Obituaries

With heavy hearts and deep love, we announce the passing of Judy Ann Bates Gavin, who left this world peacefully on October 1, 2025 at the age of 82. Judy was born to Harold and Edna Bates in Goshen on August 19, 1943. Judy spent the majority of her life in and around Marcellus—a place she called home and one …

Elizabeth T Prouty, age 66, of Goshen, died on Sunday, October 12, 2025. She was born in Sturgis on April 3, 1959 the  daughter of David and Sharon (Lough-Miller) Prouty. Elizabeth was employed by Elkhart Plastics and L.E. Johnson Construction. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, and landscaping. She was married to Gary E Lewis, they were later divorced. She is survived …

Jan William Gave, age 83, of Three Rivers, passed away Sunday, October 12, 2025, at Centrica Rose Arbor Place. He was born March 10, 1942 in Three Rivers, the son of Earl A. and Mary C. (Boise) Gave. Jan worked for 43 years as a marketing manager at Armstrong International. He was an avid bicyclist and enjoyed reading. Remaining to …

Victor James “Jim” Decker, age 80, of Burr Oak, passed away Friday, October 10, 2025, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. He was born December 4, 1944 in Colon, a son of the late Victor Junior and Alene Belle (Fennell) Decker. Jim was a lifelong resident of the Burr Oak area and a proud graduate of Burr Oak High School …

Dennis Michael Sinkler, age 58, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 9, 2025. Born on August 20, 1967 in Kalamazoo, Dennis was the son of Keith and Sarah (Whipple) Sinkler. He graduated with the Class of 1985 from White Pigeon High School. Dennis was a dedicated employee of International Paper, where he worked as a certified forklift …

Helen L. Jenks, age 83, of Marshall, and a former resident of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, October 9, 2025 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. She was born Dec. 23, 1941, a daughter of the late William and Alice (Flanner) Hoisington. On Jan. 7, 1995, in Maple Valley, MI she married Elzy Jenks. He preceded her in death on Nov. …

Scott Alan Baldwin, age 56, of Colon, passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Scott was born on April 16, 1969 in Kalamazoo. He attended Parchment High School. On September 27, 2022, Scott married Jane-Ellen Decius in Coldwater. Scott is survived by his loving wife, Jane-Ellen Baldwin of Colon; his children: Cody …

Kay Alyce Shane (née Taylor), age 89, passed peacefully on Thursay, October 9, 2025, at the home of her daughter Katherine Smith (Edward V. III) in Alto, Michigan. Kay Taylor was born in Danville, Illinois, on May 9, 1936, to Edythe Wyatt (née Hopkins) and Clyde Everett Taylor. She grew up in Danville and was a graduate of Danville High …

Shelley Viola Yates, age 48, of Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at her home. She was born April 2, 1977 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Donald Yates and Carol Keller, and attended Three Rivers Schools. Shelley loved her cats and enjoyed listening to heavy metal music. Remaining to cherish her memory are her father; sons, Damian and …

Georgia Elizabeth Edwards, age 86, of Sturgis, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon, October 6, 2025, at Centrica Rose Arbor Place in Kalamazoo. She was born February 3, 1939 in Pontiac, Michigan, to the late Emma Hayaz. Georgia made her home in the Sturgis area for most of her life and was a proud graduate of Bronson High School with the …