All Obituaries

Sylva J. Witte, age 101 of Fremont, passed away on Saturday morning, November 26, 2022 at the Newaygo County Compassion Home in Fremont.  She was born on January 25, 1921 in Fremont, Michigan to George & Hattie (Speet) Scott.  Sylva was a member of First Christian Reformed Church in Fremont.  On November 23, 1945 she married Milo “Mike” Witte and he preceded her in death on May 22, 2010.  She was also preceded in death by her brother & his wife, Gerrit...

Francisco “Frank” Esteban Romas, age 77 of Holton, passed away peacefully on Tuesday afternoon, November 22, 2022 at the Meijer Heart Center in Grand Rapids.  He was born on August 17, 1945 in Detroit, Michigan to Francisco T. & Mary Lou (Clocklin) Romas.  Frank was a US Marine Veteran of the Vietnam Era.  He had been employed by the US Forest Service in White Cloud and California for 10 years, and then he owned & operated Superior Real Estate in Fremont...

Robert “Bob” Joseph Stratil, age 72 of Hesperia, passed away Monday morning, November 21, 2022 at his home.  He was born on April 6, 1950 in Muskegon, Michigan to John & Donna (Houston) Stratil.  Bob was a US Army Veteran of the Vietnam Era.  He had been employed by CWC Foundry in Muskegon for 16 years, and then he worked for Gerber Products Company in Fremont for 25 years until his retirement in 2012.  Bob was a die-hard Detroit Red Wings fan.  On...

Marilyn Mae Vanderlaan, age 93, passed away on November 19, 2022. She was born February 21, 1929 in Muskegon, Michigan to Edna (Watson) and Albert Timmer. She grew up in the Lakeside (Muskegon) home of her grandparents, Alpha and Madge Watson, where she was surrounded by loving aunts, uncle, cousins and pet dogs. Sadly, her mother passed away when she was twelve.    Marilyn spent much of her childhood and teen years at the beach on Lake Michigan, where she developed a lifelong...

Florence Ekkel, age 92 of Fremont, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday morning, November 19, 2022 at Fountain View Retirement Village in Fremont.  She was born on September 18, 1930 in Garfield Township, Michigan to J. Herman & Anna (Jordan) Ekkel.  Florence was retired from Sunbeam in Chicago, Illinois, and she attended Aetna Calvary Church in White Cloud.  She also enjoyed playing the accordion & gardening.  Florence is survived by her brothers &...

Chuck Randall, age 64 of Hesperia, passed away on Friday, November 18, 2022.  He was born on November 14, 1958 in Ypsilanti, Michigan to Brank Eulan & Irma F. (Tooman) Randall.  Chuck had worked for Consumers Energy in Muskegon and Fremont as a linesman.  He was an outdoorsman, and enjoyed hunting & fishing.  Chuck is survived by 3 sons & 10 grandchildren:  Bruce Eulan (Cassandra) Randall of Harrison, MI. & his children Joslynn, Chloe, Tori, Megan,...

Rich Kraley, Jr., age 55 of Fremont, passed away on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, after a long battle with cancer.  He was born on March 24, 1967 in Fremont, Michigan to Rich & Jean (Wright) Kraley.  Rich graduated from Hesperia High School in 1985.  He had been employed by Bill’s Shop-N-Save in Fremont for 25 years, Walmart on Sherman Blvd in Muskegon for 10 years, and he was currently employed by Meijer in...

Flossie B. VanAvery, age 91 of Fremont, passed away on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at the Newaygo Medical Care Facility in Fremont.  She was born on May 3, 1931 in Boyne City, Michigan to Walter & Christina (Taylor) Phillips.  Flossie enjoyed quilting, and she was known as the plant lady at the Newaygo Medical Care Facility.  On August 5, 1949 she married Leslie “Yogi” VanAvery and he preceded her in death on September 2, 2003.  She was also preceded in...

Marcia J. Billingsley, age 74, passed away on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at Masters Adult Foster Care in White Cloud.  She was born on February 24, 1948 in Muskegon, Michigan to James & Jeanette (Vanderlaan) Billingsley.  Marcia was a member of Second Christian Reformed Church in Fremont.  She is survived by her brother Gene Billingsley of Fremont, and by several nieces.  There will be no visitation or service, and interment will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in...

Mr. Jeff William Collaer, aged 59, died on Saturday, November 12th, 2022, at his home in Newaygo, Michigan surrounded by his loving family after a valiant battle with cancer. He was born on January 8, 1963, in Kansas City, Missouri to Glenn and Lois Collaer.  Jeff married Rebecca (Johnson) Collaer, his high school sweetheart, on November 26, 1988, in Oregon, Illinois.  Jeff and Rebecca lived in several states throughout their marriage. In each location, they made incredible,...