David C. Cross, Brooksville, Fla., formerly of Vicksburg, passed away Oct. 8 in Kalamazoo with his daughter by his side. David was born April 8, 1943 in Kenton, Ohio, the son of Zenabelle and Charles Cross. He was raised in Sunberry, Ohio, alongside brothers Duane and Arthur. He graduated from Big Walnut High School in 1961. After high school, David enlisted in the Army where he served for three years. While on leave, he met his wife of 54 years, Carol. They had two children, Karen and Timothy. They moved in 1980 to Vicksburg where the family started a small farm. David worked at Upjohn for 25 years. He was the supervisor of granulating (dry products). After David retired, he invested his time in the outdoors, the farm, his children and grandchildren. He loved to go fishing, camping, hunting, and golfing. David was preceded in death by his wife, Carol, and parents Zenabelle Philippe and Charles Cross. He is survived by his children, Karen (Rick) Clipfell and Timothy (Deborah) Cross; brothers Duane and Arthur Cross; nine grandchildren, six great grandchildren and one on the way.
Joyce A. Fink, 92, Vicksburg, passed away on November 8, 2021. Joyce was born July 30, 1929 in Ottawa Lake, Mich. the daughter of Albert and Florence (Dunbar) Jacobs. She was married to the love of her life, Wilbert Fink, and they raised five children. She was a faithful member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church. She enjoyed 70 years of friendship with the ladies of the Mother’s Club in Vicksburg. While her children were growing, she was a den mother for the Cub Scouts, and a Kalamazoo County 4H leader. She enjoyed puzzles and sudoku. Joyce loved her family very much and will be remembered as being strong, independent, kind, loving, faith-based and selfless. Joyce is survived by her five children, Jolaine (David) Snyder of Three Rivers, William (Candice) Fink, of Ohio, Dale (Debra) Fink of Scotts, Robert (Renee) Fink of Scotts, and Elaine (Brad) Burdge of Florida.; 10 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbert. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to Melanoma Research Rogel Cancer Center c/o Dr. Lao.
Robert Gettys, 70, Battle Creek, passed away November 2, 2021. Bob was born in Kalamazoo on December 30, 1950, the son of Robert and Nanny Colleen (Golliday) Gettys. On June 25, 1999, he married Pamela Reinbold, who survives. Bob proudly served in the US Army. He worked for many years at Harbor Lite in Vicksburg, driving a fork-lift. Bob enjoyed horseshoes and playing cards or cribbage. He loved candy and liked hiding it so others wouldn’t know where to find it. In his younger days, Bob played baseball. He also enjoyed old western and action movies. Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Jeff Gettys of Vicksburg, Jason (Michelle Hammel) Gettys of Comstock, Alicia (Larry) Towery of Battle Creek, and Chelcie Gettys of Colorado; grandchildren Ryan, Anthony, Tyler, Hannah, Jay, Kenna, Emma and Kylie; great-grandchildren, Kayden, and Madilyn; brothers, Dennis (Lisa) Gettys, Dan Gettys, Gordon “Dee” Gettys; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson Justin; a sister, Diane; brothers Leonard, Tom, Jerry and Joe; and many friends. Donations may go to the American Heart Association.
Joyce E. Harber, 94, Vicksburg, passed away on November 30, 2021. Joyce was born in Kalamazoo on April 26, 1927, the daughter of Allen and Nellie (Blue) Venhuis. She met Lloyd Harber and they were married on November 7, 1947, in Vicksburg. For 16 winters, Joyce and Lloyd enjoyed their time in Mission, Texas. She enjoyed reading and doing puzzles. Joyce is survived by two children, Norma Manley and Jim Harber, both of Vicksburg; son-in-law Richard Mays of Otsego; grandchildren Matt and Josh Harber, both of Kalamazoo, Jennifer (Shane) Cassel of Grand Rapids and Rich Mays of Scotts; five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd, daughter Nancy Mays, parents and a sister, Betty. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com.
Ronald Edward Lee, 71, Kalamazoo, passed away October 20, 2021. Ron was born in Battle Creek December 12, 1949, the son of Donald C. Lee and Irene J. (Idalski) Lee. After graduating from Harper Creek High School, Ron studied criminal justice at KVCC. He worked for the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety for 33 years. He and his first wife of nine years, Linda Rook, had one son, Jason. Ron married his second wife, Nancy Palmer, and had two children, Jonathan and Jessica. He loved dogs, history, the Packers, and the Yankees. He never missed coffee with the boys at Yogi’s. Donations may go to the Kalamazoo Promise or the K9s of Valor Foundation. Visit his page at avinkcremation.com.
Gayle Leone (Applegate) Miller, 84, Vicksburg, passed away November 17, 2021. Gayle was born in Woodburn, Ind., September 16, 1937 to Deoh and Emily Applegate. She graduated from the Battle Creek School of Nursing in 1957. Howard and Gayle were high school sweethearts, marrying in 1956. Gayle was a nurse at War Memorial Hospital and Vicksburg Hospital. She was an avid baker and canner, a curious conversationalist, a prankster, a good listener, and devoted to the Lord. She loved games, puzzles, crafts, gardening, and watching birds. She was preceded in death by her parents, Deoh and Emily Applegate; siblings Bob (Cleo) Applegate, Janette (Earl) Lee and Marjorie (Bob) Mowry. Gayle is survived by her husband, Howard Wayne Miller; brother Aaron (Barb) Applegate; children Tim (Linda) Miller, Karen Miller, Laura (Dave) Crotser and Matt (Sue) Miller; grandchildren, Sarah (Jeff) Day, Jacob (Misty) Miller, Emily Miller, Kacie (Patrick) Hook, Joe (Bekah) Miller, Erin, Daniel, Luke and Emma Miller; and great grandchildren Angela, Korey, Sydney, Joslyn, and CJ Miller. Donations may go to SCCS or Daily Bread Devotional. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com.
Mary Louise Nemire, 93, Mendon, died November 23, 2021 at her home. She was born in Kalamazoo March 23, 1928, the daughter of the late Benjamin and Jean ((Herbstriet) Barton. She was married to Daniel W. Nemire November 4, 1946 in Kalamazoo. They resided in the Kalamazoo-Vicksburg area where he worked at Upjohn, and she was a homemaker and cake baker for special celebrations. She was a member of the Wakeshma Community Church and enjoyed travel. Mary is survived by her children, Daniel Nemire of Mendon, Don Nemire of Three Rivers, Rick (Julie) Nemire of Mendon, Deanna (Ken) Hazard and Judith (Bob) VanLaan, both of Kalamazoo; 15 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Marigail Roseboom and sisters, Winifred Ruth Gross, Barbara Jean Barton and Martha Milham. Services have been held. Donations may go to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission or Kindred Hospice. Visit her page at eickhofffuneralhome.com.
Pamela Joy Sinkler-Borger, 67, Vicksburg, died October 29, 2021, at Ascension Borgess Hospital. She was born in Hastings March 1, 1954, the daughter of the late Keith and Sarah Sinkler. Pam was a retired factory worker who enjoyed family, going up north, quilting, sewing, and country music. She was a member of the Christian Motorcyclist Association. Pam is survived by her husband of 25 years, Rodney Borger; children Kathy (Chris) Wagy of Kalamazoo, Amy (Jason) Carter of Peru, Ind., Stacy (Tim) Waters of Delton, Sabrina (Dave) Stamper of Three Rivers, Rodger Borger of Schoolcraft, Roy (Violet) Smith of New Mexico, and Tommie (Kristy) Platz of Schoolcraft; siblings Joe (Jan) Sinkler, Teresa (Jim) Raymond, Brian (Jeanne) Sinkler, and Dennis Sinkler; grandchildren Christian, Travis (Eden), Ryan, Gregory, Jasper, Jocelyn, Sadie, Tyler, Makayla, Layne, Landon, Destinee, Isis, Keetin, Kerissa, Logan, and Tye; great-grandchildren Matthew, Raeleigh, Bretton, Jaela, Jazmyn, Korbyn and another on the way; and lots of nieces and nephews. Visit her page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to the family c/o Stacy Waters.
David Yeck Sr., 78, passed away suddenly on October 28, 2021. David was born in Ludington on February 5, 1943, the son of George and Madeline (Klopfenstein) Yeck. David loved to spend his free time duck and goose hunting. He enjoyed bluegill fishing with anyone, and walleye fishing with his wife, Lynn, after they moved onto the St. Joseph River. He was involved in coaching sports for his children and the community. He always made time for his kids and helped them any way he could to improve or be successful in their endeavors, whether it was sports, hunting or life itself. David was an avid Kalamazoo Wings, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers fan. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lynn (Klein) Yeck; children David Yeck, Andrea (Donald) Creager, and Christopher (Camille) Yeck of Mattawan; grandchildren Jacob and Elizabeth Yeck, Coleman and Amelia Creager, and Elianna and Lachlan Yeck; sister Margaret Mary (Yeck) Overman; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded is death by his parents and sister Carol Ann (Yeck) Montgomery. Donations may go to the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease Research or Delta Waterfowl. Visit his page at avinkcremation.com.