Ronald “Willy” James Wilcox, of Hastings, passed away, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Grand Rapids, Michigan at age 65. Ron lost a hard-fought battle with Leukemia. Ron was born on May 31, 1959, in Hastings, Michigan, the son of Fredrick Emery and Donna Kay (Sandbrook) Wilcox. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1977. On June 8, 1985, he married Tamera Sue Morgan.  Ron worked at Felpausch Grocery Store for over 18 years and then worked as a tradesperson carpenter for Pennock Hospital in Hastings for 28 years, retiring in 2022. 

Ron enjoyed the outdoors, looking for mushrooms, camping and hunting. He loved to cook and to be with friends and family, drinking beers and playing horseshoes. Ron spent many hours working in his woodshop making cabinets, countertops among other things. His favorite activity was spending time with his grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his father Fredrick and brother Randy Wilcox.

Ron is survived by his wife, of 39 years, Tamera Wilcox, children Heather (Jake) Armour, Colby (Cede) Wilcox, grandchildren Zoey and Chloe Armour, Braelyn, Ellinor and Karter Wilcox, mother Donna, brother Rolly (Jo) Wilcox, sister-in-law Anne Wilcox-Kurr, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, several friends, and his dog Buddy Boy. 

There will be a Visitation from 6:00-8:00 PM on Monday, July 29, 2024, at Girrbach Funeral Home 328 South Broadway Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058. There will be a Celebration of Life Gathering at a later date. 

To leave online condolences visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net. Services provided by Girrbach Funeral Home, Hastings, Michigan. 

Gerald Joe Bachelder passed away on July 18, 2024, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jerry was born on October 6, 1945, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the son of Glenn (Pete) and Editha (Bobbie) Bachelder. 

Jerry's early years were filled with the adventures of a typical 1960’s teenager. He had a passion for hot rods, spending countless hours working on and driving them, and he was known for his love of drag racing. This enthusiasm for life carried over into his adult years, where he found joy in the simple pleasures of hunting and fishing, activities he enjoyed with his parents, Pete and Bobbie. 

Jerry served the City of Hastings Department of Public Services professionally with unwavering commitment for 40 years before retiring in 2001. 

His life was marked by the joy and companionship of two marriages; first to Sandra Kay Strickland in 1968, and then to Shirley M. Lamse in 2000, both of which ended in divorce. Despite the changes in his personal life, Jerry remained a steadfast friend and a cherished member of his community.

Jerry was a member of the Elks Lodge, where he found camaraderie and community. His dad had beagles and rabbit hunted for many years, which attributed to Jerry’s love for dogs. He raised coonhounds and then rolled over into rabbit hunting with beagles like his dad. He was involved for many years with the United Kennel Club. 

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, and his best friend, George Winick. He is survived by many special friends, including Dave Wilcox, Dan Murphy, Jed Nichols, Rob Fenstemaker and Chad Cusack; and godchildren Ryan (Jaymee) Hartman and their children Zeke and Thatcher, and Brittany (Nate) Dowler, and their daughter Natalie. 

Following Jerry’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service.  Memorial Contributions can be made to the Hastings Elks #1965, PO Box 143, Hastings MI 49058. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.

Iris Mary Loftus

Iris M. Loftus, age 91, passed away on June 20, 2024, at Thornapple Manor in Hastings, Michigan. Iris was born on September 22, 1932, on Gascony Avenue in London, England to Charles and Florence (Eva) (nee Wyer) Horsley, where she and her two siblings, Joan and John, spent their early years. In 1939, England was thrown into war with the Axis powers, and the children of London were evacuated to homes in the countryside of England (and other countries) for their own protection. Over the next five years, Iris’ home was split between bomb-ravaged London and the protection of the village of Great Billing, Northampton, where she was nurtured initially by “Mum and Pop” Chapman and later by Kath and Cecil Baker.

As a result of the war, the U.S. established a military presence in England. As part of this, a young sergeant in the Air Force, Patrick J. Loftus of Middleville, Michigan, was stationed there during the early 1950s. In February 1955, while attending the wedding of a fellow airman to an English girl, Patrick met Iris and proposed to her, after knowing each other for just two months. In September 1955, Iris boarded a transatlantic flight to Detroit, where she was met by her loving fiancé. After jolting over rough roads for several hours to Hastings, this young English girl found herself further out in the “country” than she had ever been. Iris and Patrick were married on October 8th, 1955, in St. Augustine’s Church in Middleville.

Iris came to enjoy the small-town life in Hastings, where she and Patrick raised their three children. Iris retired in 1994 from the Barry County Sheriff’s Department after 22 years of service. Iris, who was often described as “feisty,” enjoyed being around people and hosting holiday dinners surrounded by family. She maintained the British lifestyle throughout her life, enjoying “proper English tea,” baking mincemeat pies, fruitcake, Yorkshire pudding, bubble and squeak, shepherd’s pie, and many other dishes made the traditional English way. In younger years she was an avid cyclist, biking around England and France following World War II.

Iris is survived by her son, Andrew J. Loftus of Annapolis, Maryland; brother-in-law, Austin Loftus of Manistique; grandchildren, Dornier Loftus of Las Vegas, Nevada, Banan Loftus (Taylor), Mallory Loftus, Ross Loftus, Lance Errthum, Nolan Errthum, Ashlee Profeta (Jacob); and daughter-in-law, Deborah (Scott) Loftus-Errthum of Plainfield, Illinois. She is also survived by her nephews and nieces, Stephen Loftus of Marshfield, Wisconsin, Christine, Jeff, Gary, and Colin (Cindy) Horsley and Diane Stoppa of Australia, Richard (Sofija) Potter and Sarah Potter of London, England, Cheryl Chestnut of South Carolina and Mike Heidt of North Carolina; cousin, David Wyer of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; special step-granddaughter, Sandra Pallante of Georgetown, Texas; and many great-nieces and nephews. She was looking forward to welcoming her first great-grandchild into the world later this summer.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick J. Loftus; son, Terrance P. Loftus; daughter, Denise Loftus Garn; son-in-law, Dean O. Garn; brother, John Horsley; and sister, Joan Potter. Interment of ashes at Mt. Calvary Cemetery and a celebration of Iris’ life will occur at a later date. Final arrangements entrusted to Girrbach Funeral Home of Hastings.