Brett Balkema
Feb 3, 2008
Brett Balkema was the man you went to for advice. He was such an insightful, intelligent and level-headed man, who always helped people see the right point of view. He was a consultant, a salesman, a teacher and friend, and as fun-loving a man as there ever was. More than anything, Brett was a beloved son, husband, father and...
Jane M. Marvin
Feb 3, 2008
Ms. Jane M. Marvin, age 57, passed away Sunday morning, February 3, 2008 in Grand Haven. She was born in Muskegon on July 25, 1950 to Frank and Leona (Carey) Willard and was a life resident of the Muskegon area. Jane is survived by her 4 children, Thomas (Susan Tiles) Marvin, Lynette (Rod) Duell, Linda (Eugene) Conklin and Lora...
Mary Catherine Grover
Feb 3, 2008
Mary Catherine Grover, passed away February 3, 2008; a kind and loving soul was called home to her deserving rest. Mary was born June 16, 1923 to Victoria and Jocob Drost of Muskegon, Michigan. On November 21, 1945 she married Hallard "Jim" Grover. They resided in the White Lake area where they raised six children. In the early '70's...
John B. Mazurek
Feb 2, 2008
Mr. John B. Mazurek, age 92, died peacefully Saturday, February 2, 2008. He was born on February 8, 1915 in Cedar, MI to Joseph and Helen (Pete) Mazurek. John married Eleanor Maslowski on January 26, 1940 and she died on September 29, 2001. He was a member of St. Michaels Catholic Church, and retired from Muskegon Catholic High School....
Leopoldus "Leo" Varela, Sr.
Feb 2, 2008
Mr. Leopoldus "Leo" Varela, Sr., age 74, died Saturday evening, February 2, 2008. He was born April 26, 1933 in Pompeii, MI to Martin and Juanita (Martinez) Varela and had resided in the Muskegon area most of his life. Mr. Varela worked for C.W.C. Textron for 47 years before retiring in 1998 and had been an entrepreneur in the...
Edward L. Elnick
Feb 2, 2008
Mr. Edward L. Elnick, age 91, died Saturday, February 2, 2008. Born August 10, 1916 in Muskegon. He was a graduate of Muskegon Heights 1936 class where he excelled as an athlete in track. He was retired from Continental Motors and worked in cost production and inspection. Mr. Elnick was operation agent for Capital Airline. He owned Old Homestead...
Gail Anne Brown
Feb 2, 2008
Gail Brown was loved by everyone, she had a very adventurous life. From the first time she went to Glen Lake and after she joined the West Michigan Royals Corvette Club. Her Life was fulfilled with the birth of her granddaughter Siena. Gail began her life with the love of her mother and father, and passed with the love...
Robert W. Smith
Feb 1, 2008
Rob Smith was happiest on the hills, making fast tracks through the snow-covered slopes. It was what he was almost born to do, it seemed. Of course, Rob was the kind of young man who seemed born to everything he did, who lived his life with an effortless grace and adventurous heart. He was a remarkable young man, and...
Nancy Elise Dewitt
Feb 1, 2008
Mrs. Nancy Elise DeWitt, age 53, passed away Friday, February 1, 2008. She was born October 7, 1954 in Muskegon to Orrie and Delores (Brondyke) DeGraff and had been a life long resident. Mrs. DeWitt had worked for D Foods in the deli, and also for the Mona Shores Schools food service department. She enjoyed playing clarinet with the...
Inara Hanson
Feb 1, 2008
How precious life is! Whether our time on earth is 90 years or 4 months, God places us in the arms of a loving family for just one reason to bring joy and happiness, however fleeting the moment. Little Inara Lorraine Hanson brought great love in her short life, love that her family will cherish forever. Baby Inara Lorraine...
Henrietta "Retta" Medema
Feb 1, 2008
Mrs. Henrietta "Retta" Medema, age 86, passed away Friday evening, February 1, 2008, at her home. She was born October 21, 1921 in Muskegon, to Thomas R. and Jennie (Cooper) Fitt and had lived here her whole life. Retta was a 1940 graduate of Muskegon High School. On November 24, 1942, she married Ralph Medema, Jr., and he preceded...
Wanda Ann Cerchiori
Feb 1, 2008
Mrs. Wanda Ann Cerchiori, age 65, died Friday morning, February 1, 2008. She was born August 16, 1942 in Muskegon to Nels G. and Melvina (Badham) Carlson and spent 10 years in Wyoming before moving back to Muskegon. For several years she worked as a beautician in the Muskegon area. In 1963, she married Edward Rowe in Muskegon, and...
Lyle W. Kiel
Feb 1, 2008
In today's society, material possessions tend to be a benchmark to measure a man's success. Too many times the simpler qualities, such as faith, dedication to family, and hard work are easily overlooked when judging a man's character. Lyle Kiel was not someone consumed by materials gains in life but by the satisfaction of putting his family first and...
Baby Boy Dion Monte Gee, Jr.
Feb 1, 2008
Baby Boy Dion Monte Gee, Jr. passed away on Friday, Feb. 1, 2008 at Hackley Hospital. Little Dion leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Andramedia Smith, father, Dion Monte Gee, Sr.; maternal grandparents, James Douglas and Carlean Douglas; paternal grandparents, Willie Gee, Sr. and Terri Gee (deceased); along with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and...
Raymond M. Shackelford
Feb 1, 2008
Mr. Raymond M. Shackelford, age 96, passed away Friday, February 1, 2008. He was born in Muskegon, MI on September 19, 1911 to the late William & Anna Shackelford. On August 14, 1930 he married Meda Holmes. Mr. Shackelford retired after 25 years as Supervisor of Public Works for the city of North Muskegon. He was a life member...
Loretta Yvonne Botbyl
Jan 31, 2008
Loretta Yvonne Botbyl (Rogoski) passed away January 31 in Livonia at the age of 81. Born in Muskegon on January 4, 1927 to Alexis J. and Loretta Rogoski (Chartrand), Yvonne graduated from Muskegon Heights High School. She went on to attend the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown, New Jersey, before graduating from the College of St. Mary of...
Edward Wayne Helton
Jan 31, 2008
Ed Helton loved sitting his grandchildren down beside him every chance he got. What was the most important thing you did today? hed ask them. Ed was a man who always knew what was most important. He was a hardworking, fun-loving man, and a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Most of all, Ed knew the most important thing...
Helen P P Ostema
Jan 31, 2008
Mrs. Helen P. Postema, age 83, went to be with her Lord Thursday morning, January 31, 2008 at Lakeview Manor in Whitehall. She was born January 11, 1925 in Muskegon Heights to John and Anna (Dokmontis) Gary and lived in the Muskegon area for most of her life. On January 26, 1952, she married Max J. Postema in Muskegon,...
George R. Underhill
Jan 31, 2008
George R. Underhill, age 90, passed away at home on January 31, 2008. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Marian; a grandson, three sisters, and five brothers. He is survived by three children, George (Pam) Underhill, Caroline Kubicek, and Jackie (Stan) Tyler; seven grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; and a sister; Doris Roswell,...
Kenneth Deater
Jan 31, 2008
Mr. Kenneth Deater, age 78, passed away on January 31, 2008, in the arms of his loving wife of 57 years. He retired from the City of Muskegon Fire Dept. as a Captain. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Deater; children, Janet (Michael) Wright of Muskegon andDavid (Shannon) Deater of Hickory Corners, MI; grandchildren, Matthew Wright, Mackenzie and Caelan Deater;...
