Obituaries

Charlotte Jane McLauchlin, age 111, of Elkhart, and a former longtime Sturgis resident, passed away Monday morning, April 24, 2023 at the Hubbard Hill – Living Wisdom Community in Elkhart. She was born January 9, 1912 in Bronson, Michigan daughter of the late James A. and Charlotte Elizabeth (Carter) McLauchlin. Miss McLauchlin resided most of her life in Sturgis and …

Frederick Willard “Willie” Harder, age 84, of Constantine, passed away Friday, December 30, 2022 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend. He was born August 29, 1938 in Three Rivers, the son of Charles Laverne and Grace (White) Harder. He graduated from Constantine High School with the Class of 1956. Willie served his country in the United States Navy from 1956-1959. …

Frances Mullin, age 89, of Marcellus, passed away Sunday, April 23, 2023, in Paw Paw. She was born in Peoria, Illinois on April 8, 1934, the daughter of Edward Edinburg and Dora Stratten. Cremation has taken place. Memorial donations may be directed to the Mater-Ralston Funeral Home to offset funeral expenses. Online condolences may be left at www.materralstonfuneralhome.com.

Theodore Walter Ream, age 71, died in Three Rivers on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. Ted Ream. . . A good hearted, honest, hard-working man. Peace activist and war resister. Went to school in Australia and Argentina. College graduate, articulate, well spoken gentleman, friendly in his manner. Multi year watchdog of the Kalamazoo city council. Loving, careful, and attentive full-time father …

Thomas Ray Oswalt II, age 49, of Three Rivers, passed away Monday, April 17, 2023. He was born February 25, 1974 in South Bend, the son of Thomas and June (Gleason) Oswalt, and graduated from Three Rivers High School with the Class of 1993. Ray worked as a machinist at Armstrong and at Dock Foundry. On August 20, 2016, he …

Darel E. Saxman, age 82, of Mendon, passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo after a long illness, with his family at his side. Darel was born at home on November 29, 1940 in Leonidas, the son of Kenneth and Bessie (Dove) Saxman. Darel was employed as a pump repairman for L & S Pump …

Diane Karp, age 79, of Griffith, Indiana passed away peacefully on Monday, April 17, 2023. Diane is the loving wife to the late Bernard Karp; cherished mother to Elizabeth (nee Karp) Lidster and Chris Karp; devoted grandmother to the late Joshua Lidster; fond sister to Susan Preis and the late Carol Ackerman; Aunt to many; cousin to several and special …

David Lee Kemp, age 63, of Three Rivers, passed away Sunday, April 16, 2023 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 16, 1960 in Three Rivers, the son of Robert and Nancy (Cook) Kemp. David served as a mechanic and transportation director for Mendon Schools over a tenure spanning a quarter century. On September 19, 1980 …

Vickie Jo Yoder, age 71, of Sturgis, passed away Monday, April 17, 2023 at her home. She was born July 24, 1951 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Dale and Margaret (Kinsey) Allen. Vickie was a lifelong Sturgis resident. She was first married to Charles Douglas Wallace. He preceded her in death. On November 1, 1973 she married Russell Yoder …

Ruth Evita Bontrager, age 74, of Grass Lake, Michigan and a former longtime resident of St. Joseph County, passed away on March 24, 2023 in Grass Lake. She was born March 19, 1949 in Petoskey, daughter of the late Harold and Elaine (Lance) Tobias. Ruth resided most of her life in the Centreville, Sturgis and Colon area, moving to Grass …