Members of the MIRLCA may submit obituaries of fellow members to the State Secretary via email or mail.  The MIRLCA is only  able to post obituaries that have been submitted by a member or their families.  Out of respect for our fellow members that have passed and their families, the MIRLCA will only post the published obituaries.  

The obituaries will be posted for 30 days.

Richard “Rich” L. Variell, 79, of South Haven and formerly of Pullman passed away at his home surrounded by his loved ones on Monday, June 30, 2025. Richard was born on November 11, 1945 in Douglas, Michigan to Lawrence M. and Ruth M. (Hagger) Variell.

Rich was a 1964 graduate of Fennville High School, served in the US Army from December 1965- December 1967 during the Vietnam War Era and fulfilled his duties stateside as an auto/truck mechanic at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

Upon returning home his career consisted of auto mechanics. He was also interested in auto body work. He completed his schooling at Fisher Auto Body in 1968, Detroit, MI. Having had various jobs at area auto body shops, he decided to open his own shop in 1974. While operating Rich’s Body Shop, he also began as a substitute mail carrier in 1977 and became the full time Pullman mailman in 1990. He became known as the mailman with his steering wheel on the right side of his vehicle – in which he built his own right hand drive conversion system to make his job easier.

His hobbies consisted of most anything that had wheels, whether 2 or 4, if he could “hot rod” it, away he’d go, often taking his 1968 GTO to Martin US131 Drag Strip to give it a go.

In the fall of 1985, his interest in building stock cars for Circle Track Racing at Kalamazoo Speedway began. In the spring of 1986 with driver Mike Baker #14, Rich the engineer, mechanic and set up of the car, earned him the nickname of “Magic” by other drivers. He always thought that was a hoot because he always said it’s a combined effort. This was indeed a family affair as we always knew what we were doing come Friday night!

In 2001 he purchased a 1956 Chevy Belair Sedan and began to restore it, buying parts, traveling to car shows and flea markets, spending many hours working on it but was unable to fulfill his dream of getting it back on the road due to his health issues.

He loved his 1994 Harley Ultra Classic, cruising the roads with his wife and best of all trailering it to Florida and riding it there knowing it was snowing in Michigan.

Rich is survived by his loving wife, Patricia (Haberland) Variell, children, Shelly (Glenn) Cowles of South Haven and Jason (Amy) Variell of Eau Claire, Michigan, grandchildren, Hailey and Hannah Variell and Maxwell Cowles, and sister, Pamela (Skip) Willis of Three Oakes, Michigan. He also leaves behind many other cherished family members and friends.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth M. and Lawrence M. Variell and his sister and brother-in-law Nancy and James Collins.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at the Filbrandt Chapel in South Haven. A Celebration of Rich’s Life will begin at the Filbrandt Chapel at 1:00 PM. Pastor Mick Schmid will be officiating. Rich will be laid to rest at Lee Township Cemetery in Pullman, Michigan at a later date. In lieu of flowers, friends wishing to make a memorial contribution could do so to Al Van Humane Society, PO Box 421, South Haven, MI 49090 or to Bikers for Vets, 72439 M-43 Hwy., South Haven, MI 49090 to be used for the Memorial Day motorcycle ride.

Those wishing to leave Richard an online condolence may do so at www.starksfamilyfh.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel of Starks Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 269-637-0333. 

Ronald Lloyd Denman, age 77 of Blaine TN, formerly of Saranac MI passed away peacefully at his home, April 5, 2025.
Ron was born in Lake Odessa MI on October 7, 1947, the son of Lloyd and Maxine (Reinhardt) Denman. Ron was known to his family and friends as Ronnie. He grew up on the family farm in Saranac.  He graduated from Saranac High School, class of 1965.  Ron lived in the Saranac community until he married his wife, Joan Dalstra on October 26, 1986, then he moved to Lowell, MI.  Ron was a rural letter carrier in Lowell, MI until he retired in November 2002, at age 55 with 38 years of service.  He and his wife moved to their farm near Blaine TN that same month. 
After retiring, Ron continued to raise miniature horses.  Ron worked for Dollywood as a seasonal employee from 2003-2010.  Ron was a member of Shiloh United Methodist Church in Rutledge TN.  He enjoyed helping with the annual fish fry, apple butter making, and BBQ.  Ron loved his dogs, horses, gardening, and especially his wife, Joan. 
 Ron is survived by his wife of 38 yrs., Joan (Dalstra) Denman, sisters Joan (Allen MacDonald), Janet (Tom) Swiger, brother Duane (Diane) Denman, sister-in-law, Dodie Denman, and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jack Denman.  He will be missed!
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, May 7 at Lake Funeral Home in Ionia with Mr. Bruce Chadwick officiating. Interment will be in the Saranac Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday May 6 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude, Juvenile Diabetes, or Second Harvest. Online condolences may be made at www.lakefuneralhomes.com

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Eagle Funeral Home-George White Chapel - Litchfield on May 29, 2025.

Deborah "Deb" Lynn Patino, age 58, of Litchfield, went to her heavenly home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. She was born on April 14, 1967, in Wayne, to Tom and Betty McGinnis (Shawley).
She graduated from Churchill High School in Livonia. She then went on to work as a mail carrier at the Quincy Post Office for many years. Deb was proud of her work ethic, but when she wasn't working, she spent all her free time with her family. She was a dedicated daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and friend who was known to turn any gathering into a party. Any milestone her family had accomplished, she could organize all the details and celebrate them to make them feel loved. Deb enjoyed listening to worship music and loved to watch episodes of Judge Judy. She liked collecting various items but only if it was a good deal.
Survivors include her children, John and Jerod Patino (Peyton), Alex and Andy Patino; mother, Betty McGinnis; sister, Doris (Don) Richmond; nephews, Donny (Kynleigh) and Carl Richmond; and three beloved grandchildren, Kennedi, Holdyn, and Andrew.
Deb was preceded in death by her father, Tom McGinnis.
A Celebration of Life service for Deborah Lynn Patino will be held Sunday, July 20, 2025 at 2:00 PM at the Patino residence (1113 Crandall Road, Litchfield, MI 49252).
Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice of Hillsdale County. Arrangements are entrusted to Eagle Funeral Home-George White Chapel in Litchfield. 

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Skradski Family Funeral Home - Escanaba on Jan. 30, 2025.

John Paul Sundstrom, age 76 of Stonington, passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba.
John was born on January 5, 1949, in Escanaba, Michigan, to Ray and Dolly Sundstrom, the second of seven children. On April 10, 1967, John married Emmy Nelson of Rapid River, and together they raised two children, Scott and Christie. John worked as a welder at Marinette Marine, and later followed in his parents footsteps and became a rural mail carrier out of Rapid River, Michigan.
John was a former president of the Stonington Booster Club, and sat on the church council of Trinity Lutheran Church in Stonington. He came from a large family, and was always willing to pitch in on all the building and remodeling projects for his siblings. He also volunteered for many community projects in Stonington. John loved to read (especially techno-thrillers), and in his later years enjoyed the technology of a Kindle and the unlimited library it provided. He also loved camping with his family, and enjoyed the family gatherings at Masonville.
John is survived by his wife, Emmy, two children Scott (Becky Baxter) Sundstrom, and Christie (Gordon Stone) Bergquist, brothers Tom (Debbie Muffler) Sundstrom and Matt (Shelly Thorsen) Sundstrom, sisters Marie (Bryan) Leonard, and Susan (Dan Young) Sundstrom-Young, brother-in-law Roland Jacobson, sister-in-law Donna Sundstrom, grandsons Austin Bergquist, Luc Stone, Mason Stone, and granddaughter Emma Stone.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Dolly Sundstrom, his sister, Sandy Jacobson, and his brother, Mark Sundstrom.
Per John's request, no funeral service will be held. His life will be lovingly remembered by his family at a later date. He will be laid to rest in Lakewood Cemetery in Stonington in the Spring.