Sherry Lynn Barnhart, 73, Three Rivers, formerly of Vicksburg, passed away March 28, 2024. Sherry was born on September 1, 1950, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Charles and Dolores (Beeman) Osterling. She graduated from Vicksburg High School with the class of 1968 and became a licensed practical nurse (LPN). She began her career working alongside Dr. Lloyd Appell at the Vicksburg Hospital. She married Patric Barnhart on May 12, 1973, and together they raised two sons, Nathaniel and Todd. She served as a nurse in various locations across St. Joseph County and in Auburn, Nebraska before working alongside Terri Dennis at ProMed in Three Rivers until retirement. Sherry was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Patric; sons Nathaniel (Sarah) Barnhart of Portage and Todd (Aimee) Barnhart of Kalamazoo; grandchildren Olivia, Emma, Payton, Macie and Evie. She is also survived by her sister, Diane (Mike) Secondi of Scotts and brother Michael (Ron Alessandrini) Osterling of Washington; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Dolores Osterling, and sister and brother-in-law, Vickie and Allen Munro. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Visit her page at amsfuneralhomes.com. Donations may go to charity.
Glorraine “Glory” Pauline Bragg, 91, Vicksburg, passed away April 9, 2024, surrounded by family. Born in Chicago April 26, 1932, she graduated from Marion High School in Indiana in 1950. She married Rex Bragg June 6, 1953, and worked various jobs until they moved to Fulton. She worked for Vicksburg Community Schools as an administrative assistant. Glory was proud of her Hungarian heritage, and enjoyed cooking, reading, knitting, and sewing. Glory is survived by her children, Gary (Kathy) Bragg of Three Rivers, Paula (Randy) Lee of Kalamazoo, and Tonya (Robert) Weiandt of Portage; grandchildren Trisha (Joseph) Howard of Greenville, Dawn (Kyle) Rice of Constantine, Kristen (Calvin) Klinger of Vicksburg, Jeremy Lee of Kalamazoo, Nicholas Lee of Parchment, Elizabeth Lee of Kalamazoo, Karl (Elysia) Armstrong of Three Rivers, and Katherine (Khanh) Dang of Sparta; great-grandchildren Emily, Riley, Addison, Nathan, Colton, Collin, Karlie, Izzabella, Caden, Ryan, Micah, Tobias, and Weston. She also is survived by her sister, Joan Glorio of Florida, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rex, and three great-grand angel babies. Visit her page at amsfuneralhomes.com. Donations may go to Centrica Care Navigators Rose Arbor Hospice of Kalamazoo.
Donna L. Gray, 89, passed away April 22, 2024. Donna was born August 13, 1934, to Robert and Rose Nichols. She had many wonderful childhood memories of her mom, dad, and sister Joyce Henderson (deceased). Donna enjoyed years of traveling and annual visits to Florida during the cold Michigan winters. She was a dedicated, loving, and supportive mother. Donna was full of life, laughter, and fun, with a ready smile on her face. She loved reading, studying history, genealogy, knitting, crocheting, and especially, in her later years, dancing. Her husband, James Graham, preceded her death on November 23, 2006. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Diane Graham. Donna is survived by her children Gary Gray, Cheri Lutz and Steve Gray. Donna will also be fondly remembered by her stepchildren Steve and Debbie Graham, Susan and Lonnie Collins, and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We are very grateful for the support of Centrica Care Navigators, and the support staff at White Oaks Memory Care in Lawton. Mom, your children loved you dearly and will always hold our special memories of you close to our hearts. Fly high mom, you are free from suffering and pain. Visit her page at amsfuneralhomes.com. Donations may go to Centrica Care Navigators.
Robert Stuart Haas, 93, passed away March 30, 2024. He was a member of communities in Clermont, Florida and Scotts, Michigan. He was born in Kalamazoo in 1930, the son of Stuart and Esther (Achtenberg) Haas. Robert graduated from Climax-Scotts Schools and Michigan State University. After college, he was drafted and proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War. After he left the service, he married Evelyn Sowers on October 14, 1956, and together they raised their six children. He was a fifth-generation farmer and for over 40 years ran the family dairy farm in Scotts. He and Evelyn were active in Farm Bureau, and Robert received quite a few awards, including Dairy Man of the Year. He was a pilot and maintained a grass landing strip at home. Robert also enjoyed golfing, fishing, and traveling when the opportunity arose. Robert’s faith in God was central to his life and he was a dedicated member of various churches. Robert is survived by his children LuAnne (Joe) Hinten, Lisa (Kurt) Tribbett, Linda O’Brien, Brian Haas, and Jim (Kate) Haas; 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn, and son, Steven. Visit his page at amsfuneralhomes.com. Donations may go to Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries.
Tina M. Hadley passed away February 2, 2024. Tina was born February 4, 1968 at University Hospital in Ann Arbor. She attended school in Belleville, moved to Paw Paw, and in 2013 moved to Vicksburg. She worked in the food industry. Surviving Tina are her children, Thomas Hadley and Faith Hadley of Vicksburg; a brother, Thomas Szegda of Belleville; her mother, Rebecca (Robert) Milne of Vicksburg; and grandchildren, T.J. and Robert Hadley. In accordance with the family’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no public services will be held. While at http://www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Tina’s guestbook and share a memory with her family. The Hadley family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, Vicksburg.
Marilyn J. Johnston (Harvey), 91, Scotts, passed away April 20, 2024. Marilyn was born July 2, 1932, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of the late Bert Harvey and Ora (Keyser) Stonerock. Marilyn graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1950. She retired from Aero-Motive Manufacturing in 1989. During her retirement she could be found at many of the local bluegrass festivals. She is survived by Robert, her husband of 72 years, son Todd (Amy), four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, three step great- grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Marilyn was preceded in death by sons Mark and Bryan. In accordance with her wish, cremation has taken place. Visit her page at amsfuneralhomes.com. Donations may go to charity. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Gail Marie Moore, 71, Paw Paw, passed away April 24, 2024. Gail was born February 26, 1953, in Kalamazoo, to Burl and Mary (Vleugel) Davidson. She was a proud graduate of Mattawan High School, class of 1971. Gail enjoyed sewing and knitting and various crafts. She also enjoyed cooking and was known in her family for her delicious homemade noodles. And when it came time to relax and watch some television, she was often found watching a western or an Elvis movie. She loved her children and grandchildren. Gail was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Burl Davidson, Jr. Gail is survived by her children, Hilary (Jim) Curtis of Vicksburg and Bob (Ashley) Moore of Schoolcraft; grandchildren Catherine Curtis, Austin Moore, and Grayson Moore. She is also survived by her sister, Shirley (Jim) Fankhauser of Schoolcraft; sister-in-law Kathy Davidson of Portage; and several nieces and nephews. Gail has been cremated and a celebration of life will be held this summer. Visit her page at amsfuneralhomes.com.
Timothy S. Parsons was born January 16, 1968, to Jack and Mary Margaret Parsons. He passed away on April 16, 2024, at his home in Schoolcraft, surrounded by family. Growing up, Tim had a love of sports and played baseball and football for Loy Norrix, graduating in 1986. He earned his degree in 1991 from Olivet College where he worked for a restorative crew. Following graduation, Tim worked for Terry Blodgett Builders which jump-started his career as a self-employed home builder. In October 1996, he married Tammy Schippers, who survives. Together they had two sons, Zachary and Cody. Tim and Tammy divorced in 2021. Tim enjoyed watching sports, hunting, and traveling, His happy place was Cowey Lake in Ontario Canada with his friends. Tim was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Margaret Parsons; maternal grandfather, Forrest Neve; stepmother, Giulia Parsons; paternal grandmother, Eva Parsons; aunt, Karen Parsons; uncle, Kenneth Parsons; cousins, Katie Parsons and Tracey Neve Bradley; and niece, Christin Kausrud. Tim is survived by his sons, Zachary and Cody; father, Jack Parsons; life companion Cheryl Perk; as well as sisters Ann (Dave) and Susan (Harry); brother Dennis (Stacey); and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Donations may go to charity. Visit his page at amsfuneralhomes.com.
Vincent James Penar, 75, passed away on March 28, 2024. He was born September 10, 1948, in Vicksburg, the son of Maxine (Ladyman) and Stanley Penar. After graduating high school, Vince worked for Simpson Lee Paper Company (Local 13120), and married Gayle Ivens. Vince also began course work toward a trade certificate in plumbing and pipefitting. He served his country during the Viet Nam War in various capacities until April 1970, when he returned to Simpson Lee. Vince completed an apprenticeship in the trade of industrial pipefitter under the sponsorship of Simpson Lee and the United Steel Workers of America (AFL-CIO). He joined General Motors Corporation at its Fisher Body division in Kalamazoo in 1978. Vince later transferred to GM’s Hydramatic division in Three Rivers, where he met and married Laura VanKirk. In 1994, Vince transferred to GM’s assembly plant in Arlington, Texas, retiring in 2012. In retirement, Vince lived on Eagle Mountain Lake, in Azle, Texas, and remarried Gayle. Vince was preceded in his passing by his mother, Maxine Penar; father, Stanley Penar; sister, Jean Buck; father-in-law, Tom Ivens; many aunts and uncles; and best friend, Fred Cordola. He is survived by his wife, Gayle; daughter Jena Perez and her children, Zoe and Zander; son, Jay Penar and his daughter, Katalina Meyer; stepdaughter, Stephanie (Eric) Dunnick and their children, Olivia, Alexandra and Jennifer; stepdaughter, Angela Griffin and her children, Rayna and Andrew; stepson, Jack “JJ” Griffin; great-granddaughter, Layla Meyer; brother, Mitch Penar; sister, Pat (Mike) Guilfoyle; mother-in-law, Ardis Ivens; and many friends. Vince’s family will host a celebration of life at Schrier Park in Portage, on Sunday, May 19, 2024, from 2 to 5 p.m. Donations may go to charity.
Rick Louis Van Tichelt, 63, passed away April 20, 2024. Rick was born June 2, 1961 in Big Rapids, Michigan, but spent most of his life in Portage and Vicksburg. He was smart and could build and fix anything. He was loved dearly. His nieces and nephews liked to hear his many stories. He was pre-deceased by his father Jake, brother Randy, grandparents Bill and Vera Royal and Jake and Evelyn Van Tichelt and numerous aunts and uncles. Rick is survived by his son Jake; grandchildren Stevie and Iona Van Tichelt; mother Elaine; brother Rob, (Trish) Van Tichelt; sisters Renee (Kyle) Christensen and Ronda (Dave) Stafford; grandchildren Maya, Lydia and Orin Van Tichelt, David (Amanda) Shelby, Drew Stafford and Adalyn Stafford; aunts and uncles Charlene and Jim Longman, Dave Royal, Chris and Dave Getchel, Victoria Middaugh, Kathy and Dan Horton, Steve Royal, Mark Royal, Julie and Scott Ferris, Amy and Mark Meisel and all of their many children and grandchildren.