Obituaries

James H. Lester, age 72, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. James was born on July 13, 1950 in Tullahoma, Tennessee, the son of Betty Hawkins Lester. James graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1968, and attended Glen Oaks Community College and Columbia Bible College. James married Barbara Godshalk on June 12, 1976 in …

Willnetta May “Dolly” Sylvester, age 86, of Mendon, died Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022 at Glen Arbor Hospice in Battle Creek after a brief illness. She was born in Butler, Indiana on May 1, 1936 the daughter of Forest and Evangeline (Evert) Harrison. After graduating from Springport High School, she was married to Richard Sylvester on Oct. 9, 1954 in Auburn, …

Irma J. (Smith) Johnson, age 90, of Constantine, passed away on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born August 9, 1932 in Columbia City, Indiana, a daughter of Ralph and Lura (Kneller) Smith. Irma graduated from Centreville High School in 1951. On January 21, 1960 she married Guy R. Johnson in Three Rivers. Irma’s …

David Alan Smith, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather  as well as a beloved friend and middle school science teacher, passed away on Tuesday, August 30, 2022.  He had just celebrated his 74th birthday with some of his closest friends and family. Dave was born on August 7, 1948 to Dolores (Borton) and Francis L. Smith. He grew …

David E. Cook, age 55, passed away on Friday, August 26, 2022.  He was born August 29, 1966, in Pittsburg, PA to the late James & Jean (Ivanco) Cook Jr. Surviving are 2 children, Christina (James) Heine, Benjamin (Katelynn) Cook, 4 grandchildren, and a brother, Matthew Cook. David enjoyed the outdoors especially fishing and camping.  He volunteered throughout his life …

Dennis Glen Brueck, age 55, of Mendon, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 31, 2022. He was born in Sturgis on June 7, 1967 the son of Donald and Sharlene (Batten) Brueck and was a lifetime resident of Mendon. After graduating from Mendon High School with the class of 1985, he went to work in the auto parts business. He worked …

Carol Cooper, age 73, of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 surrounded by loving family at South Bend Memorial Hospital after a long journey with numerous health issues. Carol was born November 4, 1948 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Donald Smallcombe and Virginia (Newell) Jacobowitz. From the beginning, Carol lived life to the fullest. She spent …

Maritza Montoya Delgado, age 48, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday morning, September 1, 2022 at her home. She was born December 20, 1973 in Santa Cruz, Michoacán, Mexico daughter of the late Jose Abel and Maria Celia (Aguilar) Delgado. Maritza resided in the United States for over 30 years coming from Mexico. On January 29, 1994 she married Efrain Montoya …

Kirk Allan Hay, age 67, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday morning, August 31, 2022 at the Sturgis Hospital Emergency Room. He was born August 18, 1955 in Three Rivers, son of Roland and Lois (Kussmaul) Hay. Kirk resided in Sturgis for the past 38 years coming from Burr Oak. On December 5, 1992 he married Reva Rice in Sturgis. She …

Melissa Gwen Nasstrom, age 63, of Three Rivers, passed away Sunday, August 21, 2022 at Beacon Health-Three Rivers. She lived in Reno, NV most of her life prior to moving to Three Rivers. Melissa is survived by family and friends. A memorial service will be held Thursday, September 1, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at the COA, 1200 W. Broadway St., …