Obituaries

James E. Malerich, age 78, of Howe, IN died February 27, 2023, at Life Care Center of LaGrange. Jim was born on May 3, 1944, in Peoria, IL to James F. and Dorothy Mae (Nuckols) Malerich. Jim worked for 43 years for Howe Military Academy in Howe, where he had taught and was the assistant superintendent before retiring. Also while …

Edna Jean Helmuth, age 85, of LaGrange, died Friday, February 24, 2023, at Life Care Center of LaGrange. Mrs. Helmuth was born on August 1, 1937, in Colon to Paul and Mabel (Warkentine) Stewart. Edna was graduate of Colon High School. Living for many years in LaGrange County, she was a homemaker and member of the LaGrange Missionary Church. On …

Robert Charles Kyle, age 84, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday, February 26, 2023 at his home. He was born December 7, 1938 in Battle Creek, son of the late Chester and Lillian (Miller) Kyle. Bob resided in Sturgis and Burr Oak most of his life. On February 2, 1957 he married Lillian L. Krontz in Angola. She preceded him in …

Mary Cross, age 65, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 at home after a long hard battle with cancer. She was born Nov. 27, 1957 in Cleveland, a daughter to the late George F. and Anna Marie (O’Malley) Minosky. Mary has been a resident of Sturgis most of her life and had been employed by Sturgis Molded Products …

Barbara R. Sobeski, age 75, of Burr Oak, passed away Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 at Rose Arbor Centricare Hospice Facility in Kalamazoo. She was born June 6, 1947 in Stambaugh, MI a daughter to the late Herb and Jean (Fager) Case. Barbara was a resident of Burr Oak most of her life and graduated from Burr Oak High School with …

Fayetta Strang, age 75, of Constantine, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, February 24th, 2023. She was born in Jefferson City, MO on December 4,1947, a daughter of Ardie and Irene (Poyner) Allen. Fayetta graduated from Bentley High School in Kansas in 1965. On February 17, 1989 she married Gary Strang in LaGrange. Fayetta’s family was the pride …

Thomas E. Nisley, age 55, Sturgis, passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at his home following a brief illness. He was born July 14, 1967 in Kalamazoo a son of Will and Sharon (Sheely) Nisley. Tom graduated from Centreville High School in 1986. On August 3, 2013 he married Joyce Norman in Sturgis. Tom was employed by SBM company …

Darlene Marie Britton, age 79, of Three Rivers, passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. She was born May 6, 1943 in Niles, the daughter of James and Jeanette (Meyers) Davis. Darlene graduated from Niles High School in 1961, then graduated from the South Bend College of Commerce. On October 2, 1965 Darlene married Robert W. …

Richard H. Brammer, age 81, of Sturgis, passed away early Thursday morning, February 23, 2023 at the Sparrow House in Sturgis. He was born August 17, 1941 in Willimantic, Connecticut. Richard was a longtime Sturgis resident. His early life was spent in Florida and California. Richard took great pride in serving his country in the U.S. Navy from 1958-1965 during …

Robert Frederick Haager, age 90, of Three Rivers, passed away Sunday, February 19, 2023 at his home under the care of hospice. Robert was born on February 22, 1932 in Hammond, Indiana, the son of Clifford and Margaret (Holpt) Haager. He is survived by his wife: Sally (Thorpe) Haager; sons: Raymond, Robert and Richard Haager; as well as a number …