Obituaries

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 …

Robert E. Brewer, age 86, of Constantine, passed away on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at Three Rivers Health. He was born on July 4, 1935 in Constantine, a son of Elwood and Fern (Chappalear) Brewer. Robert graduated from Constantine High School in 1953. Following graduation, Robert served in the US Marine Corps until 1956. On February 4, 1966 he married …

Michael Grahame Ritzer, age 84, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday morning, May 31, 2022 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born November 7, 1937 in Fawn River Township, Michigan son of the late John and Anna Marie (Malone) Ritzer. Mike returned to Sturgis in 1960 from Detroit where he spent his early life. On May 28, 1960 …

Roger Lee Johns, age 80, of Sturgis, passed away on May 24, 2022 surrounded by family. He was born February 4, 1942, in Tulsa, Oklahoma son of the late Leo and Ethel (Vandivert) Johns. His early life was spent in Tulsa where he was a graduate of Will Rogers High School. He gained a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgic Engineering …

Douglas Dean Chapman, age 74, of Middlebury, at 12:18 am on Sunday, May 29, 2022 at Goshen Hospital. He was born on January 29, 1948 in Battle Creek to Morris Glenn and Lola Jean (Collins) Chapman. On August 18, 1990 he married Lila Harrold, she survives. Survivors in addition to his wife are son, Matthew Stephen (Beth) Chapman of Decatur; …

Timothy J. Keckler, age 52, of Constantine, passed away on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at his home following a long illness. He was born July 15, 1969 in Three Rivers, a son of Theodore and Honore (Roberts) Keckler. Tim graduated from Constantine High School in 1987. On February 1, 2014 he married Kris Marshall in Sturgis. Tim worked at International …

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 …