Classmate Obituaries

Received from Gary Beldon on 7/18/2011

Friends & classmates, I was told that John McSpadden passed away last week from cancer he was 62yrs.
His Brother in law John McClintic informed me today.
Just a sad note to pass along....................................................Gary

JOHN Acton MCSPADDEN, age 62, of Buford, GA passed away on Sunday, July 10, 2011 after a courageous fifteen-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Earline McSpadden; and brother, Doug McSpadden. He is survived by his wife of forty-three years, Christi McSpadden, Buford, GA; daughter and son-in-law, Gretchen and Brad Hayward, Buford, GA; son and daughter-in-law, J. T. and Sharon McSpadden, Flowery Branch, GA; grandchildren, Skylar Hayward, Nathan Hayward, Alyssa McSpadden and Kayla McSpadden; sisters and brother-in-law, Margaret Garthe, Michigan and Erma and Bill Evans, Lewisburg, TN; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. McSpadden was born January 30, 1949 in Trumann, AR.

He was a 1967 graduate of Vicksburg High School in Vicksburg, MI. He was a U. S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War. He worked for M.G. Industries and also worked for Graber Industries. He was a former co-owner of Window Wear Direct Co. in Stone Mountain, GA, founder of McSpadden Custom Farming Co. in Vicksburg, MI and was a partner in Just Tubs, LLC in Flowery Branch, GA. He was an avid tennis fan. He was of the Baptist Faith. He was very involved with his children and grandchildren’s sports activities.

He will be greatly missed by his family. Family and friends are invited to attend his Celebration of Life Service at John’s home in Buford, GA on Sunday, July 24, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. and for more information, contact 678-467-7686.

Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette, November 6, 2008

Michael R. Mcmullen
Age 59
Grand Ledge

Died October 31, 2008 in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was born June 5, 1949 in vicksburg, was a Marine vietnam Veteran and was Owner/ Operator of J.C.M Transport. Surviving are his wife Cindy Ryan; six children, twelve grandchildren; his foster parents, Ken and Geri Gorsline of Vicksburg; and three sisters, Jeanne, Judy and Marilyn; Services will be held at 2 PM, Saturday, November 8, 2008 at the Barker-Laik Funeral Home, Mulliken (517-649-8920) the family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 PM Friday at the funeral home.

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

Allison, Cheryl Lee 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

Nimmo, Diane L. Fox
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.

Briggs, Robert
Died: 2008

Kelly, Jerry
Died: 2006 - House Fire Traverse City

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

Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 9/11/2005.

Russell C. Caswell
age 56,

Russell C. Caswell, age 56, died peacefully at home on September 2, 2005. He was born to Lyle and Virginia (Wiley) Caswell in the Vicksburg Hospital on September 30, 1948. Russ was proudest of his time served in the US Navy aboard the USS TIRU. He enjoyed his family and friends, enjoyed woodworking and had a wonderful since of humor. Members of his family include his daughter, Shawn and her husband Chris Teague and their two children, Zachery and Savannah, of Lake Orion; and son Chad and his wife Brenda Caswell, of Grand Rapids. He is also survived by his grandmother Eleanor Wiley and his mother Virginia E. Caswell, both of Vicksburg; brother Lyle Caswell Jr., of Schoolcraft; his sisters Ginny and husband John Munn, and Joan and husband Frank DeYoung, all of Vicksburg; and many nieces, nephews, and great-nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Lyle Caswell Sr. and his brother Dennis Caswell. Services will be held at Fort Custer, Battle Creek, on Monday, September 12, at 10:30 AM, and will be conducted by Roger Ulman. The RDMG Life Story Funeral Home of Vicksburg is assisting the family. Please visit Russ's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can read and archive a favorite memory.

Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 2/14/2004.

SHOCKLEY, Mr. Robert B.
Kalamazoo, MI

Died Thursday morning, February 12, 2004. Robert was born November 21, 1949 in Vicksburg, Michigan, a son of Jack and Doris (Jones) Shockley. During the Vietnam Conflict, he served with the U.S. Marines. He had been a lifelong Kalamazoo area resident, and was employed with the U.S. Postal Service for 20 years, retiring in 1997. He attended Valley View Bible Church, and was a member of the North American Hunting Club and N.R.A. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sandra L. Shockley on November 9, 2002; and a grandson, Joshua Pillars. He is survived by 4 children, Gabriel (Allison) Shockley of Kalamazoo, William Shockley of Greenville, MI, and Marcus and Naomi Shockley, both of Kalamazoo; 4 step-children, James Clark of Anchorage, AK, Kimberly (Victor) Olson of Minneapolis, MN, Susan (Steven) Pillars of Kalamazoo, and Cathy Penny of Kalamazoo; 13 grandchildren, Jennifer and Adam Eggleston, Teresa Porter, Angela Penny, Ashley Porter, Nicole Pillars, Jesse Porter,!
Thomas Woodruff Jr., Elizabeth Shockley, Michaela Shockley, Victoria Olson, Madison Pillars, and Danielle and Cameron Shockley; a great-grandchild; a brother, Richard (June) Shockley of Portage; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Services will be held 1 o'clock Monday from the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Sunday. Cremation will follow services. Private inurnment of cremains will be in Alamo Cemetery at a later date.

Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 7/25/2003.

BARTHOLOMEW, Louis 
Of Fulton 

Louis Bartholomew was a hardworking family man who was always willing to lend a hand or share a joke. He was born June 2, 1949 to George and Maxine (Pence) Bartholomew in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Louis graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1968 where he excelled on the football field. On May 10th, 1969 he married his high school sweetheart, Carol Norton. Together they celebrated 34 years of marriage. Louis was a machinist at Parker/Abex where he was a member of the safety council and a union representative. He was also a retired assistant fire chief for the Wakeshma Township fire department where he served proudly for 17 years. On July 20, 2003 Louis Bartholomew died at Bronson Methodist Hospital. He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law George Norton and sister-in-law Betty Gerould. Louis leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife Carol, his son and his wife Allen and Debbie Bartholomew of Fulton, his daughter and her husband Amy and Michael Berry of Charlotte, 2 very special nephews Jordan and Justin Gerould, his beloved grandchildren Katelyn and Kenneth Bartholomew, a brother and his wife Leon and Christine Bartholomew of Fulton, his mother-in-law Doris Norton, a sister-in-law Jeanne Martin, a brother-in-law and his wife David and Gabi Norton, numerous aunts, uncles and friends. Visitation for Louis will be on Sunday from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren Funeral Home Vicksburg Chapel. Please visit Louis's personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com to read his complete life story, leave a memory, order flowers or leave a memorial donation to Make a Wish foundation. Louis was a patient caring husband, father and grandfather who will be dearly missed. 

Published in the Kalamazoo gazette on 1/28/2003.

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.

BOLTON, ROBERT
Died: 1/13/2002

Noel, Dave
Died: 1985

Clark, Dave
Died: 1985

MARTINKA, CLAYTON
Died: 1975

Taylor, Marvin
Died: 1972

NEESON, BRUCE ROBERT
Died: June 7, 1970
Vietnam War Casualty

Turk, Ed
1968 - Auto Accident

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

Buytendorp, Lane
1965 - Auto Accident - Age 16