Obituaries

Oct 13, 2025

Penny F. Reed, age 82, of Battle Creek, passed away Monday October 13, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born October 24, 1942, in Apollo, Pennsylvania, the daughter of John W. and Velma C. (Butler) Myers. Penny graduated from Springfield High School and retired from Battle Creek Health System where she had worked for over 20 years. Family meant...

Oct 13, 2025

Gregory Byron Auton, 65, from Battle Creek, MI, passed away on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. He was born on October 7, 1960, to Gordy and Gwen Auton, the third child of six.

Gregory is survived by his siblings, Joel (Maria) Auton, Rod (DeAnn) Auton, Faith (Rick) Bentley, Sonja (Brian) Perschbacher; his nieces and nephews, Jason (Katrina)...

Oct 11, 2025

Richard (Rich) Boyd Grady (52) of Battle Creek, Michigan passed away on October 11, 2025 at Centrica Rose Arbor Hospice with his devoted wife, Jennifer (Jordan) at his side.

An avid runner, Rich ran track and cross country for Peoria High School and continued running for fun at the University of Illinois where he met his beloved wife. More recently, he...

Oct 8, 2025

Robert August "Bob" Radtke Jr., a devoted family man, tireless entrepreneur, and avid outdoorsman, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2025, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, at the age of 83.

Born in Detroit on April 9, 1942 to Robert August Sr. and Margaret Reid Radtke, Bob became the beloved "cool" big brother to his siblings Karen, Bill, and Susan. He graduated from...

Oct 7, 2025

JoAnn (Lane) Niblack, born to Roy E. Lane and Imogene (Gothard) Lane, on August 29, 1942, in Battle Creek, Michigan, loving wife of Richard L. Niblack passed away peacefully on October 7, 2025, at Centrica Rose Arbor Place in Kalamazoo, Michigan. JoAnn graduated from Lakeview High School in 1960. While in high school she also went to beauty school for...

Oct 4, 2025

Joyce Swanson, Age 91, born on July 19, 1934, in Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away peacefully at her home in Bellevue on October 4, 2025. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Joyce dedicated herself to her family and her work throughout her life.

Joyce embarked on a commendable career at Kellogg Company, where she served diligently for 25 years and later...

Oct 2, 2025

Shirley Anne (Swafford) Polak, 81, of Galesburg, Michigan, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at Kairos Dwelling Hospice Facility. She was born on July 22, 1944, in Battle Creek, Michigan the daughter of Claud and Virgie (Herrell) Swafford.

Shirley was a 1962 graduate of Lakeview High School in Battle Creek, Michigan. She was employed by the...

Sep 27, 2025

JoAnn Zidarevich (Burt) passed away peacefully at Thornapple Manor in Hastings, MI on the morning of September 27th at the age of ninety-four, after her body gently surrendered following a couple of months of declining health. Born on November 20th, 1930, JoAnn was a lifelong resident of the area, creating a life and legacy of love and devotion that endures...

Sep 26, 2025

Rhonda E. Gates (Borsheim), the heart, treasure, and prayer warrior of her family, age 71, of Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away Friday, September 26, 2025. Born October 21, 1953, she was the daughter of Bernard and Ruth Gates. A 1971 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School, Rhonda earned a degree from Spring Arbor University. She spent several years as...

Sep 24, 2025

Steven T. Robertson, age 69, of Battle Creek passed away on September 24, 2025 at Trinity Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife of 34 years by his side. He was born on December 11, 1955 in Camden, Arkansas, the son of Hueie and Virginia(Pierce) Robertson. Steve enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1973, and received his GED in...

Sep 23, 2025

Cheryl R. Barea, Age 61, of Kalamazoo, passed away on September 23, 2025, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo surrounded by her family. Cheryl was born on March 13, 1964, in Battle Creek, the daughter of Norman and Beverly (Howell) Barea. She was a proud graduate of Lakeview High School, where her exceptional talent in sports shone through as a...

Sep 23, 2025

Sep 21, 2025

Sep 19, 2025

With heavy but full hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Kimberly Kay Beller. Surrounded by family, she took her last breaths on September 19, 2025, after more than a four-year battle with cancer, during which she defied the odds and thrived. She was, and will continue to be, an inspiration to her family and friends.

Kimmie was born on...

Sep 14, 2025

Wanda Joy Branson Hartford, 86, passed away on Sunday, September 14, 2025, after a very long and hard-fought battle with cancer, at the Edinburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Edinburg, Texas. She was born on April 22, 1939 in Battle Creek, Michigan, daughter of Ward and Dorothy (Culmer) Branson. She attended Lakeview High School and night school in Battle Creek...

Sep 13, 2025

Petty Office First Class Elijah D. Young, age 24, of White Pigeon, Michigan died on September 13, 2025, in Norfolk, Virginia from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was born on January 21, 2001, in Buffalo, New York, the son of Mark and Marjorie (Goodwin) Young. Elijah moved with his family from Buffalo, New York to White Pigeon, Michigan....

Sep 12, 2025

Melvin “Hoppy” Lee Adair, age 78, passed away into the loving arms of Jesus on September 12, 2025, at his home in Battle Creek, MI. He was born on August 24, 1947, in Hastings, Michigan, to the late Lee and Edith Adair.

Melvin graduated from Penfield High School in 1965 and went on to receive a certificate from the Grand Rapids...

Sep 12, 2025

Karan S. Herring, age 84, passed away on Friday, September 12, 2025, in Saginaw, surrounded by her family. She was born on November 7, 1940, in Big Rapids, MI, the daughter of Donnell G. and Rosalie H. (Neve) Bumb. Karan was a graduate of Adrian High School in 1959. She then attended Kirtland Community College and received her registered nurse...

Sep 11, 2025

Passed away peacefully on September 11, 2025, at Lakeview Assisted Living in Battle Creek, MI.

She was born in Detroit, MI, to Pedro and Delores Ponce. Margarita spent her early childhood in Mexico City, where she attended grade school and high school. After several years, her family returned to Detroit.

In 1955, she married the love of her life, James “Jimmy” Soto....

Sep 9, 2025

Winifred Rombaugh, 95, of Battle Creek, passed away at home on September 9, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born on February 6, 1930, in Lake Leelanau, Michigan, she was the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth Flees. Winifred, also known as Winnie, attended St. Mary's Church and School and graduated in the class of 1948. After moving to Battle Creek,...