Obituaries

Modena Irene Dilley, age 68, died in Battle Creek on Saturday, June 4, 2022. In accordance with family wishes, cremation will be conducted, and a memorial service is pending. Arrangements by Hohner Funeral Home.

Rose Marie Bohyer, age 76, of Coldwater, and a longtime former resident of Colon, passed away Tuesday afternoon, June 7, 2022 at Promedica Coldwater Regional Hospital. She was born January 20, 1946 in Hoboken, New Jersey. Rose resided in Coldwater for just the past few months coming from Long Lake in Colon where she lived for many years. On April …

Johnny “John” Samuel Irwin, age 78, of Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation. He was born June 28, 1943 in Three Rivers, the son of Henry and Ella “Lucille” (Cox) Irwin. John worked for Alexander Livestock, for the city of Three Rivers Department of Public Services, as a bus driver for Arch …

Mary K. Benthin, age 87, of Schoolcraft, died Sunday, June 5, 2022 at Bronson Commons in Mattawan. She was born in Kalamazoo on Nov. 14, 1934 the daughter of Robert and Helen (Cylka) Maher and was a lifetime resident of Southwest Michigan. She graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1952, and was the long-time Secretary of the …

Charles Henry (Charlie) Baber passed away peacefully and surrounded by his family on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at the age of 80. He was born on October 7th, 1941 in Upper Arlington, Ohio, son of the late Dr. Charles Robert and Betty V. Brown, M.D. Charlie’s early was spent in Upper Arlington where he graduated and was a standout swimmer …

Val G. Milholland, age 86, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at his home. He was born May 18, 1936 in Holland, Michigan to Kleeman and Edith (Crane) Milholland. When Val was a toddler, he and his mother moved to Sturgis, where he resided for the rest of his life. Subsequently, Edith married William (Bill) Gessenger, whom Val …

James R. Ward, age 88, of Sturgis, passed away early Friday morning, June 3, 2022 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born October 31, 1933 in Toledo, son of Jeanette Ward, who died shortly after childbirth. Jim was adopted by Jeanette’s parents, Jessie (Miller) and Percy Ward. He met the love of his life, Edith “Eydie” G. Basinger, …

Anthony A. “Tony” Gillette, age 60, of Sturgis, passed away early Wednesday morning, June 1, 2022 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born April 14, 1962 in LaGrange, son of Kenneth Wayne and Wilma (Chupp) Gillette. Tony was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1980. On June 26, 1981 he …

Lee Otis Newport went to be with his Lord and Savior in the early morning of Tuesday, May 31, 2022. He was born April 28, 1942, in Three Rivers to Dale Monroe and Leota Mary (Laudahn) Newport. Upon graduating from Three Rivers High School in 1961, Lee attended Ferris State University and Parsons Business School before returning to Three Rivers …

Barbara Jean Schaeffer, age 85, of Sturgis, passed away on Thursday, June 2, 2022 at Fairview Living Center in Centreville. She was born March 9, 1937 in Three Rivers, a daughter of Harry and Zelma (Schultz) Kline. On June 5, 1959 she married Richard “Dick” Froman in Three Rivers. He preceded her in death February 24, 2006. She later married …