Obituaries

Michael Douglas Gifford, age 75, of Mendon, died peacefully at home on Friday, July 8, 2022 in the presence of his family. He was born in Vicksburg on Aug. 12, 1946 the son of the late Claude and Maxine (Hart) Gifford. He graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1964 before joining the U.S. Army, serving in Germany …

Sharon Lea Heath, age 75, of Leonidas, passed away on Friday, July 8, 2022 at Ascension Borgess-Pip Hospital in Plainwell.  She was born on March 25, 1947 to Carl and Helen (Collyer) MacDonald.  She was a graduate of Mendon High School.  On February 24, 1966 Sharon married Tom Heath in Union City.  Sharon was a lifetime resident and employee of …

Sherrille Simmons, age 80, of Jones, formerly of Elkhart, passed away Thursday, July 7, 2022 in Three Rivers. She was born in Indianapolis, daughter of Frederick Wallace and Marguerite Maxine (Gilbert) Cunningham. Sherrille’s career was in sales and she was a graduate of Elkhart High School in 1959. Sherrille was an accomplished saxophonist, who loved going to and supporting her …

William D. Denman, age 61, of Constantine, passed away Thursday, July 7, 2022 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born March 19, 1961 in Kokomo, Indiana, a son of David and Donna (Kubly) Denman. William graduated from Constantine High School in 1980. On November 27, 1993 he married Amy Rentfrow at her parents home in Constantine, they …

Wayne Allen Shugars, age 84, of Three Rivers, passed away Monday, July 4, 2022 at Bowman Place. He was born May 16, 1938 in Marcellus, the son of Elton and Jessie (Nesbitt) Shugars. A very hard worker with a tremendous work ethic, Wayne farmed all his life, and sold seed corn for five different companies over a 45-year span. He …

Victor Joseph Galinis, Jr., age 73, of Danville, Illinois and a former resident of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Friday, June 3, 2022 at his home. He was born October 4, 1948 in Coldwater, son of Victor Joseph and Catherine Irene (Inde) Galinis. Victor was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1967. Following his graduation from high …

Marvinn “Blackie” Eugene Morrill, age 92, of Bronson, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, July 4, 2022. A funeral service will be held Friday, July 8, 2022 at 11:00 AM at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Burr Oak with Pastor Kurt Kuhlmann officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 7, 2022 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at …

Esther K. Hacker, age 99, of Athens, passed away on Monday, July 4, 2022, at Birches AFC in Leonidas. Esther was born on October 17, 1922, in Factoryville, MI, a daughter to the late Peter and Elsie (Hope) Landfair. Esther graduated from Athens High School with the class of 1939. In April of 1941 Esther married William Hacker in Angola. …

Ruth W. Harker, age 93, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday afternoon, July 3, 2022 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born February 7, 1929 in Berlin, Germany daughter of the late Willi and Walli (Hergesen) Wagner. Mrs. Harker came to the United States in 1946 from Germany. She took great pride in obtaining her U.S. Citizenship June 21, …

Donna Breece-Cole passed away on June 24, 2022 at the age of 91. Donna will be lovingly remembered for her optimistic outlook, her well documented travels, and the way she generously shared her musical talents. Born in 1931, Donna grew up and attended school in Sturgis, including her elementary years within a one room school house. She married Lloyd Breece …