Betty Spahr, age 83 of Sturgis, Michigan passed away Friday evening June 12, 2009 at her home. She was born March 21, 1926 in Van Wert, Ohio a daughter to the late Elmer and Florence Hazel (Melchi) Potter. Betty had resided in Sturgis since 1977 coming from Hillsdale, Michigan. On April 7, 1946 she married Charles Spahr in Van Wert, …

     I’ve noticed over the past couple of weeks that some folks seem to be unaware that Water Festival happens this week. I don’t expect everyone to possess the interest that I have, but you’d think that, with all the newspaper and radio publicity that’s been out there lately, more would be aware of the fact that this week the …

Wanda M. Schultz, age 53, of Constantine, Mich., passed away Monday, June 8, 2009, at the Three Rivers Hospital Emergency Room. She was born July 24, 1955, in Holmes County, Fla., a daughter to the late Clifton and Charlie Etta (Sutton) Kilpatrick and has been a Sturgis area resident most of her life. On July 10, 1999, in Constantine, Mich., …

Dale K. Peeke, 73, of Kalamazoo, Mich., and formerly of Sturgis, Mich., died June 1, 2009, at Bronson Hospital. His body has been cremated, and there will be no services according to his wishes. Arrangements are by Whitley Memorial Funeral Home in Kalamazoo.

Freda Mae Ware, age 82, of Constantine, Mich., passed away Monday, June 8, 2009, at her home. She was born on Jan. 31, 1927,  in Cromwell, Ind., a daughter of  George and Ethel Marie (Smith) Hawn. On  June 16, 1950, she married Harry Junior Ware in Constantine. He preceded her in death Jan. 24, 2008. Freda enjoyed camping and spending …

Marjorie J. Kline, age 79, of Burr Oak, Mich., passed away Monday, June 8, 2009, at Fairview Living Center in Centreville.  Margie was born Aug. 17, 1929, in Augusta Township in Washtenaw County, Mich., a daughter to the late Floyd B. and Alta V. (Davis) Bradley.  On March 3, 1956, she married Harold J. Kline in Angola, Ind. He preceded …

Raymond E. Tullos 57, of White Pigeon, Mich., passed away suddenly Thursday at Three Rivers Health. He was born Feb. 14, 1952 in Louise, Mississippi to Sherman Lee and Betty (Horton) Tullos Sr. He married Carolyn A. West May 1, 1971 in Wasepi, MI. Raymond had lived in the White Pigeon area most of his life. He worked in the …

Vernell Odom, 76, of Constantine, Mich., died June 6, 2009 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo following a two-week illness. She was born Feb. 3, 1933 in Jasper, Ala., a daughter of Louis and Willie May (Gradey) Hyche. She was a Constantine resident for 12 years, coming from White Pigeon where she lived for 20 years. She had lived in Elkhart, …

Joan J. Harmon, 79 of Sturgis, Mich., passed away June 6, 2009, at the Heartland Health Care Center in Kalamazoo, Mich. She was born June 30, 1929, in Sturgis, Mich., a daughter to the late Freddie F. and Cora (Nihart) Messner. Joan had resided in the Sturgis and White Pigeon area all of her life. On Sept. 10, 1949, she …

Mary L. Baker, 86, formerly of Ney, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2009, at Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Fostoria, Ohio.  Mrs. Baker was born April 15, 1923, in Defiance County, Ohio, the daughter of John and Ruby Laura (Lentz) Kleinhen.   She married Edgar L. Baker in Bryan on Dec. 5, 1942, and he preceded her in death on …