Obituaries

Vannie Carlin, 90

Evangeline Mary “Vannie” Carlin, age 90, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday, June 22, 2024, at her home. She was born December 21, 1933, in Burr Oak, daughter of the late Michael C. and Agnes Katherine (Bykosky) Lawniczak. Vannie resided in Sturgis since the age of five years old where she was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class …

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Tim Johnson, 62

Timothy Alan “Timmy” Johnson, age 62, of Colon, passed away Friday, June 21, 2024 in Kalamazoo. He was born March 19, 1962, in Sturgis, son of Kenneth and Virgie (Westra) Johnson. Tim enjoyed playing pool with his friend, Scott. He is survived by his sons: Derek of Colombia, Tennessee and Steven of Three Rivers; grandson: Xavier of Sturgis; his mother: …

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Rae Coats, 85

Rae N. Coats, 85, of Tiffin, Ohio, and formerly of Toledo, passed away on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at St. Francis Home in Tiffin. Rae was born September 11, 1938, in Van Buren, Indiana, to the late Robert and Lois (Pochant) Bradford. She married Nathan L. Coats and he preceded her in death on January 28, 2023. Survivors include her …

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Dave Sziede, 72

David Allan Sziede of Marcellus, a beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and community member, passed away on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at the age of 72. Born on November 19, 1951 in Three Rivers, David was preceded in death by his cherished wife, Patricia Thompson, with whom he shared 40 joyous years of marriage. He was also preceded in death …

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Cathy Hayes, 68

Cathy Jo Hayes, age 68, of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday morning, June 25, 2024, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. She was born July 27, 1955 in Logansport, Indiana, the daughter of Andy and Barbara J. (Secrest) Ammerman. Cathy Jo resided most of her life in Sturgis and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of …

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Blanche Augerbright, 92

Blanche Elaine Augerbright, age 92, of Sturgis, passed away Monday morning, June 24, 2024, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born September 3, 1931. Blanche worked at Arch Workshop in Sturgis and had a true love of cats. She is survived by her many friends, including Mary (Rick) Oman and Virginia (Brad) Jordan both of Sturgis, and all …

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Ella Pierucki, 94

Ella (Stage) Pierucki, age 94, of Sturgis, dispensed her last bit of wisdom surrounded by countless numbers of family and friends on Monday, June 24, 2024. Ella was born on September 19, 1929, in the midst of the great depression in the boom town (iron ore was discovered there in the 1870s) of Ironwood, Michigan located in the Upper Peninsula. …

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Edna Smith

Edna L. Smith of Sturgis, entered into everlasting rest at Birch Meadows on Friday, June 21, 2024, with family at her side. She was the daughter of Emmie and Chester Barton of Mendon. She graduated from Mendon High School with the Class of 1958, and attended Parsons Business School. She was married to Hayward Smith of Colon and later divorced. …

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Mike Kaiser, 76

Michael Charles Kaiser, age 76, of Three Rivers, passed away Thursday, June 20, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Sturgis on October 10, 1947, the son of Walter and Mary T. Kaiser, and grew up on Corey Lake where his parents ran the Kaiser Pulver Resort. Mike attended Three Rivers schools, graduating in …

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Gerald Butler, 85

Gerald (Jerry) Iveson Butler, age 85, a resident of Strawberry, Arkansas, peacefully departed this life on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at his residence that he always referred to as “Butler Mountain,” surrounded by his loving family. He was born March 27, 1938 to the late Clarence Wesley and Pynie Malone Butler in Rivervale, Arkansas. In 1954 he moved to Michigan. …

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