Nickola “Nikki” Maria Shea, age 67, passed away on February 27, 2019 at Ascension Borgess of Kalamazoo. She was born on September 15, 1951 in St. Louis, Missouri the daughter of Ralph and Mary (Robertson) Gaulden. Nikki worked as a Nurse’s Aide for over 40 years at Heartland Healthcare Center of Three Rivers where she made many lasting friendships. She …

Scott Allen “Opie” Long, age 49, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at his home. He was born May 14, 1969 in Sturgis, son of James Homer and Sharon (Schroeder) Long. Scott was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1987. For the past several years he had been employed …

Timothy Charles Wooten, age 38, of Sturgis, lost his battle with life Monday morning, Feb. 25, 2019. He was born March 27, 1980, in Circleville, Ohio, a son of Charles “Pete” and Sandra (Stahl) Wooten. Tim resided most of his life in Sturgis and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1998. He furthered his education …

Evelyn M. “Lynn” Bigger, age 68, of Howe, Ind., passed away Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 27, 2019, at her home. She was born Aug. 7, 1950, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Lawrence John and Evelyn L. (Bupp) Cross. Lynn resided most of her life in Sturgis until moving to Howe in 2008. On Feb. 22, 2008, she married William …

Rodney Joseph Taylor, age 60, of Mendon, died Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 after the most courageous and strongest fight against Muscular Dystrophy. He was born in Three Rivers on March 30, 1958 the son of Robert V. and Sallyann M. (Vorac) Taylor and was a lifetime resident of Mendon. He graduated from Mendon High School in 1976 where he played …

Robert C. Stamets Jr., age 81, of Elkhart, died Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, at Goshen General Hospital, following an extended illness. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 2, 2019, at Mottville Bible Church. Services will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial of cremains will take place at a later date in Oakridge Cemetery …

Carol Anne “Nama” Olds, age 82, of Sturgis, passed away Friday evening, Feb. 22, 2019, at her home. She was born April 30, 1936, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Leon and Merna (Riddley) Paulus. Carol resided in Sturgis since 1960, coming from LaGrange, where she was a graduate of LaGrange High School with the class of 1954. On …

Upon her last breath Feb. 27, 2019 at Bronson Methodist Hospital emergency room in Kalamazoo, she was reunited with her heavenly family: her parents, Burr and Erma Howland; a sister, Wilma Carr; her husband, Joseph Gest; and a son, Larry Gest. Loved ones left to celebrate her life are sisters Wanda Kosmerick and Sharon (Jerry) Carpenter,; a daughter and son-in-law, …

Russell L. Forrest, age 97, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at Thurston Woods Village. Per his wishes cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Schipper Funeral Home in Colon.

Wayne Oxender, age 87, of Fort Myers, Fla., passed away Feb. 2, 2019, at Lee Health Center. He was born April 11, 1931, at home near Centreville, the first son of Harry and Myrtle (Sherck) Oxender. He graduated from Centreville High School in 1949. He completed an ag short course at Michigan State University, then married Joan Smith in 1950. …