Janet A. Beals, 87, Schoolcraft, went to be with the Lord October 9, 2022. Janet was born September 13, 1935, in Schoolcraft, the daughter of John “Gordon” and Waive Arda (Westveer) Forsyth. Janet graduated from Schoolcraft High School in 1953 and was a lifelong resident of Schoolcraft. Janet married Robert Lawrence Borger on May 1, 1955. Together they raised four children and parented several foster children. During her lifetime, she worked as a cashier at Harding’s Market in Schoolcraft, was district manager of Studio Girl Cosmetics, drove a school bus for Schoolcraft Schools, was a certified nursing assistant and factory worker as well as working as a tailor/seamstress from the basement of her home. She also owned a small convenience store in Lilley, Michigan. Janet enjoyed crafts, the outdoors, riding snowmobiles and motorcycles. She was the organist at Trinity Bible Church in Marcellus. Janet is survived by son Rodney Borger, of Vicksburg; daughters Wendy (Borger) Zimmerman of Schoolcraft, and Laurie (Borger) Conklin of Big Rapids; son-in-law Scott Conklin of Big Rapids; nine grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren; as well as two great-great-grandchildren. Janet was preceded in death by three husbands, Robert Borger, Frank Beals and Fred Hans; son Timothy Borger; her parents; brother Marvin Forsyth; daughter-in-law Pamela (Sinkler) Borger; and nieces Ronda Armstrong and Cindy Chapman. Services have been held. Visit her page at amsfuneralhomes.com. Donations may go to Centrica Care Navigators.
Linda Sue Burson, 70, Schoolcraft, passed away October 14, 2022 at her home. Linda was born December 10, 1951 in Bridgeport, Alabama, the daughter of Robert and Louise (Coffman) Hicks. On August 24, 1968, she was united in marriage to David Burson at the Schoolcraft United Methodist Church. Linda was a drive-thru teller at Kalamazoo County State Bank in Schoolcraft for over 15 years. Linda is survived by her husband of 54 years, Dave Burson; children Tammy (Todd) Thayer, Todd (Melissa) Burson, and John Burson; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; and two sisters, Annette and Pam. Donations may go to Abbott Medical (formerly St. Jude).
Richard Lee Flinn, 87, Vicksburg, passed away October 5, 2022. Richard was born October 30, 1934, in Grand Rapids, the son of Theodore and Ethel (Rohr) Flinn. Richard graduated from Schoolcraft Schools in 1952. He went to work for Simpson Paper for over 25 years. He then worked for over 10 years at Hydra-Matic. Richard loved classic cars and driving his Model A. Richard is survived by his wife, Beverly Gilchrist-Flinn; son Danny Flinn of Vicksburg; stepsons Jerry (Linda) Gilchrist of Lawton and Doug Gilchrist of Portage; grandchildren Tracie (Matthew Roberts) Hunt of Florida and Renee (Mark) Wilson of Vicksburg; great-grandchildren Adele, Clare, Luke and Corinne. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Norma; son David; and two brothers, Kenneth and Duane. Visit his page at amsfuneralhome.com. Donations may go to Generous Hands or Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation.
MaryAnn (Linton) Hayward passed away October 21, 2022. She was a teacher in the Portage Public Schools. She loved traveling and learning about people, languages, cultures, and places. She was a woman of faith, played bridge, volunteered at the library, pursued genealogy, and enjoyed reading and writing. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Robert “Bob” Neil Hayward; daughter Darcy Ann (Stephen) Staley and son Trenton Robert (Cindy) Hayward; grandchildren Darby Rae (Andy) Disselkoen, Emma Quinn Walhout, Alexander Peter (Sabrina) Walhout, Megan (Levi) Unema, Macy Kristina Hayward, Samuel Roman Staley, and Isaac Joseph Staley; great-grandson Elias Drew Disselkoen; and cousins JoAnn Wells, Fran Bruni, and Pete Matz. She was preceded in death by her father, Clayton “Whitey” Linton, and mother, Ann (Matz) Linton. A visitation will be held at Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Home on Sunday, November 13, from 5-7 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at Lakeland Reformed Church on Monday, November 14, at 11 a.m. Donations may go to South County Community Services. Visit her page at amsfuneralhomes.com.
Leslie Eugene “Luke” Huntington, 75, Vicksburg, went to be with the Lord October 8, 2022. He was born July 23, 1947, the son of Marion (Babe) and Theresa (Coffinger) Huntington. In 1967, Leslie graduated from Vicksburg High School. He was a Vietnam veteran and worked at Arco for 44 years. Leslie loved Kwame Hooker and Glen and Breon Batten as if they were his own sons. He is survived by sisters Marilyn (Ed) Miller, Alice (Michael) Bockstanz, Lorie Overton, and Brenda Piper; brother-in-law Raymond Weller; nieces Theresa (John) Cleckner, Shannon (Michael) Lashbrook, Alicia (Ron) Crandall, Michelle (Brian) VanderBor, Sierra (Eric Vance) Piper, Natalie (Jesse) Richards, and Jessica (Hunter) Frantom; nephews Raymond Weller, David (Brandi Hansen) Huntington, John (Sarah) Overton, Steve Overton, and Mike (Lisa) Overton; as well as many great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in passing by his parents; brother David Huntington; sisters Rosemary Weller, Edith, and Sharon Huntington; brothers-in-law John Overton and Robert Piper; sister-in-law Linda Huntington; nephew Edwin Miller Jr.; and good friend Jack Whitney. Donations may go to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospitals for Children. Visit his page at amsfuneralhomes.com.
Maxine Marie Johnson, Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on September 9, 2022. Maxine was born on March 30, 1927 to Walter and Goldie Riddle in Vicksburg. She grew up in the Vicksburg area and attended Vicksburg High School. As a young woman, Maxine met and fell in love with Floyd Johnson. They were married within a year and had three daughters: Sharon Miller of Centreville, Deanna Scott of Schoolcraft, and Noreen Sears from Three Rivers. Maxine was preceded in passing by her loving husband, Floyd, and eldest daughter, Sharon. Maxine adored her family and was a proud grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother to many. She took great pride in her flowers. Maxine loved spending time in her kitchen and loved canning her special dill pickles. A talented baker, her homemade bread and donuts were always a favorite. Faith was very important to Maxine, and she was a longtime member and board member of the Vicksburg Assembly of God. Maxine will forever be remembered as a beloved mom, grandmother, aunt and friend.
Eli M. Lewis, 88, Vicksburg, passed away October 20, 2022, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. Eli was born to Clayton and Edith (Plummer) Lewis in Athens Township, Michigan, on September 28, 1934. He graduated from Athens High School in 1952, where he was the salutatorian. Eli joined the Army in 1955 and served for two years. He married Judith Kay Switzer on August 30, 1958. Eli worked at Simpson-Lee Paper Company for 30 years and worked for the past 25 years at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp. Eli and Judy discovered a wonderful life in Jesus Christ and were very involved in the churches they attended. He enjoyed working in the yard, writing poems for family and friends, and spending time with family. He was a quiet and humble man with a great sense of humor, and he was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. Eli is survived by his wife, Judy, their children Polly (Jeff) Preston, Tim (Gail) Lewis and Dan (Patti) Lewis, all of Vicksburg; 13 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; his brother, Glenn (and Nancy) Lewis of Florida; and many nieces and nephews. Eli was preceded in death by his daughter, Shellie Lewis Bladen, grandson-in-law Ethan Leasure, his sister, Lois Lewis, and his parents. Donations may go to the American Kidney Fund. Visit his page at eickhofffuneralhome.com.
Dana Louise Marshall (Begg), 79, Vicksburg, passed away September 10, 2022. Dana was born May 22, 1943 in Battle Creek, the daughter of George and Marian Begg (VanSycle). She graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1960. She married Richard Freeman Marshall in 1968, moving to Vicksburg in 1978 to raise their children. Dana was employed by Vicksburg Community Schools as a custodian and recess supervisor for nearly 30 years. Dana enjoyed her lunch and garage sale outings with her closest friends. Dana especially loved watching the television show “How I Met Your Mother.” Neil Patrick Harris was one of Dana’s favorite actors, and she received an autographed script and a picture as a gift. Dana is survived by her children, Kati (Tim) Mitchell, Heather (Adam Gimbel) Marshall, Stephanie (Jason) Rahn, Andy (Jessica) Marshall, Ben (Misty Reid) Marshall, and Dan Marshall; grandchildren Abby, Zach, Lark, Killian, Kendall, Sammy, Josh, Calvin, and Kellianne; a sister, Nancy Begg Daning; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her cat, Moose. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, and older brother Gary Begg. Donations may go to Generous Hands.
Sanford “Sam” L. Miller, 96, Vicksburg, died peacefully at his home with family by his side on September 29, 2022. Sam was born in Butler, Indiana and together with his wife, Geraldine, made a home in Vicksburg starting in 1952. He was a lifelong member of Lakeland Reformed Church, and his family and faith were the center of his life. Sam passed along his values and faith to all he knew and met and was truly a man who lived his life to the fullest. Despite his health challenges over the past couple of years, he always put others first and accepted his path in life as part of God’s plan for him. Sam was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine, sons Steve and Mark, and daughter Margaret. He is survived by his children Brian (Sandy) Miller and Dave (Kim) Miller; granddaughter Rhonda Roelofs; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, and numerous other relatives. Visit his page at amsfuneralhomes.com.
Mary Justine Scott, Lake Leelanau, formerly of Vicksburg, died October 9, 2022, from complications of a fall. She was born September 6, 1938. Mary graduated from Muskegon High School in 1956, and University of Michigan in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She later earned a master’s in educational leadership from WMU. Mary worked as a hospital nurse in San Francisco, Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo. She was a KVCC nursing instructor and was appointed the director of its nursing program. She was later hired by Borgess Hospital as director of nurse recruitment and retention until retiring to Lake Leelanau in 1998. She worked at Leelanau Memorial Hospital until it was sold to Tendercare. Mary is survived by her husband, John Alfred Scott; sons Michael John Scott (Carla Burns), and Andrew Mac Kirdy Scott (Heather Scott); grandsons Cullen Mac Kirdy Scott and Duncan Curry Scott; great-grandson Jackson Anthony Scott; and sisters, Nancy Brouwers McNiff and Elizabeth Ann Brouwers. A celebration of Mary’s life will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at the Old Art Building of Leland. Donations may go to Munson Medical Center. Visit her page at martinson.info.
Doreen Henrietta (Dibble) Swim, 79, passed away peacefully October 6, 2022. She and her brother, Charles Dibble, were raised and loved from an early age by their father, Elwood L. Dibble, and stepmother, Betty J. Dibble. Both preceded her in death. She is survived by her half-brother, Gary Yerden of Kalamazoo, and her favorite cousin, Joyce Heath of Portage. From her first marriage to Jack D. DeCamp, Doreen was a beloved mother of Kimberly (Dave) Castagnetta of Minnesota, Jack DeCamp of Bloomingdale, Cary DeCamp of Paw Paw and Rhonda (Kevin) Nordstrom of Vicksburg. She married William (Bill) E. Swim in 1972 and leaves stepchildren Bill (Kim) Swim of Comstock, Becky (Mark) Smith of Tennessee, Chuck (Melanie) Swim and Jodi (Richard) Hammock of Tennessee. Doreen and Bill celebrated their 50th anniversary on September 26, 2022. She loved her family, friends and community. She extended her home, belongings, and time to those in need. Visit her page at amsfuneralhomes.com. Donations may go to Vicksburg Family Home Care and Centrica Care Navigators.
Darin Jay Watkins, 61, Byron Center, passed away October 16, 2022 at Trinity Health-St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. He was born May 29, 1961, in Kalamazoo, the son of David and Della (Hollestelle) Watkins, of Vicksburg. Darin was a 1979 graduate of Three Rivers High School. He was a truck driver for Spartan Nash for 36 years. Darin rode his Harley to Sturgis, South Dakota many times. He was proud of his t-shirt collection that numbered in the hundreds representing all the places he visited. He also enjoyed deer hunting and fishing. Darin is survived by his parents, David and Della; aunts and uncles Dawn and Roger Bower and Wayne and Melody Anguilm; and numerous cousins. Donations may go to Eversight of Michigan.
Marion L. Wilkins, 81, Vicksburg, went to be with her Lord and Savior October 22, 2022. Marion was the daughter of Lester and Helen Sheppard of Bay City. Marion had a deep, personal faith in Jesus Christ that influenced all that she did. In addition to being a wife, raising her own family, and serving as a pastor’s wife in Michigan, Illinois and Indiana, she and her husband served as foster parents for almost 50 years. Marion is survived by her husband of nearly 58 years, Rev. Donald Wilkins; children Michael (Lynn) Czap, Jennifer (Robert) McNab, Christina (Daniel) Ray, John Wilkins, and Frederick (Crystal) Wilkins; grandchildren Justin, Ryan, Matthew, Josilee, Andrew, Juliana, Katie, Aaron, Preston, Jennica, Nathan, Jadelyn, Kearstin, Trenton, Brycen and Benjamin; great-grandchildren Ashton, Carter, Connor and Carissa; brothers Norman Sheppard, Charles Sheppard and Richard Sheppard. In addition, Marion was a mom to many through foster care and home day care. She was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her brother, Howard Sheppard. A memorial service is to be held November 1, 2022, at 2 p.m. at Chapman Memorial Church of the Nazarene. Visit her page at amsfuneralhomes.com.