CAROL   ELIZABETH   WILKENS

Carol Elizabeth Wilkens, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on Monday, February 27, 2017, surrounded by her family at Pine Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, in Lincoln Township.

ucker) Kozma, both of whom precede her in passing. Carol was also preceded by a son, Ralph Osburn; a great-grandchild, Kaden Osburn and two siblings, Jeanette LaVanway and Charles Kozma.

On September 27, 1980, Carol was united in marriage with Glen Wilkens. He survives, along with her children, David (Cindy) Osburn of Texas, Keith Osburn of California, James Osburn of Michigan, Karen (Mark) Hamilton of Michigan and Victor (Beth) Wells of Alabama; eleven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by four step-children, Sharon (Ron) Gimik, Julie Harmon, Randy Wilkens and Laura Luciano all of Michigan; ten step-grandchildren; many step-great-grandchildren; two siblings, Rosalie (Ken) Hanson of Michigan and Susan Kozma of Florida; and many other family members.

In her spare time Carol loved to crochet, do crossword puzzles, play the lotto and just hang out with her friends at the American Legion in Coloma where she was a member of the auxiliary for over 35 years.  She was best known for her bartending skills at the many places she worked for many years. Most of all she loved her family and will be missed by all.

Carol has been cremated and a Celebration of Life took place on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the Coloma American Legion.  The family has entrusted the Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford, with arrangements. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.calvin-leonardfh.com.

ROLAND FAJARDO

Roland Fajardo, 46, of Coloma died Tuesday, February 28, 2017, at his residence.

A Mass celebrating his life was held at on Saturday, March 4, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Watervliet.  Cremation will follow the service and burial of the ashes will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the family for the children’s education.  Please share memories, messages or photos at www.florin.net.

Roland was born on June 23, 1970 in Midland, MI to Drs. Rolando and Amelia Fajardo.  He graduated from Grand Valley University with a BA degree in business.  Roland was self-employed in the Coloma area installing docks, piers, and boat lifts.  He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Parish.  Roland enjoyed snowmobiling, dirt bike riding and tennis.  He had a kind, generous heart and enjoyed animals.  He loved his family and enjoyed being with them.

His family includes his significant other, Meghan TerMeer; their children, Ethan and Tristan; his mother, Dr. Amelia Fajardo of Coloma; his second mother, Luming Buckley of Coloma; his sister, Ruthie (Ed Flemming) Fajardo of Grand Rapids; his brothers, Romel (Heather Dostal) Fajardo of Cadillac and Rico Fajardo of Coloma; his beloved aunt, Perla Tolentino of Stevensville; his niece and his several nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Rolando Fajardo, in 2010.

ELISABETH   JUNE   RODGERS

Elizabeth June Rodgers was born June 18, 1923 in Hartford, Michigan. She was the daughter of Adelbert and Barbara (Wise) Neff. Elizabeth passed away at home on Friday, March 3, 2017.

The family will welcome friends from 12:30 – 1:00

p.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at the Van Buren Sportsman’s Club, followed at 1:00 p.m. with a Celebration of Life service to honor Elizabeth’s memory. Pastor Steven Bisbee will officiate. As to Elizabeth’s wishes, cremation has taken place.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the family. Memorial condolences for the family can be left on our website at www.calvin-leonardfh.com.

Soon after graduating from Hartford High School in 1942, Elizabeth was united in marriage to Raymond Rodgers on November 1, 1942 and they decided to stay and make their home in Hartford. She was formerly employed at Olds Grocery Store, the Hartford Public Schools and Hartford Harding’s Market, where she worked for many years in the meat department. In her spare time, she loved to crochet, make quilts and especially cook.

Raymond passed away on October 26, 2014. Also preceding her in passing were two brothers, Walter and Ernest Neff.

Elizabeth is survived by two daughters, Nora Jean (David) Foote of Rudyard, Michigan and Mary Rodgers of Hartford; a son, Thomas (Tammy) Rodgers of Hartford; three grandchildren, Keith (Katherine) Foote of Bronson, Michigan, David (Tonya) Foote of Seward, Alaska and Aaron Rodgers of Kleve, Germany; and five great-grandchildren, Bryan, Rachel, Michael, Garrett and Gavin.

RAGIE L. BUCK

Ragie L. Buck, 91, of Otsego, Michigan, formerly of Watervliet, passed away Sunday, March 5, 2017 at the Allegan County Medical Care Community.

Mrs. Buck was born January 13, 1926 in Springfield, MO to George Washington and Ruth Alberta (Payne) Honicutt, but after her father’s sudden death, the family moved to Michigan. Starting around the age 9, she was raised at the House of David in Benton Harbor.

Less than a month shy of her 17th birthday, she married Francis Lewis Buck on December 24, 1942. Reggie (as she was often called) followed her husband around the United States while he served in the Army, working various civilian jobs to serve the cause. After the war, they settled in Coloma to raise a family. She became a foster mother and devoted her life to being a parent and grandparent.

As son Ron’s children grew up and granddaughter, Shannon moved out of state, Ragie and Louie moved to Otsego to be close to and help raise grandchildren, Alissa and James. She was the ultimate mother figure. She modeled appropriate behavior and intellect far beyond her limited formal education. Her love was not limited to biologically related family. All were always welcome in her home. She loved gardening, canning and cooking. She was especially known for her pies and cinnamon rolls. She learned to like sports, rather than become a Sunday afternoon widow. She developed her own favorite teams in football, basketball and baseball. It took Derek Jeter to get her to cheer for her husband’s lifelong favorite baseball team, the Yankees. She thought Jeter to be such a great role model and questioned the ethics of players that her grandson James would cheer for. She enjoyed their good-natured banter on ethics.

She was preceded in death by her husband Frank in 2005. Surviving are three sons, Ronald (Shirley) Buck of Watervliet, Michael (Deborah) Buck of Otsego and Carl (Sharon) Buck of Richland; grandchildren, Melinda Buck, Robert Buck, James (Laurel) Buck, Alissa (Ryan) Renner, Shannon (Lt. Col. Clifton) Harris, Zachary Ullisch, Kaydie (Ashley) McCormick, Kelsey McCormick and great-grandchildren, Elora, Alexander, Gabriel and Abraham Harris, Jace Ullisch, Cohen Renner and Sullivan and Shuyler Buck.

A private family burial will take place at Trowbridge Methodist Cemetery in Trowbridge Township. Friends may visit with Ragie’s family from 3-5 p.m., Sunday, March 12, 2017 at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego. In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage donations to Wings of Hope Hospice or the Allegan Medical Care Community. Messages of condolence may be posted at www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.

Death Notices

DeWayne W. Green, 76, of Benton Harbor died Feb. 27, 2017 at home. Fairplain Chapel of Florin Funeral Service, Benton Harbor

Jimmy Guess, 64, of Coloma died March 5, 2017 at home. Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Coloma