Obituaries

Margean Bonnetta Marantette Cupp is a descendant of the very first pioneers of the Mendon Prairie and she cherished that prairie. Her third great-grandfather, Francois Mouton opened the first trading post on the banks of the St. Joseph River in 1831. A young man, Patrick Marantette came to work with Mouton and married his daughter, Frances. They became owners of …

Jeanne E. Fellows, a Fish Lake – Sturgis resident, died on Thursday, December 22, 2022. Jeanne always loved being the “life of the party” and as of December 22, 2022 she will be celebrating for eternity with her Savior Jesus and all of her loves ones that left before her that she has been longing to see. The house still …

Keith D. Rubley, age 64, of Burr Oak, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 23, 2022, at Sturgis Hospital. Keith was born on May 27, 1958, in Coldwater, a son of the late Robert and Alice (Carney) Rubley. Keith graduated from Bronson High School with the class of 1976. Following high school Keith proudly served his country as a United …

Mary Jane Beers, age 60, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, December 15, 2022 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born September 25, 1962 in Three Rivers, daughter of the late Benjamin Franklin and Gloria Louise (Bennett) Holderman. Mary resided her whole life in the Sturgis area. On January 12, 1991 she married Harry William Beers in Sturgis. He …

Kevin Arlin Neal, age 65, of Kalamazoo, passed away Saturday, December 17, 2022 at home. He was born in Kalamazoo on July 27, 1957 the son of Stanley Neal-Beverly Arlene (Perkins) and devoted step-father, James L. Perkins, Sr. On May 4, 1991, in Portage, he married Janet Marie Oestrike who preceded him in death. Kevin was a retired technician, working …

Brent Thomas Whetter, age 56, of Kalamazoo, passed awayon November 10, 2022 at home. He was born August 18, 1966 in Kalamazoo, the son of George and Kay (Whitney) Whetter. Often described as a gentle soul, Brent was an avid reader and musician. Remaining to cherish his memory are his daughter, Katrina Whetter; parents, George Whetter and Kay Whetter; sister, …

Velvon E. Miller, age 84, of LaGrange, died Saturday, December 17, 2022, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, as the result of a single car accident on Friday. He was born on September 17, 1938, in Arcola, IL (Moultrie County) to Eli J.K. and Elizabeth (Plank) Miller. Velvon was the owner and operator of the Sunset Motel on …

Vera Jeanette Price, age 96, of Sturgis, and a former longtime resident of Erie County passed away on December 14, 2022 at her home. She was born July 29, 1926 in Blair County, PA daughter of the late Carl and Dorothy (Kephart) Schenk. Mrs. Price resided in Sturgis since 2009 coming from Zephyrhills, FL where she and Wayne lived for …

Esther Lorene (Eicher) Bowman passed at home in Three Rivers. Esther was born on Oct. 8, 1963 and died on Dec. 10, 2022 at the age of 59. She was born to Jacob Eicher and Joe and Barbara Rasbaugh. In her later life she spent her time in the garden and riding bikes with her husband. She loved camping, fishing, …

Wayne R. Bielski, age 70, of Colon, passed away on Friday, December 16, 2022, at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Wayne was born on April 26, 1952, in Berwyn, Illinois, a son to the late Richard and Francis (Krizek) Bielski. Wayne was a graduate of Morton East High School with the class of 1970. Wayne later graduated from Purdue University Northwest with …