Obituaries

Wythel J. Cunningham

Wythel J. Cunningham

Jun 15, 2023

Wythel Joy Cunningham, age 94, of Spring Lake, Michigan formerly of Battle Creek, passed away on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at Baldwin House, Senior Living Center under the care of hospice and his loving family. He was born in Booneville, Mississippi, on October 17, 1928, son of Hester and Alma (Wilemon) Cunningham, both of whom preceded him in death. Following...

Kelwin  Karl Little

Kelwin Karl Little

Jun 10, 2023

Kelwin “Kelly” Karl Little, age 61, of Cedar Springs, passed away on Saturday, June 10, 2023 under the care of his family and Faith Hospice. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan the son of Kenneth Little and Vicki Lee (Renburg) Haight. Kelly was an avid golfer who also enjoyed bowling, playing pool and spending time with his friends at...

David Duane Jewell

David Duane Jewell

Jun 4, 2023

David Duane Jewell 64 years old passed away June 4, 2023, from a brief battle with an illness. David was born on July 16, 1958, the son of Duane and Doris (Herrington) Jewell in Belding, Michigan.

David spent his career working for Travis Pest Control. He was a friendly man always willing to strike up a conversation and get to know...

Randy  Allen Smith

Randy Allen Smith

May 28, 2023

Randy A. Smith, age 52, of Muir, passed away Sunday, May 28, 2023, in Grand Rapids.   

A Memorial Celebration is being planned.  

Arrangements are being handled by Verdun Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Belding, MI

Jerry "Lee" Cooper, Jr.

Jerry "Lee" Cooper, Jr.

May 18, 2023

Jerry Lee Cooper, Jr., age 53, of Greenville, passed away on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at home under the care of his family and hospice. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on November 18, 1969, son of Jerry Lee and Sue Ann (Hicks) Cooper, both of whom preceded him in death. Jerry attended Greenville High School and for much...

Ernest E. "Ernie" Barnett

Ernest E. "Ernie" Barnett

May 13, 2023

Ernest Earl “Ernie” Barnett, age 67, of Belding, passed away early at 4:31 a.m. on Saturday morning, May 13, 2023, at Corewell Health – Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, following a brief illness. Ernie was born on October 20, 1955, in Billings, Montana, son of Robert Lane and Florence Edith (Ingersoll) Barnett, both of whom preceded him in death. He...

Ray F. Helsel

Ray F. Helsel

May 5, 2023

Ray F. “Hoss” Helsel, age 72, of Fenwick, formerly of Belding, passed away on May 5, 2023, at Mission Pointe Nursing Home in Greenville, following a brief stay there. He was born on April 29. 1951, in Ionia, Michigan, son of Roy and Lula (Matthews) Helsel, both of whom preceded him in death. He attended Belding schools and worked for...

Kevin S. Clayton

Kevin S. Clayton

Apr 26, 2023

Kevin Scott Clayton, age 59, of Ionia, passed away at home under hospice care surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. He was born in Ionia, Michigan, on June 25, 1963, son of Kenneth Clayton and Mildred Yoder. He attended Saranac Schools and worked as a self-employed carpenter, specializing in home improvement and exterior remodel projects. He...

Jack G. Carney

Jack G. Carney

Apr 23, 2023

Jack Gerald Carney, Jr., age 56, of Belding, formerly of Alto and Grand Rapids, passed away on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at Mission Pointe of Belding Nursing Home. He was born on July 19, 1966, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, son of Jack G. and Rachel A. (Helsel) Carney, both of whom preceded him in death. Jack attended Rockford High School...

Anthony G. "Tony" Comella

Anthony G. "Tony" Comella

Mar 26, 2023

Anthony Gerald “Tony” Comella, age 79, of Belding, formerly of Colorado, passed away early Sunday morning, March 26, 2023, at Corewell Health – Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, a son of John J. and Betty Marie (Piro) Comella, both of whom preceded him in death. Tony graduated from Cleveland area schools and proudly served...

Phyllis A. "Babe" Amirault

Phyllis A. "Babe" Amirault

Mar 16, 2023

Phyllis Ann "Babe" (Antcliff) Amirault, age 84, of Belding, passed away early Thursday morning at Mission Point of Belding Nursing Home. She was born in Muskegon, Michigan, daughter of Cecil J. and Myra (Hatch) Antcliff, both of whom preceded her in death. She attended Belding Schools and then worked at Jolly Kids in Belding and then later at Gibson's for...

Sandra S. Barker

Sandra S. Barker

Mar 15, 2023

Sandra Sue (Shepard) Barker, age 85, of Ionia, passed away peacefully just after noon on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at Green Acres Assisted Living Center in Ionia, with family members at her bedside. She was born on September 8, 1937, daughter of Forest Harold and Lillian Elizabeth (Barnes) Shepard, both of whom preceded her in death. She attended Traverse City...

Garold L. Simon

Garold L. Simon

Mar 11, 2023

Garold Lou “Garry” Simon, age 70, of Lyons, passed away at Sparrow, Lansing Hospital, following a brief stay there. Garold was born in Ionia, Michigan on May 1, 1952, a son of Edward Anthony and Margaret Katherine (Stanton) Simon, both of whom preceded him in death. He attended Ionia Schools and worked in several manufacturing companies during his lifetime. His...

Maryann S. Reeves

Maryann S. Reeves

Mar 6, 2023

Maryann Sue (VanOcker) Reeves, age 79, of Belding, went home to be with her Lord, on Monday, March 6, 2023. She was born September 3, 1943, in Keene Twp., Michigan, daughter of Theodore and Nina (Compton) VanOcker.

On June 5, 1965, Maryann married Frederick Reeves and he preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her parents and...

Rocky J Sherman

Rocky J Sherman

Feb 21, 2023

Rocky passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday near his home in Orleans.  Rocky's family is planning to observe private memorial services at a future date.  Please keep him and the entire family in your thoughts and prayers. If you need additional information, please contact Mike at Verdun Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services by calling (616) 794-1300.

Kyle Wayne Seely

Kyle Wayne Seely

Feb 20, 2023

Kyle Wayne Seely, age 31, of Belding, passed away unexpectedly at home, on February 18, 2023. Kyle was born September 27, 1991, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, son of Lisa Lynn Seely and Brent Starkweather. Kyle attended South Christian High School in Grand Rapids, and then worked at Belding Tank and KMI Manufacturing for several years. He was a sports fan...

Marilyn J. Cory

Marilyn J. Cory

Feb 15, 2023

Marilyn Jane (McNaughton) Cory, age 92, of Greenville, formerly of Belding, went home to her Lord, and to be reunited with her dear, husband Don, on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. She was being cared for by her family and Interim Hospice, and the loving staff at Hathaway Hills Assisted Living Center. She was born in Grattan, Michigan, on March 2,...

Alan Dale Gender

Alan Dale Gender

Feb 1, 2023

Alan Dale Gender, age 69, of Greenville, passed away unexpectedly, Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at Sparrow Carson City Hospital. He was born on March 17, 1953, in Greenville, Michigan, son of Dale Leroy and Barbara Jean (Bradley) Gender, both of whom preceded him in death. He graduated from Greenville High School and worked for many years as a welder and...

Richard "Dick"  Bruff

Richard "Dick" Bruff

Jan 27, 2023

Richard Thomas “Dick” Bruff, age 83, of Belding, passed away January 28, 2023, at Spectrum Hospital in Greenville, Michigan. He graduated from Belding High School, served in the United States Air Force and upon his return home, he entered into a career in the building trades, retiring as a Construction Manager. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, casinos, playing cards and spending...

William "Bill" Hammond

William "Bill" Hammond

Jan 19, 2023

William E. “Bill” Hammond, age 79, of Belding, Michigan, passed away at home, surrounded by his loving family under hospice care on Thursday, January 19, 2023. William was born on March 16, 1943, in Pontiac, Michigan, son of Lewis W. And Barbara R. (Mulford) Hammond, both of whom preceded him in death. He graduated from Lakewood High School and developed...