Obituaries

Edward Sipkema, age 77, died Wednesday, Dec. 28. Edward was born April 25, 1939, in Allegan County, the son of Edward and Anna (VanLangen) Sipkema. Edward was married for 47 years to…

Shirley M. Syers, age 88, died Friday, Dec. 30. Shirley worked in various jobs around Wayland throughout her life, but spent most of her life helping husband Arlie on the…

Dorothy Ann (Williams) Culver, age 94, formerly of Shelbyville, died this week after a short illness She was born January 9, 1922 in Cambria, a small welsh community in Central…

Ervin Pierce, age 82, of Hopkins died Dec. 25, at Thornapple Manor. Ervin was born on April 18, 1934, to Earl and Ethel (Andrews) Pierce. Ervin’s family includes his wife…

Rev. Bernard Daniel Hakken, Jr., 89, of Wayland, died Saturday, Dec. 24. Bernard was born in Bahrain, Arabia, to missionary parents. He graduated from Hope College and Western Theological Seminary. Bernard…

Stuart A. Milburn, 70, of Wayland died of cancer  Wednesday, Dec. 21. He was a 1965 graduate of Wayland High School. SHe was born April 16, 1946 in Grand Rapids,…

Richard D. Fletcher died Thursday, Dec. 22, at his home. June Mamagona Fletcher, his wife and partner of more than 45 years, watched over him in the last night. Rich was…

Eric Scott Jirtle, age 38 of Wayland, died Sunday, Dec.18, after his courageous battle with cancer. Eric was very active in his church, St. Peter's Lutheran and their mission church.…