Obituaries

Harry Wayne Rakestraw

Harry Wayne Rakestraw died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Sept. 6, 2026. He was born Feb. 9, 1940 in Kokomo, Indiana, the son of George & Rose (Chism) Rakestraw. He graduated in 1958 from Northwestern High School, then he joined the Navy for four years. On April 4, 1965 in Tipton County, IN, he married the love of his life, Carol (Barnes). Together they raised three children...

Wayne V. Shooks

4/1/1942 – 9/2/2026 Wayne V. Shooks, a devoted husband and father, beloved teacher and coach, and lifelong outdoorsman, passed away Sept. 2, 2026, at the age of 84. Born April 1, 1942 in Charlevoix, MI, to Walter and Joanna (Keizer) Shooks, Wayne grew up on the Shooks cherry farm in Central Lake, MI. It was in Central Lake that he met his beautiful bride Linda Dingman, and the two wed on Sept...

Neva Ann Marconeri 

June 27, 1941 – August 25, 2026 Neva Ann Marconeri, 85, of St. James City, FL, formerly from Mancelona, MI passed away on August 25, 2026, at Health Park Medical Center, Fort Myers, FL. Neva was born and raised in Mancelona Michigan and graduated from Mancelona High School in 1959. After graduation, Neva worked as a secretary for Harry T. Cook, Prosecuting Attorney for Antrim County, MI. While...

John Kevin Spence

John Kevin Spence, 72, passed away Sept. 3 in Tomah, WI surrounded by his family. John was born on Oct. 25, 1953 in Muskegon, MI and spent his childhood in Newberry, MI, graduating from Newberry High School in 1971. After high school he started his 55 year career with Michigan Department Of Transportation where he served over 100,000 hours maintaining and clearing Michigan roads. John was a...

Edwin Robert Giddings

Edwin Robert “Bob” Giddings passed away peacefully on Aug. 19, 2026 in Charlevoix Township, Charlevoix County, Michigan. He was born to George and Marianna Giddings on Jan. 7, 1938, the fifth of eight children. Edwin is survived by two brothers: Hon. James R. (Julie) Giddings and Michael H. (Louise) Giddings, and his sister-in-law, Judy Giddings. He is also survived by 10 nieces and nephews, as...

Sheila Marie Paradis

Sheila Marie Paradis, 78 of Kewadin, passed away peacefully at her home on Aug. 19. Sheila was born March 29, 1948, in Lansing to Kenneth and Ruby (French) Crowe. Above all, Sheila was a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother who took great pride in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren—often traveling several hundred miles in a single day to attend their events. Those trips brought her...

Jennifer Anne Stone

Jennifer Anne Stone, 63, of The Woodlands, Texas, passed away on Aug.12, 2026. She was born on Dec. 24, 1962, in Detroit to David and Carolyn (Shaw) Waschull. Jennifer was a talented and creative woman who had a gift for making things beautiful and making people feel cared for. She was an exceptional cook, and some of her happiest moments were spent in the kitchen preparing meals for the people...

Jack M. Findlay

Jack M. Findlay, 83, of Alden, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Aug. 6, 2026, at home, surrounded by his family. Jack was born on April 21, 1943, in East Grand Rapids to the late Theodore and Marie Findlay. Jack is survived by his wife and the love of his life, Patricia Findlay, whom he affectionately called “The Empress”; his two stepdaughters, Becci (Mark) Davis and Beth (Roy) Cole; his ...