Kenneth Winklepleck, age 69, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at the Fairview Nursing and Rehab Community in Centreville. He was born Nov. 2, 1951 a son to the late Kenneth M. and Eva D. (Randall) Winklepleck. Ken had worked in construction most of his life until his health forced him to retire. He enjoyed his family more …

Galen Eichorn passed away on Monday, July 12, 2021 at the age of 72. Thus ended his 7 year battle with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). Carol, his wife of nearly 50 years, was by his side until the very end. The two first met while they were both working at a hospital in Denver. Carol is a native of Denver …

Joan M. Pinnell, age 85, a resident at Thurston Woods Nursing Home in Sturgis, died Wednesday, July 7, 2021. She was born in New York City January 4, 1936, to Arthur Leslie and Hilda Maude (James) James. Joan married Donald L. Pinnell in 1959. She lived most of her life in Scranton PA until moving to Sturgis in 2010 to …

James Lawrence “Larry” Ives, age 81, long time resident of Sturgis and Coldwater, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2021 surrounded by family at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne. He will be cremated in accordance with his wishes. A celebration of Larry’s life will be held on Saturday, July 17, 2021 at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater from 11:00 to 1:00 …

Timothy “Tim” Lee Bishop, age 65, of Marcellus, passed away Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at Bronson Hospital. Tim was born in Battle Creek on June 6, 1956, the son of Virgil Lee Bishop and Shirley Gwin (Holtz) Bishop. On June 17, 1978 in Jones, Tim married Rhonda Renea Lucas, who survives him in death. Tim was general laborer in the …

Charlotte A. White, age 69, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday evening, July 10, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born October 3, 1951 daughter of the late Charles Marion Sylvester and Marion (McNeil) White. Charlotte resided most of her life in Burr Oak and took pride in calling it her hometown. She had been employed by Lee …

Keith Allen Lewis, age 69, of Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at his home. Keith was born March 11, 1952 in Sturgis, the son of Harry Richard and S. June (Carson) Lewis. Keith graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1970 where he was a two sport standout. He later attended Western Michigan University where he was …

William “Bill” Fonis Chandler, age 84, of Marcellus, passed away Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at home. Bill was born in Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee on February 2, 1937, the son of Jesse and Mamie (Hale) Chandler. On May 3, 1975, in Kokomo, Indiana he married Sally Joan Stahl, who survives. Bill was a Supervisor for Asplund Tree Service for many …

Lawrence “Larry” A. Keckler, passed away on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family.  Larry was born in Vicksburg on August 8, 1968, a son of Douglas Salisbury and Rosalind (Stroup) Keckler.  He attended Three Rivers Schools.  Larry worked as a molder for Birkhold Pattern for 12 years, and then continued at Bierma Brass and Aluminum …

Growing up here in Three Rivers, we had four public schools. Each district, or ward as they were called back then, had a public school. The schools were named after someone who had contributed something to the early history of Three Rivers. The schools were Ruth Hoppin, Huss, Andrews, and Barrows. The buildings are still there, but Ruth Hoppin and …