Obituaries

Vernon G. Wallick, Jr. age 94, of Sturgis, passed away Friday afternoon, February 3, 2023 at his home. He was born August 7, 1928 in Sturgis, son of the late Vernon and Marjorie (King) Wallick, Sr. Vern was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1947. On April 7, 1951 he married Elayta …

Susan Gayle Ferguson, age 62, of Mendon, went home to be with her Savior Monday, January 30, 2023 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. She was born January 16, 1961 in Aurora, IL, the daughter of Fred and Cynthia (Hedblade) Schomer. Susan graduated from Westview High School in Kankakee, IL with the Class of 1979; she earned her bachelor of science from …

David Dwight Cate of Constantine, passed away on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at the age of 67. He was born in Kalamazoo on October 13, 1955, the son of Richard Cate and Sally Church. David attended Comstock High School and later received his diploma through Big Bend Community College. At the age of eighteen, he joined the United States Armed …

Hilda M. Ortiz, age 46, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly at home on or after Sunday, January 29, 2023. She was born March 24, 1976 in Belleglade, FL a daughter to Francisco and Bertha (Casarez) Ortiz. Hilda was currently employed as Assistant Property Manager at Timberbrook Modular Home Community in Bristol, Indiana. She enjoyed arts and crafts, knitting, car and …

Edna Mae Terry, age 89, of Three Rivers, passed away on January 21, 2023 at ProMedica Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation. Edna was born February 16, 1933 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Hubert and Josephine (Karman) Bushouse. Edna worked at Stagecoach as a waitress where she loved interacting and talking to customers. On December 16, 1953 she married James Lee Terry. …

Henri’Etta Marie Tolbert passed away on January 24, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida at the age of 82.  She was the seventh child born to the union of Florezel Louis Porter, Sr., and his wife Mary Johnson Porter in Chicago. She was preceded in death by both parents and four siblings: Florezel Porter, Jr., Josephine Anderson, Willa Honeybee Denman, and Florine …

Helen Ilene Hammond, age 89, of Three Rivers, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2023 at her home. She was born December 4, 1933 in Roseland, Indiana, the daughter of Ernest and Emily (Whitehouse) Carrithers. Helen earned her associate’s degree in childcare from Glen Oaks Community College. She was a homemaker and then worked in manufacturing. She loved cooking and loved …

Karen Sue (Lewis) Gingerich, age 72, of Three Rivers, died Sunday, January 29, 2023 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born in Three Rivers on May 20, 1950 the daughter of Allen and Beatrice (Butler) Lewis. Karen graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1968. She was married to Keith Gingerich on June 15, 1968 at …

Richard “Rick” R. Salisbury, age 68, of Colon, passed away Saturday, January 28, 2023 at ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehab in Three Rivers. In accordance with his wishes, no services will be held at this time. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements are being cared for by Dutcher Funeral Home. Richard was born July 13, 1954 in McAllen, Texas to Russell …

Ralph Lee Waite, age 66, of Three Rivers, passed away Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Beacon Health System-Three Rivers. He was born February 29, 1956 in Sturgis, the son of Garnet and Myrtle (Draper) Waite, and graduated from Sturgis High School with the Class of 1975. Ralph married Elizabeth “Betsy” Maher on February 19, 1977. They enjoyed taking motorcycle rides, …