Obituaries

Gary Lee Batten, age 67, of Mendon, passed away on Monday, December 5, 2022 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne following a brief illness.  He was born in Vicksburg on August 19, 1955 the son of Robert and Norma (Roop).  Gary was a high school graduate of Vicksburg High School, the class of 1973.  He would be married to Lori Cook on October …

Ivan Dwight Wright “Ike”, age 70, of White Pigeon, passed away at his home on Friday, December 2, 2022. He was born on February 8, 1952 in Three Rivers to John J. & A. Ione (Garwood) Wright. He grew up in Union, and graduated from White Pigeon High School in 1970 where he met the love of his life, Jacqueline …

Carol Lorraine Pursel, age 73, of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday morning, December 6, 2022 at her home. She was born November 16, 1949 in Sturgis, only daughter of the late Chris C. and Rebecca S. (Schwartz) Wickey. Carol resided in Sturgis since 1969 coming from Colon where she was a graduate of Colon High School with the class of …

Braxton Lee Talbott, age 3 months and 25 days, passed away on November 24, 2022 at Beacon Health-Three Rivers. Braxton was born July 30, 2022 in Kalamazoo, the son of Casey and Jessica (Farnham) Talbott of Three Rivers. Braxton was a little warrior from the day he was born. fought strong during his time in the NICU all the way …

Barbara G. Wilder, age 81, of Sturgis, passed away peacefully late Sunday evening, December 4, 2022 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born August 6, 1941 in Midland County daughter of the late Earl and Maude (Anthony) Seeley. Barb resided in Sturgis since 1959 coming from Sheperd, Michigan. In 1962, she married Hurshel Wilder and together they …

Ted R. Smith, age 67, of Constantine, died on Sunday, December 4, 2022 at his home following a long illness. He was born June 26, 1955 in North Judson, Indiana, a son of Edward and Dallas (Stacey) Smith. Ted attended North Judson High School and served in the US Army. On January 30, 2009 he married Rebecca Bittner in Centreville. …

Madilyn R. Mast, age 95, of Constantine, formerly of Beaverton, passed away Sunday, December 4, 2022 at her home. She was born April 27, 1927 in Ithaca, MI, daughter of Merril and Hazel (Griner) Hunter. Madilyn graduated from Midland High School in 1945, achieving a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education with a minor in English from Michigan State University in …

Frederick “Fred” G. Schwartz, age 75, of Sturgis, passed on to Heaven on Saturday, December 3, 2022. He was born on July 23, 1947 in Sturgis, a son of John and Katie (Wickey) Schwartz. Fred attended Nottawa and Centreville Schools, later receiving his GED and going to Auction School. On November 12, 1971, he married Marilyn Miller at Locust Grove …

Marilyn Sue Essex, age 78, of Volinia, passed away Saturday, December 3, 2022 in Three Rivers. Marilyn was born in Centreville on February 16, 1944, the daughter of Bernard and Eulah (Stanard) Kahler. On March 7, 1964, at Volinia Baptist Church, she married Wayne Essex who preceded her in death on May 21, 2020. Marilyn was a telephone operator, working …

Timothy Paul Landrum, age 64, went to be with his Lord on Friday, December 2, 2022. He was born to John C Landrum, Sr, and Donna M (Shrock) Landrum on July 19, 1958 in Sturgis. Timothy graduated  in 1976 from Schoolcraft High School. On November 23, 2017, he married Cecilia Valladao Landrum in Scotts, MI. He is survived by his …