Obituaries

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 …

Shirley Ann Chapman, age 83, of Centreville, passed away Sunday afternoon, July 3, 2022 at her home. She was born February 18, 1939 in Portsmouth, Ohio daughter of the late William and Virginia Long. Shirley resided in the Centreville and Nottawa area most of her life. On September 10, 1961 she married David Lee Chapman in Sturgis. He preceded her …

Debra Ann Cole, age 62, of Colon, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, July 1, 2022, at her home. Debra was born on April 12, 1960, in Marshall, a daughter to the late Lonzo and Ruth Ann (White) Cole. Debra is survived by her children: Christina (Eric Robinette) Cole of Leonidas, Joseph Segerstrom of Three Rivers, and …

Kathy Lou Guthrie, of 19948 M-60, Fishers Lake, Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on June 25, 2022 at the age of 71, with her loving partner of over 25 years, Jim Souers, by her side. She was born Kathy Lou Carpenter on February 24, 1951, in Battle Creek. She was the daughter of Paul L. Carpenter and Julia H. “Dollie” …

Damon Matthew Smith, age 22, of Bronson, passed away Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at the Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born August 23, 1999 in Sturgis, son of Jesse and Erma (Quigg) Smith. Damon resided in Bronson for the past five years coming from Sturgis. He had an appreciation for art and clothing, and enjoyed music, dancing, and …

Amanda A. Christner, age 46, of Shipshewana, passed away Tuesday evening, June 28, 2022 at her home. She was born December 17, 1975 daughter of the late Jerry and Adrian Welenc. Amanda resided in Shipshewana for the past five years coming from Elkhart, and she also had lived in Sturgis. She was employed by U.S. Cargo in Bristol. Amanda enjoyed …

Sharon Kay Sailor-Pignato, age 57, of Wolcottville, Indiana, was received into her Heavenly fathers arms on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 after a brief bout with cancer. Sharon was born November 14, 1964 in Elkhart, a daughter of Ted and Ruth (Rank) Sailor. Sharon graduated from Constantine High School in 1983, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. …

Madelynn G. Taylor, age 8, of Sturgis, passed away Monday, June 27, 2022 at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor following a lengthy illness. She was born March 13, 2014 in Coldwater, a daughter of Charles & Katherine (Swan) Taylor. Along with her family, Madelynn attended the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis. She was in the first grade at Centreville Elementary …