Virginia Jackowski

Jackowski /Dudzinski – Mrs. Virginia A. Jackowski aged 76, of Newaygo and formerly of Detroit, went to be with the Lord Thursday, November 12, 2009. She was born Virginia Anne Ramaut November 9, 1933 in Detroit, the daughter of Johanna (Danieleski) and Abel Thomas Ramaut. She married Edward Francis Dudzinski May 29, 1953 in Detroit and he preceded her in death June 17, 1990. She then married John Stanley Jackowski October 10, 1998 in Newaygo. Mrs. Jackowski was a communicant of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Newaygo and was a member of the Croton American Legion #381 Women’s Auxiliary.

She is survived by her beloved husband John, dear mother of James Dudzinski (Becky), Susan Franzen, Judith Altadonna, Laura Foster, and Nancy Halfacre (Cal), her step-children Cheryl Gray (Richard), Robin Devries (Glen), Michael Jackowski, Monica McKenna (Christopher), grandchildren Alison, Shawnna, Scott, Dale, Sal, Michael, Tim, Jacque, Krystal, Calvin, Waylon, Aaron, Daniel, Samatha, Eric, Lucas, Mitchell, Paige, Cole, 8 great-grandchildren, her dear brother Brian Ramaut (Beverly).

Funeral Mass will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at the St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Newaygo with Father Tom Bufford as Celebrant. Visitation will be held 2-4 & 7-9 PM Monday with the Rosary at 7:300PM at the McKinley Funeral Home-Newaygo Chapel. Interment will be in the Croton Township Cemetery

For Memorials please consider the Croton American Legion #381 Women’s Auxiliary or the Charity of your choice. Please sign the online guest book at www.mckinleyfuneral.com.

Russell Schestag

Russell Allen Schestag, (Santa) went to be with his Lord, November 8, 2009. Russ and wife Marion (Visser), of Sand Lake , served as Santa and Mrs. Claus for businesses and organizations in Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, and Newaygo counties for twenty six years. Russ gave the gift of himself year around; to his country by serving in the Marine Corp for 13 years, and through appointment as the first clerk for the Food Stamp Program in Craven County , North Carolina , to family and friends, and to Ensley Township as a driving force for the development of the Ensley Nature Preserve.  He is survived by his wife Marian Schestag of Sand Lake, his daughters Kristen & Earl Fisk of Pierson, Melissa & Jason Hill of Whitwell, TN, Melissa & Bill Simonson of Ada, 15 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, his sisters Evelyn & Robert Westerhouse of Florida and Marilyn & Phil Workema of Caledonia. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 12 at Pierson Bible Church from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with a Celebration of Life service at 1:00pm.  Interment will be at Crandall Cemetery .  In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider a donation to the Russ Schestag memorial set up at Choice One Bank.

Rosalba Bocanegra

Mrs. Rosalba  Bocanegra, Age 37 of Fremont, Michigan died Friday, November 6, 2009 in Fremont.   She was born Rosalba Castillo in San Luis, Potosi, Mexico the daughter of Altagracia (Torres) and Jose Alfredo Castillo on October 6, 1972. She married Rolando Bocanegra in Hidalgo, Texas and he preceded her in death.  She is survived by her children Yvonne, Rolando, Jorge, Jesus, and Cristal, her grandson Daniel Mendez, her parents Jose Alfredo & Altagracia Castillo, and her siblings Adrian & Nirma, Maria de la Luz & Angel, Silvia & Ebrencio, Andres & Sandi, Laura & Jose, Irene & Raul and Juan Ricardo & Reyna.  The Funeral Liturgy will be held at 11:00 AM from the St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Newaygo on Monday, November 9, 2009 with Father Peter Schafer officiating.  Visitation will be held 7‑9 PM Sunday at McKinley Funeral Home, Grant.    ‑ McKinley Funeral Home, Grant,  231‑834‑5613.  http:\\mckinleyfuneral.com

Evelyn Dragt

Mrs. Evelyn Harriet Dragt, Age 77 of Grant, died Friday, November 6, 2009 at home. She was born Evelyn Harriet Johnson in Fremont, Michigan the daughter of Bernetta (Meeuwenberg) and John Johnson on December 19, 1931. She married Gerald Dragt on November 11, 1948 in Fremont and he preceded her in death on August 18, 2002. She was a member of Grant Christian Reformed Church. She is survived by her children Linda & Tim Bull of Newaygo, Patty & Steve Chesebro of Grant, Randy & Cindy Dragt of Howard City, 9 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, her brother Milo & Deloris Johnson of Fremont, her sisters Doris & Herb Rottman of Fremont, Betty Jimenez of Florida, Donna & Jim Munson of Reeman and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM from the Grant Christian Reformed Church on Monday, November 9, 2009 with Pastor Lucas Rodenhouse officiating. Interment in Hillside Cemetery.   Visitation will be held 2‑5 PM Sunday at McKinley Funeral Home-Grant Chapel. For memorials please consider Heartland Hospice or Grant Christian Reformed Church.   ‑ McKinley Funeral Home, Grant, 231‑834‑5613. http:\\mckinleyfuneral.com

Barbara Van Houten

Barbara Ann Van Houten (Bol), age 69, achieved her life long goal on November 5 and met her Lord and Savior after a courageous battle with leukemia which began October 10.  Waiting to welcome her was her dear son Greg and her parents Ed & Anna Bol as well as many family members and friends gone before.  Barb was a much loved bus driver for well over 30 years in the Kent City school system.  Left to live her example are her children, Mike & Lisa Skrabis, Paul and Judy Olson, Doug & Tammy Van Houten and Scott & Leslie Van Houten.  Her grandchildren Jenny (Kevin) Lucht, Nikki (Derek) Anderson, Kevin Skrabis, Katie Skrabis, Tiffiny & Gina Olson, Kylie & Nick Van Houten and Nathan Van Houten, as well as 6 great grandchildren and two more waiting.  As well as extraordinary friends Diane Fryling and Terry & Robin Darling.  A special thank you to the wonderful staff at Spectrum Health 5 North.  Visitation will be held Monday, November 9 from 2-4 & 6-8 PM and one hour prior to the celebration of her life on Tuesday, November 10, at 1PM.  All services will be held at Kent City Baptist, the church that she dearly loved.

JoAnn Allerding

Mrs. JoAnn  Allerding, Age 60 of Grant, died Thursday, November 5, 2009 in Fremont.  She was born JoAnn Allerding in Hastings, Michigan the daughter of Ruth Ann (Bartholomew)  and Carl Allerding on February 13, 1949. She married Dennis Allerding on July 18, 1967 in Freeport, Michigan. She was a purchasing agent for PakSak for 20 years. She was a member of Grant Reformed Church.  She is survived by her husband Dennis Allerding of Grant, her sons Dennis Allerding of Sparta and Chad & Andrea Allerding of Grant, 6 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, her father Carl Allerding, her brother Jerry & Mary Woltz of Hastings and her sister Janette Martin of Hastings.  Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM from the Grant Reformed Church on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 with Pastor Mik Sutton officiating.

James T. Maggard

Mr. James Thomas Maggard, Age 63 of Big Rapids, formerly of Howard City/Newaygo, died Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at home. He was born James Thomas Maggard in Union County, Indiana the son of Lueretha (Harmon) and Marion Maggard on October 10, 1946. He married Margaret Judy Hegel on November 8, 1996 in Grand Rapids and she preceded him in death on July 27, 2008. He then married Mary Dunkel on September 11, 2009 in Big Rapids. He was a warehouse truck driver for Bishop Distributors. He was a member of Croton American Legion Post #381; AmVets Post #1988 Baldwin; V.F.W. Post #4249 Newaygo; Forty & Eight Voiture Croton #721. He was a veteran having served in the Army during the Vietnam War from October 4, 1967 to October 3, 1975 when he was discharged as a SGT. He then continued to serve with the Michigan National Guard, retiring on June 23, 1993. He is survived by his wife Mary Dunkel‑Maggard of Big Rapids, his stepchildren Michael & Julie Dunkel, Bobby & Lisa Dunkel, Jimmy & Penny Dunkel, John & Sherry Dunkel, Julie & Ken Ek, Cheryl & Kyle Stoma, his 15 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and his brothers and sisters Thomas Bayne, Charles & Pauline Bayne, Arlene Anderson, Robert Wildow, Connie & Duane Droptiny and Donna Bayne. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM from the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Big Rapids on Saturday, November 7, 2009 with Father Lam T. Le officiating.  Interment in Crandall Cemetery, Sand Lake.  Arrangements by McKinley Funeral Home, Newaygo 231‑652‑5613. http:\\mckinleyfuneral.com

Genevieve L. Cotie

Mrs. Genevieve Leone Cotie, Age 89 of Fremont, formerly of Grant, died Thursday, October 29, 2009 in Fremont.   She was born Genevieve Leone Davis in Bridgeton, Michigan the daughter of Mable Mae (Hennegan) and Fredrick Davis on January 29, 1920. She married William Cotie on April 10, 1968 in East St. Louis, Illinois. She was a Electronics Technician for Key Instrument Company, Burbank, CA for many years. She was a member of Faith Baptist Church, Fremont.  She is survived by her husband William Cotie of Fremont, her daughters Nancy Jean & Ben Stevens of Calvert City, KY, Elaine & Arthur Tibbetts of White City, OR, her son Christopher Cotie of Portland, OR, 5 grandchildren and several great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her grandson Arthur Tibbetts. Graveside funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM from the Ashland Center Cemetery, Grant on Friday, October 30, 2009 with Pastor Mark Ruley officiating. Arrangements by McKinley Funeral Home, Grant Chapel.

William J. Householder

Mr. William Joseph Householder, Age 85 of Grand Haven, formerly of White Cloud, died Friday, October 23, 2009 in Muskegon. He was born William Joseph Householder in Youngstown, Ohio the son of Rose (La Garra) and Earl Householder on July 26, 1924. He married Ruth June Brown on December 1987 and she preceded him in death on June 6, 2009. He was a semi driver for Steelcase. He was a member of Community Fellowship Church in Bridgeton. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He is survived by his sons Tim & Brenda Householder of Jenison, James Matthew Householder of North Port, FL, his step daughter Pat Boes of Spring Lake, 5 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, his sister Martha Ann Wade of North Benton, OH, his brother Robert Tafe of Arizona, and several nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his great grandson Zachary Michael Stoehr. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM from the Community Fellowship Church, Bridgeton on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 with Pastor Mike King officiating. Interment in Lakeshore Cemetery, Grand Haven. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 AM at the church the day of the service. For memorials please consider Harbor Hospice. ‑ McKinley Funeral Home, Grant, 231‑834‑5613. http:\\mckinleyfuneral.com

Gerald E. Vanderwest

Mr. Gerald E. Vander West, age 78 of Grant, died Thursday, October 22, 2009 at his home in Grant Township.   He was born Gerald Eugene Vander West in Wyoming, Michigan the son of Wilhelmina (Van Galen) and Clarence Vander West on February 6, 1931. He married Joyce Irene Wallinga on September 25, 1951 in Allendale and she preceded him in death on November 8, 1998. He then married Darlene Kay Willbrandt on December 4, 1999 in Ravenna. He was a self-employed Diary Farmer for 40 years until 1987. He was a member of Pine Grove Community Church.  

He is survived by his wife Darlene Vander West, his children Gary & Jeryl Vander West of Pelkic, Karen & Dale Hooker of Byron Center, Linda Nelson of Ravenna, Steven & Maryjo Vander West of Newaygo, his step‑children Tammy Van Doorne, Jeffrey Willbrandt, Teresa & Mark Vander Sloot, 8 grandchildren, 11 great‑grandchildren, his brother Roger & Winona Vander West of Grand Rapids, his sister Betty & John Campau of Zeeland. He was preceded in death by wife Joyce, son Mark, son‑in‑law Duane Nelson. 

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM from the Pine Grove Community Church, Howard City on Saturday, October 24, 2009 with Pastor Steve Vander West officiating. Military honors are under the auspices of the VFW Post #4249 of Newaygo.  Interment will be in the Allendale Township Cemetery.   Visitation will be held 6‑8 PM Friday and one hour prior to services at Pine Grove Community Church. For Memorials please consider the World Home Bible League and/or Grace Hispanic Baptist Church of Grant.  Please sign the on line guest book at www.mckinleyfuneral.com.

McKinley Funeral Home, Grant, 231‑834‑5613. http:\\mckinleyfuneral.com