On Saturday, February 26, 2022, Wendell Curtis Drake passed away at the age of 77 with loved ones by his side following a difficult battle with cancer.

Wendell was born on October 3, 1944, in Lakeview, Michigan to Colin and Doris (Curtis) Drake. He graduated from Barryton High School in 1963 and then left for boot camp in Chicago with the U.S. Navy. After completing boot camp, he attended the Navy school in Memphis, TN where he became a jet technician. After graduation, he was stationed at Naval Air Station as a jet technician in Pensacola, Florida. He later attended the Colorado School of Trades in Denver, Colorado for custom gunsmithing. After completing school there, he moved to Ithaca, NY and worked as a manager at the Ithaca Gun Company. Wendell returned to Michigan in 1971 where he attended Ferris State University to study Tool & Die. He spent his professional life self-employed where he leveraged his knack for building and repairing just about anything.

Wendell was a resident of Wyoming, Michigan having lived in the Grand Rapids area for the past fifteen years where he owned an appliance repair business and was an active member at Grand Rapids First church. He spent most of his life living in the Osceola and Mecosta county areas where he grew up and where he raised his own family. More than anything, Wendell loved spending time with his family and would go out of his way to help anyone in need and always put others before himself. He loved being in the outdoors, especially if it was related to hunting, fishing, boating, or spending time in one of the log cabins out in the wilderness that he built over the years. Wendell was always known for his humor and loved to pick on those he cared for. Even in his last weeks, he made the many people caring for him smile.

Wendell was preceded in death by his father, Colin. He is survived by his mother Doris, his three siblings, Charlene Frederick, Larry (Freda) Drake, and Jan (Chuck) Zuke, his two children Chris (Pam) Drake and Wendy (Lee) Bauer, his grandchildren Collin, Bradley, Nathan, and Michael, the mother of his children Carol Eaton, many nieces and nephews, and his beloved friend Janet Marsiglia.

The family will be holding a celebration of life honoring Wendell on Saturday, March 19th from 2pm-5pm at the Fork Twp Community Center in Barryton, Michigan. The family will be there to welcome relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request memorial donations be sent to Hospice of Michigan (www.hom.org) or to Grand Rapids First in Wyoming, Michigan (www.grfirst.org).

Thomas James Hogenson was born November 13, 1948, and died Saturday, March 12, 2022, in Big Rapids, after a brief but courageous battle with cholangiocarcinoma.

He was born in Marinette, Wisconsin, to Robert and Virginia (Jacob) Hogenson. The family resided in Kohler, Wisconsin for much of Thomas’ childhood before moving to Big Rapids in 1967, when Robert began teaching at Ferris State College, where Thomas studied in the Colleges of Business and Allied Health Sciences, and met Kathleen (Osborn) Hogenson. They married in 1971 and had one child, Anne, in 1978.

In Big Rapids, Thomas began a lifetime of service to others as an emergency room nurse for Mecosta County General Hospital, eventually becoming head nurse and helping to bring Advanced Life Support EMS and other critical emergency services to the area. He later became the hospital’s community relations director and ultimately the director of its fundraising foundation, helping to secure resources for renovation of the emergency department and construction of the Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center. He also served multiple terms on the Big Rapids City Commission at that time.

Following his retirement from Spectrum Health-Big Rapids Hospital in 2015 after 42 years of service, Thomas ran unopposed for mayor of the City of Big Rapids and was elected in 2017. As mayor, he advanced the Baldwin Street Bridge and Hemlock Park projects, continued to build relationships between the city, surrounding townships and Ferris State University, and was a steadfast advocate for public health and wellness, including local COVID-19 prevention measures and the Big Rapids Social Equity Initiative.

Active throughout his career in such local service organizations as United Way of Mecosta County, WISE of Big Rapids, Michigan Works! West Central, the Big Rapids Chamber of Commerce, MOTA and many more, Thomas loved Big Rapids and its people, and worked tirelessly to improve their lives and resources. Prior to illness, he could often be found bicycling on the White Pine Trail, jogging throughout community neighborhoods or playing the trumpet on his front porch.

He is survived by his proud wife and daughter; brothers John and Peter Hogenson; sisters Margaret (Joe) Ward and Karen (Patrick Tobin) Hogenson, and their families. While Thomas will be deeply missed, he will live on in all the ways his work continues to benefit the community that became his home.

Thomas will be remembered in a public memorial service on Saturday, March 19, 2022, from 1-3 p.m. at the Big Rapids Public Safety Building, 435 N. Michigan Avenue. Visitation is scheduled for 1-2:30 p.m., followed by a brief ceremony from 2:30-3 p.m. Parking is available in the building’s front parking lots and along side streets. In lieu of flowers Memorial contributions in his name may be made to United Way of Mecosta County, the Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center, WISE of Big Rapids or Spectrum Health Hospice. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.

Stuart Gordon Van Westrienen, 61, of Evart, passed away Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at Whispering Pines in Evart.

He was born February 3, 1961, in Big Rapids, the son of Jack and Grace (Schort) Van Westrienen, and lived in the area his entire life.  Stuart enjoyed taking car rides and walks with his family, and loved listening to music.

He is survived by four sisters, Jane (Charles) Gross of Big Rapids, Susan (Keith) Marrs of Morley, Grace (Randy) Fisher of Big Rapids, and Stacey Lane of Big Rapids; three brothers, Jack (Terry) Van Westrienen Jr. of Big Rapids, Garrett Van Westrienen of Rodney, and Kenneth (Linda) West of MS;  and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.  Stuart was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother Clifford, brother Martin Lumbert, and sisters Estella Adams and Lilly Maurer.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, March 11, 2022, at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids, with Pastor Adrian Eising officiating.  Burial will be in the spring in the Martiny Township Cemetery in Rodney.  Stuart’s family will greet friends at the funeral home from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, March 10 and beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Friday until time of services.  Memorial contributions in her name may be for Elara Caring Hospice.   Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.

Shirley Jean Baumunk, 95, of Big Rapids, passed away peacefully March 4, 2022, at home with her family by her side.

She was born November 4, 1926, in Detroit, the daughter of Gerald and Ruth (Geyger) Geraldson.  Shirley moved with her family to Mecosta County as a child, and graduated from Big Rapids High School .    

Shirley was a longtime active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Big Rapids.  She especially enjoyed her sewing group and a good game of cards, and loved to travel, camp, and fish with family and friends.  Shirley was a great baker as well, and was the “Cookie Mom” to the neighborhood.  

On October 12, 1945, she married Lloyd J. Baumunk, who preceded her in death on April 2, 2020.  She is survived by her son David (Debra) Baumunk of White Cloud; her daughter Lois Thrushman of Big Rapids; and several nieces and nephews She was also preceded in death by her son-in-law Robert Thrushman, and several siblings. Shirley’s family would also like to thank her many special friends, including Jim and Phyllis Lindsey, and Patrick and Yvonne Lake for their spiritual care, and to Elara Caring Hospice also.   

A Memorial Gathering will be held at Pine Plains Cemetery later in the spring.  Memorial contributions in Shirley’s name may be made for Immanuel Lutheran Church, or Elara Caring Hospice.  Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com

Barbara J. Johnson, 84, of Big Rapids, passed away Friday, February 18, 2022, at Evergreen Terrace from complications due to Parkinson’s Disease.

She was born September 8, 1937, in Flint, the daughter of Earl and Alice (Knudsen) Winterfield, and graduated from West Branch High School.  While attending Central Michigan University, Barbara met Thomas L. Johnson, and the couple were married January 31, 1959.  Mackinac Island held a special place in their hearts, as they spent summers during college working there. 

In 1964, they moved to Big Rapids when Tom accepted a teaching job at Ferris.  Barbara was active raising their family, and she loved to entertain and bake.  A woman of deep faith, she shared this at different churches, and was currently a member of the United Church of Big
Rapids.  They made several mission trips through the church, including Wounded Knee Reservation, and Hurricane Katrina reconstruction.  Tom and Barb also loved to square and round dance, enjoyed travelling, and wintered in Mesa, AZ.  Barb also volunteered many hours for the Mecosta County General Hospital Auxiliary and at the gift shop. 

Tom preceded Barbara in death on September 20, 2014.  She is survived by their children, Craig (Pam) Johnson, Kerry Johnson, and Steve (Geri) Johnson; 2 grandchildren, Samantha (Alex) Pulice and Danielle Myers; 2 great grandchildren, Levi and Susanna Pulice; 2 brothers-in-law, David and Mike (Linda) Johnson; and several nieces and nephews.  Barbara was also preceded in death by a grandson Alex Johnson.  

Memorial services will be announced for later this spring at the United Church in Big Rapids.   Memorial contributions in Barbara’s name may be made for a charity of choice.  Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids.  Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com