Obituaries

Patricia A. “Patti” Biddle, age 80, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday, September 8, 2024 at Parkview LaGrange Hospital. She was born June 12, 1944 in Kendallville, IN a daughter to the late John and Marjorie (Faux) Eshelman. Patricia moved to Sturgis in 1985 from Wolcottville, Indiana. On June 7, 1964 in Wolcottville she married Robert Lee Biddle. He preceded her …

Dale A. Baldwin, age 68, of Orland, Indiana, passed away Friday, September 6, 2024, at Parkview LaGrange Hospital in LaGrange. He was born February 17, 1956 in Sturgis, and was the son of James and Barbara (Wehrly) Clouse. Dale resided in Orland since 2019 coming from Niles. His early life was spent in Sturgis and Elkhart. On July 23, 1983, …

Nancy Ann Buckhold, age 89, of Marcellus, passed away Thursday, September 5, 2024 at her home. She was born February 5, 1935 in Dowagiac, the daughter of George and Gladys (Judd) Engle, and graduated from Dowagiac High School with the Class of 1952. Nancy worked at Marcellus Schools in the office, as a study hall teacher, and the cafeteria up …

Terry “Dutch” Batten, age 79, of Mendon, passed away at his home following a very short illness.  Dutch was born on December 17, 1944 in Mendon, the son of Shirley “Bill” and Veryl (VanNess) Batten.  He attended Mendon High School and was part of the 1963 graduating class.  On June 17, 1972 Dutch would marry Jeanne Samson at the Mendon …

Husband and wife, Frank “Skeeter” and Deborah Cerny, both passed away the last week of August within twelve hours of one another on August 27, 2024.  Frank was born on December 11, 1952 in Battle Creek, the son of Frank Sr. and Mary (Wojciechowski) Cerny.  Deb was born on October 5, 1952 in Vicksburg, the daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth …

Steve D. Chriscoe, age 68, of Constantine, died August 23, 2024 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. He was born July 24, 1956 in Asheboro, NC a son of Edwin and Callie (McDowell) Chriscoe. Steve graduated from Kings Mountain High School and attended Georgia Institute of Technology and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Steve worked for many years at Owens-Illinois in …

Jeffery Todd Fitch, age 61, of Colon, died from a medical emergency on Sunday, September 1, 2024 at his home.  He was born in Three Rivers on January 25, 1963 the son of Lawrence W. and Joan D. (Spence) Fitch and was a lifetime resident of St. Joseph County. Jeff graduated from Three Rivers High School with the class of …

Felicia Lee White Cochran, affectionately called “Niecy” by her siblings, passed away on August 25, 2024 after battling an illness for over 3 years. She was born June 12, 1957 in Three Rivers, to the union of Franklin White Sr. and Vera Pope White. Felicia spent her early childhood & adolescent years in Billings, Montana and later Madrid, Spain where …

Michael Allen Orban, age 57, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday evening, September 1, 2024, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. He was born March 25, 1967 in Sturgis to Deborah Orban. Mike was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1986. In 1993 he married Kelly Melchi in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. …

James “Jamie” Louis Kasey, Jr., age 71, of White Pigeon, left his earthly home to sing and dance among the stars, Friday, August 30, 2024, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. He leaves behind his wife of 49 years Lynne A. Kasey; daughters: Lindsay Kasey and Melissa Kasey; grandson Orion Kasey; granddaughter: Quinn; sister: Tamara (Jim) Jarrow; brother: Ben (Karen) …