Valerie Roll Bernecker, age 84, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2023 with her family by her side. Val was a loving grandmother, mother, sister, wife and friend who found joy in gathering with friends and family whether on Lake Michigan, the Florida Keys or her beloved East Grand Rapids. Val was born on May 7, 1939 to E. George and Lois Roll. Val spent her childhood in Blue Island, IL where she attended Bloom High School in Homewood-Flosmoor, IL.   After graduation from...

Carolyn Ann (Pett) Grin, a long-time resident of East Grand Rapids and Harbor Springs, passed away unexpectedly on September 20th, 2023 at the age of 79. Carolyn was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and compassionate friend to many. She was an avid reader, political historian, social activist, and humanitarian. Born to Martin and Mabel Pett of Bay City, Michigan, Carolyn was a member of the 1962 class of Bay City Central High School. She earned additional academic degrees from Vassar...

Phillip Roy Jacobus, aged 89, died peacefully under Hospice care on September 19, 2023. He had been battling an illness for two months prior to his death. Phil was born in Highland Park, Illinois, to his parents Roy and Elizabeth Jacobus. The family later moved to Plymouth, Michigan, where Phil spent much of his early life. Phil graduated from Plymouth High School in 1951, where he excelled academically and athletically, having earned six varsity letters in football, basketball, and...

Arthur John Apkarian (known affectionately by his friends as “ATF”) passed away on Tuesday September 19, 2023 at the age of 84. He was born in Grand Rapids on October 13, 1938 to the late Moses and Adrienna Ohanessian Apkarian.  Art will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 64 years, Mary Roberts Apkarian, daughter Laura Apkarian Anderson, son David (Betsey) Apkarian; grandchildren Aaron Andree, Tessa Rose, Noah Anderson, David Apkarian, James Apkarian; nieces and nephews...

Gwen Williams Hibbard (1935 - 2023), a long-time resident of East Grand Rapids and Ada, passed away on September 18, 2023.  Gwen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many.  She was also an avid art collector, teacher, social activist and humanitarian.   Born in Osh Kosh Wisconsin, Gwen was raised in Fox Point, Wisconsin and Libertyville, Illinois. After graduating from Northwestern University in 1957, she moved to Grand Rapids, where her parents, Arthur and...

George Herbert Shough passed away on Monday, September 18, 2023, at the age of 83.  He was born in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, on February 8, 1940, to the late George and Dossie Mae Shough.  He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 27 years, Jane M. Ross, his nephews, Rick (Sue) Hopkins, Kevin (Patty) Sidonis, Larry Sidonis, Jr., and niece, Debra (Don) Hewlett and several great nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his sisters Byllye Lee Sidonis and Melba Jo...

Shirley Joyce Partin passed away on Friday September 15, 2023 at the age of 92.  She was born in Muskegon, Michigan on August 17, 1931 to the late Charles and Agnes Burdick.  She will be lovingly remembered by her nieces, Ann Snyder of Knoxville, TN, Gay Voss of Plainfield, IL, Beth Nabors of Atlanta, GA; nephews Marc (Barbara) Engleright of Portage, MI and Brent (Ruth) Engleright of Laramie, WY.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Charles Partin and sister...

Richard “Dick" Hubbard, age 87, of Grand Rapids, faithful servant, dad, grandfather, spouse, brother, engineer, volunteer, and friend to many, came to the end of his earthly life on September 4, 2023, but continues in God's loving care forever.  He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years, Elizabeth "Liz"; and is survived by his children, Eric (Susan) of Summit, NJ, Julie (Marc) of Chicago, IL, and Martha (Andrew) of Mt. Pleasant, MI; grandchildren,...

Mary Jo Ward, who loved to be called MJ, was a wonderful mother and loved by many for her warm smile and sense of humor. She passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 3.  MJ was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 1, 1940. She enjoyed a long and successful career as a registered nurse at Osteopathic & Metropolitan Hospitals and the Surgical Center, where she made many lifelong, dear friends. After retiring, she enjoyed working at Orchard Hills and the Cascade Roadhouse,...

John Alexander Zyskowski passed away peacefully surrounded by family early Thursday, August 24 after an incredibly long and brave battle with cancer. John fought cancer valiantly for nearly 17 years. Defying the odds and surprising his medical team again and again.  John was born in Grand Rapids MI August 28, 1972, the son of Alexander Michael Zyskowski and Mary Ruth Quist. He graduated from East Grand Rapids High School in 1991. He went onto graduate from Michigan State in 1996 with a...