Merrie Jo Fortino
Jul 24, 2026
My name is Chuck Fortino. I am writing to announce the passing of my dear wife, Merrie Jo, who left us on July 24th of this year. We fell in love in high school in 1968. We were married in 1970. We have two children, Chuck and Julie. Chuck and his wife, Melanie, have two children, Miranda and Chas. Julie...
Ronald E. Peterson
Jul 16, 2026
Ronald E. Peterson passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital. Born on November 22, 1936, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to Alvin and Odette (Clark) Peterson.
Ronald graduated from Fairchild High School as part of the class of 1954 in Fairchild, WI. He continued his pursuit of education at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, earning his...
Kelly Lynn Sowmick
Jul 14, 2026
Kelly Lynn Sowmick, 67, passed away on July 14, 2026, after a lifelong battle with kidney disease.
She was born on September 11, 1959, in St. Petersburg, Florida, to William "Bert" and Kathryn (Aldridge) Sewell.
Kelly spent much of her childhood traveling and was raised in Australia, where she developed a love of surfing. She was highly intelligent, a talented artist, and...
Michael Louis Fussman
Jul 10, 2026
Michael Louis Fussman, 78, passed away Friday, July 10, 2026, at Comfort Care Assisted Living in Mt. Pleasant.
He was born on September 3, 1947, in Isabella County, Michigan, son of the late Joseph and Ida (Schafer) Fussman. He was the 5th of 9 children, joining his elder siblings, Jack, Larry, Pat, and Bill and his younger siblings, Tom, George, Steve,...
John "Robbie” Robison
Jul 9, 2026
Our dad, John “Robbie” Robison, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2026, after Alzheimer’s asked more of him—and of all of us—than any family should ever have to give. While our hearts are broken, we’re grateful his battle is finally over.
Dad was born in Detroit, Michigan, on Dec. 28, 1942, to Joseph and Jayne (Hayes) Robison.
Dad graduated from Mount Pleasant...
Jane Dennis Leahy
Jul 2, 2026
Jane Dennis Leahy, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at Green Acres Assisted Living. She was 90.
She was born February 23, 1936, in Zanesville, Ohio, the daughter of the late James O. and Ruth M. (Ryan) Dennis. She graduated from LASH High School in Zanesville in 1954. She earned her bachelor's degree in biology from Marietta...
Brent Patrick O'Neil
Jul 1, 2026
Brent Patrick O’Neil, 52, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Born on November 28, 1973, in Alma, Michigan, Brent grew into a man whose spirit was rooted in the outdoors, strengthened by family and friends, and enriched by the beauty of simple living.
A 1992 graduate of Beal City High School, Brent continued his education at MJ Murphy Beauty...
Michael David Campbell
Jun 26, 2026
Michael David Campbell, 71, of Shepherd, passed away Friday, June 26, 2026, at home with his family by his side.
He was born March 1, 1955, in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. His parents, Joseph Arden and Patricia Rose (Fitzgerald) Campbell, had seven children: Joseph, William, Michael, Thomas, Timothy, Catherine, and Kevin.
He graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1973, and on July 30,...
Roger Gladwin Bland
Jun 24, 2026
It is with profound sadness that the family announces the passing of Roger Gladwin Bland, born December 28, 1939, in Los Angeles, California. Roger is survived by his wife of 62 years, Kathryn Poling Bland; his children, Mark Bland (Julia), Erin Bland Lyon (David); his brother and sister, John Bland and Mary Bland Ayers; his grandchildren, Joshua Lyon (Katherine), Jacob...
Jay William Ballinger
Jun 24, 2026
Jay William Ballinger, born on April 16, 1951, in Isabella County, Michigan, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2026, in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. He was 75 years old. His parents were Carl and Alta Lucille (Pohlman) Ballinger and they had five children: Barbara, Dean (who died as an infant), Jay, Bonnie, and Kim.
Jay’s journey began in Breckenridge, Michigan, where he...
Ruby Ruth Stanley
Jun 24, 2026
Ruby Ruth Stanley, born on May 26, 1934, in Flint, Michigan, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2026, at Comfort Care Assisted Living in Mt. Pleasant. She was 92. She was a cherished mother, wife, grandmother, sister, and friend, whose warmth and compassion touched all who knew her.
Her parents were Clarence and Elizabeth (Watson) Vinton. They had 13 children: Thelma,...
Theresa Ann Klein
Jun 23, 2026
Theresa Ann Klein, 79, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2026, at MyMichigan Medical Center Alma, just days after celebrating her birthday. She was born on June 18, 1947, in Mt. Pleasant, to the late Charles and Helen McConnell.
Theresa lived a life defined by compassion, courage, and unwavering devotion to her family and community. From an early age, she possessed...
Mary Ann Simpson
Jun 11, 2026
Mary Ann Simpson, a cherished member of her community and beloved matriarch, passed away on June 11, 2026, at Royal View Assisted Living, in Mecosta, Michigan. Born Mary Ann Chase on December 23, 1931, in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, she lived a life marked by kindness, devotion, and unwavering faith.
A 1949 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School, Mary Ann dedicated many...
Vina Mae Hammond
Jun 10, 2026
Vina Mae Hammond, a cherished mother, devoted Christian, and respected member of her community, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2026, in Midland, Michigan. Born on June 27, 1945, in Harlan, Kentucky, Vina’s life was marked by unwavering dedication to her family, faith, and work.
Vina graduated from St. Charles Community High School, a milestone that she held dear throughout her...
James Ison Jr.
Jun 9, 2026
With deep respect and heartfelt sorrow, we announce the passing of James F. Ison Jr., who left us on June 9, 2026, at McLaren Bay Region Medical Center in Bay City. Born on January 6, 1945, in Oliver Springs, Tennessee, James lived a life marked by dedication, warmth, and an unwavering commitment to family and community.
James was the beloved son...
Fannie Traines
Jun 4, 2026
Fannie Traines was born in Poland in 1921 and immigrated to the United States with her parents, Leah and Louis Wunderbaum, prior to her first birthday and settled in Indiana. She died in Mt Pleasant, Michigan, on Thursday, June 5, 2026. She grew up with her parents and siblings, Rose Traines, and Sam Wunderbaum, moving along the way to several...
Norman Alex Wendrow
May 31, 2026
Norman Alex Wendrow, a distinguished engineer and dedicated property developer, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2026, at The Laurels of Mt. Pleasant. Born to Barnaby Alex and Margaret (Myers) Wendrow on January 9, 1939, in Isabella County, Michigan, Norman's life was marked by unwavering hard work, unabashedly and fiercely challenging government inefficiencies, and an unyielding commitment to his convictions.
A...
Eugene Darlene Lloyd
May 31, 2026
Eugene Darlene Lloyd, a beacon of kindness and warmth, passed away peacefully at her residence in Big Rapids on May 31, 2026. Born on April 29, 1954, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Eugene lived a life defined by love, generosity, and unwavering devotion to her family.
She was a stay-at-home caregiver for many years, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to the nurturing and well-being...
James Ronald Ganong
May 30, 2026
James Ronald Ganong, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2026, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan. Born on September 1, 1961, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jim’s life was marked by a steadfast dedication to family, faith, and his career. He will be remembered as a gentle giant with a heart of gold, a man...
Joshua Mark Besting
May 29, 2026
Joshua Mark Besting, a devoted husband, loving father, and skilled auto mechanic, passed away on May 29, 2026, in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Born on November 25, 1985, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Joshua led a life marked by dedication to his family and craft.
Joshua graduated from Hamilton High School in Sussex, Wisconsin, in 2004. He further honed his mechanical skills by earning...
