Obituaries

Lydia “Irene” Troyer age 93, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday evening September 3, 2022 at Thurston Woods Villa in Sturgis. She was born September 23, 1928 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Eli and Polly A. (Miller) Overholt. Irene resided in Sturgis since 2004 coming from Centreville. On September 19, 1948 she married Clarence James Troyer at the Locust Grove …

Emil George “Bud” Warkentine, age 89, formerly of Mendon and Angola, died Friday, Sept. 2, 2022 at Edgewood Health and Rehabilitation in Three Rivers.  He was born in Nottawa Township, Michigan on June 9, 1933 the son of Leo and Elta (Frohriep) Warkentine.  He graduated from Colon High School and was married to Maxine A. Harrison on June 20, 1954 …

Bonita Phillips, age 71, of Dowagiac, passed away Saturday, September 3, 2022 in Portage. She was born in Dowagiac on November 3, 1950, the daughter of Gayl Benton Phillips and Elizabeth June Sibley-Phillips. Bonita loved spending time with her family, she cherished her children and grandchildren. She collected knick knacks, mainly salt & pepper shakers. She enjoyed knitting and crochet, …

James H. Lester, age 72, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. James was born on July 13, 1950 in Tullahoma, Tennessee, the son of Betty Hawkins Lester. James graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1968, and attended Glen Oaks Community College and Columbia Bible College. James married Barbara Godshalk on June 12, 1976 in …

Willnetta May “Dolly” Sylvester, age 86, of Mendon, died Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022 at Glen Arbor Hospice in Battle Creek after a brief illness. She was born in Butler, Indiana on May 1, 1936 the daughter of Forest and Evangeline (Evert) Harrison. After graduating from Springport High School, she was married to Richard Sylvester on Oct. 9, 1954 in Auburn, …

Irma J. (Smith) Johnson, age 90, of Constantine, passed away on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born August 9, 1932 in Columbia City, Indiana, a daughter of Ralph and Lura (Kneller) Smith. Irma graduated from Centreville High School in 1951. On January 21, 1960 she married Guy R. Johnson in Three Rivers. Irma’s …

David Alan Smith, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather  as well as a beloved friend and middle school science teacher, passed away on Tuesday, August 30, 2022.  He had just celebrated his 74th birthday with some of his closest friends and family. Dave was born on August 7, 1948 to Dolores (Borton) and Francis L. Smith. He grew …

David E. Cook, age 55, passed away on Friday, August 26, 2022.  He was born August 29, 1966, in Pittsburg, PA to the late James & Jean (Ivanco) Cook Jr. Surviving are 2 children, Christina (James) Heine, Benjamin (Katelynn) Cook, 4 grandchildren, and a brother, Matthew Cook. David enjoyed the outdoors especially fishing and camping.  He volunteered throughout his life …

Dennis Glen Brueck, age 55, of Mendon, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 31, 2022. He was born in Sturgis on June 7, 1967 the son of Donald and Sharlene (Batten) Brueck and was a lifetime resident of Mendon. After graduating from Mendon High School with the class of 1985, he went to work in the auto parts business. He worked …

Carol Cooper, age 73, of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 surrounded by loving family at South Bend Memorial Hospital after a long journey with numerous health issues. Carol was born November 4, 1948 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Donald Smallcombe and Virginia (Newell) Jacobowitz. From the beginning, Carol lived life to the fullest. She spent …