Obituaries
Hascall D. Baker, 83, Vicksburg, passed away on December 29, 2021. He was born on October 26, 1938, in Kalamazoo, the son of Hascall Baker and Magda Griffith. On December 17, 1960, Janet and Hascall sealed their love in marriage. They began their family in Vicksburg with three wonderful children: Jeannie, Mike, and Jay. He was preceded in his passing by his parents, Hascall and Magda; his wife, Janet; his sister, Onalee; and daughter in-law Vickie. Left to cherish his loving memory are his children, Jeannie (Robert) Starks, Mike Baker, and Jay Baker; grandchildren Cassie, Nicole, Melissa, Debbie, John and Angel; and 10 great grandchildren. Visit Hascall’s page at amsfuneralhomes.com.
Jeffrey Bell, 73, Schoolcraft, passed away January 24, 2022. He was born August 2, 1948, in Kalamazoo, the son of Ramsay and Virginia Bell. He graduated from Schoolcraft High School in 1966 and married Vicki Darr on February 12, 1972. He earned his teaching degree at WMU and began teaching in Schoolcraft, eventually heading the computer lab and technology department. Concurrently, he partnered with Chandler Garrison to run the Village Cyclery for 42 years. Jeff loved cycling, working on his computers, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ramsay and Virginia Bell; his brother, James Bell; and his granddaughter, Nora Joyce Bell. Left to cherish his loving memory is his wife of 49 years, Victoria Bell; son and daughter-in-law, Ross and Nikeata Bell; and grandchildren Marti Grace and Nolen Jeffrey. Donations may go to the Schoolcraft Community Schools Scholarship Fund or the Schoolcraft Community Library. A visitation service will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2022, from 2-4 p.m. at Westminster Hall, 224 East Cass Street, Schoolcraft. All are welcome, but masks will be required. Visit his page at amsfuneralhomes.com.
Bernice Mary Dobrowolski, 93, Three Rivers, passed away January 6, 2022 with her family at her side. She was born August 21, 1928 in Vicksburg, the daughter of Vence and Anna (Turek) Penar. Bernice graduated from Vicksburg High School with the class of 1946, and attended Parsons’ Business School, working at the Kalamazoo County Alimony and Probation Department. On September 1, 1951, she married Chester (Chet) Dobrowolski at St. Edward Catholic Church in Vicksburg, and shortly moved to the Dobrowolski family farm where they resided for 70 years. Bernice worked as Park Township deputy treasurer, a receptionist for Griffith Chiropractics, and as a working farm wife. Bernice is survived by Chet, her husband of 70 years; daughters Sally (Jeffrey) Middleton of Three Rivers and Joanne (Keith) Dalgleish of Bloomfield Hills; son John (Gwen) Dobrowolski of East Lansing; grandchildren, Alex (Kerry), Collin, and Lucas (Erin) Middleton; Michael (Catherine) and Jack (Joan) Dalgleish; Stephanie (Nathan) Overholser and John (Fernanda) Dobrowolski Jr.; step-grandchildren Amanda and Alex (Anna) Geml; eight great-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Maxine Penar; and many nieces and nephews. Bernice was preceded in death by her infant son, Timothy Joseph; parents; brothers William, Stanley and Frank Penar; and an infant sister, Josephine Penar. Donations may go to the Immaculate Conception Parish Education Trust Fund. Visit her page at http://www.hohnerfh.com.
Nancy Joyce Drahos, 85, died peacefully on December 29, 2021 after a long journey with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born in Three Rivers on April 30, 1936, the daughter of Reuel and Elsie (Wadenstorfer) Kaiser. She attended a one-room school in Parkville and went to Mendon High School, graduating in 1953 as the valedictorian of her class. After school she worked at Reed Music in Kalamazoo, where she met her future husband, Robert Drahos. They were married in August, 1955. She was strong, humble, and the backbone of her family. A celebration of Nancy’s life is being planned for spring 2022 by her children and their spouses, Michael (Patricia) Drahos of Sherburne, N.Y., Joel (Karen) Drahos of Webster, Wis., Chris (Craig) Arms of South Haven, and Karen (Rickey) Ray of Vicksburg. Donations may go to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Lakeland Reformed Church. Visit her page at eickhofffuneralhome.com.
Ronald Mark Jarman, 58, Mills River, N.C., formerly of Vicksburg, left his earthly home and entered his heavenly home January 19, 2022. He was born in 1963 in Jacksonville, N.C. Ron was a graduate of Vicksburg High School class of 1981. He was self-employed for many years in the Mills River area. He ran several businesses and worked on numerous industrial repairs for clients around the world. He had a great love for family, friends and his dogs, Mia and Molly, his cats, Callie and Petey and many very good friends. Ron was preceded in death by his grandparents, Roscoe and Ethel Jarman; grandfather Cliford Bryan and grandmother Louie Catherine Baysden. He is survived by his parents, Ron and Maxine Jarman of Mills River, N.C.; siblings Chuck (Kathy) Jarman of Vicksburg and Anne (Neal) Campbell of Fletcher, N.C.; nephew, Charlie (Tara) Jarman of Granite Falls, Wash.; niece, Master Sergeant Penny (Ron) Hinton of Martinsville, Ind.; nephew Michael Jenkins of Horse Shoe, N.C.; great-nieces, Ela Hoffmann of Indiana and Zara and Zadie Jarman of Washington; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and stepdaughter Sabrina Hatfield of Mills River, N.C. He was and always will be Papa Ron to grandson Aaron and twin granddaughters Ariel and Allison. Donations may go to Black Mountain Home for Children.
Kenneth “Kenny” Paul Kalvig, 44, Kalamazoo, died January 17, 2022, from a brain aneurysm. Ken was born on April 28, 1977 to Paul W. and Kathleen (Meyer) Kalvig in Fremont, Ohio. He graduated from Bellevue Senior High School, Bellevue, Ohio, in 1995. He was a business analyst for Whirlpool Corporation. On June 15, 2013, Ken married the girl of his dreams, Rebecca Mattmiller. An avid Ohio State Fan, Kenny enjoyed golfing, cooking, hanging out with family and friends, and just being the life of the party. Above all else, and equal to his love for Becky, he was a wonderful father to Bella, the light of his life. He is survived by his parents, wife, and daughter, Isabelle Sera; sisters Amy Kalvig of Vicksburg, Beth (Andrew) Missler of Vicksburg and Sarah (Aaron) Gruber of Vicksburg); father-in-law John (Phyllis) Mattmiller; and mother-in-law Bobbie Jo Mattmiller. He was godfather to and survived by his niece, Annie Keenan, and nephew, Ryan Gruber. He is also survived by several more nieces and nephews on both sides of the family. Visit his page at langelands.com.
Joyce Carolyn Keyes, 80, Vicksburg, passed away on January 26, 2022. Joyce was born December 19, 1941, to Harold and Rose (Miller) Manley. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and was well known for her apple fritters and dandelion wine. She was team mom for her kids’ Little League team and participated in the March of Dimes. She enjoyed horse shows, motorcycle races and her 1967 Camaro. Joyce is survived by her husband of 63 years, Roger Keyes; mother-in-law Verna Keyes; children Roxanne Norman (Kevin Bonebright), and Roger (MaryLynn) Keyes II; grandchildren Crystal Norman (Josh Shook), Veronica Norman, and Monique Wilcox; great grandchildren, Evan, Ian, Maddox, and Mallary; and several nieces and nephews. Joyce was preceded in death by her daughter, Julie Anne; parents; father-in-law, Archie Keyes; brothers Bud, Robert, and Victor; and her favorite dog, Rotten. A Celebration of Life event will be held at 11611 Shaver Rd., Schoolcraft, at 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 5, 2022. Donations may go to your local animal shelter. Visit her page at amsfuneralhomes.com.
Peter Fay Mathews II, 61, Schoolcraft, passed away January 16, 2022, at Ascension Borgess Hospital. Peter was born on December 14, 1960 in Sturgis, the son of Peter Fay and Geraldine (Mears) Mathews. He graduated from Schoolcraft High School with the class of 1980. On December 7, 2007, Peter married Johanne Proulx in Centreville. Peter is survived by his wife, Johanne Proulx-Mathews of Schoolcraft; children Mary “Elizabeth” Mathews of Kalamazoo, Peter Fay Mathews III of Cassopolis, Casey (Michael) Biggs of Elizabeth Town, Ky., Patricia Proulx, Caroline St. Pierre, and Tina St. Pierre; parents Peter Fay and Geraldine Mathews; grandchildren Adrianna “Hope”, Andrew, Jayson, Ryan, Connor, McKenzie, Sabrina, Ariane, Constantino, Johnathan and Oliver; siblings Gerry Jo, Sandra, Dianne, Danny, David, and Holly; many uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews; and mother-in-law Evelyn Chapman. Peter was preceded in death by grandparents Fay and Mary Mathews and Bud and Lucille Mears, and a great nephew, Kurtis. Services have been held. Donations may go to the Mathews Family. Visit his page at schipperfuneralhome.com.
Tina D. Noyes, 58, Schoolcraft, passed away on January 2, 2022. She was born on August 23, 1963, in Allegan, the daughter of Robert Polley and Christine Carter. She attended Portage Northern High School. Following high school, she was employed by Meijer. Tina loved spending time outside gardening, and she spoiled her pets more than she spoiled her children. She loved the outdoors, and her favorite hobbies involved exploring, whether it was time spent in a canoe, kayaking, fishing or visiting campgrounds. Tina liked taking day trips just for the sheer enjoyment of riding in the car and listening to music. Tina was preceded in her passing by her parents; siblings Michael Adcock, Danny Adcock, and Marlon Polley; and brother in-law Ron Hardin. Left to cherish her loving memory is her husband, Michael Noyes; her child Carissa Noyes; siblings Crystal Hardin, Gregg Polley, Hope Gibson, Sharon Adcock and Stanley Adcock; nieces and nephews Desiree, Marlon, Auddie, Aubrey, Jacy, Camyren, Arabella and Junior; and fur babies Pe’le, Milo, Otis and Tigger. In accordance with Tina’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Please take a moment to visit Tina’s tribute page at amsfuneralhomes.com and light a candle and share a memory with the family. The Noyes family is being assisted by Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes, Vicksburg.
Anthony “Tony” P. Sehy, 51, Schoolcraft, passed away on December 15, 2021. He was born November 28, 1970, in Kalamazoo, the son of Paul and Dorothy (Hitzeman) Sehy. He graduated in 1989 from Vicksburg High School where he played football and ran cross country and track. He attended Eastern Michigan University and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. On August 21, 1993, he married Kelly Boyer, and together they raised eight children. He treasured his time with his family and loved attending all the special events of the extended family. For over 30 years, Tony worked as a DJ for many events. He also owned Key Media and was a successful real estate agent for Khoury Real Estate. He was an avid NASCAR fan. He enjoyed playing board games with his family and loved spending time with his children. One of his favorite pastimes was announcing for the Hackett Catholic Prep High School Band. Tony was a hard-working, kind, and generous person. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Kelly; children Logan (Jewelee) Sehy of Portage, Collin Sehy of Washington, Nathan (fiancée, Zoe Gibbs), of Florida., and Gavin, Ethan, Noel, Holden, and Calista Sehy, all of Schoolcraft. He is also survived by his parents, Paul and Dorothy Sehy, of Ohio; siblings Joe (Cheryl) Saul-Sehy, of Texas, and Nicole (Eric) Meli, of Ohio; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Services have been held. Visit his page at mccowensecord.com. Donations may go to the family c/o Kelly Sehy.
Joyce Darlene Sinclair, 85, passed away on January 23, 2022. She was born on June 23, 1936 in Summitville, Ind. to Willard and Helen Bright. She graduated from Summitville High School in 1954 and began work at the RCA plant in Marion, Ind. In 1961, she married David Dills; they moved to Kalamazoo, where she went to work at Gibson Guitar and later at Hydro-Matic (American Axle) in Three Rivers. In 1998, she married Jim Sinclair; they moved to Cadillac to enjoy their retirement. In 2011, they moved back to Vicksburg to be closer to family. Joyce enjoyed spending time with family and loved when the grands and great grands came to visit. Joyce is survived by children Randy Bright, Deb Bright and Vern Overweg, Pam and Norm Overweg, all of Vicksburg; grandchildren Ryan Bright, Kelly Overweg, Matt Overweg (Katie Mueller), Suzanna (Alec) Iwasko; great grandchildren Emma Overweg, Jackson Vanderband, Claire Vanderband and Blake Iwasko. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, stepchildren David Sinclair and Nancy (Wayne) Martin and Buddy the cat. She was preceded in death by her husband Jim, parents, brothers Delorn, Jim and Jack Bright and sister Sue Bell Wessel, all of Indiana. A celebration will take place in the spring. Visit her page at amsfuneralhomes.com. Donations may go to South County Community Services and/or Centrica Care Navigators (formerly: Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan).
Leo Swiat, III, 84, Portage, passed away January 23, 2022. He was born to Leo and Marie (Holy) Swiat in Kalamazoo September 29, 1937. Leo graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1955 and graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1959. He served in the United States National Guard for three years. On August 11, 1962, he married DeVon Lohmeyer. Leo was the president of Olmsted & Mulhall, a locally owned investment firm owned by the Swiat family. He served the Catholic Church in many capacities and was active in many organizations in the Kalamazoo area. Leo is survived by his wife, DeVon; children Michael (Jennifer) Swiat, of Ohio, Christopher (Kathy) Swiat, of Maryland, Gregory (fiancée: Ani Oksayan) Swiat, of California, Timothy (fiancée: Rebekah Hudson) Swiat, of Colorado, Monica (Scott) Duprey, of Saginaw, and Jessica (Jason) Asch of Kentucky; 12 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; many nieces and nephews; one special great niece and two godsons. He was preceded in death by parents Leo and Marie (Holy) Swiat; brothers Richard and Thomas Swiat, and baby brother Leo Jr.; and sisters-in-law Fran and Jetta Swiat. A visitation will be held Thursday, February 10 from 4-7 p.m. at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, where a rosary will be held at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the church on Friday, February 11 at 11 a.m. Following the service, Leo’s ashes will be buried at Mt Olivet Catholic Cemetery. Visit his page at amsfuneralhomes.com. Donations may go to St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Centrica Care Navigator Hospice (formerly known as Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan) or Wounded Warriors.
Robert Dean Tipton, Scotts, passed away at his home on January 15, 2022. He was born on July 19, 1933 in his grandparents’ farmhouse in Westville, Ind. Bob served in the army and was stationed in Korea in 1954. He graduated from Western Kentucky University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. His 30-year career in elementary education included teaching 4th-6th grades and physical education, and he spent 17 years as principal of Climax-Scotts Elementary. He played team basketball and later coached. Most of all, he was a loving family man. He enjoyed his home and garden, friends and family get-togethers, fishing and golf. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Beth; children Nathaniel Tipton, Elizabeth (Ryan) Heath, Craig (Kelli) Tipton, Tracey Tipton (Joe Holzschuh); granddaughters Grace and Joell Tipton; and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cloyd and Ruth (Coulter) Tipton; brothers and sisters-in-law Erwin (Carolyn) Tipton and Charles (Eleanor) Tipton; and nephew Dale Tipton. Cremation has taken place and services have been held. Visit Bob’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos and sign his guestbook. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or Lending Hands of Michigan.
James A. White, 74, Portage, passed away January 20, 2022. Jim was born in Kalamazoo on May 25, 1947, to Benjamin P. and Lola (Owen) White. Jim was one of the “four J’s” in the family with siblings Jay (Jody), Janice (Thomas), and Joy (Robert); all survive. After high school graduation, Jim became a United States Navy Seabee, with duty in and around Vietnam from 1967 to 1971. Jim was honorably discharged in 1971. He pursued an associate degree from Howard W. Sam’s Technical Institute in Indiana, followed by a bachelor’s degree in bank operations. Jim spent 50 years in construction, working as a construction manager for National Heritage Academy, Elmridge Construction and Monarch Building Services. He married Janice Ann Martin on June 29, 1968. They loved travelling and golfing and had many grand adventures over their 53 years together. Jim and Jan were blessed with two daughters, Kristina (Joseph) Miller, and Cindy (Trent) Hayward. They also welcomed six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren to their growing family. Jim enjoyed membership in the Portage-Brady Freemasons Lodge No. 340 where he was an active member for 26 years. He enjoyed golf, deer and bird hunting, and fishing. He was also a man of faith. Services have been held. Memorial contributions may be made to Portage-Brady Freemasons Lodge #340 Almoners Fund. Visit his page at langelands.com.
Linda Louise Willis, 82, Vicksburg, passed away on January 18, 2022. She was born on June 4, 1939, the daughter of Michael Hoover and Alice Slanker. She graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1957. Following graduation, she began working for the Parchment Paper Company as an office clerk. Over the course of her life, she worked many jobs and retired from the Village of Vicksburg in the 1990s. In 1956, Linda met the love of her life, Frederick Willis Jr., and on June 8, 1957 the two were united in marriage. Together they raised their family in Vicksburg. More than anything, Linda loved her family and committed her life to taking care of them. She was preceded in her passing by her parents and sister Gayl Sims. Left to cherish her loving memory is her husband of 64 years, Frederick Willis Jr.; children Michael (Dawn) Willis, Robby (April) Willis, Michelle (Michael) Fruehauf and Frederick (Angie) Willis III; grandchildren Mitchell, Michael Jr., Chelsea, Cassandra, Chris, Miranda, Joshua, Gabriel and Lily; great-grandchildren Baylee, Trista, Parker and Adalynn; and many dear friends and other family members. In accordance with Linda’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no public services will be held. Memorials made in Linda’s memory may be directed to a charity of your choice. Please take a moment to visit her tribute page at amsfuneralhomes.com and light a candle and share a memory with the family. The Noyes family is being assisted by Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes, Vicksburg.
