Karen Louise Berry, 83, Vicksburg, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on July 27, 1938, in Ludington, the daughter of Helen Sauers. Karen graduated from Climax-Scotts High School in 1956. Following graduation, she met and married Richard Walter Berry, and together they raised their family in Vicksburg. She had a passion for the outdoors and was blessed with a green thumb. She loved to cook and spend time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in her passing by her mother Helen Ault; husband Richard Berry; and brothers Gaylord Hotrum Sr. and Paul Hotrum. Left to cherish Karen’s loving memory are her children, Janice (Todd) Robinson, Richard Berry II and Sue (Tom) Forward; grandchildren Ashley (Tony) Garrod, Arrin Berry-Robinson, Olivia Berry, Alyssa Frisch and Codey Frisch; great-grandchildren Kyler Frisch and Ella Stokes; siblings Sonya Beebe and James (Renee) Hotrum; sister in-law Rosemary Hotrum; aunt “Sr. Colette” Evelyn Sauers; and many nieces and nephews. Donations may go to the family in care of Janice Robinson. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com.
William (Bill) David Bowen, 84, Vicksburg, passed away August 18, 2021. He was born on April 17, 1937, in Atlanta, Michigan, to William Martin and Nellie Mary (Turppa) Bowen. Bill graduated from Pinconning High School in 1955. He married Martha Irene Hawkins on August 24, 1957, and they raised their four children in Midland. He worked at Dow Chemical and retired as a master pipefitter at age 53. Bill served as Santa Claus at the Lakeview Square Mall in Battle Creek for 17 years. He was an active member of Chapman Memorial Church of the Nazarene and was an active member of Gideons International for 55 years. Bill enjoyed gardening, servicing golf carts, and volunteering at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp. Bill will be remembered for his loving and giving personality. He was preceded in his passing by his daughter-in-law, Kristin Bowen. Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Martha Irene (Hawkins) Bowen; children Yvonne and Jonathan Biggar, Debra and Steven Reader, William A. Bowen, and Yalonda and J. Mitchell Combs; grandchildren Rebecca, Allison, Gretchen, Sara, Adam, Renee, Mandy, Emily, Abigail, Tim, Jake and Miguella; and 11 great-grandchildren. Donations may go to ChapNaz Church, the Gideons International, or Indian Lake Nazarene Camp. Visit his page at mccowensecord.com.
Janet Butcher, 66, Portage, passed away on Monday, August 2, 2021. She was born on January 18, 1955 in Joliet, Ill., the daughter of Fred and Alberta (Windham) Stone. Janet worked for many years at General Motors. She loved to craft and play bingo, and loved karaoke. Janet is survived by her husband of 19 years, Michael Butcher; children Melanie (Scott) Newell, Eric Kelley, and Jennifer (Jeff) Warn; grandchildren Keri Newell, Brian Newell, Ryan Newell, Jadyn Kelley; her fur babies Jake and Riley; siblings, Freddie Stone and Deborah Morphew. Janet was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Barb Gray. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com.
Dale A. Catherman, 74, Hesperia, passed away suddenly August 10, 2021. Dale grew up in Vicksburg but lived most of his adult life in Oceana County. He graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1965 and served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968. He was employed by Consumers Energy for many years until his retirement. He is survived by his wife, Mary; son Jon Catherman; stepchildren Jimmy Lewis, Mike Lewis, and Karen (Tim) Balcom; sister Diane (Paul) Czuk; grandchildren Adrienne (Patrick) Gordon, Alex Lewis, Stephanie Valdes, Ashley (Anthony) Tanner, D.J. (Haley) Hills and Erin Lewis; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Martha Catherman.
Kathryn Louise Cook, passed away peacefully, holding both her daughters’ hands with her son-in-law by her side, on August 20, 2021, following her battle with lung and pancreatic cancers since 2019. Kay was born on December 13, 1945, to William and Vera (Fisher) Armstrong in Three Rivers. Kay grew up with her brother and sister in Moore Park, until the age of 11, when she moved to Portage. She graduated from Portage Central High School. Kay married Louis H. Avard in 1963. They raised two daughters in Texas Township before their marriage ended. Kay was creative and ambitious, opening her own wallpaper business and many antique shops across Southwest Michigan. Kay was well known for her beautiful linens and lace. In retirement, Kay found peace in her beautiful flower gardens. She cherished family time, making holiday gatherings memorable with baking passed-down family recipes, beautiful decorations, and her contagious smile, which her daughters and granddaughters carry on today. Kathryn was preceded in death by her great-grandson Lucas Kristopher Carrizales, her parents, nephew Jack Armstrong, and many aunts and uncles. Surviving are daughters Christine Kay Avard (Christopher Barnes) and Rhonda Lynn (Kristopher) Vernia; brother George Armstrong (Vivian Franklin); sister Lynne (Lee) Scheffers; grandchildren Blake Babic, Logan Vernia, Olivia Caffrey, and Mason Vernia; six great-grandsons; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Services have been held. Donations may go to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or the Animal Rescue Project. Visit Kay’s page at langelands.com.
Denise R. Crane, 54, Parchment, passed away on August 16, 2021. Denise was born on September 24, 1966 in Battle Creek, the daughter of Stephen and Linda (Cutsinger) Crane. Denise graduated from Battle Creek Public Schools. For the past 16 years, Denise has lived and worked at Shalom in Kalamazoo. Her hobbies included reading romance novels and doing word search puzzles. She loved animals of all kinds. Denise’s family will remember her as loving and laid back. Denise is survived by her six stepsiblings, Ron (Brenda) Olson of Kalamazoo, Dennis (Karen Nay) Olson of Vicksburg, David (Kim) Olson of Vicksburg, Karen (Tom) Dillon of Galesburg; Brenda (Joel) Nelson of Marcellus, and J.J. Olson of Vicksburg; aunt Carol (Mike) Quartermaine; step nieces and nephews; and 11 cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother Linda Crane; her father and stepmother, Stephen and Norma Jean (Olson) Crane; maternal grandparents Cordas and Lillian Cutsinger; uncle Carl Cutsinger and aunt Patricia Homan. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to Shalom Kalamazoo.
Trevor Jon Jennings, 27, Vicksburg, passed away August 2, 2021. Trevor was born September 2, 1993, in Kalamazoo, the son of Dexter William Jennings and Fawn Marie (Hoffman) Jennings. Trevor always enjoyed the outdoors and vehicles. He saved his money to buy his first 1977 Ford Bronco when he was 14. Trevor graduated from Vicksburg High School in 2011 and attended KVCC where he earned his associate’s degree in machine tool. He worked as a machinist at FEMA for nine years. Trevor loved his family and time spent with them. He was especially attached to his dog, Gunner, whom he rescued as a puppy in Tennessee. Trevor enjoyed Friday nights with friends, having dinner and riding three wheelers, four wheelers, and RZRs. His kind heart will be remembered by all who knew him. He is survived by his parents, Dexter and Fawn (Hoffman) Jennings; sister Marissa (Michael) Coonfer; grandparents Jon and Bev Hoffman and Dexter and Jan Jennings; dog Gunner; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Visit his page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to the Bronson Medical ICU or For the Love of Paws.
William (Bill) Tell Johnson, 91, Three Rivers, passed away quietly on August 24, 2021, surrounded by his family. Bill was born on June 7, 1930, the son of Agnes (Stuut) and Harold Johnson in Kalamazoo. He worked as a truck driver for Tripp Trucking, Michigan Express and Holland Motor Trucking. He later worked as manager at the Asphalt Improvement Company in Kalamazoo until his retirement and then continued driving part time, even into his 80s, for Maverick Express. Bill was an avid outdoorsman. A trip to Alaska with his second wife, Janice, was a highlight of his travels. He loved family, friends, animals, and Reba McIntyre. He will be remembered for his quick wit. Bill is survived by his wife, Vicki; sons Korree and Kort Johnson, both of Allegan; daughter Koddee (Scott) Haner of Lawton; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; siblings Don (Barb) Johnson and Linda (Tiller) Stanton, both of Kalamazoo. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kammah; wife, Janice (Haveman); sister Betty Roseboom; and son-in-law Pat Taplin. A memorial will take place from 1-3 p.m. on September 12 in the community tent at Kline’s Resort. Donations may go to the SPCA of Southwest Michigan.
Allen Mendel Kelly, 85, Scotts, passed away on August 29, 2021, in Kalamazoo. He was born on September 27, 1935, in Vicksburg, the son of David and Erma (Cusick) Kelly. He grew up in Vicksburg and in 1954 graduated from Vicksburg High School, where he enjoyed many sports. On June 16, 1956, he married Patrecia Smith at the Evangelical Free Church in Vicksburg. Allen was a lab technician at Hercules Inc. for 44 years. Al and Pat owned and ran Shamrock Stables where they boarded, raised and trained horses. Following his retirement, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and trail riding. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was preceded in his passing by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Patrecia Kelly; children Scott (Sheril) Kelly, Todd (Jennie) Kelly, and Kathy (Brad) Belcher; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; siblings Edie (Dean) Boone and Carol (Merritt) Edner; and nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at Renovation Church on September 11, 2021 with a visitation at 10 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m. Donations may go to Hospice of Southwest Michigan. Visit his page at mccowensecord.com.
Kevin L. Perkins, 45, Vicksburg, passed away on August 14, 2021. Kevin was born on December 8, 1975 in Kalamazoo, the son of Gaylord Perkins and Sarah (Bailey) Perkins-VerMeulen. On October 10, 2004, he married the love of his life, Sara Martin. Kevin was a hard-working family man. He was a talented mechanic and could fix just about anything. Kevin will be remembered by his family as a supportive and strong dad. Kevin is survived by his wife of 16 years, Sara Meagon Perkins; children Baylee Perkins, Amber Perkins, Erin Perkins, and Kevin James Perkins; parents Sarah Ann (Bailey) Perkins-VerMeulen and Gaylord Steven Perkins; and his siblings. Visit his page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to the family.
Nancy Jo Vandergeest, 77, Three Rivers, passed away August 11, 2021. Nancy was born on June 13, 1944 in Boise, Idaho., the only child of William and Patricia Howe. Nancy was a graduate of Loy Norrix High School. She married Stuart Vandergeest on March 3, 1967. She was a loving mother to their three children. She worked at Fannie May, and volunteered at Three Rivers Hospital. Nancy loved crossword puzzles, reading, gardening and caring for her chickens and dogs. Nancy also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Nancy is survived by her husband of 54 years, Stuart; children Jody (Bob) Morgan, of Jones; Tim Vandergeest, of Wyoming, Mich., Mark Vandergeest, of Milford; and grandchildren Jason and Erin Morgan of Jones. Nancy was preceded in death by her father, William “Bill” Howe and mother Patricia (Harold) Hagerman. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to St. Joseph County Animal Shelter.
Joan Wales-Dickson, 82, formerly of Vicksburg, died July 12, 2021 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She was born in Kalamazoo on December 16, 1939 to German immigrant parents F. Joseph and Marie (Eppler) Weitenauer. She grew up on a farm near Vicksburg and attended Mendon and Vicksburg Schools, graduating with the Vicksburg High School class of 1957. Joan married David M. Wales in 1958. They raised two boys, Jeffrey M. and Mark D. Wales. In the 1980s they pulled up stakes, ending up in El Paso, Texas. Joan was successful in her careers at Western Michigan University, in real estate, and management. Years after David passed away, she met and married Larry Dickson. With him, she traveled the world, shopping everywhere she went. The marriage ended in divorce. Joan was an avid seamstress, making beautiful clothes and quilts. Joan is survived by her son, Jeff (Joni) Wales of Vicksburg, grandson John C. Wales, brother Otto Decker and his family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Mark, husband David, and sister Delores Elkins. In keeping with her wishes, cremation has been conducted. A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon. Afterward, family and friends are invited to share more memories at her son, Jeff’s home at 16975 South 31st Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097. Memories and condolences may also be shared online at eickhofffuneralhome.com.
Mark A. Weed, 56, Vicksburg, passed away on August 30, 2021. Mark was born on October 29, 1964 in Niles, the son of Harry and Jean (Maleski) Weed. Mark graduated from Dowagiac Union High School with the class of 1983. He worked for Pfizer as a chemical operator for 20 years. On October 29, 2000 he married the love of his life, Carrie Younger. Besides spending time with his family and friends, Mark had a passion for traveling, riding his Harley, attending sporting events and caring for his wife and children. Mark had a bright and energetic personality and was known for his ability to sense when people needed his help. He touched many lives with his generosity and passion for life. Mark is survived by his wife, Carrie; sons Tony (Sarah) Weed and Corbin Weed, both of Vicksburg; and his mother, Jean Weed, of Kentucky. His is also survived by siblings Jim (Julie) Weed and Theresa Goff. He was preceded in death by his father, Harry Weed. Mark has been cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Visit his page at mccowensecord.com to review Mark’s updated service information, sign his guestbook and share a memory with the family. Those who wish to make a donation may contribute to the charity of their choice.