era Ford. He served in the US Navy from 1947 to 1950. On the carrier USS Princeton, he saw post-war Japan and China. He performed duties aboard ship and flew missions for the torpedo bomber squad. Walt married Nancy Van Laar on September 28, 1951. The couple raised their family in the Vicksburg area. Walt worked for Upjohn as a chemical operator for 30 years. Retiring in 1985, he and Nancy wintered in LaBelle, Florida for another 30 years. Walt loved golf and fishing for crappie in Lake Okeechobee. He was a member of Amazing Grace Baptist Fellowship, the Gideons International, and Masonic Lodge #240. Walt is survived by his wife of 69 years, Nancy (Van Laar) Layne; children Steven (Sue) Layne, Lorrie (John) VerSteeg and Cyndee (Paul) Van Sweden; grandchildren Scott (Chandra) Kellogg, Leighann (Doug) Harris, Travis (Courtney) Van Sweden and Katie (Dan Ramsdell) Layne; sisters Mary Bullard and Barb Witherow; and great-grandchildren Hank, Clara, Rowen, Zayden and Griffin. Donations may go to Gideons International or the American Kidney Fund. Visit his page at langelands.com.

Hué Thi Loc, 70, Vicksburg, passed away March 30, 2021. Hue was born May 12th, 1941 in Ha Noi, Vietnam, to Nguyen Van Bon and Tran Thi Nghi. When Hué’s father and brother died and her mother fell ill, Hué was adopted. Her adoptive parents moved the family to South Vietnam. Her birth family found her later, but Hué stayed to care for her ill adoptive parents. Hué and Loc Minh Dau (Loc A. Loc) were married in 1964. Loc served in the South Vietnamese army while Hué sold street food to feed her growing family. After the war, Loc was held captive. Hué and Loc left South Vietnam on a boat with their seven children as refugees, her adoptive mother stayed behind due to her physical disability. They lived in a Malaysian refugee camp for two years, sponsored by Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Portage. In 1979, the Loc family settled into a farmhouse in Vicksburg where they raised their eight children. Hué is survived by children Mui, Cau (Anh), Tom (Christine), Phuong (Stephen), Hoang (Karmina), Vuong, Anh (Luke); daughter-in-law Tracy; grandchildren Kiaya, Kliricia, Koehl, Joseph, Ava, Jackson, Lillian, Evelyn, Caitlin, Cobey, Madison, Cy, Jada, Mason, Mya, Maddox, Miles, Amelia, Nicholas, Cullen, Brandon, and another baby girl on her way; great grandchildren Sebastian and Montgomery. She was preceded in death by her husband, Loc A. Loc, and son Nic. Visit her page at avinkcremation.com. Donations may go to the family, which will be forwarded to Tam Quang Temple, Wayland, for its generous services for Hué.

Jack E. Marks: Please join Diane, Tracy, Jami and Bill Marks and Brent Dingman as they celebrate the life of Jack E. Marks on May 23, 2021 from 1-5 p.m. at his home, 6080 East T Avenue, Vicksburg. Luncheon will be served. Jack, an electrician, died Nov. 7, 2020 at the age of 77.

Joseph A. Medema, Schoolcraft, died April 6, 2021. Joe was born April 1, 1980 in Kalamazoo, the son of John W. and Barbara (Warner) Medema. He graduated from Western Michigan University and was a supervisor at Parker-Hannifin. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and boating. On September 14, 2002 he married Valerie (Wendel), who survives. Also surviving are daughters Brooke, Allyson, and Isabelle Medema; his parents; father-in-law Donald Wendel; grandparents John Medema and Karen Delp; brothers John E. Medema and Joshua Medema; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Joe was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Michele Wendel, and grandparents Dorothy Medema, Richard Delp and Geraldine Wendel. Donations may go to First Reformed Church of Portage. Visit his page at langelands.com.

Edward Allen Murphy, 80, Mesa, Ariz., formerly of Vicksburg, passed March 26, 2021, surrounded by his children, Rex and Vicki, and grandson, Rex Esq. He was a generous, kind-hearted man who would help anybody. He worked as a farm hand, heating and cooling technician, gutter installer, construction supervisor, truck driver, and small business owner. He enjoyed traveling all over the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. On February 25, 1964, he married Gloria Ruth Gunnett in Kalamazoo. They lived in Vicksburg until 1984, when they moved to Arizona, settling in Mesa until her death in 2000. He met and fell in love with Gloria Jobe, initially introduced to her by his wife a couple of years earlier. They enjoyed their time together until her death in 2019. He is survived by three children, Victoria (Bob) Yoder, Vicksburg; Rex (Sun) Murphy, Mesa, Ariz.; Ed Murphy II, Mesa, Ariz; grandchildren Rex Esq., Ryan, and Baily; sisters Betsy Vandelaare of Mendon; Mary (Gary) Vermuelen of Scotts, and Pam (Rich) Aby of Queen’s Creek, Ariz.; sister-in-law Linda Gunnett, Palm Springs, Calif.; brother-in-law Larry (Sue) Gunnett, Three Rivers; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Lillian Murphy, his wife, girlfriend Gloria Jobe, sister-in-law Mary Williams and brother-in-law Don Vandelaare. His ashes will be spread over Roosevelt Lake in Arizona with those of his wife. Donations may go to a veterans’ organization or St. Joseph’s Indian School.

Patricia Ann Neidlinger, 86, Vicksburg and Schoolcraft, died April 7, 2021. She was born November 10, 1934 in Kalamazoo to Francis and Helen (Kinsey) Knerr. She went to Portage Central High School and worked for WL Molding and Westside Medical. On June 27, 1959, she married Gordon L. Neidlinger. She is survived by her children, Judy Wilcox, Jerry Neidlinger, and Gene Neidlinger; grandchildren William, Rachel, and Ryan; great-grandchildren Jeffrey, Alexia and Izack; and sister Angela Knerr. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister, Barbara, and her brother, Frank. Donations may go to Alzheimer’s Association, Hospice of SW Michigan or American Diabetes Association.

Christopher Alan Pelton (Chris), 59, Schoolcraft, died April 9, 2021 from pancreatic cancer. Chris was born Dec. 18, 1961 in Bay City to Philip and Mary Ann Pelton. He wed Lori Heideman in August 1989. He was an IRS agent and loved the outdoors. Chris is survived by his wife; son Philip (Aubrey Hooker); daughter Olivia; parents Phil and Mary Ann Pelton; brother Perry (Rose) Pelton; sisters Linda (Terry) Benchley, Diane (Kenny) Senske, and Kelly (Dan) Meschke; in-laws Fred and Nancy Heideman; sister-in-law Amy (Chris) Desmond; brothers-in-law Jim (Diane) Heideman, Mike (Rosalind) Heideman, Mark Heideman, and Fred Heideman; and many nieces and nephews. Donations may go to Hospice of SW Michigan. Many thanks to Kristi M., RN, who was an angel.

Elizabeth Anne Sehy, 32, died April 18, 2021. She was born May 9, 1988 at Borgess Hospital, Kalamazoo to Henry and Anne (Shekleton) Sehy, the youngest of four kids. Elizabeth loved the outdoors and soccer. While attending Vicksburg High School, she played varsity soccer, and as an adult, Elizabeth continued to play soccer and served as captain of an intramural soccer team at Kingdom Sports Indoor Center in Kalamazoo. She could often be seen at her niece’s and nephew’s soccer games in Vicksburg on her days off. After graduating in 2006, she received her certificate in dental hygienics from Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek. Elizabeth worked at TJ Maxx for 14 years. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her sister, Sarah Sehy, and nephew, Lane Sehy. She is survived by her parents, Henry and Anne (Shekleton) Sehy; siblings Monica (Scott) Triemstra and Nathan Sehy; nieces and nephews Reagan, Ian, Calvin, and Ava Triemstra and Colton Sehy; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Donations may go to St. Martin of Tours Parish.