Obituaries

Betty Carol Carr, age 97, of Sturgis, passed away Monday evening, December 1, 2025, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born on September 3, 1928 in Elkhart, daughter of the late Claude C. and Esther D. (Dickman) Carr. Betty had resided in Sturgis since 1967, with the past 17 years spent at Thurston Woods Village. Her early life …

Dr. Joseph R. Merkel, age 100, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday evening, November 29, 2025, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. Joseph was born on December 21, 1924 in Alburtis, Pennsylvania, son of the late Adam L. and Mary (Krasulick) Merkel. He resided in Sturgis since 2012, coming from Leo, Indiana. He was a graduate of Emmaus High School with …

Woodrow Ralph Thompson, Sr., age 82, of Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday, November 26, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born July 27, 1943 in Detroit, the son of Ralph and Arlene (Phillipi) Thompson, and graduated from Mackenzie High School Class of 1961. Woodrow earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Michigan State University Class of 1965 and went …

Shawn Daniel DeHuff, age 44, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.  He was born in Sturgis on May 10, 1981, the son of Duane and Susan (Merwin) DeHuff.  Shawn attended Three Rivers High School and obtained his diploma with the class of 2003.  Shawn was a talented chef, working at …

Donald “Doni” Eugene Adair, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his niece: Jessica Goodwin, and great nephew: Malachi and great niece Mayann Goodwin, on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at the age of 63, after a valiant battle with COPD. Doni was born on September 19, 1962 in Kalamazoo. He was the son of Donald D. …

Robert Carroll Staffen, age 66, of Three Rivers, passed away Sunday, November 16, 2025, at his home. He was born December 8, 1958 in Three Rivers, the son of Lyle E. and Barbara (Roach) Staffen. He graduated from Three Rivers High School with the class of 1977. While there, he played football, baseball, and wrestled. Bob worked as a lineman …

Franklyn D. Schragg Sr., age 91, of Centreville, passed away on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at Birch Meadows Senior Care in Three Rivers. He was born February 18, 1934 in Sturgis, a son of John William “Bill” and Hazel (Rosine) Schragg. Frank graduated from Centreville High School in 1952. On June 14, 1952 he married Lydia Miller in Centreville and …

Donald Dale Weitting, age 85, of Sturgis, passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon, November 25, 2025, surrounded by his family at the Sturgis Hospital Emergency Room. He was born on March 18, 1940 in Sturgis, a son of the late Lawrence L. and Charlotte L. (Dunham) Weitting. Don was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with …

Emanuel H. Eicher, age 60, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday evening, November 23, 2025, at Beacon Kalamazoo Hospital. He was born March 17, 1965 in Decatur, Indiana, son of the late Henry and Anna (Schwartz) Eicher. Emanuel had made his home in Sturgis for the past two years, coming from Millersburg, Indiana. On August 4, 2001, he married the love …

Our precious daughter, Aiyanna Larie Lamere, was born sleeping on Sunday, November 23, 2025 at Three Rivers Health. Though her time on earth was far too brief, she filled our hearts with a love deeper than words can express. Aiyanna was the beloved daughter of Misae Cole and Derek Lamere. Her name, meaning Eternal Blossom in Native American tradition, perfectly …