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Jack Foote, 63
Jack Foote, 63, of Plainwell died at Bronson Methodist Hospital on April 2, 2006. He was born April 21, 1942, in Allegan, to Guy and Elfie Erma (Morris) Foote.
Jack grew up in Otsego, where he graduated from the high school in 1961. He served his country in the U.S. Army before returning to the area to work at Plainwell Paper Co. for 36 years until its closing.
On July 12, 1969, Jack married
Jean "Joyce" Royston.
He was an active member of the Orangeville Baptist Church.
Jack's family includes his wife Joyce; his son, Allen and Elisa Foote of Plainwell; and his daughter, Rosealie Foote of Galesburg; grandson, Gabriel Foote; adopted in his heart grandchildren, Michael, Drew and Trent; siblings, Pauline and Ron Powers of Otsego, Dale and Sharon Foote of Fountain, Betty and Jim Lutes of Houghton Lake and Jeri Hartwell of Howard City; and sister-in-law Linda Foote of Plainwell.
He was preceded in death by his brothers Karl and Lee and his grandson Gage.
Friends visited with Jack's family and viewed his Life Story Film at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG, 120 S. Woodhams, Plainwell, today (Thursday), April 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. His service will be at the Orangeville Baptist Church on Friday at 11 a.m.
Visitors to Jack's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com may read his life story, archive a favorite memory or make a memorial donation to the family for expenses.
Virginia Mary Kaechele, 87
LAKELAND, FLA - Virginia Mary (Cooper) Kaechele, formerly of Plainwell, was born Dec. 15, 1918, and left this world Saturday, April 1, 2006, the way she lived it-looking for a way to keep the good times coming even with a heart that couldn't keep up with her.
At 87, she still had a love for life. She loved her family, her friends and anything that might put them together for a party. She was the consummate party giver and any excuse was good enough to get family and friends together.
Her family saw her as woman of talent and beauty. It was from her heart, her source of charisma that she framed this image
Her love for others was conditional. Love was way too precious to just give away. She could not and would not hide behind a faŤade of fictitious pandering. It was not her way.
Her way was to scrub down the basement, bring out the music, the cards, the golf clubs, the bowling balls, the potlucks, the drinks, the wager sheets, the family, the friends and most of all-the good times.
With her balancing life force Walt, they danced, played, debated and loved life the way it should be-to the fullest on their own terms.
She was another of those heroines, from a generation of heroes and heroines, whose husbands fought a world of evil and she, and others like her, fought the fears of a life without them. She helped lead the way for a new generation of career woman. She opened her own successful accounting business and taught those who followed how to manage a business and a family and still have an excitement for both.
Virginia and her generation are the survivors of a world of depression and chaos who taught all of us how to engage life with a passion and know it's never too late to enjoy all of it.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother Charles and Leah (Meyers) Cooper, her husband of 59 years Walt and her granddaughter Jennifer Kaechele.
She is survived by her children Walter Kaechele III and Cheryl (Barber), Sharon Haffner and Caesar Aquino, Jan and Jack Collins, Mary and Ray Seitz, 9 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Following her wishes she was cremated and a memorial service is scheduled for Friday, May 12.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jennifer Kaechele Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Fifth Third Bank, M-40 North, Allegan, MI. 49010.
Caren M. Horton, 52
Caren M. Horton, 52, of Otsego was an amazing wife, mother, daughter, sibling and friend. She passed away Tuesday, March 28, 2006, in Kalamazoo. Caren was born May 7, 1953, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Robert and Betty (Hill) Tishhouse.
For 12 years she has been married
to Keith Horton, who survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Liz and Jenni Evans; her parents, Robert and Betty Tishhouse of Otsego; two siblings, Cathy Tishhouse and Stephen Tishhouse; his wife Carrie; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Caren has many friends including professional colleagues and clients she met through her 13 years of working in real estate. She worked with Prudential Preferred Realtors for seven years, the last year working at the Stadium Drive office.
She was one of three nominated Distinguished Realtors of the Year. Her memberships include the National Association of Realtors and the Greater Kalamazoo Association of Realtors. She attained the distinguished real estate credentials of ABR, CRS and GRI.
Caren was a committed member of the Unity Church of Kalamazoo. She participated in Landmark Education and was a graduate of the Curriculum for Living.
Caren was passionate about the difference she made by planting seeds in her professional life and particularly with her family. We will always have thoughts of her on the pontoon boat with her family, friends and dogs.
A memorial service was Saturday at the First Assembly of God, 5550 Oakland Drive, Kalamazoo with Pastor Brooks McElhenny officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Landmark Education Scholarship fund. Arrangements were provided by the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego.
Gilbert McKenzie
The soul of Gilbert McKenzie entered heaven at 4:37 p.m. on March 26, 2006.
Gilbert was a kind and gentle man greatly loved by his wife Carol and his children, Cynthia (Ray), Rosemary, Walter (Irene), Michael (Jim), Joseph (Elsa), John (Betty), James (Holly), and Jennifer (Matthew).
He has 11 surviving grandchildren, Stevie, Cody, Aaron, Katie, Krista, Rosey, Adam, Sierra, Jone'e, Jacob, and his "baby," Elijah; and two great-grandchildren, Makayla and Eli.
Gilbert worked at Martin Bald Farms for many years. He was an excellent mechanic and a "jack-of-all-trades" who could make a swing set out of scrap lumber and repair most any vehicle.
Gilbert had a green thumb and could make anything grow. His lawn and garden were the envy of the neighborhood.
Gilbert was also an excellent cook. His asparagus soup, chicken and dumplings and enchiladas were the best in town.
Gilbert's beloved son Gilbert; grandson Gabriel; parents, Pauline and Arturo McKenzie Sr.; and brother, Arturo McKenzie Jr., preceded him in death.
Gilbert has six surviving brothers and three surviving sisters.
Gilbert was born in Alice, Texas, and lived in Allegan for several years. In 1980, he moved to South Bend, Ind., where he met and married
Carol. They moved to Indianapolis 3-and-a-half years ago. Gilbert is survived by many friends from Texas, Michigan and Indiana. He will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be at noon on April 8 at St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 South Mayflower Road, South Bend, Ind.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Fern A. Shank, 88
Fern A. Shank, 88, of Cooper Township passed away on March 31, 2006, at Rose Arbor Hospice. Fern was born on Sept. 20, 1917, in Allegan, the daughter of Lloyd and Verna (Black) Haas.
Fern was a 1939 graduate of Western Michigan University and a member of Delta Kappa Gamma.
She married
Edward E. Shank on Jan. 10, 1948, who preceded her in death in 1982.
She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Verlen, Harold and Eugene Haas; and one sister, Maxine Zimmerman.
Fern was a teacher for the Ludington, Muskegon and Kalamazoo public schools, retiring in 1975. She had a deep love of God and for her children and grandchildren.
Surviving Fern are two children, Scott (Fran) Shank of Galesburg and Sue Becker of Kalamazoo; three grandchildren, Nicole (Bill) Gibson, Scott (Rachel) Shank Jr. and Ryan (Katie) Shank; five great-grandchildren, Alyssa Gibson, Kristin Gibson, Rebekah Shank, Owen Shank and McKaylah Shank; a sister, Beverly (Robert) Niewoonder of Portage; two sisters-in-law, Rose Haas and Marjorie Haas; and several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends were received Monday at Parchment Redmond Funeral Home, Parchment, where funeral services were Tuesday. Interment followed at East Cooper cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rose Arbor Hospice.
Arthur W. 'Art' Boothe, 89
Arthur W. "Art" Boothe, 89, of Ann Arbor and Allegan died March 31, 2006 at the University of Michigan Hospital. Art was born June 14, 1916 in Los Angeles.
He graduated from Fowler High School, Fowler, Calif.; he was president of the Student Body. As shortstop for the local baseball team, Art made a hit off of Grover Cleveland Alexander, then playing for Benton Harbor's House of David team.
Art spent the next 20 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as Warrant Officer. His World War II exploits included convoy duty in the North Atlantic and service on the U.S.S. California prior to its sinking at Pearl Harbor.
He was awarded the Bronze Star after he navigated out of a channel in the Philippines while his PT-107 boat was under kamikaze attacks. On patrol in the Blackett Strait, Art witnessed the sinking of John F. Kennedy's PT-109.
In 1945 Art married
Jean Vaupell of Allegan. Last October Art and Jean celebrated 60 wonderful married
years.
Art's passions were sailing and golf. His love of golf was legendary in Allegan, as he could be seen hitting balls at the local golf course in the middle of winter. He also enjoyed volunteer work at the Allegan Public Library and First Congregational Church.
Art is survived by his loving wife Jean; son, Steven Boothe of Allegan; daughter, Susan Quackenbush of Ann Arbor; and niece, Thelma Sewell of Belen, N.M.
A celebration of Art's life will be Saturday, April 8, at First Congregational Church of Allegan.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the church.
John F. 'Sonny' Brokus, 71
John F. "Sonny" Brokus, 71, of Largo, Fla., died Wednesday, March 22, 2006, at home under the care of Hospice of the Florida Suncoast.
He was born in Allegan and went to Largo in 1986 from Biloxi, Miss. He was a chef and owned and operated several restaurants. He was an Air Force veteran. He was Catholic and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
His survivors include his companion of 15 years, Colleen Oberweis of Largo, Fla.; two sons, Tim and Scott, both of New Port Richey, Fla.; a daughter, Michele Hill of Montpelier, Va.; a sister, Sylvia Scoble of Largo, Fla.; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
Arrangements were provided by E. James Reese Funeral Home and Crematory in Seminole, Fla.
Cleo Fleming, 96
Cleo Fleming, 96, of Plainwell died on April 5, 2006, at Borgess Medical Center. He was born Aug. 19, 1909, in Galesburg to John and Edna (Hallock) Fleming.
Cleo was always a hard worker and over the years had worked at Murray's Packing and Michigan Technical Institute where he was the maintenance supervisor.
He was also very active in his community serving as the Mayor of Plainwell-formerly the oldest living mayor-on the fire department, as a city councilman, and on the county commission.
On June 30, 1933, Cleo married
Dorothy Wazek.
Cleo's family includes his sons, Dan and Sandy Fleming of Plainwell and Tom and Nancy Fleming of Allegan; grandchildren, Diane, Shelly, Rose and Dennis; several great-grandchildren; his sister, Hazel and Lewis Sage of Plainwell; his brother, George and Joyce Herbert of Plainwell; several nieces and nephews; and his special friend and companion, Pearl Miller.
He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, grandson Larry Markillie; brothers, Clare, Harold, Harley and Bill; sisters, Clara and Charlene; and special friend, Margaret Gould.
Friends may visit with Cleo's family on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG, 120 S. Woodhams, Plainwell, where his service will be Monday at 2 p.m.
Visitor's to Cleo's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, may read his life story, archive a favorite memory or make a memorial donation to Wings of Hope Hospice.
Jessie M. Kimmer, 90
Jessie M. Kimmer, 90, of Lowell, formerly of Comstock and Plainwell, died April 6, 2006, at Cumberland Manor. She was born March 12, 1916, in Schoolcraft to John and Illumanatta (O'Brien) Shearer.
On June 28, 1941, she united in marriage with Fredrick W. Kimmer Jr., who preceded her in death in 1989 after 48 years of marriage.
Until her health began to fail, Jessie was an active member of the Plainwell Senior Citizens group. Members of Jessie's family include her son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Gini Kimmer of Lowell; her grandchildren, Craig Kimmer of Holton-Hancock, Lis and Rick Trottier of New Hampshire, Dan Forbes of Grand Rapids and John and Melissa Forbes of Niles; her sisters-in-law, Doris Shearer, Fran Shearer, Shirley Shearer; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may visit with Jessie's family and friends Monday from 10 to 11 a.m. the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG, Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams, where funeral services will be at 11 a.m.
Visitors to Jessie's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com may read her life story, archive a favorite memory, order flowers or make memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Association.
Russell L. Pipher, 88
Mr. Russell L. Pipher, 88, of Kalamazoo passed away Wednesday, April 5, 2006, in Kalamazoo. Mr. Pipher was born July 29, 1917, in Cass County to LaVere and Cora (Bowen) Pipher.
He graduated from Constantine High School and was employed by the Kalamazoo Co. Maintenance Department until his retirement.
Russell married
the former Maxine Mihills.
Surviving are his daughter, Evelyn Ware of LeRoy; his son, Dale (Jane) Ropp of Marysville; a sister, Doris (Wendell) Malcolm of Colon; a brother, William (Doris) Pipher of Jones; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, stepchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother; and two wives.
Friends may meet the family from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego. There will be no services. Burial will take place at Alamo Center cemetery.
Grace A. (Timmerman) Veldt, 96
Grace A. (Timmerman) Veldt, 96, of Kalamazoo passed away Thursday, April 6, 2006, in Kalamazoo. Mrs. Veldt was born Oct. 12, 1909, in Grand Rapids to Hannah and Gertrude (Deurloo) DeBoer.
Grace was a past member of the Twin Lakes Reformed Church Women's Guild and the Triangle Club of Alamo. She attended the Alamo Community Church.
Surviving are two daughters and two sons, Shirley (Steve) Boelman of Kalamazoo, Eldon (Dianne) Timmerman of Plainwell, Gertrude (Louis) Prieskorn of South Haven and Glenn (Judy) Timmerman of Kalamazoo; two daughters-in-law, Dianne Timmerman of Florida and Dorothy Timmerman of Alamo; her stepchildren, Robert (Dorothy) Veldt of Plainwell, Louise Harvey and John Veldt, both of Kalamazoo; many grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Cornelius Timmerman in 1972 and Harm Veldt in 2004; a son, Warren Timmerman in 2003; a grandson Terry; and her siblings, John, Joe and Fred DeBoer, Elizabeth Medema, Kate Middlebush and Cobie Ekema.
Friends may meet the family from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, where services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, the Rev. William Walker officiating. Burial will follow at Alamo Center cemetery.
Contributions in memory of Grace may be made to the Alamo Community Church.
Rose Shalifoe, 89
During her journey on Earth, she was the matriarch of the Shalifoe Clan and one of the most respected American-Indian elders in Michigan. A full-blooded Odawa/Ojibway Indian, she was a tireless advocate for her people's traditions and culture.
Rose Antoinette Shalifoe, 89, departed this world on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2005, and entered the spirit world to join her husband, Solomon Henry Shalifoe, who preceded her in death.
Visitation took place Feb. 17, and continued throughout the night at the Shalifoe Pavilion, which is the original Little River Casino building in Manistee, with a Native American Church service to taking place later that evening.
Services were held Feb. 18, at the pavilion with a feast following. Interment will be at Fruitland Township cemetery in the spring.
“Her death isn't about life's end,” said son-in-law Joseph Genia. “This is just part of life. Look at her journey.”
It was a long, sometimes difficult trek filled with many heartaches. But for Rose Shalifoe, her ultimate joy was family and the preservation of her Indian culture, family members say.
The eldest of five children, she was born at Millers Camp in Hart to Louis Bailey, a full-blood Odawa, and Stella Davis Bailey, a full-blood Ojibway. She worked for many years at Lakey Foundry as a coremaker.
As a 5-year-old in Hart, Shalifoe was sent away to a boarding school for Indian children where she was forbidden to speak the language of her ancestors and forbidden to celebrate her culture. It wasn't until she became a grown woman with seven children that she worked to regain her ethnic heritage.
She reclaimed that heritage with the passion of someone long denied a part of their soul. Sometimes at pow wows the sound of drum beats would move her to tears.
During the 1960s, she and husband Solomon, who became an Ojibway chief, turned to the Grand Valley American Indian Lodge in Grand Rapids for the heritage they'd lost as children. The Shalifoes began traveling around the Great Lakes to pow wows, dancing, drumming and selling her award-winning fry bread.
The Shalifoes later formed a nonprofit organization known as the Woodland Indian Association.
Over the years, Rose Shalifoe spoke at countless pow wows throughout the state. For many years she would organize parties for Indian children and senior citizens, often cooking the entire feast of traditional Indian food for 50 or more guests in a rented hall.
In her later years, she would visit with Muskegon area school children to share her culture.
Many people, regardless of whether they were blood relatives, called Rose Shalifoe “Grandma Rose,” said her daughter, Stella Gibson.
“She liked to laugh and tell jokes,” Gibson said. “But she was truthful in everything she said to you. Everyone went to her for advice.”
Despite heart problems and a long cancer battle, Rose Shalifoe never stopped looking out for others, said son-in-law James Gibson.
“I never called her Rose,” he said. “I called her Mom. I loved the ground that she walked on. I'm going to miss her.”
Rose Shalifoe is survived by her children: Carlos (Susan) Eagle of New Mexico; Jean (Rick) Hewitt of Muskegon; Stella (James) Gibson of Shelby; son-in-law Tom Marshall of Whitehall; Joyce (Joseph) Genia of Muskegon; daughter-in-law Marie Shalifoe Ramos of Texas; Barbara (Roger) Stalzer of Fremont; and adopted sons, Mike Gordon and Odell Chalifoux; 35 grandchildren and approximately 100 great-grandchildren.
