Gene “Binky” LuRay Bontrager, age 53, of Constantine, passed away on Friday, November 16, 2018 at Borgess Medical Center.  Binky was born on March 20, 1965 in Kalamazoo, a son of Jacob and June (Hood) Bontrager. He attended schools in Beecher City, IL and in Three Rivers, and later received his GED while in the U.S. Army National Guard.  He served …

Ernest A. Willman, age 96, of Constantine, passed away on Friday, November 16, 2018 at home.  Ernie was born December 22, 1921 in Chesterton, IN, son of Ernest and Emma (Milbrandt) Willman.  He attended school in Three Rivers until 8th grade, when he started farming on the family farm in 1931.  Ernie was a lifelong farmer, purchasing his first farm …

Robert H. Smith, age 80, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday afternoon, Nov. 15, 2018, at the home of his son in Colon. He was born Feb. 22, 1938, in Bronson, a son of the late John and Ellen (Woodcox) Smith. Bob resided his entire life in the Sturgis area and was a graduate of Brighton High School in Brighton, Ind., …

Robert Michael Young, age 85, of Colon, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, at his home. Robert was born Nov. 5, 1933, in Harvey, Ill., a son of the late James and Mary (Boyle) Young. On Oct. 15, 1966, he married Rose LaBanca in Harvey. She preceded him in death Oct. 12, 2013. He had worked as a lab …

Douglas John Teadt, age 67, of Burr Oak, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018, at his home. He was born April 30, 1951, in Colon, a son of the late Clifford L. and Helen Irene (Maystead) Teadt. Doug was a lifelong Burr Oak resident and a graduate of Burr Oak High School with the class of 1969. Most of Doug’s …

Paula Doenges, age 56, of Colon, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018, at her home, after several months of failing health. Arrangements will be announced at a later date by Schipper Funeral Home in Colon.

Lois Faye Foster, age 78, of Athens, and formerly of Portage, died Monday, Nov. 12, 2018 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born in Reed City, on Aug. 31, 1940 the daughter of the late Rev. Albert Edwin and Eleanor Lavina (Foster-McDougal) McFarland. Lois was a homemaker who also worked at Meijer, a local day-care center, and as …

Heidi Sue Pyke, age 54, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday evening, Nov.6, 2018, at her home. She was born Dec. 15, 1963, in Champaign, Ill., a daughter of Gary and Carol (VanZile) Jones. Heidi resided most of her life in Sturgis and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1982. On April 11, 1998. she married …

Patricia L. Merriman, 78, of Sturgis, died Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, at Glenn Arbor Hospice in Battle Creek, following an extended illness. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, at Grace Christian Fellowship Church in Sturgis, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Cremation will follow the service. Donations may be directed to the family. …

Shirley Louise Lipscomb, age 65, of Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday evening, Nov. 7, 2018, at her home. She was born July 12, 1953, in Wellston, Ohio, a daughter of the late Rosa Alice Wyatt. Shirley had resided in Three Rivers for the past two years, coming from Centreville, and she also lived in Nottawa for many years. On Aug. …