Honestly, searching for grand rapids michigan obituaries today usually starts with a specific name in mind. You’re looking for a neighbor, a former coworker from the Steelcase plant, or maybe a distant cousin who lived over by Reeds Lake. But if you spend enough time scrolling through the daily notices in West Michigan, you realize these aren't just lists. They are the final shorthand of our community.
People here live full, quiet, and sometimes remarkably loud lives.
Take Eleanor Joan Slabbekoorn, for example. She passed away at 84 just this week, on January 13, 2026. Her family mentioned she was the kind of person who "fed the world." That’s a very Grand Rapids sentiment. We aren't just a city of furniture and beer; we are a city of people who show up with a casserole when things get tough. Then there’s Phyllis Mary Skwarek, who reached 96 before passing on January 5. A member of St. James Parish and the Basilica of St. Adalbert—places that are the literal bedrock of the West Side.
Losing these folks feels like losing a piece of the city's architecture.
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Where to Actually Find the Latest Listings
If you're trying to find a specific notice today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, you've basically got three main paths. The "old school" way is the Grand Rapids Press, which is now part of the MLive network. It’s still the gold standard for "official" records. Most local funeral homes feed their data directly into the MLive/Legacy.com system.
You’ll see names popping up there constantly. Just in the last 48 hours, the listings have updated with names like Jack Larink, Mary Gioia, and Andrew "Andy" Mitchell.
- MLive (The Grand Rapids Press): This is where you’ll find the long-form stories. It’s searchable by date, which is helpful if you’re looking for someone who passed away earlier in the week.
- Funeral Home Websites: This is a pro-tip most people miss. Places like MKD Funeral Homes, Arsulowicz Brothers, and Zaagman Memorial Chapel often post the "tribute" version of an obituary on their own sites before it hits the newspaper. They usually include a digital guestbook where you can leave a comment without needing a subscription.
- Memorial Alternatives: For those who chose cremation or a more low-key send-off, check Memorial Alternatives on 28th Street. They handle a huge volume of local services that don't always make the front page of the digital Press.
The Changing Face of West Michigan Farewells
It’s interesting. A few years ago, every obituary looked the same. Born, worked, survived by, funeral on Tuesday. Now? They’re getting way more personal.
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I saw a notice recently for Sally Sund, who passed on January 13. It didn't just list her daughters; it talked about her 50-year marriage to Paul and her deep love for her hometown. People are writing these to be read, not just filed away. Even the locations for services are changing. While the Basilica of St. Adalbert remains a frequent site for services (like the upcoming memorial for Phyllis Skwarek on January 19), more families are opting for "celebrations of life" at parks or private venues.
Grand Rapids Michigan Obituaries Today: Common Misconceptions
One thing people get wrong is thinking every death results in a public obituary. It doesn't.
In Michigan, there is no law requiring a family to publish an obituary in a newspaper. It’s a choice. And with the cost of print space in the Grand Rapids Press rising, some families are sticking to "Online Only" options. If you can't find a name you're looking for, it might be because the family chose to keep the notice private on social media or only on the funeral home’s internal site.
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Also, the "Today" part of a search is tricky. An obituary usually appears 3 to 7 days after a person passes. If someone died this morning, you likely won't see the notice until Monday or Tuesday. The delay is usually due to the time it takes to coordinate with the cemetery or the church.
Practical Steps for Finding Information
If you are currently looking for a notice or trying to plan one, here is the best way to navigate the local landscape:
- Check the MLive/Grand Rapids Press portal first. It remains the most centralized hub.
- Search by the funeral home name. If you know which home is handling the arrangements (like Beuschel Funeral Home in Comstock Park), go straight to their "Recent Obituaries" tab. It’s faster and usually free to access.
- Use the "Legacy" Filter. If you're looking for someone from a month ago, don't just scroll. Use the search filter for Kent County to narrow it down.
- Look for Memorial Contributions. Most Grand Rapids obits now list a specific charity. For Eleanor Slabbekoorn, it was the Frontline Community Church Essentials Store. For others, it’s often the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.
Actionable Next Steps
If you need to find a service time for today or tomorrow, your first move should be visiting the MLive Grand Rapids obituary page or the specific website of the funeral home mentioned in any social media posts you've seen. For those looking to honor a life, consider the "Sympathy Store" links often attached to these digital notices, as they coordinate directly with local Grand Rapids florists.
To verify a service at a specific church like the Basilica of St. Adalbert, it is always wise to check the parish calendar online, as times can occasionally shift after the obituary is printed. If you're a researcher or genealogist, the Grand Rapids Public Library downtown keeps a microfilm and digital archive of the Grand Rapids Press dating back over a century, which is an invaluable resource for anything older than a few years.