Gerald Michael Doyle passed away on May 18, 2024. He was born in Detroit, the son of Lloyd and Lucille Doyle. He spent the early days of his career as Plant Superintendent at Flint Ink Corporation in Detroit and later in Denver, Colorado. He and Jan married in 1967 and lived in Aurora, Colorado, where they welcomed their daughter, Cindy, in 1968. They moved to Canadian Lakes in 1970 and welcomed their son, Scott, that year. Jerry started his real estate career at Canadian Lakes in 1970 and retired in 2021.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Karen Angellotti. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jan, his daughter Cindy (Brian) Cochran of Macomb Twp., Michigan, son Scott (Ali) Doyle of Cadillac, Michigan, Grandchildren Logan and Lexi Cochran and Brady and Cal Doyle, to whom he was Papa, niece Michelle (Chris) Uebrueck and nephew Mark (Janet) Angellotti.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 31 at noon at St. Michael Catholic Church, Remus, Michigan, with visitation from 10:00 a.m. until noon. In lieu of flowers, those desiring to make a donation in Jerry's memory are asked to consider St. Michael's School Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the church.

Phyllis Marie Kailing (Withers), 78, of Big Rapids, MI passed away peacefully on May 7, 2024, with her family by her side. She was born March 6, 1946, the daughter of Maurice and Alice (Everitt) Withers. Phyllis married Robert John Kailing on July 27, 1963. 

She was a long-time member of St. Mary Catholic Church. Phyllis spent most of her life cleaning homes for many great local families. She loved to cook, play cards, garden, feed and watch her birds, and spend time with those close to her. Phyllis loved her family fiercely and was always up for a good time and laughter. She was the life of the party and always the last one to leave. Everyone knew her laughter which drew many. If you ever wanted an honest opinion about something, Phyllis was the one to ask. It was rare that she would mince words about what she was thinking. 

Phyllis is survived by her children, Joseph (Eva) Kailing of Big Rapids, Mollie (Vaughn) Cook of Big Rapids, Maurice (Tammy) Kailing of Paris, Jill (Luke) Baumgardner of Paris, Jodi (Matt) Doxtater of Bloomfield, IA and Erin (Mike) Dusenberry of Encinitas, CA; her 5 siblings, Alicia (Larry) Games, David (Peggy) Withers, Jessie (Duane) Kailing, Dean (Mary) Withers and Dale (Dinah) Withers; and sister-in-law Lois Withers. She had twenty-two grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved and took great pride in. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert, son Timothy, brothers Thomas and Gaylord Withers, and sister and brother-in-law Gloria and Russell Tague.

There will not be a day that goes by that we will not miss her laughter, honesty and love for life. 

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Big Rapids, with Father Jegar Fickel as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Phyllis’s family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m., Monday, May 13th at the church with the Rosary service at 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in Phyllis’s name may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Janowicz Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.

Mike, and his identical twin brother, David, were born September 24, 1942, to Nadia and David Ells, a shoe salesman, in Portland, OR. Upon their birth, Mike’s mom exclaimed, “All I ever wanted was a daughter, and I got these two d@#!ed boys!” This was, of course, the generation of "Children should be seen and not heard" and throughout their childhood Mike and his brother disobeyed this rule to their fullest potential.

By 6th grade, Mike and his family had moved 11 times before settling in the southwestern Oregon town of Grants Pass. Mike spent his middle and high school years there, graduating from Grants Pass High School in 1960. Mike was on the high school cheer squad, played the Wizard in the Wizard of Oz, and raised and showed rabbits in 4H. Mike attended Oregon State University before graduating with a degree in Public Health from Washington State University. His college summers were spent alongside his twin brother on a USFS Fire Crew, working out of the Snow Creek Ranger District at Mt. Bachelor near Bend, OR. Between OSU and WSU, Mike was a chemical analyst at the Hanford Nuclear Site, a series of DOD plutonium generation reactors. Around that time, a certain pretty lifeguard caught Mike’s eye and he feigned distress in the water to get her attention. That won the heart of Carol Crose and they were married in August 1965. 

After graduating from WSU, Mike began his public health career in Aberdeen, WA where he worked for three years before moving to Hawaii to attend The University of Hawaii, earning his MPH. Mike and Carol both claim they weren’t able to enjoy Hawaii while in graduate school, but their children have seen photographic evidence to the contrary! Additionally, Mike completed an NSF post-graduate fellowship at the Harvard School of Public Health. 

Mike was devoted to academics and proud to be a Professor of Environmental Health at Ferris State University for 34 years. Voted by his peers a Distinguished Faculty Member, he encouraged his students’ spirited inquiry, and inspired them to be lifelong learners as he was through his research. One area of research interest was the human impact of the mountaineering community climbing at Mount Rainier National Park. While this scholarly research was shared broadly amongst the Public Health, National Park Service and climbing communities, his family joked that, “Dad’s confirmed that sh*t does indeed roll downhill!” Lastly, for 33 years, Mike was the Faculty Adviser to the student led Ferris Environmental Health Association, winner of Best Student Environmental Health chapter in the nation many times over. 

With a heart for service to others, Mike participated in public health campaigns, and was not deterred by challenging opposition. He was proud of his years of service to the Governing board of Mecosta County General Hospital in Big Rapids, now Corewell Health, proud to be an Assistant Scoutmaster to Boy Scout Troop 114 in Big Rapids, and proud of his Presidency on the PTA. 

Mike and Carol raised their children in Northern Michigan. Summers were spent packed into a station wagon, FSU vans and Boy Scout buses attending professional conferences, camping, scouting, and site seeing in regional, USFS and national parks. One of our favorite memories was alpine skiing where, when we were cold, Mike would unzip his ski jacket and wrap it around us, warming us up. Of course this was the era before ski helmets, which would’ve been as verboten as seatbelts were in the 1970s and 80s, and only mild concussions were observed! Time spent with the Scouts provided greater access to nature and the outdoor world, and both sons earned their Eagle Scout awards. Mike was known to wake up the Troop at the Mackinac Island Scout Service Camp by mischievously sneaking into the barracks and yelling, “It’s A Great Day For Scouting!” He was equally happy to sit at the rink, watching his daughter figure skate or in the sideline crowd as she ran cross country. Fabulous family memories were made and will live on with us all. 

Mike was so very proud of his grandchildren. He cherished his time with them, from concerts, hiking, playing at the lakes and traveling, to discussing what they were excited about in school and their future plans. He listened, and he loved hearing about the grandkids' adventures. Because of this, they all had special connections. He was known for his sideline sports photography, his sourdough pancake breakfasts with grandkids and their roommates, and for having a way of sharing a joke that made you feel like you were getting away with something. Carrying his humor, spirit of inquiry and adventure forward are Jackson and Grace Ells (Aaron), Rachael and Connor Ells (Jeffrey), and Asher and Greyson Newman (Kimberly). 

Mike is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Carol Crose Ells. They have had a love story for the ages, raising a family together in Big Rapids, taking many travel adventures, pursuing their hobbies and interests in retirement, and enjoying a second community of friends in Tucson, their sun-kissed winter home for many years. 

Mike is also survived by his children, Jeffrey (Kelly Payne) Ells of Cedar Springs, MI, Aaron (Sarah Buehler) Ells of Flagstaff, AZ and Kimberly (Steve) Newman of Haslett, MI. Finally, Mike is survived by his identical twin brother David (Lynne Hammerstad) Ells of Centennial, CO. He was preceded in death by Nadia and David Ells and Frances and Harry Crose. 

Big Rapids and our family home will always be home, but it will forever be missing his joy, his enthusiasm and his presence. Mike’s life and memory will forever be celebrated by those who knew him, and a Celebration of Life will be held May 18, 2024, from 1-4 p.m., in the Learning Center at Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids.

Donalyn Winter, the fourth of Raymond and Pearl Winter’s seven children, died peacefully on January 15, 2024, in Big Rapids. She was 91. Raised on the family farm in Big Rapids, Donalyn moved to Grand Rapids after high school and worked as an executive assistant for most of her life. She returned to Big Rapids in recent years. 

Donalyn and her former husband, Raymundo Hernandez (deceased), raised their four children, Victor, Donald (deceased), Laurie (Mark Stavropoulos) and Joan Warner (Paul) in Dutton, MI. It was a small, always neat, well-decorated house with a flower-filled yard. 

Granddaughters Devon Warner and Samantha Stavropoulos brought great joy to Donalyn. She reveled in their every accomplishment. Her younger siblings Katherine Martz, Diane and Gene Bongard, Stephen and Cheryl Winter provided wonderful support and care to Donalyn. 

In addition to her parents and son Donald Mark, Donalyn was preceded in death by: Marian, Richard, and Sara Mursch, Ellen and John Murphy, Frank and Monai Winter, and Al Martz. 

Donalyn was an expert seamstress, a talented cook like all the Winter “girls”, family historian and enjoyed debating on any subject. 

Memorial Services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 18, 2024, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Big Rapids where her family and friends will celebrate her life. Care and arrangements are entrusted to Mohnke Janowicz Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.

Esther Fay Hewitt, age 86, of Big Rapids, passed away on April 30, 2024. Born on May 29, 1937, she was the daughter of Adrian and Thelma (Ritter) Thompson.
Esther married George L. Hewitt on October 12, 1957, and they shared a beautiful life together until his passing on July 23, 2020. 
Esther was a beacon of light, known for her love of music, her remarkable talent as a pianist and singer, and her passion for arranging and performing music at her church. Her warm heart extended beyond melodies, as she had a profound dedication to helping those in need, always wearing a smile that made everyone around her feel at ease. 
Together with her husband, George, Esther spent over 35 cherished winters in Mission, Texas. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, leaving behind a legacy of love and kindness. 
Esther is survived by her children, Sheila Lee, Russ (Linda) Hewitt, George Jr. (Janet) Hewitt, and Sandy (John) Doyle; sister Frances Sizemore; sister-in-law Patricia Thompson; nine grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. Esther was preceded in death by her parents, husband George, and her brother Jim Thompson.
A funeral service to celebrate Esther’s life will be held on Friday, May 3, at 2 p.m. at the Mohnke Janowicz Funeral Home in Big Rapids, with visitation from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Esther will be laid to rest next to George in Midland Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the First United Methodist Church, Big Rapids. Friends may share a memory with the family at the funeral home or online at MohnkeJanowicz.com.

Terry Louis Johnson, a passionate farmer, devoted family man, and respected member of the community, passed away on April 6, 2024, at his home in Mecosta, Michigan, after a courageous battle with diabetes. He was 76 years old.

Born on July 27, 1947, Terry spent most of his life in Leroy, MI, on the family farm. He pursued his education at LeRoy High School, graduating in 1965, and later attended Northwestern College in Traverse City where he played basketball and aspired to become a coach someday. However, Terry's dreams took a detour when he was deployed to Vietnam. Terry served as a radioman aboard the USS Constellation. Upon his return, Terry dedicated himself to various endeavors. He retired from Coastal Pipeline in Reed City and later from Wilcox Surveying in Cadillac. Terry found joy in coaching Special Olympics Basketball, forming special bonds with his players, and making a positive impact on their lives. In 2016, Terry and his beloved wife, Judy, relocated from Leroy to Mecosta, where they became cherished members of the Mecosta Village Free Methodist Church. Terry's love for Bluegrass and Gospel music, nurtured from a young age, continued to bring him joy throughout his life. 

Terry will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by his devoted wife of 26 years, Judy (Klumpp) Johnson, and his children, Julie (Brett) Kennedy, Angela (Marc) Veldman, and Andrea (Lorenzo) Gonzalez. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Lauren Clark, Christopher (Stephanie) Clark, Hunter (Rachel) Holliday, Brooke Holliday, Donte Lillard, McKenzie Desenclos, Joey Gonzalez and Payton Veldman, as well as great-grandchildren, Sadie, Aubree, and Beau. 
Terry was preceded in death by his parents Hubert and Violet (Bowman) Johnson, and his daughter Jackie Johnson.

 A memorial service will take place on Saturday April 27th at 11 AM at Mecosta "The Village" Free Methodist Church with Pastor Dar Howard as Celebrant. Visitation will take place Friday April 26th from 5:30PM to 7:30PM and again one hour prior to the service. A Military burial will follow the service, followed by a luncheon at the Mecosta VFW. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of Michigan, Mecosta Village Free Methodist Church, or Special Olympics Michigan area 32. Envelopes will be available at the church.

Terry's legacy of resilience, compassion, and love will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him. May he rest in peace.

Stanley “Newt” Edison Brown passed away peacefully at the age of 86, with family by his side on April 23, 2024. Born Nov. 3,1937 to Irwin and Retah Brown. Newt was one of 9 children, who all preceded him in death.

Newt was just a go-getter. He could tell the funniest stories/sayings and never seemed to run out of them. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for 35 yrs before retiring from Local 324 and had 55 years in the union. He enjoyed going quad riding with his sons-in-law and friends in the U.P.. He loved being outdoors, staying busy, and was always there to lend a hand when needed. He always had a love for country music, and taught himself to play by ear and said he wasn't really very good at it. He continued to play with buddies, Roy Holsworth, Eddie Adams, and Jim Leiter at the Remus Tavern, The Golden Key, Chippewa Lake Bar, Rodney Bar, Paris Bar (Where he met Bonnie), Mecosta Bar, Wyman Tavern and Weavers Tavern.

Newt is survived by his wife of 56 years Bonnie Brown. Children Tina (Marv) Reichert, Jim (Jennifer) Brown, Deb (Dave) Moore, Denise (Brian) Reichert, Mary (Duane) Karcher, Jamie (Scott) Voss, and Angie Brown; bonus daughter, Kim (Brad) Gates; 13 grandchildren, Danny Ferguson, Sara Brown, Eric Brown ,Laura Brown, Andrew Reichert, Nicolle Reichert, Meagan Moore, Mike Moore, Marc Moore, Hannah Horan, Halie Zaun, Emily Voss, and Devin Smelt; 18 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, and a special niece, Roxanne. Newt was preceded in death by his parents, Irwin and Retah Brown; siblings, Sabina, Foy, Freeman, Jr, Viva Jean, Dale. Oscar, and Buddy; daughter, Michelle; grandson, Matthew and great-grandson Austin.

Services will be held May 10, 2024, at 11am at Janowicz Family Funeral Home, Remus, MI with Pastor Richard Taylor officiating. Visitation will take place at the funeral home one hour prior to the service with a luncheon to follow at the Wheatland TWP Hall. In lieu of flowers donations may be directed to Huntington's Disease Society of America, HDSA.org.