Page 6 — Thursday, June 24, 2021 — The Hastings Banner
Area Obituaries
Gale Robert Morway age 70, of Hastings,
passed away Saturday, June 12, 2021, at
Cedar Creek of Hastings.
Gale was born in Hastings, on February
27, 1951, a son of the late Ethyl (Johncock)
Simon and Robert Morway. He was raised in
the Hastings area and attended local schools
graduating from Hastings High School in
1971.
Gale spent the majority of his working
career at the Hastings KFC, where he
worked faithfully for over 20 years until his
retirement in 2012.
Gale was an avid NASCAR fan and loved
watching the races on television. When he
was not working, he could be found at
Ritchie’s Restaurant in Hastings socializing
with his many friends. During his quiet time,
Gale enjoyed spoiling his cats (Precious and
Smokey), doing crossword puzzles, reading
a good book, watching the History Channel
and taking in an old British Comedy show
on PBS. Gale was a very compassionate man
with a great sense of humor and will be
missed.
Gale is also survived by his sister, Linda
L. Hayes; niece, Samantha (Jon) Douglas;
nephew, John (Mary) Hayes; his stepsister,
Anne Simon; two stepbrothers, Jim Simon
and Gary Simon; special friends, Russ
(Linda) Trongo, Amanda Easlick and Joe
Longcor.
He was preceded in death by his brother,
Dale (Squaka) Morway, and his sister, Emily
Marks.
Memorial service and celebration of
Gale’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on
Thursday June 24, 2021, at Grace Lutheran
Church in Hastings, with Pastor Kenneth
Scheck officiating.
Interment will take place privately at the
Prairieville Township Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions
can be made to Grace Hospice or Cedar
Creek of Hastings.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted
to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville.
For further details please visit our website at
http://www.danielsfuneralhome.netGale Robert MorwayMary Zombor, age 81, passed away
peacefully at her home in Hastings,
surrounded by those who loved her most on
June 10, 2021. She met and married Charles
(Chuck) Zombor in August of 1958 living in
several cities before settling in Hastings as
they raised their family.
Mary was a mother to her six biological
and two adopted children, younger siblings,
and countless others over the years. She was
generous beyond measure, at times even
giving to others as she went without. She
was an amazing homemaker who taught her
children how to keep a clean home, cook
well, care for their own families and how to
stretch a dollar farther than ever thought
possible.
She was hard working, genuine, loyal,
loving, determined, rarely politically correct,
feisty - with a heart of gold. As her days
became numbered, she wanted nothing more
than to spend time with her loved ones -
especially her children, grandchildren, and
great grand babies. She lives on in every life
that she touched, in our hearts, thoughts,
memories and the people she helped each of
us to become.
She was an active member of the West
Hastings Congregation of Jehovah’s
Witnesses and dedicated much of her time
and life to living out the practices of her
faith.
Mary will be forever remembered and
missed by her husband of nearly 63 years,
Chuck. Along with her children John
Zombor, James Zombor (Julie), Jerry
Zombor, Julie Kammer (Jim), Rebeccah
Dubicki (Steve), Xzavion Zombor and Kari
Zombor, her sister Linda Kulpa (Joe), twin
brothers Robert Christian and Richard
Christian (Kathy) and many other family
members and friends.
She was proceeded in death by her eldest
son, Jeffrey Zombor, her parents, two sisters,
eldest brother, aunts, uncles and
grandparents and granddaughter Cheyenne
Panske-Zombor.
Visitation for all family, friends and
friends of the family will be held on June 26,
2021, 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Girrbach Funeral
Home, 328 S Broadway; Hastings, MI.
Donations may be made in Mary’s name
to either Faith Hospice of Grand Rapids,
2100 Raybrook SE, Suite 300, Grand
Rapids, MI 49546, https://faithhospicecare.
org/donate/ or the West Hastings
Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 3550
W M 179 Hwy, Hastings, MI 49058.
Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home.
To leave an online condolence visit http://www.
girrbachfuneralhome.net.Mary ZomborGordon was born on March 10, 1937 in
Hart, and passed away on June 18, 2021 in
Hastings, at the age of 84.
Gordon is survived by his wife of 59
years, Carolyn (Huisjen) Worth; xhildren,
Bryan (Mari), Julie (Brad Gee); saughter-in-
law, Michelle (Bob Memering); ninw
grandchildren, Daniel (Kelli), Andrew
(Lina), Nathan (Lexi), Tristan, Marko,
Patrick, Isabel, Lauren, Gabe; two great
grandchildren Kaiden, Kaitlyn; brothers,
Tom (Cathy), Gary (Jane); Sisters Linda
Crane, Mary Riddell and several nieces and
nephews.
He was preceded in death by two of his
children, Patrick and Evonne; sister, Patricia
and his parents.
He was the oldest of six children of Ruby
(Riggs) and Oscar Worth, and the first to
graduate from college. He graduated from
General Motors Institute School of
Engineering in 1959. He then went into
service with the United States Air Force
from 1961-1965 assisting in the space
exploration program at Brooks Air Force
Base. After service to our country he and his
young family moved to Battle Creek where
he worked at Kellogg’s Company for 33
years in the central engineering department
retiring as a senior systems analyst. While
working for Kellogg’s he raised children,
grand children and polled Hereford cattle on
a farm in Dowling.
With his love of farming he was a very
active member of Barry County 4-H over
many years, serving on several committees
and enjoying his children and grandchildren
being active participants as well. He
spearheaded and was very proud of the tree
planting project at the new fairgrounds in
Barry County where the shade from all the
work so many years ago is enjoyed by all
today.
Gordon was also active in the South West
Michigan Polled Hereford Association for
many years, as well as the Hastings Kiwanis.
Gordon was also part of the Sable Point
Lighthouse Keepers Association and was a
volunteer lighthouse keeper for many
summers alongside his wife. Gordon
enjoyed giving lighthouse tours and sharing
his special family history that he had family
ties to the building of the Little Sable
Lighthouse in Mears, and his great great
grandfather was appointed the first
lighthouse keeper at Big Sable Lighthouse in
Ludington.
He was a dedicated, hard working man
always willing to volunteer and give back.
He loved gardening, photography,
genealogy, travel, woodworking and
spending cherished time with family.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7
p.m., Thursday, June 24, 2021 at Lauer
Family Funeral Home, 1401 North
Broadway in Hastings. A Committal Service
with Military Honors to celebrate Gordon’s
life will be held at 1:30 p.m., Friday, June
25, 2021 at Fort Custer National Cemetery
in Battle Creek.
Memorials may be made in care of
Gordon’s family to Barry County 4-H Youth
Fair Improvement Fund, Sable Point
Lighthouse Keepers Association or Interim
Hospice.
Please share condolences with the family
at http://www.lauerfhhastings.com.Gordon L. WorthRobert “Bob” Joseph, age 71, of
Potterville, passed away Monday, June 21,
2021, at Spectrum Health Pennock Hospital,
Hastings.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on
Thursday, June 24, 2021 at Daniels Funeral
Home in Nashville. The family will receive
visitors one hour prior to the funeral service
beginning at 2 p.m.
Interment will take place privately at
Benton Township Cemetery in Potterville.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted
to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville.
For further details please visit our website at
http://www.danielsfuneralhome.netRobert JosephWilliam J. Cotant passed on to be with his
Savior and Lord Jesus Christ early Friday
morning, June 18, 2021, at home in
Hastings.
Bill, age 90, was the eldest child of
Dwight and Gonne (Coles) Cotant of
Hastings where he resided his whole life.
He began his education at Star School,
graduated from Hastings High School, and
attended Michigan State College taking
courses in general agriculture.
He met Marilyn Marie McDonald in
chemistry class when the teacher assigned
Marilyn and her friend to join the table of
boys to see if the girls could help the boys
with chemistry. It worked – the chemistry
sparked, and they married in 1950! Marilyn
died in 2018 after 67 years of marriage, Bill
caring faithfully for her, especially during
their final years together.
Together, Bill and Marilyn raised four
children: Arthur (Judi) Cotant, Robert
(Kathy) Cotant, Lori (Dan) Jorg, and Ann
(Bruce) Scheck, each of whom love and
admire their parents to this day. He is also
survived by his sister, Jean (Don) Couch,
nieces, nephews, and three generations of
grandchildren.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, his
parents, and his younger brother, Richard
Cotant.
Growing up on the family farm, Bill
hunted, trapped, and learned to raise field
crops, fruit trees, vegetables, chickens and
livestock. In 1947, he started Cotant’s Farm
Market on South M-37 while still in school.
He eventually worked two full-time jobs,
including 36 years at Kellogg’s in Battle
Creek which helped provide the resources to
support his “hobby” farming. His son Bob
officially joined the farm market in 1975, but
Bob jovially says he has been a part of the
operation since 1953 (the year of his birth).
In January 1958, Bill trusted Jesus as
Savior and Lord, and for the rest of his life
was active at the Evangelical United
Brethren Church (now Hope UMC) in
Hastings. Bill and Marilyn enthusiastically
led the youth group for 25 years, taught
Sunday School and also served as Chairman
of the Board of Trustees and Lay Leader.
In the community, he served for 12 years
on the Hastings Area Board of Education, a
time on the Star School Board and Hastings
Township Planning and Zoning
Commission, and various grower
organizations. He served as president of the
school board for four years (1972-76) and
one of the most meaningful honors he
received was being chosen Hastings High
School Alumnus of the year 1995.
Marilyn loved to travel and dragged Bill
along with her to Europe, South America,
the Caribbean, Alaska and Hawaii. He often
said he would have missed out on a lot if she
hadn’t just gone ahead and planned the trips.
They enjoyed a full life together.
Please join with the family in praise and
thanksgiving to God for Bill’s life. Services
will be at noon on Monday, June 28, 2021 at
Hope UMC, 2920 S. M-37 Highway.
Visitation will be held at Hope United
Methodist Church on Sunday, June 27, 2-
6 to 8 p.m. and 11 a.m. before the service on
Monday. A luncheon will follow the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to
Hope United Methodist Church.
Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home.
To leave an online condolence visit http://www.
girrbachfuneralhome.net.William J. CotantPhyllis (Green) Foster, age 90, passed
away peacefully at her home in Walnut
Creek, CA on June 20, 2021.
She was born on February 4, 1931 in
Hastings, the daughter of Ward and Vada
Green of Woodland. She graduated from
Woodland High School, Michigan State
University, and was an elementary school
teacher for many years.
She married her childhood sweetheart
Lachlan (Lach) Foster of Hastings on August
18,1951, and they enjoyed 55 years together
until his passing in 2006. Following Lach’s
tour in Korea and study at Yale Law School,
Phyllis and Lach moved to Los Angeles in
1957 where Lach was a lawyer, and their
daughter Sue was born. They spent many
years in the Pasadena area, eventually
moving to Irvine, near the coast, where
Phyllis lived until last year.
Phyllis and Lach enjoyed traveling,
including visiting Sue and her husband Steve
in the San Francisco Bay area, and returning
to Michigan to see their family. They loved
spending time with their black Labrador
Retrievers.
The outdoors energized Phyllis:
gardening, learning about nature, and
walking with her dogs. She was a docent at
the historic Gamble House, in Pasadena,
touring visitors. After moving to Irvine, she
taught Sunday School at the Methodist
Church and volunteered in administration
there.
Phyllis is survived by her daughter and
son-in-law, Sue and Steve Ohanian of
Alamo, CA; her sister, Pat Scheiterlein of
Haslett, and numerous dear nieces and
nephews.
She will be buried at Woodland Township
Cemetery next to Lach and many family
members.
A graveside remembrance of her life will
be held on June 29, 2021 at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Phyllis asked that
memorial contributions be made in her name
to The Humane Society of the United States.
Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home,
to leave an online condolence visit http://www.
girrbachfuneralhome.net.Phyllis FosterCheryl Ann Huntley, age 60, of Lake
Odessa passed unexpectedly at her home on
June 20, 2021.
Cheryl was born on August 22, 1960 in
Pontiac. Cheryl owned and operated The
Consignment Shop in Lake Odessa for the
last six year and loved it. When not working
she enjoyed crafting, sewing, making
jewelry and gardening. Even though she
loved her children, the grandchildren were
especially loved by Cheryl. On January 2,
1981 she married Bill Huntley and they’ve
been happily married for 40 years.
She will be dearly missed by; husband
Bill; her children, Amber, Christina, Richard,
Matthew, Cody and Duane; grandchildren,
Allen, Ashton, Abigail, Arwyn, Ariona,
Brooklynn, Damien, Mariska, Quinten,
Isaiah, Payton, Zila, Livie and Ryan;
siblings, John, Orville, Michael, Frederick
and William along with many nieces and
nephews.
Cheryl was proceeded in death by her
parents, Orville and Gertrude Atwell along
with parent-in-laws, Bill and Joanne
Huntley; sister-in-law, Darlene Searles.
According to her wishes, Cheryl has
donated her body to MSU Willed Body
Program to help further medical science.
A celebration of her life will be held at a
later date. Online condolences can be left at
http://www.koopsfc.comCheryl Ann HuntleyLauri Sarann McLaughlin, age 67, has
been reunited with her beloved father, Neil
in heaven. She fought a very long, hard
battle with kidney disease.
She was preceded in death by her parents,
Neil and Lena McLaughlin, and her
partner,Kelly G. King.
She leaves behind her brothers, Dennis
(Nancy) McLaughlin, Darren McLaughlin,
and her siste,r Cheryl Johnson; nephew,
Brandon and niece, Jennifer.
Also left behind pets Bailey, Peanut, and
Snowy. They will live out their remaining
days with Geri (Damm) Hayes, her friend of
40—plus years, neighbors Bruce and Cheri
DeLine, many childhood friends, and
workmates from AT&T.
Lauri was an avid animal lover. She
loved to travel, making an overseas trip to
England, Ireland, and Scotland. She was a
camping enthusiast, enjoying Michigan’s
beauty.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your
local Animal Shelter or Adopt-a-Pet.
Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home.
To leave an online condolence visit http://www.
girrbachfuneralhome.net.Lauri Sarann McLaughlinThe family of Shirley VanDenburg, is
having a celebration of her life, July 3, her
birthday, at the Hastings Bowl, 1 p.m.
Bring your bowling gear. She wants you to
bowl a game. It’s a gift from Dean and Sonja
Lambert and family, so we will see you on
her Heavenly birthday.Shirley VanDenburg