36 Thursday, August 1, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com
Neil Thomas Brandt, 84, of Battle
Creek, Michigan, passed away peacefully
on Friday, July 26, 2024, at home. He was
born May 21, 1940, the son of Harold
Clifford Brandt and Genevieve Elizabeth
(Glau) Brandt.
Neil is survived by his sons, Eric
(Shannon) Brandt, Michael (Sherry)
Brandt; grandchildren Gavin (Samantha)
Brandt, Curtis Hibbard, Alyssa Brandt; part-
ner-in-crime Ron; and many nieces, nephews
and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents,
Harold and Genevieve Brandt; and his broth-
ers and sisters.
Neil was a frequent flyer, along with Ron,
at Coney Island in Battle Creek and had a
love for music, which led him to give piano
lessons to anyone willing to learn. He was
an avid outdoorsman who loved to camp and
fish with his children and grandchildren. He
will be greatly missed by all those that knew
and loved him.
To honor Neil’s wishes, cremation has
taken place, and no services will be held.
Arrangements by the Baxter Funeral &
Cremation Service. 269-788-9800. http://www.
baxterfuneral.comDavid S. Barnes, 83, of
Battle Creek, Mich., went to
be with the Lord on Saturday,
July 20, 2024, at the Calhoun
County Medical Care Facility.
He was born November 29,
1940, the son of Seldon D.
Barnes and Nellie P. Noble.
David graduated from
Hastings High School, going on
to serve in the United States Air
Force and Air National Guard.
He also worked for the Battle
Creek Police Department from
1967-1968, the Federal Center,
a volunteer fireman for Bedford Township,
and a paraprofessional at Doris Klaussen
Developmental Center. He was a faithful
member of Harper Creek Baptist Church,
and the Busy Bees Fighting Club. David was
united in marriage to Sandra K. Bowers for
56 years.
He was preceded in death by his beloved
wife of 56 years, Sandra Kay Bowers; his
parents; and his sister, Geri Barnes Menne.
He is survived by his three sons, David
Barnes Jr., Jason (Becky) Barnes, Kevin
(Jennifer) Barnes; niece Melissa (Robert)
Innocenti; nephew Mark (Kelly) Menne; niece
Julie (Jon) Frye; eight grandchildren; and one
great-grandchild.
David’s lifelong passion was enjoying time
with his family, but aviation was a close sec-
ond. From his years of service, to building
model planes in the garage,
and everything in between.
He also enjoyed trains, model
trains and sprint cars. When he
wasn’t watching old Westerns
or the Dallas Cowboys, David
could be found at the shooting
range or re-enactment cowboy
shooting courses. He always
had the best sense of humor,
cracking jokes every chance
he got. He coached many of
his sons’ sports teams over the
years and was known to many
as Coach Barnes, not only on
the field but off. He knew the importance of
carrying those lessons through life as well.
A celebration of life will be held at the
Calhoun County Medical Care Facility, 1150
W. Michigan Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49014
on Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 11 a.m.
to noon. Burial services will be held at Fort
Custer National Cemetery, 15501 Dickman
Road, Augusta, MI 49012 from 1:30-2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make any memo-
rial contributions directly to Richard A.
Henry Funeral Home or https://gofund.me/
d491c9ed.
http://www.henryfuneralhome.orgBonnie J. (Minier) Giese,
90, of Ashton, MI, died at her
home Tuesday, July 2, 2024.
She was born in Battle Creek
on November 29, 1933, the
daughter of Kenneth and Vera
(Gibson) Minier, and graduated
from Reed City High School
with the Class of 1952.
Bonnie married Ivan Giese
in Reed City, MI on July
30, 1955. She worked in
the lunchroom at Verona
Elementary School for several
years, until she and her hus-
band retired and moved to Ashton. Bonnie
enjoyed traveling with her husband, see-
ing waterfalls, bowling, watching baseball
with the family at Bailey Park for the Stan
Musial World Series and loved watching
her kids play ball every summer. She espe-cially enjoyed spending time
with her grandchildren, great-
grandchildren and all her family.
Surviving are Ivan, her lov-
ing husband of 68 years; sons
Michael (Carole McNamara)
of Battle Creek, MI, Samuel
(Ronda) Giese of Sheridan,
Wyoming; daughter Michelle
(Tammy Tortorelli) Giese of
Louisville, KY; seven grandchil-
dren; 14 great-grandchildren;
two brothers, Kenneth and Carl
Minier; as well as numerous
nieces, nephews and adopted
neighborhood kids.
Bonnie was preceded in death by a son,
Joseph Giese; her parents; three brothers,
Don, Jim and David Minier; and three sisters,
Marilyn Beronja, Joyce VanBlarcum and
Mary Kidder.Marilyn Leona (Perkin)
Morgan, went home to be
with her Lord and Savior on
July 27, 2024, at the age of
79, in Holland, Michigan. Born
on December 27, 1944, in
Lansing, Michigan, Marilyn’s
journey began as the beloved
daughter of Wayne and Helen
Perkin. She grew up with her
brothers, Glen and Darwin, and
she graduated from Holt High
School in Holt, Michigan, where
she laid the foundations of her
lifelong passion for learning
and service.
Her educational pursuits led her to the
Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music
and the Thomas Road Bible Institute. She
furthered her academic achievements at
Kellogg Community College, where she
obtained an associate degree in Electronic
Data Processing. Her career was as diverse
and rich as her interests. Marilyn’s profes-
sional life included retail roles at Hudson’s
and J.C. Penney’s.
Her love for children shone through dur-
ing her time in food service at Battle Creek
Public Schools. A member of Harmony
Baptist Church and a frequent guest of
Urbandale Baptist Church, Marilyn loved her
church families and Marilyn’s heart was ever
drawn to the melodies of faith. She used her
musical talents in various churches, where
she shared her gift of piano playing. Together
with her husband of 55 years, Jerry, who
preceded her in death, they frequently sang
duets in their younger years.
Marilyn loved crafting things with her
hands. Her creative spirit was woven into
every stitch of beautifully knitted baby sweat-
ers she crafted with love and skill. These
gifts became tokens of warmth and care for
the new lives entering the world, reflecting
Marilyn’s joy for growing families. Marilyn’s
active participation in her community was
evident in her involvement in church func-tions and various Ladies’ Bible
Studies.
Her love for her hometown
of Battle Creek was expressed
through her attendance at
local events and her apprecia-
tion for the city’s rich history.
Marilyn also had a fond love for
animals, especially cats. She
always had time to give a little
love to one of God’s creatures.
Marilyn regularly donated blood
to the American Red Cross, a
testament to her desire to aid
those in need. Her life was a
vivid tapestry of service, creativity, and faith
that touched the lives of many.
Marilyn’s memory will be treasured by
those she leaves behind, including her
oldest brother and sister-in-law, Glen and
Karen Perkin, along with her special niece,
Christine (Ronald) Feenstra.
Marilyn’s life was a portrait of love, dedi-
cation, and service. Her legacy is etched
in the countless lives she touched. As we
bid farewell to Marilyn Leona Morgan, we
celebrate a life beautifully lived and a soul
that, through her deeds and memories, will
continue to inspire and comfort us all. While
her absence leaves a void in the hearts of
her family and friends, the echoes of her kind
deeds and the melody of her life’s song will
resonate forever.
Visitation will be held at Urbandale Baptist
Church on Friday, August 2, 2024, from
10-10:45 a.m., with the funeral service to
immediately follow at 10:45 a.m. Burial will
take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in
Augusta, MI.
Memorial contributions may be made to
Harmony Baptist Church in Battle Creek,
Hospice of Holland, or, if you are able, take
time to donate blood at your local blood bank
in memory of Marilyn.
Arrangements by Bachman Hebble
Funeral Service. (269) 965-5145. www.
bachmanhebble.comBATTLE
CREEKObituaries SHOPPER
Carl Donald VanDerwall,
81, passed away February 18,
- He was born in Battle
Creek, Michigan, on January
1, 1943, the son of Carl and
Florence VanDerwall.
He is survived by his wife,
Lori VanDerwall; his sons,
Chad VanDerwall, Wally
VanDerwall; and daughter Jodi
VanDerwall.
Don will be remembered
for his warmth, kindness and
unwavering dedication to his
family and friends. He touched
many lives with his generosity and com-
passion. Don cherished his family, loved to
ride bicycles and lived a life of
integrity and honesty.
Don was an avid cyclist and
in 2023 he biked 3,106 miles
in both Florida and Michigan.
A celebration of life to honor
Don’s life will be held at Team
Active Bicycle Shop in Battle
Creek, MI, on Saturday, August
10, from 5-7 p.m.
The family asks that in lieu
of flowers, donations be made
to Open Roads Bikes (www.
openroadsbike.org) in Don’s
memory.
He will be deeply missed by all who had
the privilege of knowing him.