Phyllis Jean Conklin, 96, of Lawrence, passed away comfortably, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, surrounded by family at home. Phyllis was born Nov. 1, 1926, in Kankakee, Ill., the daughter of Harry and Nellie (Beauvais) Wright, both of whom precede her in passing.Also preceding her in passing are her late husband, Melvin James ‘M.J.’ Conklin, on Read More…
Courier-Leader & Paw Paw Flashes
Obituary: Wilma Jean Curry
Wilma “Wig” Jean (Craft) Curry, 79, of Kalamazoo, passed away at her home surrounded by family, Nov. 5, 2022. Born on Sept. 21, 1943, in Gage County, Kentucky, she was the youngest of seven children to Dewey and Minnie (Hammond) Craft.Nicknamed “Wig” as a wiggly infant, she kept it throughout her life. The family moved Read More…
Lawrence post honors veterans on their day
Members of Lawrence American Legion Hess Eastman Post 174 held a Veterans Day Ceremony, Friday, Nov. 11, at the Lawrence Veterans Memorial at Hill Cemetery. American Legion member Charles Moden, shown in foreground with members, led the rifle volley. Members of the Lawrence American Legion Hess-Eastman Post 174 Ladies Auxiliary are shown in background. Following Read More…
Voters turnout in large numbers at polls
By Paul GarrodStaff Writer PAW PAW – More than 32,000 Van Buren County registered voters went to the polls last week to cast their ballots, according to unofficial information from the Van Buren County Clerk’s Office, as reported on the website, electionreporting.com.The county clerk’s office said a total of 32,144 registered voters, or 58.87 percent, Read More…
Life as Performance Art
Thanksgiving Day is this Thursday, the 24th, and it is a uniquely original American holiday. The first one was held in 1619 when the Anglicans landed in Virginia. According to their charter from the London Company, they were to have an annual day of thanksgiving for their safe arrival. They did that for a few years, and then Read More…
Mike’s Musings: Election results prove country deeply divided
Now that the Mid-Term election is over (at least in most states) it is time to reflect on the results. I’m happy to say voter turnout was better than expected in most states which indicate our Democracy is alive and well despite what naysayers may say.Three observations come to mind- the political landscape hasn’t changed Read More…
Obituary: Dennis Sommerfeldt
Sommerfeldt, Dennisof Kalamazoo Age 92, died peacefully on October 28, 2022. Denny was born September 26, 1930 in Benton Harbor to Gottlieb and Bertha (Schuhknecht) Sommerfeldt. After proudly serving in the U.S. Army, Denny returned home, married Joyce Weber, and settled on a farm in Hartford. During his time as a Raw Products Manager at Read More…
Obituary: Richard Kruszewski
Richard “Dick Kruso” Kruszewski, surrounded by adoring and loving family, passed away Nov. 4, 2022, just one month shy of his 88th birthday.Pages could be filled with thoughts and memories of Richard. He lived a phenomenal, full life, and he was the best father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband, friend, and mentor one could imagine. To everyone Read More…
Obituary: Christine Jane Reed
Christine Jane Reed passed away while fighting cancer, Oct. 24, 2022. She was born March 20, 1972, in Kalamazoo, to James and Patricia Reed.Christine grew up in Paw Paw with her two siblings and resided there for most of her life. Christine was a graduate of Paw Paw High School and Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Read More…
Obituary: Pete Cornish
Pete Cornish – journeyed from his adventures on this earth from his home on Friday, November 4, 2022.Pete was born in Lawton, MI to Elwyn and Lena Cornish. He took up the family’s tradition of farming the land at a very young age and tended that land right up until his passing. He graduated from Read More…