14 Thursday, September 12, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com
BATTLE
CREEK
BATTLE
Obituaries CREEK
Obituary Policy
The Battle Creek Shopper News accepts obituaries from licensed funeral
homes or crematories. If they did not provide obituary services, the family
spokesperson (who will be required to fill out an affidavit of publication) may
submit the obit via email to [email protected].
Include your name and phone number, as well as the name and number of
the funeral home, so we can verify the death.
Submission and pre-payment deadline is noon Monday before the Thursday
of publication. For more information, call (269) 965-3955.Ramon
Arvelo-Nieves
was born Aug.
7, 1963.
Coming from
the Arvelo and
Nieves family,
he grew up
in hardship,
especially dur-
ing this time
in Puerto Rico, the ’70s and early
’80s, Ramon was exposed to many
difficulties.
He was a star athlete in his early
schooling. He was very popular,
seen as a leader, and respected
in his community. During this time,
Ramon was also a trouble-maker,
and with that life was put into a
position where he had two options:
to continue his life on the streets or
to join the military.
At the end of Ramon’s Honorable
Career as an Airborne Medical
Evacuation Army man. He took
his life across the world, as well
as touring over nine times to war
zones. His tours included Kuwait,
Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo.
He also served on duty stations in
South Korea, Germany, and toward
the end of his career, Virginia.
Ramon had two children. He loved
to play chess, cook food, and spend
his time developing his experience
and mind.
He received his doctorate as a
minister through Life Church. He
also received his master’s in com-
munication, and was certified in
over 60 trainings through his career
as Airborne Infantry.
He was certified at the black belt
level in Korean Tae-Kwon-Do, and
was a survivalist by nature. Those
who served with him recognized
his temperament and ferocity as a
soldier “as a machine.” Ramon was
very strong-minded, devoutly spiri-
tual and dominant.
During the last years of his life,
Ramon was able to exist in compas-
sion, simple living and community.
He was received by his family after
much trauma and suffering as not
only a military veteran, but a man
who at the time had no exposure
to acceptance and community. He
made friends and was connected to
his first child.
Ramon was a good father. His
pain and hardship translated to suc-
cessful and independent children.
His vision was profound. His spirit
connected to the powers above.
Ramon was always connected to
the element of water. He loved to
spend time at the beach, and he
deeply appreciated the ocean.
His final wish was to return to the
ocean.
I love you Dad. I will miss hearing
your laughter. I know you are watch-
ing over me and K-. I know you are
so proud of us, and I can only imag-
ine how your new found freedom
feels.
Como siempre y con tremendo
amor. Que dios te cuidé, y que tú
bailas con los angelitos.
Arrangements by Baxter Funeral &
Cremation Service. 269-788-9800/
http://www.baxterfuneral.comRichard
“Bo” Bokhart,
68, of
Sackville, New
Brunswick,
Canada, and
formerly of
Battle Creek,
Mich., passed
away in the
early morn-
ing hours of
Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, at Moncton
City Hospital, Moncton, New
Brunswick, Canada.
“Bo” was born in Niles, Mich., on
Nov. 12, 1955, the son of the late
Robert M. and Phyllis M. (Brigham)
Bokhart. He was raised in Battle
Creek, Mich., and graduated from
Battle Creek Central High School
and Michigan State University with
a Bachelor of Arts degree focusing
on graphic art design. He enjoyedcreativity and problem solving and
used these skills while employed
by Cello-Foil in Battle Creek, Mich.,
and Emmerson Packaging in
Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Bo is survived by his sister, Barb
(Don) Steffee of Greenville, Mich.; a
niece, Molly (Stephen) Lindeman; a
nephew, Casey (Mackenzie) Steffee;
and two grandnephews.
A private service will be held
at Matteson Township Cemetery,
Bronson, Mich.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may
be directed to the Humane Society
of South Central Michigan, 2500
Watkins Road, Battle Creek, MI
49015.
Arrangements by Farley Estes
Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed
Care. Personal messages for the
family may be placed at http://www.far-
leyestesdowdle.com.Michael Lee
Coffman, 82,
passed away
Aug. 28, 2024.
Mike was
born May 17,
1942, in Battle
Creek, Mich.,
to Donald
and Margaret
(Osborn)
Coffman.
Mike graduated from Battle Creek
Central in 1960. Mike married
Kathleen McVeigh on Oct. 2, 1963.
He worked for Grand Trunk Railroad
as a switchman. After retiring, he
and his wife, Kathy, enjoyed travel-
ing the United States, with favorite
trips to Florida, Arizona, Hawaii and
Mackinac Island. Mike also deliv-
ered for Meals on Wheels.
Mike was a member of St. Philip
Catholic Church. He was a lifelong
fan of the Detroit Tigers and Detroit
Lions.
Mike was preceded in death by
his wife, Kathleen, and his parents,Don and Margaret Coffman, and
special family friend Nora Spencer.
Mike is survived by his children,
Patricia (Mark) Salyers, Ruth
VanNispen, Michelle (Randy)
Warner, John Coffman and
Mary (Mike) Long; grandchildren
Christopher, Joshua and Morgan
Salyers, Alex and Kellee Irish,
Donald VanNispen, Anthony and
Zachery Warner, Spencer, Brendan
and Wilson Coffman, Ben and
Zach Long; sisters Patricia Smith
and Karen Babic; several great-
grandchildren, nieces, nephews and
cousins.
Per Mike’s request, there will be
no service. Burial will be at Oak Hill
Cemetery in Battle Creek, Mich.
Memorial contributions can be
made to Calhoun Area Humane
Society.
Arrangements by Farley Estes
Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation
Care. Personal messages for the
family may be placed at http://www.far-
leyestesdowdle.com.