All Obituaries

Joyce Eileen (Mawby) Doty, age 89 Joyce went home to be with her Lord on July 4, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.           She is proceeded in death by her husband of 48 years, Ray Doty; her parents, Harold Melbourne Mawby, and Winona Marjorie Mawby; and her sister, Carolyn M Mawby. She is survived by her brother, Harold (Nancy) Mawby. Her three children:  Bob (Melissa) Doty, Dennis (Connie) Doty, and Roger...

George Ronald “Ron” Church, age 74 of Belding, died Monday, July 4, 2022, at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital in East Grand Rapids.  He was born November 23, 1947, in Midland, the son of George Frederick and Alice Pearl (McRoberts) Church.  After graduation from high school, Ron was immediately drafted into the United States Marine Corps.  He proudly served his country in Vietnam.  Ron retired in 2005 after many years of employment at Electrolux in...

Mary Louise Albert, 99, of Belding, passed away Friday, July 1, 2022, at Spectrum Health in Greenville, surrounded by her family. Mary was born March 23, 1923, to John and Katherine (Schober) Bieri. Her early years were in Milwaukee, WI. She later graduated from Lowell High School where she started the varsity cheerleading program. She married Robert (Bob) Albert on February 10, 1945, and they enjoyed 63 years of marriage before his death in 2008. Together they lovingly raised 6 children who...

Florence A. Belding, 71, of Saranac, passed away Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at Sparrow Hospice House of Mid-Michigan in Lansing.  Florence was born July 5, 1950, in Belding, the daughter of Otis and Martha (Van Connant) Powell.   She graduated from Belding High School with the Class of 1968, and married Lawrence “Mike” Belding on April 26, 1969. In earlier years, Florence had worked at the Chrysler Plant in Lyons,  Electrolux in Greenville and later in...

Herbert K. Chickering, 66, of Greenville, passed away Monday, June 20, 2022, at Mission Point of Greenville.  He was born in Grand Rapids on May 12, 1956, the son of Herbert and Lorraine (Coleman) Chickering. Herbert is survived by his sister Cindy (Victor) Youmans of Belding, and several nieces and nephews, and his many friends at Mission Point. Herbert was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister Kathiejoe Foster. Funeral Services will be Friday, June 24, 2022, at 1:00 pm,...

Ellis “El” Bailey, 92, of Stanwood, passed away unexpectedly Thursday morning, June 16, 2022, at home.  El was born on April 15, 1930, in Grand Haven, the son of Forrest and Jenny (Wood) Bailey.  He proudly served his country in the US Army during the Korean War, being stationed in Japan.  In earlier years he was self-employed in the automotive industry, and later was co-owner of Countryside Floral in Belding for 25 years.  He enjoyed fishing, was very...

Barbara “Barb” E. Forbes, 84, of Greenville, passed away June 15, 2022, at Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus in Grand Rapids.  Barbara was born December 2, 1937, in Lawrence, MI.,  the daughter of Aaga and Linda (Bresser) Bertelsen. In earlier years Barb graduated from Dowagiac High School and learned as a young woman, the value of hard work. She worked on the family farm near Keeler and later for several years she and her husband Dale owned and operated...

Martin M. Vargo, 73, of Grand Rapids, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, June 11, 2022, at home.  Martin was born September 15, 1948, the son of Stephen and Katherine (Rumisek) Vargo. Martin is survived by his sister, Kathy Vargo of Rockford, and his children, Aaron (Janine) Vargo of North Carolina, and Kristina (Dan) Vencill of Colorado. He  was preceded in death by his parents. In keeping with his wishes there will be no service. Interment will take place in Balcom Cemetery,...

Shirley Dehn, 88, of Belding passed away Tuesday afternoon June 7, 2022, at home under the loving care of her family and Hospice.  Shirley was born November 25, 1933, the daughter of Kermit and Alice ( Andersen) Coston. She graduated from Greenville High School with the Class of 1951. She had worked as a secretary at Ostrander Siding & Roofing in Belding. Shirley was a very active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Belding. She served on countless committees, was a member of...

Donald “Don” L. Bignall  55 of Belding, passed away Monday, June 6, 2022, at Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus in Grand Rapids.  Don was born July 22, 1966, in Greenville, the son of Edward and Evelyn (Gray) Bignall.  In earlier years he attended Belding Area Schools, enjoyed working on cars and on computers, playing his WWII video game, hunting, fishing, and helping others. He was a good person and will be greatly missed by his family and...