Concrete Construction: Basement floors, patios, driveways, sidewalks Residential Free estimates Call (269)377-3950
Concrete Flatwork: For all your concrete flatwork needs! Pole barn, floors, driveways, driveway replacement, sidewalks, patios Bobcat services available (269)509-2153
269 Exteriors: Now Booking for siding, gutters, drywall and decks Licensed/insured Free estimates (269)806-0690
Rogers Plumbing, Heating & A/C Service, Inc Call the company that’s local & experienced Serving this area since 1966, licensed and insured 269-694-4673, 269-217-5454 R&B Services Accepting new lawncare customers Mowing pruning spring and storm cleanups Free estimates 269-720-8384
Damber Tree & Yard Service LLC: Lawn mowing, tree removal, retaining walls, gravel drive work, rototilling, gutter cleaning Online: Damber tys com Call (269)251-5602 Local, family-owned
Mar tin Transmission- Not just transmissions We offer full service auto repair Locally owned & operated for over 20 years Free quotes 565 Lincoln Rd (M-89), Otsego (269)694-5500
Ron’s Painting, Since 1980! Painting, Staining, Interior/Exterior, Residential/ Commercial Pressure washing, aluminum/vinyl siding repaint specialists Insured, free estimates, senior & military discount. Family-owned/operated. Call (269)217-3825
Monty’s Tree Service: Licensed/insured Free estimates (269)204-8207
Tree & Brush Clearing, yard clean-up Fallen tree and stump removal, tree cutting Reliable and insured Call Scott (269)929-3149
Drywall/Repair Work: Big and small jobs Fully insured 40 years experience Call Tom Teunessen (616)218-2877
Thompson Painting: Exterior/interior Deck staining, pressure washing, window screen replacement Insured, free estimates (269)689-4107
Budget Appliance Service Prompt, Professional and Affordable Service Call us today for your appliance repair needs (269)685-8902 Ted LaFountain, Owner
Scott Keyzer Roofing: Call Scott for all your roofing, gutter screen installation and repair needs Free estimates (269)929-3149
Dan's Tree Service: Free estimates Senior discount Fully insured (269)664–5455 or Matt (269)569-1031 www danstreeinc com Veteran-owned
Quality Built Pole Buildings Built year round! All sizes, options available! Financing Available! C L Kruithoff Building Company, Lic /Insured Call (269)217-3850 www pole-barns com
Powerwashing, Replacement Windows, doors, and roofing Call Farmer Construction Local Builder Check us out on Facebook 269-420-9748
Small Eng ine Repair: Mowers, trimmers, chainsaws All makes Call Brian at Smith Bros (269)217-3247
Sara Smith Manager, Realtor® RENE, E-Pro 616-558-9580 smsmith@greenridge.com
Kendra Sweeting REALTOR® 269-760-4127 ksweeting@greenridge.com
Arlene Nyhof REALTOR® 269-251-8985 anyhof@greenridge.com
Nancy Whitney Assoc. Broker, ABR, GRI, E-Pro, SFR 269-720-1473 nwhitneyhomes@gmail.com
RayLene Hubbard REALTOR® 269-743-9069 rhubbard@greenridge.com
Rick Lynch REALTOR® 269-569-4315 rlynch@greenridge.com
Wendy Conner Assoc. Broker, ABR, CRS, GRI, SFR 269-492-5172 wconner@greenridge.com
Sue Cornell Assoc. Broker, CRI, RAM, ABR, SFR 269-720-4382 scornell@greenridge.com
CHOOSE A REALTOR WHO KNOWS YOUR LOCAL HOUSING MARKET!
10:00am-2:00pm or by appointment
Removal, Trimming & stump g rinding
insured Over 30 years experience in tree work, very reliable and reasonable Free estimates Also, firewood for sale! RC Tree Service, owned and operated by Carl Sparks (269)377-0284 or (269)568-7231 Randy www rctreeservice com
Spring Lawn Clean-Ups Now! Free estimates on lawn mowing and fer tilization Schedule today Residential/commercial Licensed/insured MnS Lawn Care Services (269)692-3003 www mnslawncare com
Real Estate
We Buy Houses! Cash for your home, any condition Call Brad Boone (269)207-5691
Mobile Homes Wanted Shor ter homes are needed We take down and move Please call Dave Walker @ (269)365-8310 Wolf Lake Home Sales, LLC
Miscellaneous
Storm Damage/Tree Removal: Competitive pricing, can beat your previous bid Free quotes, fully insured Local, Otsego
Built Rite Pole Buildings: State-wide Prices star ting at - 24x40x10 - $18,300 30x40x10
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Adjustable
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If You Or A Loved One Suffered injury/ death because of a Boston Scientific Pacemaker, after September 2019, you may be entitled to compensation Call attorney Charles Johnson 1-800-535-5727
Amish-Built Storage Sheds star ting at $2,500 Custom sizes & colors We deliver anywhere in Michigan! MyNextBarn com Call 989-832-1866
Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day For a limited time, waiving ALL installation costs! (Additional terms apply Subject to change and vary by dealer (Offer ends 12/27/26 ) Call 1-877-582-0616
Appliance Repair: Prompt, local service available for appliance repair Washer/Dryer, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Stove/Oven and all major appliances Cer tified, Insured techs Satisfaction guaranteed Call to schedule your appointment now! 1-877-489-0116
compact design & long-lasting battery Inogen One free info kit! 877-305-1535 Consumer Cellular - same
in your home Our trusted professionals do repairs to protect your family & home value! 833-887-0117 Have zip code ready!
Professional lawn ser vice: Fertilization, weed control, seeding, aeration & mosquito control Free quote Ask about first application special! 833-860-0811
DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB games! Choice Pkg $89 99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devic-es HBO Max included for 3 mos w/Choice Package or higher No contract or hidden fees! Restrictions apply IVS 866859-0405
We
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Wanted
Buying Junk Cars, Trucks, scrap metal, farm machinery Kalamazoo Metal Recyclers, Inc , 1525 King Hwy , Kalamazoo, 269-381-1315 Bring this ad!
Standing Timber Wanted: Walnut, Oak, Maple Highest prices paid Payment in advance 269-998-1839
Wanted: Quads, mini bikes, AT Vs, go-car ts, snowmobiles Paying cash for wrecked, non-runners, & par ts Free pick up, call (616)666-0312
Items For Sale
Davals Used Furniture & Antiques 6 buildings with 15,000 Sq Ft of quality furniture, antiques and collectibles Save time and money Shop Davals for the best selection, best quality, best price You have to see it to believe it We are truly a destination place and wor th the drive We buy estates Layaway terms available Visa/Mastercard/Discover accepted 2 miles west of Hastings at 2084 W M-43 Hwy near Bob’s Gun & Tackle Hours: Sun 12-5pm; Mon -Fri 10am-6pm; Sat 9am-5pm (269)948-2463
Campfire Wood For Sale, delivered $100/rick, $60/half rick, $35/quar ter rick. Call or text message (269)680-9967
Auctions
Leist Auctioneers Spring Equipment Consignment Auction Farm Equipment and Tractors, Construction and Utility Vehicles, Tools, Lawn and Garden and more In-Person and Simulcast Bidding Details at 833-323-2BID(2243) MichiganAuction com
Online Auction: Kowalske Estate Features Suzuki/Honda quads, Reming ton chainsaw, yard machines snow thrower, Craftsman shredder, shop tools, fishing gear, more! Ends 4/29 To bid visit Bid SherwoodAuctionServiceLLC com Questions? Call Penni, 1-800-835-0495 Ext 2
Live In-Person Montney Estate Auction Clare, M I Friday 4/24/26 10AM Kawasaki
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May Consignment Auction: 2015 Chevy Silverado, 2008 Jeep Compass, SB-60 3pt snowblower, 3pt finish mowers & bush hog, coins, antiques, collectibles, shop tools Over 400 lots! Visit NarhiAuctions com Questions? Call 810-266-6474
Community Page Community Page
Karen S. FORBES
AGE 66 - KALAMAZOO MI
Karen Sue Forbes, a cherished soul whose life was woven with love and devotion, passed away peacefully at her home in Kalamazoo on April 11, 2026, with her daughters by her side Born on August 13, 1959, in Allegan, Michigan, Karen’s journey was marked by her steadfast dedication to family and the simple pleasures of life Karen s strong spirit shone brightest in the company of those she held dear With a spirited sense of independence, Karen never hesitated to follow her own path, often with a touch of well-earned stubbornness along with a quiet determination to do things her own way She deeply loved spending time with her family, treasuring the moments that knit their lives together
Her passions extended to camping getaways, puzzle solving, lively family game nights, and craft projects She tended her raised garden beds, where many mini cucumbers flourished under her care Whether traveling across Michigan’s UP for her 60th birthday, bringing a daughter to grad school in Florida, leading family visits to North Dakota, or even just exploring an unknown local restaurant, Karen was always up for a road trip Her fierce loyalty to “her people” meant she would show up any time for support In her youth, she delighted in roller skating, a joyful reflection of her lively spirit Her professional life was equally commendable Karen devoted three decades to Jarvis-Pempco demonstrating unwavering commitment and diligence Following this, she retired from Summit Polymers, and her industrious nature led her to work part-time at Blain's Farm and Fleet, proving her enduring work ethic and connection to her community Karen’s legacy lives on beautifully through her loving twin daughters, Carlee and Krystle, who continue to embody their mother’s strength She is also lovingly remembered by her mother, JoAnn Forbes; her sister, Char Forbes; and her nieces, Dani (Chy) Saucier and Jordan (George) Dobias, along with many great nieces and nephews She was preceded in death by her beloved father, Jack Forbes; her partner, Charles Travis; her uncle, Bruce Forbes; and her best friends, Gary and Sharon each one holding a special place in her heart Visitation for Karen will be held at the Winkel Funeral Home in Otsego, on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, beginning at 10:00 AM, at Winkel Funeral Home, with a light luncheon to follow at Otsego United Methodist Church In honoring Karen’s memory, memorial contributions are appreciated to the Otsego United Methodist Church Camp Scholarship Fund, or Christian Neighbors The family kindly requests that any floral tributes be in the form of living plants, a nod to Karen’s love for life’s growing things Karen Sue Forbes leaves behind a profound legacy of love resilience, and grace Though she has passed from this world, her proudest accomplishment was her family Her twins and loved ones continue in enduring remembrance
Arrangements by Winkel Funeral Home - Otsego Messages of condolence may be posted at www WinkelFuneralHome com
Joyce E. EARLE
AGE 94 - PLAINWELL, MI
Joyce Elaine Earle was born on March 27, 1932, in Prairieville Township, the daughter of Earl and Coral Anson (Teerpenning) She passed away at home on April 12, 2026, while under the care of Heartland Hospice, Portage, Michigan She graduated from Plainwell High School in 1949 Joyce met Kenneth Earle at PHS, and they married after she attended Western Michigan University for one year They built a home on East M-89 where they lived for 30 years, later moving to Zeeland, Michigan in the early 1990’s Soon after, they settled back on Joyce’s woodland property near Pine Lake, living there for an additional 30 years They were married 54 years until Ken’s passing in 2006 Also preceding her in death is her daughter Brenda Jo, brother, Marvin Anson and beloved pet Tucker She is survived by her daughter, Vicky Earle of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and son Kevin (Bonnie Truax) Earle of Brown’s Summit North Carolina Joyce was co-owner of Joyce’s Beauty Salon in downtown Plainwell for nearly 20 years Afterwards she worked in the cosmetics department for Walgreen’s in both Kalamazoo and Plainwell Joyce had failing health in recent years but in her young days, she was very involved in the local 4-H chapter teaching leathercraft She loved to bake and cook, frequently combing through cookbooks for the next best cookie recipe She was passionate about genealogy, following her lineage back several generations in the Delton and Pine Lake Area Joyce was an avid rock hunter, taking family trips across the US in search of rock treasures to cut, polish and make jewelry Her artistic side continued to shine brightly with her gourd crafts, growing, painting and decorating them to sell at craft fairs and workshops She was a member of the Michigan Gourd Society Joyce was an avid gardener and enjoyed canning and tending to her many flower beds She loved decorating and celebrating Christmas with her family Joyce had a warm, insightful and caring nature always ready to help and comfort others She was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, aunt and friend and will be missed dearly Friends may visit with Joyce’s family starting at 12:00 P M , Monday, April 20, 2026, at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 P M , with Pastor Dan Minor officiating A committal service will follow at Hillside Cemetery, Plainwell Contributions in memory of Joyce may be directed to Heartland Hospice, Portage, Michigan or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital Arrangements by Winkel Funeral Home - Otsego
Messages of condolence may be posted at www WinkelFuneralHome com
CARDINAL WHISPER
Th s poem imag nes a cardinal as a gentle whisper from a loved one, br inging messages of ove and reassurance
In the flutter of wings a whisper heard; A cardinal s song, without a word
From loved ones lost, a message stirred; In their presence, the lines blurred
In the garden, their memory lingers; In the touch of feathered fingers
Love’s message, where it hovers; Cardinal whispers, from the other
When you find yourself facing the loss of a loved one we can assist in making the details you face a little e a s i e r To p l a c e yo u r o b i t u a r y announcement on our community pages, simply ask the funeral home to send the details to the Community Shoppers Guide or call/email us yourself Obituar ies are approximately $75 and are included in our online edition
Kathleen A. “Kathi” FUSS AGE 84 - OTSEGO, MI
Kathleen Ann Fuss passed away on April 9, 2026, at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo She was born to F Leighton and Margaret (Vande Vord) Dobbin, on October 15, 1941, in Kalamazoo In 1959, Kathi graduated from Otsego High School Kathi married Larry Fuss, the love of her life, on May 29, 1965, at St Margaret Catholic Church in Otsego Larry preceded her in death on October 14 2017 Kathi worked at AAA and KVP Sutherland as an IBM key puncher She worked for Otsego Public Schools for several years as a paraprofessional, retiring in 2005 She loved working with children, reading, cross-stitching, and singing Kathi was very involved at St Margaret Catholic Church where she sang in the choir, taught CCD, and was the President of the Women’s Society and started the Prayer Chain She also belonged to the Otsego Fire Auxiliary and Friends of the Library She even coached girls t-ball for 8 years Surviving are her children, Tracy (Luciano) Ienni of Galesburg, Brian Fuss of Otsego, and Shannon (Richard) Ingle of California, two granddaughters, Rachel and Natalie Ingle of California; siblings, Leighton (Jean) Dobbin of Richland, brother-in-law Robert (Dagmar) Fuss of California, as well as several nieces and nephews Kathi was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and sister Maureen Buckmaster Friends visited with the family at the Winkel Funeral Home on Thursday, April 16, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM , with a Rosary service at 7:30 PM Visitation continued on Friday, April 17th at St Margaret Catholic Church in Otsego from 10:00 am until time of the mass at 11:00 a m Interment followed at St Margaret Catholic Cemetery Contributions in memory of Kathi may be directed to the Otsego District Public Library or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital Arrangements by Winkel Funeral Home - Otsego Messages of condolence may be posted at www WinkelFuneralHome com
Faith LINK
“PAYING IT FORWARD”
For God so loved the wor ld that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not per ish but have eter nal life ”
By Rev
Dan Minor
John 3:16
- revdm nor1945@gma l com
mor ning I was waiting in line at
happened There was a mix-up on my order with the car in front of me having my order and me having his order When I went to pay for our breakfast, the attendant said “Sorr y for the wait, the person in front of you paid for your breakfast ” I was humbled
Jesus’ death on the cross was the most supreme act of paying it forward the wor ld will ever know How can we pay for something which cost us nothing? In Ephesians 2:8, 9 we read, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by wor ks, so that no one can boast ”
Jesus’ death on the cross was final, for all time and can never be repeated In Romans 6:10 we read, “The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God ” This tr uth is also mentioned in I Peter 3:l8 “For Chr ist died for sins once for all, the r ighteous for the unr ighteous, to br ing you to God
The tr uth is, there is nothing we can do to repay the debt we owe, but there are many things we can do to show our gratitude to God for His supreme gift Here are just a few suggestions on how we can show God’s love dur ing this week and beyond:
• Do something for someone who can never repay you
• Offer kindness to someone who has not been kind to you
• Give an unexpected gift to someone
“Go out and do something good this week ” – Cyndi Trobeck
Prayer: Dear Lord help us to honor You in all that we do In Your strong name Amen.
According to the Laboratory of Neuro Imaging at the University of Southern California, the average brain generates 48 6 thoughts per minute, amounting to about 70,000 thoughts per day What thoughts do you think? If I could see the bubble of thought over your head right now, what thoughts would I find there? Even while I’m preaching on a Sunday morning, thinking mostly about the words I’m trying to say, I have other thoughts that pop into my head without me even trying to think them‐ Why did the lady in the 5th pew walk out of the sanctuary‐was it something I said? I’m using my hands too much, get your hand out of your pocket, are my arm pits sweating and causing visible stains‐keep your arms down, are they listening to a word I’m saying, I should have not used that 80’s song lyric, what will they think about God because of my words, Jesus please give me clarity and energy, why is my son sleeping during my sermon‐ he’s grounded!
According to some of the research, 95% of the 70,000 thoughts we think are repetitive and 75‐80% are negative if we are not thoughtful about our thoughts And here’s what is sobering‐ thoughts determine feelings and feelings determine actions Every behavior, every action‐good or bad, originates in the mind Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “You are what you think all day long ” The thoughts we think will in large part determine the kind of person we become and the kind of life we live Why does a person fly off the handle at a family dinner for no apparent reason? Why does a person develop an addiction to alcohol? Why does a person stay curled up in a fetal position depressed in bed for most of the day? These behaviors come from feelings that flow from our thoughts Thoughts matter!
Over the next few weeks at First Congregational Church in Otsego, we are focusing on how to have the mind of Christ and win the mental war that all of us face I invite you to watch the video of the message I shared last Sunday Perhaps God will use it to bring hope and peace to your anxious and fearful
m i n d Y
www otsegocongregational org/sermons
See you Sunday at 10:40! Pastor Lenny Luchetti
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