Obituaries

Joan Dee Fitch, age 83, of Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at Ascension Borgess Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 21, 1938 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Harold and Iva (Beach) Spence, and attended Three Rivers High School. On February 3, 1962 she married Lawrence W. Fitch in Three Rivers. Along …

Sandra E. Millard, age 81, of Mendon, died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 at her home. She was born in Three Rivers on Aug. 27, 1940 the daughter of Gerald and Virginia (Fish) Adams. She attended Mendon Schools and earned her GED from Three Rivers High School. She was married to Lyle H. Millard on Aug. 3, 1957 in Colon. Sandra …

Joyce Kay Harris, age 77, of Sturgis, passed away Friday, February 18, 2022 at her home. She was born April 25, 1944 in Bristol, Indiana daughter of the late Jennings G. and Bonita (Kelley) McKibbin. Joyce resided in Sturgis since 1981 coming from Mottville. She was a homemaker and cared for her grandchildren. Joyce enjoyed movies and never tired of …

Karen Darcy Morris, age 68, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday afternoon, February 17, 2022 at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Centreville. She was born September 28, 1953 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Roger Dale and Patricia Mae (Ankney) Kyle. Karen resided in the Sturgis and Burr Oak area most of her life with the exception of the 5 years …

Rudy W Yoder, age 80, of Nottawa, formerly of Union, MI, and Port Charlotte, FL, died on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at Fairview Nursing Home in Centreville.  He was born August 20, 1941 in Hazelton, IA, a son of William C. and Sarah (Mast) Yoder. Rudy worked in several trailer factories before creating and operating International LTD, a truck camper …

Dennis Lee Bender, born March 24, 1960, passed away on Tuesday morning, February 15, 2022 at the age of 61. Dennis was known for his expertise in mechanics. He could take apart and put back together from the smallest of items like a push mower to automobiles to farm equipment and even ski lifts for the nearby ski lodge. His …

Karl Allen Keeler, age 63, of Marcellus, passed away, Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at Three Rivers Health. Karl was born in Grand Rapids on August 26, 1958 the son of James William and Francis Louise (Fitzsimmons) Keeler. On October 7, 2002 in Elkhart, he married Melita who survives him in death. Karl was a truck driver, owner and operator of …

Thomas Neil Shields, age 85, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday evening February 16, 2022 at his home following a battle with cancer. He was born October 14, 1936 in Beaver Dam, Kentucky son of the late Vernell and Blanche (Black) Shields. Tom resided in Sturgis since 1976 coming from Chesterton, Indiana where he was a graduate of Chesterton High School …

Norman Smith, age 69, passed away on Monday, February 14, 2022 at the Life Care Center in LaGrange. He was born to Labon and Eva Mae Smith in Sturgis in 1952. He graduated from Sturgis High School in 1970, where he played viola in the orchestra. He worked for various employers over the years, including Sturgis Hospital and Kroger. On …

Marion Lucille Furtenbaugh, age 93, of Marcellus, passed away on Monday, February 14, 2022 in Three Rivers. Marion was born in Cassopolis on May 2, 1928 the daughter of Clifford J and Jane Ann (Allinson) Gebhard. On November 2, 1946, in Marcellus, she married C. Dean Furtenbaugh who preceded her in death on February 14, 2003. Lucille was employed as …