Obituaries

Elizabeth M. (Schwartz) Neuenschwander, age 82, of Burr Oak, died Saturday, June 17, 2023 at her home. She was born in Adams County, Indiana on Dec. 11, 1940 the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Miller) Schwartz. She was married to John J. Neuenschwander on Dec. 1, 1966 in Berne, Indiana. She is survived by five children, John E. Neuenschwander of …

Lelah Ann Palmer, age 88, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday afternoon, June 18, 2023 at her home. She was born January 1, 1935 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Chester “Chuck” and Dorothy (Burke) Beers. Lelah was a lifelong Sturgis resident. On February 14, 1982 she married James A. Palmer in Sturgis. He preceded her in death May 1, 2006. …

Joseph Eicher, age 61, of Sturgis, passed away Friday morning, June 16, 2023 at his home. He was born November 12, 1961 in Sturgis, son of Jacob and Barbara (Steury) Eicher. Joe was a lifelong Sturgis area resident and a member of the Burr Oak High School class of 1980. Most all of his working life was in the auto …

Margaret E. Strawser, age 88, of Constantine, died on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at Niles Lakeland Hospital. She was born October 5, 1934 in Lakeview, MI, a daughter of Jiles and Eva (Space) Silver. Margaret graduated from Edmore High School and attended Central Michigan University. On July 10, 1971 she married Gordon Strawser. He preceded her in death August 1, …

Jeffrey Brian Watson, age 74, of Sturgis, passed away Friday afternoon, June 16, 2023 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born March 11, 1949 in Sturgis, son of the late Herbert and Wava (Large) Watson. Jeffrey was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1967. He furthered his education at …

Irene Pearl Hunter, age 84, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at Thurston Woods Village. She was born February 23, 1939 in Curlew, Washington a daughter of the late Harry and Isabel Pearl (Denchel) Bjork. Irene enjoyed playing cards “Skip Bo” and Bingo with friends, crocheting, word search puzzles, cooking, and watching soaps and game shows. Surviving are …

Donald Alan Harker, age 60, of Sturgis, passed away on June 10, 2023 at his home due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was born December 19, 1962 in Sturgis, son of the late Jack E. and Shirley Ruth (Gauss) Harker. Don was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis high School with the class of …

Joyce Maxine Allen, age 88, of Leonidas, died Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at Beacon Three Rivers Health. She was born in Fulton, Michigan on September 3, 1934, the daughter of the late Harold and Nora (Stuck) Wise. She was married to Cleon Allen on August 22, 1953. He preceded her in death on September 13, 2011. Joyce is survived by …

Joan Modert, age 91, of Burr Oak, passed away Wednesday morning, June 14, 2023 at Sparrow House Adult Living in Sturgis. She was born August 17, 1931 in Bronson, Michigan daughter of the late Charles and Mary (Vaughn) Machan. Joan was a longtime resident of the Sturgis and Burr Oak area and her early life was spent in Bronson where …

Cherished and beloved child of God, Phyllis Joy Balzer, age 84, of Sturgis, died on Monday, June 12, 2023, at her home, with her husband and family by her side. Phyllis was born on January 11, 1939 to Elmer and Leona Behnke, in Bay City, Michigan. As a lifelong member of the Lutheran church, she was baptized on January 29, …