Obituary Listing

Jan 11, 2026

Verna Lee Fugere, a devoted mother, grandmother, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2026, at the age of 77. Verna Lee battled many health issues over the course of her life. Starting at the age of 10, after nearly a year in the hospital, she defied all odds and overcame aplastic anemia. Her last health battle...

Jan 10, 2026

Landon James Fekken, 16, of Whitehall, MI, joined his Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 10, 2026 in the presence and embrace of his loving family.

Landon was born December 12, 2009 in Grand Rapids, MI, the fourth child of Rachel Fekken and adored youngest brother to Morgan, Nora, and Corina "Coco".

Landon went to...

Jan 5, 2026

Barbette Kitchen, 83, of Elk Rapids, Michigan, passed away on January 5, 2026, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Michigan.

Barbette was born in Traverse City, Michigan, to Robert and Flora Spinner on March 14, 1942.  She was a lifelong resident and went to school in Elk Rapids.  She married Roger Kitchen on January 25, 1964.  ...

Jan 4, 2026

Katherine Joy Devers, 63, of Ludington, Michigan, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026, at her home surrounded by love.

Born October 10, 1962, in Marion, Michigan, Katherine—affectionately known as Kathy or Kitty Kat—grew up in Cadillac, attended Marion Public School, and made Ludington her home in the 1980s, where she would build a life filled with...

Jan 4, 2026

Wendy Lou (Will) Shalifoe, 73, of Twin Lake, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 4, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family, after a courageous three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born on February 7, 1952, in Shelby, Michigan, Wendy was the daughter of Richard and Donna (Critchett) Will. She graduated from Whitehall High School in...

Jan 4, 2026

Jack Alan Light, 79, of Montague, Michigan, passed away Sunday, January 4, 2026, at home.  He was born April 24, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Opie and Charlotte (Chancellor) Light.

Jack took great pride in serving his country for over 20 years, first in the Marine Corps, and then in the ARMY until his retirement...

Jan 3, 2026

Donald Fredrick Root was born December 11, 1943, to Bill and Ethel (Green) Root. He passed away from complications of dementia on January 3, 2026.

Don was a graduate of Whitehall High School in 1962, and lived in the Whitehall/Lakewood area all his life. In 1980, he married his best friend, the former Kimba Aue, together they...

Jan 3, 2026

Julie Ann Sharpe passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior on the morning of Saturday, January 3, 2026, at home with loved ones at her side, after a long battle with cancer.

Julie was born on October 1, 1968 in Muskegon to Raymond and Mary Link. She was born with a severely curved right tibia which...

Jan 1, 2026

Scott Allen Jantz, age 63, passed away unexpectedly on January 1, 2026, in Traverse City, Michigan. Scott was born on July 14, 1962, in Elyria, Ohio, to Carl and Loretta Jantz. He spent his life rooted in Michigan, calling both Clarkston and Elk Rapids home.

Scott was devoted to his family above all else. He was the...

Dec 31, 2025

In Loving Memory of Gracie Bean

Gracie Bean, 93, passed away surrounded by love and the family she spent a lifetime caring for.

Born into a world that demanded grit and grace, she lived through the Great Depression and World War II, carrying forward the kind of steady strength that shaped generations.

She...

Dec 31, 2025

Kay Beth Dwyer, 73, of Ludington, died Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.  She was born June 22, 1952, in Ludington, the daughter of Homer and Hazel (Herkimer) Bennett.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, January 9, 2026, at Living Word Church, 301 N. Jebavy Drive, Ludington, Michigan,...

Dec 27, 2025

Evelyn "Evie" Clair Reid, 80, of Whitehall, died Saturday, December 27, 2025, at American House in Spring Lake.  She was born November 15, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Angelo and Dolores (Grefe) Perna.

Evie graduated from Muskegon Catholic Central in 1963.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who enjoyed cooking, hosting...

Dec 26, 2025

Antonio "Tony" Bonanno, age 85, of Kewadin, Michigan, passed away peacefully after a long journey with Alzheimer's, surrounded by love.

Tony was born November 15, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, to Santina and Sam Bonanno. He grew up in Dearborn and developed a lifelong appreciation for cars—especially Fords—as well as a deep admiration for the people and ingenuity...

Dec 26, 2025

Honoring the Greatest Mother ever.

Who could have known just how wonderful a person Thelma Jean Dutton (Smith) was to become, or how many lives she would prove to enhance, when she was born on April 25th, 1938.  Although she was stunning in physical beauty, her inner beauty outshined it all.

She was...

Dec 25, 2025

John Anthony Kahl Jr. was born April 15, 1977, to parents John and Renee Kahl in Escanaba, Michigan. He married his wife, Caresse Joy Kahl (Day), on March 29, 2003, and together they raised two children, Logan Anthony Kahl (22) and Madison Paige Kahl (18). In 2013, the family moved to Montague, Michigan, allowing John to be closer to...

Dec 21, 2025

Nicklette Joyce Lewis, 77, of Ludington, died Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Oakview Medical Care Facility in Ludington.

Cremation has taken place and no services will be held at this time.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Pere Marquette Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com

Dec 21, 2025

David Rex Hulett, 82, of Mears, passed away Sunday, December 21, 2025, at his home. He was born June 3, 1943, in Grand Rapids, the son of Irwin and Marion (Hoyt) Hulett.

David enjoyed the great outdoors, spending a lot of time fishing, as well as caring for and watching deer and other wildlife. He also liked...

Dec 21, 2025

Michelle Marie Friesner, 63, of Irons, died Sunday, December 21, 2025, at home. She was born August 6, 1963, in Grand Rapids, the daughter of Robert and Marlene (Mishler) Snyder.

Cremation has taken place and no services will be held at this time.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Pere Marquette Chapel, is in charge of...

Dec 19, 2025

Richard Joseph Catoni passed away peacefully December 19th, 2025 at the age of 75. Born December 18th, 1950 in the city of Detroit. Beloved son of the late James C. Catoni and late Hattie M. Catoni. Dearest brother of the late James (Susan), late Judith, late Ronald, Robert (Dawn) & John (Terri). Loving Uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Rick is...

Dec 19, 2025

Thomas John Weidner, 79, of Kingsley, died Friday, December 19, 2025, at home with his family by his side.  He was born May 3, 1946, in Kinglsey, the son of Edward and Beatrice (Ockert) Weidner.

Tom began working at the State Hospital in Traverse City in 1970.  He held many positions, mostly working as a cook and...