16 Thursday, September 26, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com
BATTLE
Obituaries CREEK
BATTLE
CREEK
Velma
Allabaugh,
born July
25, 1935, in
Factoryville,
Mich., passed
away peace-
fully at home
in Gilbert,
Ariz., on Aug.
29, 2024.
The eldest of five, she grew up on
a farm and carried her strong work
ethic and love of family throughout
her life.
She is lovingly remembered by
her siblings Robert (Phyllis) Homan,
Joyce Wieas and William Homan;
her daughters, Vickie Blevins and
Pat Olkowski; and her granddaugh-
ter, Jolynn Olkowski.
She was preceded in death by
her husband, Lee Allabaugh; her
parents, Leo and Pauline Homan;
sister Esther Collins; and grandson
Christopher Olkowski.
Velma dedicated 58 years to Avon,
forging lasting relationships with her
community.
A service to honor her life was
held on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 11:
a.m. at Messinger Indian School
Mortuary, 7601 E. Indian School
Road, Scottsdale, AZ.Kerell Dale
Burch, 31,
of Battle
Creek, Mich.,
passed away
Wednesday,
Sept. 18, 2024.
He was born
Feb. 10, 1993,
the son of
Carlos R. Swift
and Robin R. Burch.
For a short time, Kerell worked
for Tenneco in Marshall, Mich., and
also with his dad doing construc-
tion, which he loved the most. He
enjoyed making people laugh,
and was the all-around fun guy to
everyone he met. Kerell never con-
sidered anyone a stranger; a true
people person that just wanted to
help others. He was a BBQ Master,
who loved to cook and make meals
for his family and friends. His fam-
ily was his pride and joy and made
sure to help when they needed him
and showed up just because he
wanted to.
Kerell is survived by his daugh-
ters, Ja’nyia Burch, Zailah Burch,
Delilah Zapata; sons, Kerell Burch,
Jr., DakarDaire Worthington, Avion
Lee, Kentrell Dale Burch; mother,
Robin Burch; father, Carlos Swift;
brothers, Laveto Monroe, Charles
Swift, Noah River, Carlos Swift, Jr.;
sisters, Lacarla (James) Sefton,
Sherrill Ross, Tyler Swift; special
brothers, Martez Anderson, Corbin
Colen, Lamont Joyner, Nolan Hall II,
Khiry Dowdy; nieces and nephews
Anye Monroe, De’Anthony Monroe,
Dayleona Monroe, Adrianna
Monroe; paternal grandparents, Kay
and Edward Lindsey; and a host
of aunts, uncles and many more
nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by
his paternal grandfather, Eugene
Sutton; maternal grandparents,
Andrea and John Canales; and
cousins, Tyshawn Williams and Troy
Burch Jr.
Family hour will be held at Baxter
Funeral & Cremation Service on
Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, from 2-
p.m., with the celebration of life ser-
vice to follow at 3 p.m.
Arrangements by Baxter Funeral &
Cremation Service. 269-788-9800.
http://www.baxterfuneral.comDorene
Louise Smith,
80, of Battle
Creek, Mich.,
passed away,
surrounded
by her family,
on Sunday,
Sept. 15, 2024.
She was born
Oct. 22, 1943,
in Marshall, Mich., the daughter of
George Lawson and Nellie Louise
(Spillane) Ross.
She married Michael Jerry Smith
on Sept. 8, 1961, in Battle Creek,
Mich., and together they were
blessed with three beautiful chil-
dren.
Dorene’s professional journey
began as a bookkeeper for Dowd
and Company, where she honed
her meticulous attention to detail.
Alongside her husband, Mike, she
later co-founded Smith Well and
Pump, transforming it into a thriv-
ing family enterprise that stood as
a testament to her business acu-
men and commitment to her family
legacy.
Beyond her professional ventures,
Dorene loved working in her yard
and house, as well as the houses
of her kids and grandkids. She
usually had some type of project
going and it often involved painting
a room, decorating or organizing a
space. It was not uncommon to find
things moved around when she had
been to your house! She was also
an animal lover, who stepped in
when needed to care for the pets in
the family. She was famous for her
impeccable laundry and ironing
standards. Her ability to remove
even the most stubborn of stains
was nothing short of impressive and
something that her family often took
advantage of!
Her creativity extended to her leg-
endary gift-giving, where each pres-
ent was not just an item but a care-fully thought-out symbol of love and
humor! These gifts may have been
a box of funny goodies pertaining
to that person, a few of her favorite
things, a basket of practical neces-
sities, or even some type of embar-
rassing attire for the receiver!
Travel was one of Dorene’s joys,
and she enjoyed many yearly trips
and mini getaways with family and
friends. These journeys were not
merely trips but cherished chap-
ters in the story of her life, filled
with laughter and the making of
great memories. Dorene’s life was
a beautiful tapestry of dedication,
love, and resilience. Those who
knew her will recall her analytical
approach to problems, her pas-
sion for life’s simple pleasures, and
interesting conversations, especially
after she discovered texting. Her
presence was a gift to all who had
the pleasure of knowing her, and
her absence will be deeply felt.
She is survived by her children,
Penny (Doug) Wood-Smith, Michael
(Tammy) Smith and Christie
Smith; grandchildren Brooks,
Meghan (Jeremy Allison), Brennan
(Hollee), Paige (Alex), Mike Wood
and Jenny (Dan) White; great-
grandchildren Brynlee, Abraham,
Drake, Weslee, Sawyer, Morgan
and Matthew; brother Chuck
(Marge) Ross; brothers-in-law Tom
Cobb and Rick (Lrenda) Smith; sis-
ter-in-law Cathy (Todd) Erskine; and
several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her
parents; husband; and sister Jackie
Healey.
A celebration of life will take place
at Wild Mike’s on Saturday, Sept.
28, from 5-8 p.m.
Memorial donations may be
made to Centrica Care Navigators-
Hospice.
Arrangements by Bachman
Hebble Funeral Service. (269) 965-
5145/www.bachmanhebble.com