Obituaries

Natalie Pukszta passed away peacefully of natural causes, surrounded by her children at her home in Rancho Palos Verdes, California on June 16th, 2022. She was 94. Natalie was a longtime Sturgis resident, educator, beloved mother, and wife. Natalie grew up in Detroit, where she was crowned beauty Queen of Lutnia, a Polish social and singing club. She graduated from …

Barbara Joan Stauffer, age 88, of Centreville, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Friday, June 24, 2022, at Birch Meadows AFC in Three Rivers. Barbara was born on December 20, 1933, in Centreville, a daughter to the late Peter and Barbara (Wickey) Schwartz. On February 4, 1950, Barbara married Freeman “Sonny” Stauffer in Centreville. He would precede her …

Harry Edwin Hunt, Sr., born July 7, 1915 in Sturgis, died peacefully at Thurston Woods Villa in Sturgis, Sunday June 26, 2022, two weeks short of his 107th birthday. Harry was the youngest of seven children, was the fourth generation of Hunts living in the Sturgis area since 1852. In accordance with his wishes cremation has taken place. The family …

James “Scott” Hufford, age 55, passed away at his home in Three Rivers on Saturday, June 25, 2022. He was born in Greensburg, PA, on December 13, 1966, the son of James V. Hufford and Elizabeth (Tulloch) Hufford. James was kind, loving and passionate. He was a dedicated father and friend who will be missed by all who loved him. …

Jerry Wahmhoff of Three Rivers, died on Friday, June 24, 2022 in Kalamazoo at the age of 46, as the result of a traffic accident.  Jerry was born September 9, 1975 in Kalamazoo to Barbara Jean Wahmhoff and Wilbur Joseph Wahmhoff. He was a father, brother, uncle and friend to many. As a young boy, Jerry was in the first …

Ruth Ann Buchnat, age 72, of Newberg, passed away on Saturday, June 18, 2022 in Dowagiac. She was born in Chicago on January 7, 1950 the daughter of Jerome and Charlotte (Zapalski) Buchnat. Ruth was a Weighmaster, working for many years at a steel mill. Ruth loved all kinds of animals, hobbies, clubs and church. Ruth is survived by her …

Roberta L. Harris, age 82, of rural Pennville passed away Sunday, June 12, 2022 at her son’s residence. She was born in Sturgis on November 25, 1939 the daughter of James Robert and Helen (Hecht) Edgington. She was married on August 9, 1956 to Bill Harris who survives. She had been a rural newspaper deliverer, worked at Joyce-Dayton and was …

Linda Kay Crotser, age 86, of Sturgis, passed away Monday, June 20, 2022. She was born March 25, 1936 in Niles, the daughter of Robert and Agnes (Dolph) Tuesley, and graduated from Three Rivers High School. Linda married Gerald Eugene Crotser on September 13, 1958. She worked at Dayco and later in the laundry department at Three Rivers Hospital from …

Gail Lynn DeMint, age 71, of Sturgis, passed away Monday, June 20, 2022 at Michigan Medicine Hospital in Ann Arbor. She was born January 21, 1951 in Sturgis, daughter of Donald M. and Margaret June (Johnson) Krueger. Gail was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1969. She furthered her education at Alma …

Robert Rea West, age 73, of Sturgis, was surrounded by family when he passed away peacefully on Monday, June 20, 2022 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, after a short illness with lung cancer. Bob was born February 14, 1949 in Sturgis, a son to the late Claude E. and Ruth L. (Kingsley) West. Bob graduated from Sturgis High School …