Thelma Pauline Benson, 92, of Ossian, Ind. and formerly of Three Rivers, passed away late Friday, July 15, 2011 at the Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind. She was born on July 7, 1919 in Flowerfield Township, St. Joseph County, the daughter of Arunah and Leda (Heartland) Gage. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, and her late husband, …

Virginia R. McNew, age 78, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Thursday afternoon, July 14, 2011, at Sturgis Hospital. She was born June 22, 1933, in Detroit, a daughter of the late Maurice and Ruth (Dee) Hunter. On June 14, 1951, she married Edward B. McNew in Monroe. Virginia was devoted to her husband, children, grandchildren and great -grandchildren. She is …

Cheryl L. Gump, 66, of Burr Oak, passed away Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at Community Health Center of Branch County. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Pleasant Hill Missionary Church in Bronson, with Pastor Paul Metzger officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Bronson. Visitation will be held from 1-3 p.m. and 5-8 …

Emma Louise Kerns, age 85, of Burr Oak, Michigan passed away early Thursday morning June 23, 2011 at the Sturgis Hospital. She was born December 7, 1925 in LaGrange County, Indiana a daughter of the late Franklin J. and Irene (Johnson) Friend. Emma had resided in the Burr Oak area for over 40 years. Her early life was lived in …

Betty L. Hovarter Velie,  age 88, of Centreville, passed away Tuesday, July 12th, 2011 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born in Kendallville, IN on March 8, 1923,  a daughter of  Ralph and Leota (Loucks) Hill. Betty graduated from Centreville High School in 1941 and received her LPN degree from Glen Oaks Community College in 1971. On September …

I really enjoy a good fish dinner, but I’m not a fisherman. Those of you who have this in common with me, will want to head over to the Marcellus VFW this Friday, July 15, for their all-you-can-eat fish dinner. Fish will be served from 5 to 7 P.M. Prices are reasonable too. Only $8 for adults and the cost for …

Kenneth E. Broker, age 71, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday, July 10, 2011, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.  Kenny was born Nov. 12, 1939 in Colon Township, a son of the late Frank and Emma (Thrams) Broker.  Kenny grew up in Colon and attended Colon schools. He later moved to Sturgis, where he lived all his adult life.  On …

Lillie Jean Delp, 88, of Colon, passed away, Friday, July 8, 2011, at Riverview Manor in Three Rivers.  Jean was born Oct. 29, 1922, in Sherwood, a daughter of the late Harry Abel and Letha Fay (Freeland) Murphy.  On June 12, 1939, she married Mervel A. Delp in LaGrange. He preceded her in death Sept. 1, 1998.  Jean had lived …

John M. Schrock, age 77, of Constantine, MI , passed away  Monday, June 13th, 2011 at his home. He was born in White Pigeon, MI on December 24, 1933, a son of  Thomas and Ruth (Harrison) Schrock.  On October 12, 1957 he married Mary Shingledecker in Angola, IN. John worked as a Finisher and maintenance at Weyerhauser in Middlebury. Following he …

Barbara Jean Petoskey, age 72, of Mendon, died Wednesday, July 6, 2011, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born Feb. 6, 1939, in Battle Creek, a daughter of Wayne and Sarah (Thomas) Sallows. She graduated from Battle Creek Central High School and later worked at Lakeview Hospital before operating an in-home day care center for several years. Barbara …