Obituaries

Clarence John Blood, age 75, of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. He was born May 19, 1950, the son of John Howard & Bernice Louise (Mellor) Blood. Clarence attended Three Rivers High School, where he graduated in 1969. Clarence started working at Simpson Paper Mill in Vicksburg that same year. He worked there for 32 years …

Norval L. Keesling, age 81, of Sturgis, passed away Monday evening, Oct. 20, 2025 at his home. He was born June 4, 1944 in Anderson, Indiana a son to the late Richard and Blanche (German) Keesling. Norval has been with Charlotte Mercer, the love of his life, for the past 30 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, …

Erma Louise Schippers, age 91, of Three Rivers, passed away Sunday, October 19, 2025 at her home. She was born January 16, 1934 in Fabius Township, the daughter of Clyde A. and Flossie M. (Schmidtendorf) Tase, and graduated from Three Rivers High School with the Class of 1952. Erma worked as a customer service representative for Rifenberg Insurance Company of …

James Stephen Minor, age 79, of Three Rivers, passed away Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. He was born October 19, 1945 in Houston, Texas, the son of Carl and Carolita Minor. James served his country in the United States Navy, working on computers on a destroyer. While stationed in Chicago, he met Judith Crockett at a party, …

James “Jim” L. Eash, age 73, of Shipshewana, died at 1:47 pm on Saturday, October 18, at the scene of a two-vehicle accident 1/2 mile north of State Rd. 120 on County Road 1000 W in Shipshewana. Jim was born on September 4, 1952 in Sturgis to Forrest “Buck” O. and Helen L. (Reeves) Eash. Survivors include a son, Dustin …

Robert Daniel Thewis, age 68, of Colon, passed away at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital on Sunday, October 12, 2025. Robert was born on June 20, 1957 in Chicago, the son of the late Albert and Johanna (Muiser) Thewis. He graduated from Thornwood High School in South Holland, Illinois with the class of 1975. In 1983, Robert moved from Hammond, Indiana, …

Jonathan Wayne McBride, age 45, of Constantine, passed away on October 17, 2025 at University of Michigan Hospital. He was born January 30th, 1980 in Kalamazoo to Jim Tennant and Sandra McBride. Father Figures include Gene McBride (who taught him his trade) and Richard Larrance. He graduated from Constantine High School with the Class of 1999. He worked in his …

Steven Gerard Van Tassel, age 73, of Portage and formerly of Corey Lake, Three Rivers, passed away Friday, October 17, 2025 at Centrica Rose Arbor Place surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 4, 1952 in Ridgewood, N.J., the son of Harold and Laurie (McCawley) Van Tassel. He spent his childhood in Mt. Prospect, Palatine, and briefly …

Mary E. Clegg, age 92, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 17, 2025, in Marcellus. Born Mary E. Skaggs on September 5, 1933 in Kentucky, she lived a vibrant life full of love, family, and cherished memories. Mary’s journey through life began in her hometown of Kentucky, where her roots ran deep. As a loving mother, she moved to Illinois …

Robert Allen “Bob” Parish, age 51, of Sturgis, passed away early Saturday morning, October 18, 2025, at his home. He was born July 22, 1974 in Sturgis, the son of the late Eugene and Judy (Jackson) Parish. A lifelong resident of Sturgis, Robert graduated from Sturgis High School with the class of 1993. On July 23, 2011, he married Samantha …