Classmate News

Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette, Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Cheryl Lee (Allison) Swihart
Age 58
of Hastings

Went to be with her Lord, Tuesday May 6, 2008 after a courageous battle with cancer. Cheryl was born August 1, 1949 in Vicksburg, Michigan , the daughter of James and Ella (Parsons) Allison. She graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1967.

She volunteered many hours at Charlton Park, Veterans Hospital, local Brownies Troop, Local Girl Scouts, , Hastings School System, Barry County Substance Abuse, March of Dimes, Relay For Life and the Department of Human Services.

Cheryl was known as Mom and Grandma to many local children and families. In September 2007, in the middle of her battle for cancer and through the love of her family, a benefit was held and $1700.00 was raised for Cheryl, for the love of her community and the need for family, she chose to donate this to LOVE Inc.

She was preceded in death by her father, James Allison, grandson Cameron Rae Hanson (Swihart) and a nephew, David Motter. Cheryl is survived by her children, Shannon (Swihart) Lydy & Fiance, Andy Cooley, Christina (Swihart) Warner & husband, Todd Warner, Angela (Swihart) Wilbur & husband, Chad Wilbur, Richard Swihart & fiancee Cari Yancer, Teresa (Swihart) Hummel & husband, Andrew Hummel, her mother, Ella (Parsons) Allison, grandchildren, Kalee Lydy, Casandra Lydy, Haley Cooley, Jaylon Newton, Jannah Newton, Brendon Warner, Carly Warner, Allison Wilbur, Dustin Slusser, Cole Hummel, Bryce Hummel, brother, Robert Allison & wife Sharon, sisters, Barbara Ulrich & husband David, Jean Dahl & husband Kit, and several nieces , nephews friends and last but not least , a community that she loved.

God saw you were getting tired, the cure was not to be; so he put his arms around you, and whispered "come with me". We watched you close, with tearful eyes and saw you fade away; Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A precious heart stopped beating. Hard working body and heart at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, he only takes the best.

No visitation will be held, a memorial gathering of family and friends will be Saturday May 17, 2008 at 2:00pm at the Hastings Moose Lodge. Memorial contributions can be made to Barry Community Hospice or Love Inc. Arrangements are by the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. You may leave a message or memory to the family at (girrbachfuneralhome.net).

Published int he Gazette Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Fox, Dinae L. Nimmo
Age 58

Diane Fox died on thursday, February 7, 2008 at her home. She was born on June 25, 1949 in Vicksuburg, the daughter of Robert and Beverly (Miller) Nimmo and graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1967. She married Douglas Fox and together they raised two children in a loving home. Diane's love was unending as she and Doug adopted their two grandchildren and were raising them as well. currently she worked for MC sports and traveled throughout Michigan and wisconsin to help open new stores.

Members of her family include her husband, Doug; her children, Jennifer, Christopher, Keaton and Karley; her mother Beverly Nimmo of Vicksburg; brother, Jim and his wife Donna Nimmo Vicksburg; mother-in-law Doris Buck; a grandson, Conner and a brother-in-law Jim Beougher. She follows in death her sister, Vickie Nimmo-Beougher, in 2005 and her father, Robert Nimmo, in 2007.

Services for Diane will be announced at a later date.

Please visit Diane's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can read her life story, archive a favorite memory or photo, sign her memory book online before coming to the funeral home or make a memorial donation to the American Cancer Society.

Published in the Gazette Wednesday, November 1, 1967

Harper, Ferris Raymond
Age 18

An auto accident at the corner of Sprinkle Road and Bishop Avenue in Portage took the life of Ferris R. Harper, Jr., 18... more

Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 10/22/2006.

SHIRAH, Thomas Eugene
Age 56
Boone, North Carolina
Formerly of Vicksburg, MI

Thomas Eugene Shirah died on September 29, 2006 in Boone, North Carolina, after a courageous battle with cancer. Tom was born on October 3, 1949 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, son of Berlin E. and Amber W. (Houghtaling) Shirah, who survive. He leaves behind sisters, Mary Ann (Jeff) Kudary, Susan (Mark) Boyer, Barbara (Jim) Bungart; several nieces and nephews, dear friend and "sweetie", Ann Wolfe and many, many special friends. Music was Tom's life. He was an accomplished musician of many instruments and had performed worldwide. A gathering to celebrate Tom's life will be held on Saturday, October 28, at 2:00 p.m. at the Vicksburg United Methodist Church, 219 S. Main Street, Vicksburg, Michigan. As an expression of sympathy, The Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation is accepting contributions towards The Thomas Shirah Musical Memorial. Please send checks directly to the school or to Mary Ann Kudary, 2244 E. T Ave., Portage, MI 49002

Smead, Kenneth L.
Age 54
of Matlacha Isles, FL
Formerly of Kalamazoo, MI

Kenneth L. Smead, 54 of Matlacha Isled died Sunday, January 12, 2003 in Cape Coral Hospital. A native of Kalamazoo, MI, he moved here 5 years ago. He was an Army Veteran of Vietnam and was a Life Member of the V.F.W. Post 10127, N. Ft. Myers. survivors include his parents, Nelson and Beverly Smead of Matlacha Isles; several aunts and uncles; sisters, Janet Ream of Debary, FL, and Marie Leiss of Ridgely, MD; nepews, Nathaniel Hagerman, Thomas and Douglas Cook, Jay and Travis Leiss and niece, Heidi Leiss. Memorial services were held January 18, 2003 at the coral Ridge Funeral Home.