18 Thursday, October 17, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com
Debra Jean
Ratliff, 65, of
Springfield,
MI, passed
away Friday,
October 11,
2024 at Sparrow
Hospital. She
was born
November 28,
1958 in Battle
Creek, MI, the daughter of James and
Alaine (Grant) Ratliff. Debbie fought
different types of cancer for the last 17
years. After a valiant effort, her body
finally gave way and she peacefully went
to meet her Heavenly Father, surrounded
by her loved ones.
She graduated from Battle Creek
Central in 1976. She traveled to
California and Texas, since she loved
the warmer weather, and became a dry-
cleaning expert. She finally returned to
Battle Creek in 1989. Debbie worked at
Target for over 20 years, working her
way to a supervisor position. Maybe
this is where she found her love of
shopping. She especially loved deco-
rating for the holidays.She is survived
by her four children: Nichole Salinas,
Erin (Dustin) Fenech, Jon (Emily
Cameron) Salinas, and Gabrielle Salinas;
grandchildren: Lane and Bradey Fenech;
three brothers: Dale (Penny) Ratliff, Don
(Amy) Ratliff, and Brian (Jacqui) Ratliff;
and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her
parents, James (Alaine) Ratliff; grand-
parents Arthur (Eva) Grant and Leland
(Martha) Matteson; and her brother
Paul Ratliff.
Visitation will be held at Battle Creek
Community Church (1021 Wagner
Drive, 49017) on Friday, October 18,
2024, from 10-11 a.m., with the funeral
service to immediately follow at 11
a.m. A private family burial will be held
at a later date at Floral Lawn Memorial
Gardens in Battle Creek, MI.
Memorial tributes may be made in her
honor to Mackenzie’s Animal Sanctuary
(8935 Thompson Road, Lake Odessa,
MI 48849).
Arrangements by the Bachman Hebble
Funeral Service, (269) 965-5145/www.
bachmanhebble.com.Venus Kay
Bruce, 80,
passed away
peacefully at
home, surround-
ed by her fam-
ily, on Sunday,
Oct. 6, 2024, in
Hastings, Mich.
Venus was
born to Claude
Eugene and Dixie Marie (Turner)
McGuffey on Oct. 4, 1944, in Battle
Creek, Mich. Venus attended Kellogg
Community College, where she gradu-
ated with high honors, made the Dean’s
List, and received an associate degree in
Human Services in 1986.
Venus worked for Good Samaritan
Hospice and she enjoyed it. Venus
was an avid Harley-Davidson rider and
owned and operated a Harley-Davidson
shop in Newbern, N.C., until her retire-
ment. Venus loved traveling the country
with her family and spending time with
them. She enjoyed the outdoors and lis-
tening to music.
Venus loved Jesus Christ, her Savior,
and was passionate about sharing the
love of our Lord with others. Now that
Venus has passed into the arms of our
Lord, her physical life on Earth is over,
but it is the beginning of an eternal and
beautiful journey for her.
She is survived by her children,
Patrick (Kristine) Densmore, Randy
(Julie) Densmore and Nathaniel (Bettina)
Bruce; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-
grandchildren; sister-in-law Christine
Margo McGuffey; and lots of nieces and
nephews.
She was preceded in death by her par-
ents, Claude and Dixie; three brothers,
Donnie, Daniel and David; and the love
of her life, Charles Ray Bruce.
A graveside service took place at Floral
Lawn Memorial Gardens in Emmett
Township, Mich.
In lieu of flowers, memorial con-
tributions may be made to St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital.
Personal messages for the family
may be placed at www.bachmanhebble.
com. Arrangements by Bachman Hebble
Funeral Service, (269) 965-5145.Julie Dee Fox,
58, of Battle
Creek, passed
away Saturday,
Sept. 28, 2024.
She was born in
Battle Creek on
July 12, 1966,
the daughter
of Donald and
Joyce (Roys)
West.
Julie graduated from Pennfield High
School with the Class of 1984. She
continued her education at Michigan
State University, where she graduated
in 1988 with a bachelor’s in elementary
education and from Western Michigan
University in 1994 with a master’s
degree in elementary education.
Julie has served as an incredible and
loving elementary teacher with Battle
Creek Public Schools for more than 32
years. She was awarded the Golden
Apple Award in education and the
Volunteer of the Year Award for her fos-
tering of animals.
Julie married Dustin M. Fox at St.
Philip Catholic Church in Battle Creek
on Jan. 6, 2001; he survives. She is
also survived by her children, Paige andKyle Fox; her collie, Tucker; and several
brothers and sisters-in-law.
Julie was preceded in death by her
parents, Don and Joyce West; and her
grandparents, Estelle and Clarence
Roys, and Ernest and Faye West.
Julie was an avid Michigan State fan.
She loved animals, especially collies and
also enjoyed taking pictures, and was
lovingly known as the team photogra-
pher of her children’s soccer and tennis
teams, and was the Bearcat Varsity
Tennis coach at Battle Creek Central
High School. She was truly proud of
Paige and Kyle, and loved supporting
them at sporting events and spending
time with them.
A Celebration of Julie’s Life was
held Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at First
Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek.
Memorials may directed to the
Calhoun County Animal Center, http://www.
calhouncountyanimalcenter.org, or the
Almost Home Dog Rescue of Ohio,
https://www.almosthomeohio.org.
Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle
Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle
Creek. Personal messages for the fam-
ily may be placed at http://www.farleyestes-
dowdle.com.David Glenn
Crandall, 64,
passed away at
home on Oct. 8,
2024, in Battle
Creek, Mich.
Born on Feb.
25, 1960, Dave
was known for
his caring and
kind nature,
frequently bringing laughter and joy to
those around him through his quick wit
and playful pranks.
Dave dedicated much of his profes-
sional life to graphic design and the
print industry, where he was able to
blend his work with his passion. He was
a proud alumnus of Parchment High
School and later earned an associate
degree in graphic design from KCC,
which fueled his creative pursuits, both
professionally and personally.
In his personal time, Dave was an avid
gardener, known especially for his toma-toes, and took great joy in caring for his
pets. He also enjoyed playing the guitar
and was deeply involved in graphic
design, continuing to create even out-
side of his work.
Dave leaves behind his wife, Denna
Crandall; sons Steve and Breyden
Hoffman; daughter Kirstin Hoffman;
daughter-in-law Laura Hoffman; grand-
children Leon, Addison and Lillian;
brother Charles Crandall; and sister
Donna Mcnees.
He was preceded in death by his par-
ents, Marjorie and Willard Crandall.
The family has decided to hold a pri-
vate ceremony to celebrate Dave’s life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be
made in Dave’s memory to the Humane
Society of South Central Michigan or
the Leila Arboretum Society, reflecting
his love for
animals and
nature.