Brett Kyle O. Baker, age 49, of Marcellus, passed away Wednesday, October 7, 2020. Born on October 1, 1971, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, Brett was the beloved son of Janet (Rogers) and Jerry Baker. Brett’s nicknames growing up were “Silent Stranger,” “Packie” and, of course, “Bake.” He graduated from Climax-Scotts High School in 1990, where he participated in Football, Track …

Earle M. Bontrager, age 79, of Centreville, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 8, 2020 at his home.  Earle was born in Elkhart County on April 8, 1941, a son of Menno and Lizzie (Miller) Bontrager.  He attended Centreville Schools and went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1960 to 1963.  On June 4, 1971, he married Melanie …

Jon Christopher Atkins, age 37, of El Paso, Texas and a former Sturgis resident, passed away Monday, August 17, 2020 at his home. He was born November 12, 1982 in Sturgis, son of Jerry and Kathy (Morrison) Atkins. Jon graduated from Sturgis High School in 2001. He attended Westwood College in Chicago, before joining the army in November 2002. Jon …

Clara Martha Teeple, age 91, of Sturgis, passed away Sept. 4, 2020, at her home, with her family by her side. She left her earthly family to join her late husband, Vernon H. Teeple, in heaven. Clara was born Oct. 29, 1928, in Dearborn. She was the daughter of Charles and Pauline (Stam) Rantz, whom preceded her in death. She …

Billie Jeanne Harms (nee Petersen) went home to be with our Lord on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, at the age of 87. A native of Wabeno, Wis., she met her high school sweetheart, Craig Harms, her senior year and they married shortly thereafter. She was an accomplished pianist, saxophonist and member of the marching band in high school. Their love …

Toney C. Holton II, age 63, of Vandalia, died Friday, Oct. 2, 2020 at his residence after a brief battle with cancer. He was born Oct. 19, 1956, in Sturgis, to Robert and Virginia (Nobles) Holton. On Aug. 13, 2011, he married Beverly Tastula in Union. She survives. In addition to his wife, survivors are three daughters, Morgan (Justin) Thompson …

Duanne Brent “Frenchie” Albright, age 88, of Mendon, died Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 at his home following a long illness. He was born in Toledo on Dec. 3, 1931 the son of Jess R. and Betty J. (Snyder) Albright. He graduated from Woodward High School in Toledo, and then joined the US Navy. He was married to Jantina Hamminga on …

Dorothy F. Yoder, age 90 years, 8 months, and 1 day, died Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 at 3:45 pm at her residence. She was born in Nappanee on Feb. 3, 1930 the daughter of Emanuel L. and Rosa C. (Hochstetler) Burkholder. She was married to Joseph M. Yoder, and was a member of the Old Order Amish Church. Dorothy is …

Jerry Mitchell died peacefully on September 29, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, June; his sons, Michael (Gail), Jeffrey, Thomas (Denise), and Robert (Debbie); his grandchildren, Amanda, Joel, Zachary, Rylie, Madison, and Lexi; as well as seven beautiful great-grandchildren. Jerry was born in Three Rivers on January 7, 1935. He …

One thing I remember about my parents was that every so often they would share some much needed advice. They also offered, more than once, words of wisdom. I’d like to share some of those words with you. Some of those words were popular and have never lost their value. I’ll continue to share these periodically and you are welcome …