Obituaries

Richard Eugene Melville, age 78, of Constantine passed away surrounded by family on Saturday, May 28, 2022 after a long battle against illness. Richard was born December 13, 1943 in Three Rivers to Gerald & Pauline (Lampen) Melville. He was a 1961 graduate of Constantine High School. Richard joined the Air Force after graduation to “see the world.” He spent …

Benjamin Charles Liebenthal, age 98, of Three Rivers, went to be with his Lord on Friday, May 27, 2022. Born in Milwaukee on March 3, 1924 to Martha (Kaun) and Edward John Liebenthal, he grew up in Hales Corners, WI. He grew up during the depression years of the 30s, graduating from East Troy High School, enlisting and serving over …

Bernadean Phyllis Miller, age 91, of Marcellus, passed away on Sunday, May 29, 2022 at home. She was born in Lansing on December 25, 1930, the daughter of Pearl Edna Pettit. On July 12, 1979 in Portage, she married Richard “Dick” Miller who preceded her in death on December 7, 2020. She she worked at Gibson Guitar for 10 +years, …

Toni Ridley Tipton, age 83, of Lake Wylie, SC, passed away Sunday, May 29, 2022 at Westminster Towers, Rock Hill, SC. Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 3, 2022 at M. L. Ford & Sons Funeral Home, 4820 Charlotte Highway, Lake Wylie, SC with the Rev. Dr. Joanne Sizoo officiating. The family will receive friends one hour before …

Karen Sue Ritzer, age 79, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday afternoon, May 22, 2022 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born October 1, 1942 in LaGrange, daughter of the late Harold Samuel and Maxine Mae (Himes) Blasius. Karen resided in Sturgis since 1961 coming from Howe, Indiana where she was a graduate of Lima High School with …

Vasile Pietrariu, age 68, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday, May 28, 2022 at his home. He was born November 16, 1953 in Marginea, Suceave, Romania son of the late Ion and Raveca (Malos) Pietrariu. Most of Vasile working life was in manufacturing companies. He was a member of the St. Elias Eastern Orthodox Church in Battle Creek, and he loved …

Elmer E. Kocsis Jr., age 64, died on Saturday, May 28, 2022 at Fairview Nursing & Rehabilitation Centre in Centreville. He was born March 2, 1958 in Chicago, a son of Elmer and Dorothy (Szabo) Kocsis Sr. He graduated from Bowen High School in Chicago in 1976 and received auto mechanic training at Lincoln Tech in Chicago. On May 25, …

Carol Elaine Swiatkowski, age 73, of Baldwin, MI passed away on September 15, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. She was born December 30, 1947, in Warren, Mich., the daughter of William and Harriet (Wetter) Manunas. On June 24, 1967, she was married to Michael Swiatkowski. They spent so much time together camping, canoeing, motorcycle riding, snowmobiles, gardening. Carol and Mike …

James Eugene “Jim” DalPonte, age 92, of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. He was born on November 27, 1929 in Three Rivers, the son of Valentine and Elizabeth (Grazian) DalPonte. Jim was a 1948 graduate of Three Rivers High School. After graduation he went on to Michigan State University for a two-year business course. He then …

Don E. Hoffelder, age 79, of Burr Oak, passed away peacefully at his beloved home Saturday morning, May 21, 2022. He was born June 11, 1942 in Sturgis, son of the late Eugene and Pauline (Hall) Hoffelder. Don was a graduate of White Pigeon High School with the class of 1960. Following his graduation Don entered the U.S. Army and …