In Loving Memory...
Rest in peace
Don't cry because it's over,
Smile because it happened.
- Dr. Seuss
To Submit an Obituary:
​
There is a charge for publishing obituaries,
and an additional charge if you'd like a photo included.​
​
Simply email the copy (& photo) you would like to
We will reply to you with the price.
Obituaries need to be prepaid
before they will be published in the paper.
We accept MasterCard and Visa.
March 4, 2026
RICHARD
GILLESPIE
Croton
Richard “Dick” Gillespie, age 92, beloved fatherm died peacefully
on February 27, 2026 after a brief battle with lung cancer. Dick was born on March 13th, 1933, to Verne and Marie Gillespie in
Grand Blanc, Michigan, and married to Dee Gillespie.
MARLENE TOOGOOD
Norwich Township
Marlene Joyce Toogood, 89, passed
away peacefully on Saturday, February 21,
2026 at The Brook in Big Rapids, with her loving family by her side. She was born January
10, 1937 in White Cloud, the ninth of 12 children, to Orren and Lucille
DOROTHY MAE WOLFORD
Fremont
Dorothy “Dot” Mae Wolford, age 89 of Fremont, Mich., passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026. Born on July 15, 1936, she was a lifelong resident of Fremont, a community she loved and served passionately throughout her life.
February 25, 2026
GILBERT
SWEET
Gilbert Irwin Sweet, age
94, entered into the arms
of Jesus on February 15,
2026.
Gilbert was born to Ira
and Gladys Sweet on
May 9, 1931, in Fremont.
Shortly after graduating
from high school, Gilbert
served honorably in
the military during the
Korean War. He worked
for the railroad
MARY HOWARD
Mary Beth Howard
was born in Grand
Rapids on November
22, 1959 to Jerry and
Clyta Chambers. She
peacefully passed away
on January 29, 2026 at
the Gregory home, where
she was lovingly cared
for in her final days.
JEAN BODE
SNELLER
(Lookout Mountain,
Georgia
Formerly of Fremont)
Jean Bode Sneller,
age 92, passed away
peacefully on February
20, 2026. Jean was born
to the late Henry and
Jennie Deters on July 16,
1933. She was married to
Stanley Bode from 1952
to 1980. She was married
to Alden Sneller from
1989 to 2018.
LEONARD
BONKOWSKI
11/05/1952 - 02/10/2026
Leonard George
Bonkowski, affectionately
known as Lenny, lived his life by the simple and steadfast principles of God, family and country.
Lenny was the beloved husband of Laura, his high school sweetheart and the only woman he ever loved.
DAVID BRADLEY SR.
Fremont
David Charles Bradley Sr., age 83 of Fremont, Mich., passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 9, 2026.
David was born in Vestaburg, Mich. on December 16, 1942 to Ernest and Emma (Follett) Bradley.
February 18, 2026
LOUIS “LOU” HOOKER
Fremont
Louis “Lou” R. Hooker, age 90, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday morning, February 9, 2026.
He was born on January 7, 1936 in Fremont, Mich. to Myreenus and Helene (Bartels) Hooker.
DAVID
GILLILAND
Fremont
(Formerly Of White Cloud)
David Lee Gilliland, age 81, passed away on Thursday morning, February 12, 2026 at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.
He was born on October 4, 1944 in Fremont, Mich. to Raymond J. and Evelyn R. (DeKuiper) Gilliland.
He served in the US Army Security Agency (ASA) during the Vietnam Era, and he spent 3.5 years in West Berlin, Germany. He was a two time unit Soldier of the Month, and he was a non-commissioned officer.
February 11, 2026
VALMOND SMITH
Fremont
​
Valmond Kenneth Smith, age 99, went from his daughter Amy’s arms into his loving Savior’s arms early Thursday morning, February 5, 2026.
He was born on June 8, 1926 to Otto and Nellie (Canniff) Smith on the family farm in Fremont.
February 4, 2026
ELEANOR HOOKER
Fremont
​
Eleanor Pearl Hooker, age 85, went Home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday evening, January 27, 2026.
She was born on September 2, 1940 in Muskegon, Mich. and was raised by her foster parents George and Willa Kalsbeek.
MARY STADT
Grand Rapids
Formerly of Fremont
Mary Stadt passed away on January 26, 2026, at the age of 96.
She was born on April 26, 1929 to Martin A. and Jennie (Hoogesteger) Haadsma.
January 28, 2026
RAYMOND WAWSCZYK
White Cloud
Raymond Wawsczyk, a life-long resident of White Cloud, age 89, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 19, 2026.
Born on August 29, 1936 to Roman and Agata Wawsczyk
HOLLIS PHILLIPS
Fremont
(Formerly of Newaygo)
Hollis L. Phillips, age 78, went Home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday evening, January 23, 2026.
He was born on February 18, 1947 in Greenville, Mich. to Leon A. and Vera “Ileah” (Angel) Phillips.
January 21, 2026
LINDA DAME
Fremont
Mrs. Linda Dame, age 71 years, passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2026 in Byron Center.
She was born on June 18, 1954 in Shelby, Mich. to Bruce and Irene (Schutter) Wiersema.
KEITH ENSING
Fremont
Keith LeRoy Ensing (affectionately known as "Beef"), age 88, passed peacefully to his eternal home surrounded by his wife and five children.
Beef fired of a tender heart.
He was born on November 7, 1937 to Sander and Greeta Ensing.
JERRYLYN ANTOINETTE MILLER
White Cloud
Jerrylyn Antoinette (McLean) Miller, age 95, of White Cloud, passed away peacefully on Jan. 6, 2026, surrounded by her devoted husband and loving family. Jerrylyn was born on February 26, 1930 in Wyoming Two., Mich.
AUDREY WARD
Carmel, Indiana
Audrey Mae Ward, 88, of Camel, Indiana, formerly of Fremont, passed away on January 6, 2026.
She and her late husband, Jerry Ward, made Fremont their home for over 40 years.
MICHELLE MARIE (MORRIS) ABBOTT
Newaygo
Michelle Marie (Morris) Abbott, 68 of Newaygo, Mich. passed away peacefully on January 13, 2026, surrounded by family and friends.
Despite her courageous attitude and unrelenting fortitude, Michelle’s body gave in to health issues that she had battled for nearly 20 years.
Michelle was born in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich., and had the experience of living in the Riverside, California area as well as various places in Michigan, before settling in Newaygo in 1971. Michelle married Clint Abbott in December of 1973 in Newaygo, where they raised their family and dedicated their lives to serving the Lord through ministry together. They recently celebrated 52 years of marriage.Michelle was a loving and devoted wife, daughter, sister, mother and grandmother, and gave love generously to her family and to countless others. She enjoyed working at the Ben Franklin store in Newaygo for many years. She loved sunflowers, daisies, and bright vibrant colors, yellow being her
favorite. Michelle enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles, playing Yahtzee, and reading.
Michelle had a way of touching people with her genuine and caring nature, as she always tried to bring grace and comfort to others. She loved her Savior Jesus and her calling of God to serve at Better Life Church (a church she founded with her husband Clint), to serve as the ministry’s Hospitality Team Leader.
She was preceded in death by her father Robert Vernon Morris, mother Patricia Ann Kennison, brother Christopher Allen Morris, and her daughter Tamara Lynn Abbott.
Michelle’s memory will be cherished by her husband Clint Abbott; her children Matthew (Meredith) Abbott, Aaron Abbott and Jamie (Kelly) Abbott; grandchildren Christopher Abbott (Anette Mata), Taylor Abbott and Alandria Abbott; her siblings Michael Morris, Lisa (Bob) Bushen and Daniel (Ruth) Kennison; as well as her many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a multitude of friends.
We will miss her precious soul until we meet again.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 1 p.m. at Better Life Church, 9103 Mason Drive in Newaygo, with Pastor Clint Abbott officiating. A private graveside service will be held in the spring.
Michelle’s family so appreciated the care, kindness and support given by the staff at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital and Hospice. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Hospice at Corewell Health Foundation West Michigan, 25 Michigan St. NE, Ste 4100, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
January 14, 2026
SALLY RODGERS
Fremont
Sally Lee Rodgers, age 86, passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2026.
She was born on April 21, 1939 in Hastings, Mich. to Edwin and Elvira (Durkee) Sayles.
DUANE VERNE VANDUZEN
Fremont
Duane Verne VanDuzen, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, educator and community leader, peacefully passed away on December, 24, 2025, at the age of 97.
Born in Detroit, Mich. in 1928.
JAMES HILER
Fremont
James Bruce Hiler, age 87, passed away Saturday evening, January 3, 2026 at his home.
He was born in March 22, 1938 in Luzerne, Mich. to Harry and Marguerite (Holly) Hiler.
TAMMY LYNN TRUSSELL
Walkerville
Tammy Lynn Trussell, 53, of Walkerville, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
Tammy was born on February 20, 1972, in Grand Rapids, Mich. and grew-up in Walkerville.
LAVERN ROYAL NYSON
Fremont
The Lord stretched out His arms and welcomed LaVern "Vern" Royal Nyson to his eternal home on January 7, 2026 after a long, courageous battle with cancer and simply growing older.
Vern was born on December 9, 1935 in Goodwell Township, Mich. to Alden and Ruth (Smatts) Nyson.
JEAN RIEMERSMA
Fremont
Jean Elaine Riemersma, affectionately known as "Old Gram" or "Oma" age 94, passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2025 at the Newaygo Medical Care Facility.
She was born on December 12, 1931 in Grand Rapids, Mich. to Neil and Viola Proos.
MARY ELLEN SLATER
Holton
Mary Ellen (Midge) Slater, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed peacefully on Friday, January 2, 2026 at her home in Holton, Mich.
She was born on Monday, September 11, 1944 in Fremont, Mich. to George and Buddy Manciu.
January 7, 2026
GINGER MILLER
White Cloud
Ginger Miller, age 75, of White Cloud, passed
away peacefully at her home surrounded by
family on December 20, 2025 in White Cloud, Mich.
Ginger was born on February 10, 1950, in
Wyandotte, Mich. to Rolf and Edna Rabe.
HARRY JOHNSON JR
Bitely
On December 26, the Lord called His faithful servant home.
Harry was born in Detroit, Mich. on August 25, 1947 to Harry Boyd Johnson Sr. and Ruth Irene (Taylor) Johnson.
_edited.jpg)
GERALD ALLEN
LUBBERS
Reeman
Gerald Allen Lubbers, age 88 of Reeman (Fremont) died at home on January 1, 2026 after a short bout with cancer.
Gerald was born on September 24, 1937 to Arnold and Pearl (Veenstra) Lubbers in
Reeman, Michigan.