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Obituaries Archives for 2016-08

William E. Towne

William E. Towne passed peacefully away at home August 14, 2016, surrounded by his family. Bill was born January 10, 1926 to Violet and Lawrence Towne in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

 

He was predeceased by his parents, a sister, Barbara, and his high school sweetheart and wife of 67 years Mary Joyce (Echtinaw). He is survived by his son David (Mary) Towne, daughter Janine (Mike) Kasinsky, 3 grandchildren, David William Towne, Heather (Brian) Reilly and Kristen Kasinsky, 3 great-grandchildren, Joseph, Grace and Jackson and his special friend Josie Keel.

 

Bill graduated from Hastings High School. He honorably served in the Navy during World War II, leaving as a 3rd class petty officer. He served in many ports all over the south Pacific. Bill attended Grand Rapids Junior College obtaining a two-year certificate. He worked numerous jobs, before purchasing the Color Center (Hastings) in 1974 and retired in 1991. After his retirement, he enjoyed square dancing, traveling with friends, and spending time at Gun Lake. He was an avid golfer (and enjoyed a beer after every game). Bill and Joyce enjoyed 25 winters in Texas. He was also an avid Detroit Tigers fan.

 

Bill was a life member of the American Legion and served 3 years as an honor guard, resigning due to health. He was past master of the Masonic Lodge, serving in all the chair degrees. He was an active 60 year member of the Methodist Church in Hastings.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bill's name to the Bronson at Home Hospice Care, 450 Meadow Run Drive, Hastings, MI 49058.

 

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 from 5 - 8 pm at the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2016 at 11:00 am at the First United Methodist Church, 209 W. Green St., Hastings, MI 49058. Interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Hastings with full military honors provided by American Legion Post #45.

 

Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, please visit our website at www.girrbachfuneralhome.net to sign the online guestbook or to leave a memory or message for the family. 

Doris Jean Niethamer

Doris Jean Niethamer, 92, of Woodland, passed away on August 14, 2016 at her home in  Woodland.
 
She was born on February 18, 1924 to George and Jenny (Parmalee) Coats in Barry County, MI. Doris was a graduate of Hastings High School and attended Michigan State University. Doris worked at the Piston Ring in Hastings during WWII, but was a homemaker most of her life. On August 17, 1947 she married Thomas Niethamer and he survives.  Doris was a faithful member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Woodaland and the Children’s Studies Club.  
 
Doris is survived by her loving spouse, Thomas of 68 yrs, two sons, David(Darlene) Niethamer ,Mark Niethamer; three grandchildren, Tonya(Joshua) Sandborn, Vicki(Rick) Goethals, Sarah(Mike) Reed; 8 great-grandchildren, sister in law, Peg Dangle; Two Nieces, Carolyn(Keith) Murphy, Maxine Coats; nephew, Ron Coats. 
 
She was preceded in death by father, George Coats, mother, Jenny Coats, brothers, Kendall Coats and Max Coats.
 
Visitation will be held Friday, August 19, 2016, 10:00 am Zion Lutheran Church, 6261 Velte Rd., Woodland, MI 48897
    
Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 19, 2016, 11:00 am at the Zion Lutheran Church, Woodland, MI.
 
Burial will take place in the Woodland Memorial Park Cemetery, Woodland, MI.
 
Memorials are suggested to the Zion Lutheran Church. Online condolences can be given at www.koopsfc.com.
 

H. Jean Kimmel

H. Jean Kimmel, age 94 of Hastings, passed away on August 9, 2016 at Magnum Care in Hastings. She was born in Hastings, April 5, 1922 the second of six daughters born to Donna May Welton and Edward Leo Harrington. Graduated from Hastings High School Class of 1939 with honors. Married Harold Kimmel on March 15, 1947. He preceded her in death on September 17, 1996.

 

She was employed by Frandsen/Parmalee Dry Goods Store, Michigan Bell Telephone Co., Hastings City Bank, Pennock Hospital, retiring from the Viking Corporation as Assistant Treasurer 1985, after 25 years.

 

She was a life long member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church and active as choir member, Sunday school teacher, member of the Altar Guild, Emmanuel Guild, Treasurer of Memorial Fund and served on the Vestry. She was active as Campfire Leader, Den Mother for Cub Scouts, member of "Hi-Nooners" Club and Barry County Humane Society and also HHS Alumni Board Member.

 

She is survived by her son, Jeffrey (Judy) Kimmel of Daytona Beach Shores, FL; daughter, Sally (Michael) Topoll of Hastings, MI, three grandsons, Scott (Lori) Kimmel, Michael Jr. (Kelly) Topoll, Timothy (Ann) Topoll, granddaughter, Rachelle Love, four great-grandsons and seven great granddaughters, three sisters; Joyce Cruttenden Phelan, Patricia Leckrone, Sue Babcock, sister-in-law, Marian Waltman and several nieces and nephews.

 

Preceding her in death were her husband, parents, and two sisters; Ethel Jane Sanborn and Priscilla Phelan.

 

Memorial to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 315 W. Center, Hastings, MI or Barry County Humane Society, P.O. Box 386, Hastings, MI.

 

Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 15, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 315 W. Center St., Hastings. Family and Friends will gather one hour prior to the funeral service for visitation from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, also at the church. A Committal Service will follow the funeral at North Chapel Mausoleum, Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park, Kalamazoo, MI.

 

Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. Visit us at www.girrbachfuneralhome.net to sign the guestbook or leave condolences.

Gordon L. McCaul


Gordon L. McCaul, 84, of Clarksville, passed into the arms of the Lord on Thursday, August 4, 2016 at his home. He was born on July 14, 1932 to Edwyn and Mary (Slater) McCaul in Clarksville, MI. Gordon worked in construction and farming. The family remembers how creative he was with art or simply making things with his hands. Everyone remembers Gordon as a kind man with unconditional love for all in his life. Gordon is survived by children; Julie (Jim) Blough, Tammy (Jim) Thomas, Gordie (Valerie) McCaul, Lisa (Karl) Morris, Lucile McCaul Humphrey, Matthew (Coreen) McCaul; 15 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren; siblings Ronald McCaul, Dale (Retta) McCaul and Rita (Harold) Philo. He was preceded in death by; his parents, spouse, Joan McCaul, brother Junior McCaul and daughter Brenda Lee McCaul. Visitation will be held from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm at the Koops Funeral Chapel, Lake Odessa, MI on Wednesday, August 10, 2016. Funeral Services, Burial and Military Honors will be for immediate family, per Gordon's wishes. Online condolences can be given at www.koopsfc.com.

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