Obituaries

Stanley Cartwright passed away October 22, 2021, at Rose Arbor Hospice. He was born June 28, 1932, in Kalamazoo, the son of Guy and Alberta Cartwright. In 1951, Stanley married Ruby Doris Reinbold and together they had four children. In later years they were divorced. Stanley was a resident of Kalamazoo County where he worked at Kalamazoo Paper Company and later at International Paper, from which he retired. Stan moved to Kalkaska in 1995 for his retirement years. There he met Madelon Lang while assisting with the Commission on Aging. Stan was handy and helpful. He was close to his siblings. He enjoyed being outside, riding on his tractor, snow plowing, feeding the birds and hanging out with his neighbors. Stanley resided in Kalkaska until his passing. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Myrna Kelly, brother Harold Cartwright and son Stanley M Cartwright. Surviving are his siblings Myra (Gerald) Eplee and Martha Courtney; children Doris (Michael) Mcclish, Wesley Cartwright, Shirley (Gary) Overloop; nine grandchildren and several great grandchildren. Visit his page at mccowensecord.com.

Denzil (Den) Ray Gose, 85, formerly of Vicksburg, passed away September 19, 2021 in Grand Junction, Colorado. He was born October 11, 1935 in Mongo, Ind., the son of the late Garlan and Reva (Haney) Gose. He graduated in 1954 from Vicksburg High School, married Marsha Bair on September 27, 1956, and raised his family in Vicksburg. He had a great sense of humor and loved trivia. He also enjoyed mushroom hunting, reading and gardening. Denzil was an inspector for General Motors in Kalamazoo for over 27 years, retiring to Grand Junction in 1993. Denzil is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years and best friend, Marsha; daughters Monica Blanco and Jennifer (Steve) Gray; son Douglas Gose; grandchildren Michael Vroman, Robert Gray and Christopher Gray; great-grandchildren Cooper and Ellie Gray; brother Kenneth (Janice) Gose, and sister Ethylene (John) Miller. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Dale and (Bonnie) Gose, and sister, E. Maxine and (Wayne) Stienbarger. Donations may go to Living Hope Evangelical Free Church in Grand Junction. Visit his page at brownscremationservice.com.

Jeanette Houts, 96, went to be with the Lord on October 23, 2021. Jeanette was born August 10, 1925, to George and Hazel (Tefft) NcNeal. She graduated from Schoolcraft High School in 1943 and married Errol Houts Sr. on February 19, 1944. Her hobbies included ceramics, painting and making porcelain dolls. Jeanette also bowled and enjoyed playing Bunco with a group of friends. She had a deep faith and attended church regularly. She also enjoyed family time at the cabin up north. Jeanette is survived by her sons, Errol Jr. (Barbara), Dan Sr. (Kathy), Len (Pat), Lon (Laurie) and Clint; grandchildren Brian, Doug, Dan Jr. David, Brad, Chad, Alicia, Amber and Michael; 17 great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; her sister Barbara as well as several nieces and nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 38 years, Errol Sr.; siblings Olin, Gene, June and Shirley. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to the First Presbyterian Church of Schoolcraft or Heartland Hospice.

John Louis Kye, 59, Vicksburg, passed away October 1, 2021. He was born on June 24, 1962, the son of David and Shirley (Robinson) Kye. John grew up in Vicksburg and graduated from Vicksburg High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Kathy Stafford, and together they had two children, Kristy and Brittany. Sadly, Kristy passed away shortly after her birth. John worked at Triple S Plastics before working at Mann + Hummel as a die and mold specialist for over 20 years. He loved cooking, hanging out with his family, hunting, fishing, and the Detroit Lions. He was known for his sense of humor and easy-going nature. John is survived by his wife of 42 years, Kathy; daughter Brittany Kye of Vicksburg; grandson Javion Louis Miller; brothers Larry Robinson/Kye and Jeff Kye, both of Kalamazoo; nieces and nephew Marie Martinez, Ashley Martinez, Ruben Martinez Jr. and Brooke Martinez; and several other family members. John was preceded in death by his daughter, Kristy Marie Stafford-Kye; parents David and Shirley Kye; sister Linda Martinez and son-in-law: James Lee Miller Jr. Visit his page at mccowensecord.com.

Stanley “Stan” Dee Porter II, 61, passed away on October 9, 2021, in Oxford, Mississippi. Stan was born in Kalamazoo on April 20, 1960, the son of David and Rita (Compagner) Porter. He graduated from Schoolcraft High School in 1978 and went on to attend Central Michigan University for a few years. He received his paramedic certificate from Kalamazoo Valley Community College and went on to serve in Michigan and Wyoming. Thirty years ago, he relocated to Houston to serve as a paramedic on offshore oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Stan also worked as a paramedic in the oil fields in Iraq and Kuwait. Through his work, he was able to travel the world. Stan loved architecture, photography, journaling and writing. Stan was preceded in his passing by his parents. He is survived by siblings Jana “Betty” Van Antwerp, Julie (Mike) Noteboom, and Aaron “Beaker” (Neena) Porter; nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, and many close friends. Donations may go to Schoolcraft United Methodist Church or an animal welfare organization of your choice.

Rev. Erwin A. Self, 96, Vicksburg, passed away on October 5, 2021. He was born on October 1, 1925, the son of Ervin Harrison Self and Louella (Guest) Self. He graduated from Holiness Bible Seminary before joining the U.S. Navy. He married Leona Bigger on August 25, 1945 in Flint. She died in 2008. Erwin attended Greenville College in Kentucky and was ordained on August 21, 1958. He served in various church roles around the country and was a missionary in the Dominican Republic and Argentina. Rev. Self was married to Gladys (Wing) Hurt on Sep. 13, 2008. She survives along with sons Edwin (Charlotte) Self of Rinchon, Ga., Elwood (Carol) Self of Oro Valley, Ariz., Eldon (Diane) Self of Grand Haven, and Elliot (Melanie) Self of Kent, Wash.; step-children, Karen (Steve) Willoughby of South Bend, Kenneth Hurt of Bella Vista, Ark., Keith (Karla) Hurt of Portage, and Kevin (Tammi) Hurt of Centerton, Ark.; 19 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and a sister, Norma Crapo. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Leona, and a sister, Dortha Willis. Donations may go to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. Visit his page at eickhofffuneralhome.com.

Deputy Sheriff Eric W. West, 50, Schoolcraft, passed away on October 25, 2021. Eric was born February 3, 1971, in Kalamazoo, the son of Richard and Delores (Merchant) West. Eric graduated from Schoolcraft High School in 1989 and was a member of the Schoolcraft Eagles state championship football team. He worked for Vicksburg’s Police Department for 20 years and served as chief of police. In 2017 he joined the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department as a road deputy and was a field training officer. Eric retired from the South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority and had an EMT license. He bowled his entire life, once bowling a 300 game. He was also a huge fan of the Kalamazoo Wings. Eric is survived by his wife of 26 years, Shawna; daughters Ally and Megan; siblings William (Bobbie) West, Judy (Ron) Harmon, Mick (Jean) West, Stan West and Mark (Sue) West; numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his special dog, Rookie. Eric was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Richard West Jr. Visit his page at avinkcremation.com. Donations may go to the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit.

Evelyn M. Worthington, 71, Vicksburg, passed away at home on September 27, 2021, with family at her side. Evelyn was born in Kalamazoo on October 23, 1949, the daughter of the late Marvin and Vida (Blue) Harvey. She had a warm smile and made friends wherever she went. She was gifted at capturing moments through her camera lens. She worked hard to provide a happy home and was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed traveling up north with her family and spending time at the family cottage. While there she loved boating, fishing and spending time on the water. Above all, she loved her family and left them with many wonderful memories to cherish. She is survived by her husband, Richard Worthington; sons Richard C. (Shawndell) Worthington, Robert J. (Sara) Worthington, and Roy J. (Laura) Worthington; grandkids Robert, Sabation, Casey, Angel, Christina, Madeline, Adrian, Abigail, Claire Mackenzie; great grandkids Neveah and Foyer; and brothers Norman (Hazel) Harvey and Jerry (Jo) Harvey. Donations may go to the American Heart Association. Visit her page at joldersma-klein.com.