Carol with granddaughter Rachel Olds.

 

  

Documents:
Joseph Dorgan's Biography (Adobe Reader required). Source: www.lifestorynet.com
Burial Monument, Saint Margaret Cemetery, Otsego, Allegan, MI
Military Service Plaque, Saint Margaret Cemetery, Otsego, Allegan, MI

Obituary:
Joe Dorgan, age 91, of Plainwell went to be with the Lord on March 9, 2017 at his home.
Visit with his family and friends and view his life story film on Sunday, March 12 from 4:00 to 7:00 with a rosary at 6:30 at the Life Story Funeral Home, Plainwell; 120 Woodhams St. (685-5881).
A funeral mass will be held on March 13 at 11:00 at St. Margaret�s Church; 766 S. Farmer St in Otsego.
Joe�s family includes his wife of 61 years, Doris; his children: Rosemary Harvey, Joel (Kimberly) Dorgan, Daniel Dorgan, Craig (Margaret) Dorgan and Keith (Holly) Dorgan; his sister Mary Sondheimer; 12 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son: Kelly; his siblings: Julia, Jack, Dennis.
Memorial donations can be made to the Wings of Hope Hospice or St. Margaret�s School.
- Life Sory Funeral Home, Plainwell, MI

 

Documents:
Burial Monument, Saint Margaret Cemetery, Otsego, Allegan, MI

  

Documents:
1940 US Census, Grand Haven, MI

  

  

 

  

Raymond with his wife Evelyn Holt-Virkstis.

Documents:
1930 US Census, Grand Rapids, Kent, MI
1950 US Census, Lansing, Ingham, MI
Burial headstone, Evergreen Cemetery, Lansing, Ingham, MI

Obituary:
VIRKSTIS, RAYIMOND P.
127 N. Levin St.
Raymond P. Virkstis. age 44. died early Monday morning at a local hospital. He had been a resident of Lansing for 19 years and was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church and had been an employee of Renaud Mastics company for the past six years. Surviving is the widow. Evelyn: a son. Richard: a daughter. Brenda: and two brothers, John. Grand Rapids and Blode of Dearborn. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 Wednesday at the Estes-Leadley Colonial chapel, Rev. George Selway officiating.
- Lansing State Journal, 16 Jun, 1958

  

Documents:
1950 US Census, Lansing, Ingham, MI

Obituary:
Evelyn Mary Groves (Nee Virkstis), Age 95, Passed away on Wednesday, March 11th, 2009. Evelyn was a resident of the Sanctuary of Bellbrook, Rochester Hills, MI., nursing facility, and was loved by all who knew her. We thank the Trinity Healthcare System nurses and staff for their kind, loving care of our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Evelyn was born and raised in Lansing, MI., attending Lansing schools, and graduating from Eastern High School, and the Lansing Business College despite her hearing loss from Scarlet Fever at 7 years of age on a return sailing to the USA from England with her parents. Evelyn was employed by the Crippled Children's Commission, and the State of Michigan, Secretary of State office in Detroit. Evelyn was an active resident of Dearborn, Michigan for 35 years. Her independence was assured further when she helped the late Mayor Michael Guido to understand the need for resources for the deaf who would live, like she did, at Hubbard West. And he did just that! Mayor Guido never forgot Evelyn's birthdays and always sent her a warm birthday wish. She was the widow of Raymond Virkstis, and Clifford Groves. She was predeceased by her grandson, Benjamin Stewart Virkstis. Surviving are her children: Dr. Brenda O'Brien, of Ferndale, MI., Richard (Harriet)Virkstis, of West Dummerston, VT., and Laurie Virkstis, of Austin, TX. Evelyn had four surviving grandchildren: Erin OBrien (Eric) Boehm, Stephanie (Roy) Chance, Matthew (Katherine) Virkstis, and Daniel Virkstis. The great grandchildren are: Nicholas Chance, Caleb Virkstis, and Charlotte Boehm.
There will be a Memorial Service at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to: The Sanctuary at Bellbrook Garden Fund-Peonies for Evelyn Groves
- Howe-Peterson Funeral Home

Obituary:
William G. "Bill" Colson, age 72, met his Lord and Savior on Sunday, October 24, 2021, after courageously battling cancer for five years. He was born on January 4, 1949, to Albert and Ann (Mathis) Colson in Metz, France, and made his way to Michigan in 1954.

He was a proud veteran, serving his country for six years in the U.S Navy during the Vietnam Era. He graduated from Northwestern Michigan College with an associate's degree in criminal justice. He used his education to obtain a career as a corrections officer in the state of Michigan for 10 years until 1999. Bill then continued working as an EMT for Reading Emergency Unit until he retired in 2009.

On June 20, 1989, he married the love of his life, the former Michelle Berman in Jackson, Michigan. Together they cherished 32 years full of love, laughter and witty banter. William and Michelle were inseparable and enjoyed participating in most things together. They were highly involved in their community and helped at the Taste of Muskegon, the Salmon Fest, Irish Fest and numerous others. He truly enjoyed volunteering and giving back to his community and caring for those in need. Bill was also a member of the American Legion and the National Association of EMTs.

Above all things, he loved his wife unconditionally, his children and grandchildren wholeheartedly, and his friends dearly. He will always be remembered for his witty and charming personality and love for Godzilla. His tender-loving and caring spirit will truly be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Michelle Colson; five children: Nicholas Colson, Myra (Adam) LaSure, Joshua (Kaila) Colson, Chandra (Rick) Colson and Rebecca (Alex Matt) Colson; eight grandchildren: Wyatt, Liam, Alli, Ranson, Zander, Neliel, Isaiah and Sage; and brother, Raymond (Lisa) Colson. He was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law, Sharon Ballard; and father-in-law, Michael Berman.

Arrangements entrusted to The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 737 E. Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442. Memorial contributions in Bill's honor can be made directly to Hospice of North Ottawa Community, the American Cancer Society, or his family.

 

  

Burial headstone, Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Holland, MI

Obituary:
John Martinez was a man who could build any structure with his own hands and at the same time could make a person smile with a good joke or a story. He was an honest and caring family man who always put the needs of his family above all else. John found great happiness in life thanks to his many friends, coworkers, and loved ones.
John was born in the midst of the 1940's and a very important decade in our nation?s past. The epic battles of World War II were fresh in the memories of millions around the globe as people tried to rebuild their lives and move on. It was the era of big bands and the birth of television, back before anyone had ever heard of rock and roll. John entered this changing world on May 30th, 1947 in Austin, Texas to Brigido and Manuela Martinez.
John had a normal childhood for the times, growing up alongside his siblings. His sister was a good friend of another neighborhood girl named Dora. John had crush on Dora for years and he asked her out many, many times. Finally one day, Dora agreed to a date and the two began a long romance. They dated for nearly three years before John proposed. They wed on May 2nd, 1976 at the Austin City courthouse. John had two friends stand up for him and Dora had one. The newlyweds didn't ride off into the sunset for a grandiose honeymoon though; they each had jobs and couldn't afford to get away. In 1977, John and Dora took an opportunity to move north and settled in the community of Holland, Michigan.
John was a self-employed carpenter for many years. He could create wonderful things with just his hands and the right tools, and building made him very happy. Upon arriving in Holland, John took a job helping to build the Evergreen Commons community. Another firm working on the site quickly noticed the degree of skill and talent John possessed. That company, Lamar Construction, hired him on the spot and he worked for the firm for many years. His coworkers loved him for his easy-going and fun personality, especially his jokes and stories (though they were sometimes exaggerated). John soon had an all-new audience for his stories.
He was very proud of all of his children and would stop at nothing to see that their every need was met in full. The whole family attended church every Sunday at St. Frances de Sales. John found great happiness in many different activities and hobbies. He loved to go fishing with a group of friends; they would fly deep into Canada and spend the entire week fishing. Upon returning home, John would have story fodder to last up until his next big trip. He liked to take his wife and kids down home to Austin, where they would visit family and friends. One place that John always wanted to visit was the infamous Las Vegas Strip. He finally got his chance to frolic amidst the neon glow in 1999, and had the time of his life. He hopped from casino to casino terrorizing the slot machines in each locality. John took Dora to the Hispanic festival in Milwaukee one time. He loved Spanish music and food, but he had a soft spot for Russ' Twinburger and Onion Rings.
John was very handy with his tools around the house and often used his talents to help friends and neighbors. One of his favorite possessions was his beloved Burgundy Silverado truck, though it replaced the legendary "White Lightning".
Another important part of John?s life was his many friends. He spent lots of time with his buddies, getting outdoors and just plain having fun. But for John, his biggest priority was always his family. He loved spending time with his children and his ultra-special grandkids. Each of his loved ones brought endless happiness to his life.
John passed away on Friday, September 12th, 2003 at Hospice House of Holland.
Surviving are his wife, Dora of 31 years; children, John Martinez Jr. of Austin, TX, Patricia and Dan McClenden of Pflugerville, TX, Tracy Moreno of Holland, Christopher John Martinez of Holland, Amanda Martinez of Holland, and Andrea and Adam Hernandez of Zeeland; 11 Grandchildren; Brother, Joe and Gloria Martinez; Sisters, Margaret Nunez, Toni and Joe Lopez all of Austin, TX; Brother-in-Law-Joe Esparza of Milwaukee, WI; Sister-in-Law-Linda and Richie Mullins of Georgetown, TX; several nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Services will be 10 AM Wednesday at the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church with the Rev. Charles Brown officiating. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens. Visiting will be 6-8 PM Tuesday at the church with wake prayers at 7:30 PM. Arrangements are by the Downtown Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes.
To read John?s complete life story, share a memory, send flowers, or make a memorial contribution to the Hospice House, please visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com.
John was an honest and caring man that brought love and laughter to everyone around him. He will be greatly missed.
- Dykstra Funeral Homes