Obituaries

Lee Swainston, patriarch of the longtime Hopkins family, died Friday, Aug. 20. He was 72. A 1967 graduate of Byron Center High School, he was a Hopkins area dairy farmer…

Deborah “Debbie” Mae VanOflen, age 66, died Saturday, Aug. 21. While she couldn’t communicate in the traditional way because of her cerebral palsy, her smile, her expressions, and her eyes…

Thomas J. Varano, II, 51 of Dorr, died Saturday, Aug. 21, at Metro Health Hospital Born Oct.16, 1969,kj in Kalamazoo, he was the son of Geraldine “Jerri” Sinkler and the…

Thomas Robert Smith of Leighton Township died Aug. 15. He was 68. Tom was born Aug. 20, 1952, to Bryce and Mary Ellen Smith in Caledonia, where he lived his…

Donna R. Hakken, age 88, died Sunday, Aug. 15. Sheis survived by her children Ruth (Douglas) Roosien, John (Susan) Hakken, Daniel (Lynda) Hakken, Timothy (Kellie) Hakken, Matthew (Amy) Hakken, Mary (Seishi)…

Martin native Jean Bernice Voorhees, 87, of Traverse City, died Monday Aug. 16, at Munson Medical Center. Jean was born on Sept. 24, 1933, to the late Henry and Grace…

Judy Nieuwenhuis died Sunday, Aug. 15, at her home in Plainwell. She was 74. She was born Jan. 19, 1947 in Sturgis, the daughter of Leonard and Blanch (Geyer) Meert.…

James Edward Kerber, age 80 of Dorr, died Saturday, Aug. 14. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara Kerber; their children Kim (Pat) Fein, Kathy (Ray) Wiersma,…

Joseph Graczyk, age 72, died Thursday, Aug. 12. Joe served his country in Vietnam from 1969-1970. He worked as a land surveyor for many years. He enjoyed hunting, horses, motorcycle riding,…

Jimmie Dale Britton Sr., age 87, died Saturday, Aug. 7. Jimmie served his country in the United States Army. He worked for Michigan Bell Telephone for 38 years. Jimmie was…