Obituaries

W. Jean Shears, age 96, of Sturgis, passed away early Thursday morning, March 3, 2022, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born May 30, 1925 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Charles and Hazel (Weeks) Pierson. Jean was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1943. On September 4, 1943 she …

Michael B. Roberts, age 83, of Sturgis, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo after a long battle with Lung Cancer. He was born July 11, 1938 in Allegan, a son to the late Maurice and Fern (Kermean) Roberts. . On Dec. 20, 2001 in Sturgis, he married Fern Brock. Michael retired from Parma Tube …

Robert L. Hartman, age 87, of Lakeland, Florida, went to his eternal home to be with Jesus on Friday, February 18, 2022. Robert (Bob) Hartman was born in 1934 to Leslie and Ruth (Gerdes) Hartman. He spent his early years growing up in Colon as a very active boy, hunting, fishing and helping neighbors in the community. He graduated with …

Joyce Ann Cartwright, age 89, of Mendon, died Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at Ascension Borgess Allegan Hospital following a brief illness. She was born on the family farm in Mendon on Feb. 26, 1933 the daughter of the late Carl and Margaret (Harmon) Wing. She attended the Reserve Country School, and graduated from Colon High School in 1951. She was …

Mary Jane Schrock, age 83, of Constantine, died on February 26, 2022 at her home. She was born July 20, 1938 in Constantine, a daughter of Glen and Sadie (Lintz) Shingledecker. Mary graduated from Constantine High School in 1957. She had previously worked at the IGA grocery in White Pigeon. Mary was an avid Detroit Tigers fan and enjoyed reading, …

Alonzia K. Ballentine, age 19, of Three Rivers, died on February 25, 2022 at her home. She was born October 19, 2002 in Merrillville, IN a daughter of Alonzo and Kimberly (Hathorne) Ballentine III. She attended Pathfinder School in Centreville. Alonzia was a happy and loving girl who was always laughing and smiling. She enjoyed listening to and making music …

Martin Bilecki, age 73, of Burr Oak, passed away early Wednesday morning, March 2, 2022 at his home. He was born April 1, 1948 in Chicago, son of the late Martin Joseph and Alice P. (Bulinski) Bilecki. Martin resided in rural Burr Oak for the past 24 years coming from Alsip, Illinois. He was married to Kasse Ann Sasek who …

William R Tyler, age 77, of  White Pigeon, died on Monday, February 28, 2022. Arrangements by Farrand Funeral Home.

Gerald Adolph Kopraski, age 75. of Leonidas. died early Monday. Feb. 28, 2022 at Three Rivers Health following a long illness. He was born in Amsterdam, New York on June 7, 1946 the son of the late Adolph Anthony Kapraski and Frances Marion (Zirgules) Kopraski. He graduated from St. Mary’s Institute in Amsterdam in 1964. He received his Associate Degree …

Leon Thomas Gilbert, age 75, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, February 27, 2022, at Sturgis Hospital. Leon was born on October 25, 1946, in Three Rivers, a son to the late Leon and Jean (Dunck) Gilbert. Leon graduated from Colon High School with the class of 1964. On June 29, 1999, Leon married Margaret “Peggy” Scholl in LaGrange. Leon is …