Obituaries: November 2025
EDITOR'S NOTE: This file will be updated throughout the month as new notices become available.
Carey Jon Boote
February 23, 1951-October 31, 2025
Carey Jon Boote, age 74, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025, surrounded by family after a courageous, decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Born on February 23, 1951, in Hull, Iowa, Carey was the son of the late Clarence and Carol Boote. Growing up on a dairy farm, he honed his strong work ethic in his younger years, waking up early in the mornings before school to help his father tend to the livestock.
After graduating from Boyden-Hull High School in 1969, he attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and majored in biology. While at Hope, he was a Baker’s scholar, member of the Arcadian fraternity, and student taught, where he cultivated his passion for teaching others. Most importantly, in college, he met his wife of 52 years, Susan Ponstein. Shortly after college, Carey started work for the former Prince Corp., where he worked for over 25 years in various management roles.
Ever the hard worker, Carey devoted his time and energy to his work at Prince, typically waking up at the crack of dawn to get to the office and leaving it in the evening to spend time with his family, who regularly greeted him at the door upon his return. Indeed, caring for his three children: Jillian, John, and Jacquelyn was his pride and joy in life. Whether it was moving them into college dorms, helping them with homework, chaperoning soccer road trips, or organizing evening family boat rides — Carey’s proudest achievements were his three children.
Aside from his family, Carey was an active member of Christ Memorial Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan, and served in the consistory on multiple boards. A testament to his generous spirit, in his free time, he also spent many years volunteering with Junior Achievement. As a longtime resident of Holland, Carey loved attending Hope College basketball games and his Friday morning meet-ups with his close friends from the community.
Carey is survived by his devoted wife, Susan (Ponstein) Boote, and three children Jillian (Brian) Parsons, John Boote, and Jacquelyn (Edward) Alfriend, in addition to four grandchildren Megan Parsons, Colin Parsons, Avery Alfriend, and James Alfriend. He also is survived by four siblings Brenda (Don) DeBruyn, Cathy Boote, Daniel (Mary) Boote, and Evan (Nancy) Boote. A memorial service for the family will take place in early 2026. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Arrangements are by J. Henry Stuhr Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel. A memorial message may be sent to the family on our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.
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Paul James Clouse
December 31, 1968-October 27, 2025
Paul James Clouse, age 56, of Grand Haven, Michigan, passed away on Monday, October 27th, 2025, at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, surrounded by loved ones.
Born on December 31, 1968, in Lansing, Michigan, Paul grew up in DeWitt, where he developed the humor, curiosity, and compassion that would define his life.
Paul was an accomplished and talented Physician Assistant with Trinity Health Family Practice in Walker, Michigan, where he cared deeply for his patients and colleagues alike. A proud patriot, he served as a major in the U.S. Army National Guard and was deployed to Kuwait/Iraq in 2023, embodying honor, dedication, and service in all he did.
Paul's zest for life was unmistakable. He loved scuba diving, weightlifting, boating, musicals, and discovering new foods. His booming, infectious laugh could fill any room, and his quick wit and kindness made him a joy to everyone fortunate enough to know him. Rooted in his Christian faith, Paul lived with generosity and warmth that touched countless lives.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Liberty; children, Cammi Keeler (Tyler), Payton Clouse, and Anna Clouse; mother, Mary K. Boyd; father, John Clouse; brother, Dave (Gina) Clouse; nephew, Corbin (Emily) Clouse; niece, Caitlin (Jenna) Clouse; sister, Christina Clouse; and nephew, JJ Nightingale.
A celebration of life for Paul will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, November 6, 2025, at United Methodist Church of the Dunes, in Grand Haven, with Pastor Lou Grettenberger officiating. Visitation with the family will begin at 12:30 p.m., followed by the service. A livestream of the service will be available at youtube.com/@duneschurchgrandhaven/streams.
Paul's life was a testament to love, laughter, and service — a reminder to live boldly and cherish each moment.
Memorial Contributions may be made to United Methodist Church of the Dunes-In Memory of Paul Clouse, or Michigan Disabled Veterans (DAV).
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Paul James Clouse, please visit our floral store.
Mary Kay (Bouwman) DeWitt
December 7, 1934-November 4, 2025
Mary K. DeWitt, age 90, of Grand Haven, passed away on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert; their daughter, Laurel; son, Ross; son-in-law, Michael Chittenden; and great-granddaughter, Alexis Mari.
Mary is survived by their son, Michael DeWitt of Ferrysburg; and daughter, Lynette Chittenden of Spring Lake; two sisters, Nancy (Larry) Buter and Carol (Loren dec.) Cook; seven grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
In accordance with Mary's wishes, there will be no services held.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Health at Home Hospice-Grand Haven or any charity of the donor's choice.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Kay (Bouwman) DeWitt, please visit our floral store.
Mark S. Dirkse
August 12, 1952-October 29, 2025
Mark S. Dirkse, age 73, of Grand Haven, passed away on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Trinity Health Muskegon Hospital.
He was born on August 8, 1952, in Grand Haven, Michigan, to the late Julius and Louise (Nutter) Dirkse.
Mark graduated from Grand Haven High School Class of 1960. He worked for Shape Corp. for many years and was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Grand Haven for many years.
Mark enjoyed helping others and he especially loved going on mission trips with his church to Peru and the Dominican Republic. He also enjoyed reading, watching Detroit Tigers baseball games, building and launching model rockets, reading his Bible, and was proud of having never missed a day of work.
Mark will be forever remembered and missed by his brother, Roger Dirkse; nieces, Brenda and Cindy Young; nephews, David (Diane) Young and Daniel (Tracy) Young; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
The memorial service for Mark will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday, November 9, 2025, at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Grand Haven, with Pastor Ted Toms officiating. Visitation to follow. Interment will be at Spring Lake Township Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Seventh-day Adventist Church in Grand Haven.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mark S. Dirkse, please visit our floral store.
Jennifer "Jenny" (Bickham) Joanisse
February 26, 1969-October 27, 2025
Jennifer "Jenny" Joanisse, age 56, of Bay City, Michigan, (formerly Grand Haven), passed away on Monday, October 27, 2025, in Carleton, Michigan.
She was born on February 26, 1969, in Bay City, Michigan, to John and Mary Bickham.
Jenny graduated from Bay City High School and spent her childhood in Bay City. She moved to Grand Haven for a time, where she was a talented artist who sold many of her paintings at art openings.
Jenny enjoyed: Creating things. She was an artist with every fiber of her being. Painting was her primary craft. Jenny opened the Ceramic Café and Imagine 360.
"Really, I don't like human nature unless all candied over with art." ~ Virginia Woolf
Jenny will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by her two sons, Isaac Joanisse of Denver, Colorado, and Winston Hoppensteadt of Ayer, Massachusetts; her brother, Dan Bickham of Carlton, Michigan; and her nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her long-time companion and partner of 15 years, Jonathan LaMaire in 2021.
Private family services for Jenny will be held.
Memorial contributions may be made to her son, Winston Hoppensteadt, to assist with funeral expenses. Please send checks to: Winston Hoppensteadt, 6 Birch St., Ayer, MA, 01432.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jennifer "Jenny" (Bickham) Joanisse, please visit our floral store.
Kailey Nichole Morgan
April 9, 1990-October 22, 2025
Kailey Nichole Morgan, age 35, of Grand Haven, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
She was born on April 9, 1990, in Grand Haven, Michigan, to Anne Morgan and Kelly Hughes.
Kailey graduated from Air Academy High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 2008, and later earned her bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University in 2013.
A creative and spirited soul, Kailey found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved the challenge of a good puzzle — always choosing the biggest and most intricate ones — and had a lifelong love for all things Disney. She also enjoyed cooking and spending carefree summer days at her grandma’s pool, surrounded by family.
Kailey will be remembered for her bright spirit, her kind heart, and the warmth she brought to everyone who knew her.
She is deeply loved and will be missed by her mother, Anne Morgan; uncles, Michael (Karin) Morgan and Steve (Marlo) Morgan; her father, Kelly (Cheryl) Hughes; grandfather, Jimmy Zehrung; brother, Aaron (Ellie) Brewer; uncles: Michael (Dale) Hughes, John (Kay) Hughes, Patrick Hughes, Kevin (Jody), Gary Hughes; and her aunts: Maureen Hughes, Lisa Simpson, Colleen (Paul) Sobel.
Kailey was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Richard E. and Mary Morgan (both in 2025); and her paternal grandparents, Edward and Patricia Hughes.
A celebration of life visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 6-8 p.m. at Klaassen Family Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions in Kailey’s honor may be made to Mosaic Counseling.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kailey Nichole Morgan, please visit our floral store.
Susan Laurie (Suits) Neitring
February 18, 1955-November 3, 2025
Susan "Sue" Laurie Neitring, age 70, of Grand Haven, passed away on Monday, November 3, 2025, at Lakeshore Assisted Living-Sorrel Residence.
She was born on February 18, 1955, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to the late James and Nancy (Ames) Suits. Sue married the love of her life, Mike Neitring, on May 1, 1990, in Grand Haven.
Sue graduated from Reeths-Puffer High School and worked in manufacturing for many years before her retirement. She had a deep appreciation for the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and bow hunting. Sue especially loved taking walleye fishing trips to Lake Erie, tending to her flower gardens, and collecting rocks.
An avid animal lover, Sue cared for a variety of unique pets over the years, including squirrels, a possum, baby skunks, a pony, a raccoon, and a hedgehog named Hawthorn. She cherished time spent at their cabin in Walhalla, loved going to the movies, and found her greatest joy in being with her grandchildren, who meant the world to her.
Sue is lovingly remembered and missed by her husband of 35 years, Mike; daughter, Megan (Casey) Morris; her three sons: Justin Frederick, Jeremy (Carla) Hower, and Mike (Kim Strickland) Neitring; her nine beloved grandchildren: Christian, Hayden, and Sidney Hower, Madison, Lilie, and Mackenzie Neitring, Zavian and Dakari Grays, and Gage Morris; three sisters: Jerri (Ben) Garza, Tammy (Mark) Johnson, and Nancy Suits (Theresa Frost); sisters-in-law: Cathy (Ted) Delore, Cindy DuShane, Laurie (John) Molnar, and Linda (Bill) Matt; brothers-in-law, Al (April) Neitring and Jim (Kristi) Neitring; several nieces and nephews; and special great-nephew, Foster DuShane-Jones.
In addition to her parents, Sue was also preceded in death by her brother, Jimmy Suits; and brothers-in-law, Hank Neitring and Roger Dushane.
Private family services will be held. Interment will be at Pine Hill Cemetery in Fruitport.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lakeshore Assisted Living Homes.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Susan Laurie (Suits) Neitring, please visit our floral store.
Pennie Lynn Robertson
July 31, 1942-November 2, 2025
Pennie Lynn Robertson, age 83, of Spring Lake, passed away at home on November 2, 2025.
Born on July 31, 1942, in Harbor Beach, Michigan, Pennie was the youngest of seven children born to Earl and Stella (MacKichan) English. She attended Grace Nursing School in Detroit, where she met the love of her life, Gary Robertson, while he was attending medical school at Wayne State University. Pennie was on the Queen’s Court at the Grace Hospital Cotillion Ball and was introduced to Gary by her dear friend Penny Harvey. He became her date for the Ball, and so began their lifelong love story.
Pennie and Gary were married for 62 years and shared an extraordinary life together. After being married in Harbor Beach, their journey took them to Royal Oak, where Gary completed his medical internship, to South Dakota during his service in the U.S. Air Force, and then to New Orleans while he completed his residency and specialty training at Tulane and Charity Hospital. In 1969, they settled in Grand Haven when Gary established his OB/GYN practice at North Ottawa Community Hospital and where they built an incredible life, raised their family, and became deeply rooted in the community.
Pennie was devoted to her family — a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She and Gary raised three children: Heather Robertson (Hendrik Basson), Holly Johnson (Erick), and Gray Robertson (Amy). She was also the proud grandmother of Annica Robertson (Michael), Kai Robertson, Amber Bray, Madelynn Johnson (Mike Szajnowski), Ian Johnson (Bethany Jewison), Kate Robertson, and McKeathan Robertson, and the adoring great-grandmother of Chase and Aspen Robertson. The Robertson family always had dogs — and Pennie especially loved their current pup, Molly.
Pennie was known for her warmth, grace and wicked sense of humor. She was a gifted homemaker and an exceptional entertainer — renowned for her cooking, her beautiful table settings, and her legendary homemade bread and pecan rolls. An avid collector of English antiques, Pennie had a refined eye for beauty and created a home filled with love and charm. Her friendships were deep and spanned decades — she knew how to find special people and hold them close. Lynn, Penny and curiously, many of them were named Nancy.
She gave back to her community in countless ways as a volunteer, committee member, and cherished friend. The Tri-Cities Family YMCA held a special place in her heart — particularly its Early Childhood Center, which will be named in honor of the Robertson family.
Pennie and Gary shared a lifelong love of travel, exploring the world together and creating countless memories with family vacations along the way. As her backyard for years, the peace and solitude of Duncan Woods brought her comfort and joy.
Pennie is survived by her beloved husband, Gary; her children and grandchildren; her great-grandchildren; her sisters, Joann Hargraves, Judy Schlabach and special cousin, MaryJane Balcueva as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her siblings: Marion Henderson, Norma Harris, Tillie Krause, and Alton English as well as her brother and sister-in-law, Chuck and Kay Robertson.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Erika for her loving care over the past year, as well as to the compassionate team of caregivers from Comfort Keepers and Harbor Hospice. Though Pennie valued her privacy, she deeply appreciated the kindness and dedication of those who cared for her.
A celebration of life will be held Jan. 15 at the Spring Lake Country Club — additional details to be provided in early January. Memorial contributions may be made to the Y for All Capital Campaign at the Tri-Cities Family YMCA in Grand Haven or to the M. Gary MD and Pennie Robertson Endowed Scholarship at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services.
The family is being served by The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services.
Jeffrey "Bud" John Steger
April 24, 1975-September 18, 2025
Jeffrey "Bud" Steger drove his red Ford F-350 into Heaven on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
At the miraculous age of 50, he leaves every life he touched with sweet memories of laughter, love, and joy. Having Down syndrome and being born with a three-chambered heart did not stop Jeff from changing this world for the better and defying every possible odd with a smile.
Born in Tracy, Iowa, and raised in Grand Haven, Michigan, Jeff truly lived his life to the fullest, working at the City Farmer, where he brought endless smiles to customers' faces, and he also participated in the Special Olympics.
To Jeff's many nieces and nephews, he was known as "Uncle Bud." He was the family baby whisperer and family comedian. He loved a good handshake and a good hug. He adored all things Ford and would let you know if your vehicle didn't meet his approval.
As an avid NASCAR fan, Jeff wore endless hats and shirts supporting his favorite NASCAR Ford drivers and even named his beloved daughter (his cat) Miss Dale Jarrett "J-A-R-R-E-T-T." Jeff was all in with everything he did. He loved watching the University of Michigan play, "Go Blue!" loved singing to country music, and loved mowing the lawn while proudly sporting his John Deere tractor and work vest.
Jeff had an amazing family who loved him deeply and will miss him every day. Family members that will carry on Jeff's love are his mom, JoAnne; dad, Phil; dad, John (Tina); sisters: Stacey, Shelly, Kelly, Nikki and Namiko; brothers: Kevin, Scott, Michael, Craig, and Todd; nephews: John, Garrett, Logan, Dylan, Baron, Ellis and Ashkii; nieces: Molly, Gabrielle, Elizabeth, BreAnna, Abrial, Cassie, Brittney, Noelle, and Ella; and great-nephews: Finleigh, Fletcher, Everest, and Jay. Jeff also has uncles, aunts and cousins that absolutely adored him in Iowa, Kentucky, Washington, and Michigan: Ron and Sue, Robert and Kim, Tim and Denise, Bob and Liane, Steve, Jim, Mark, Hannah, Ruth, Evelyn, Matthew, Peter, Kevin, Kristin, Jim, and Jennifer.
Jeff was preceded in death by and reunites with his grandparents, Leon and Beverly Steger and Charles and Ruth Robuck; and his great-nephew, Grayson.
A celebration of life to honor Jeff will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Emmanuel Free Church, 17737 W. Spring Lake Road, Spring Lake, MI, 49456, with Pastor Justin Smith officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in honor of Jeff to the Special Olympics-Area 12 or Hospice of Holland.
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