Obituaries

Ruth Ann Leck, age 91, died on May 8, 2026.  She was born January 22, 1935 in Pittsburg, IL, and was the daughter of Len and Carrie Peebles. She was preceded in passing by her parents; siblings; Joseph (Jean), Harold (Charlotte), Mary Lou (Jim), Rose (Earl), Sue (Phil); and many nieces and nephews. Her favorite past time was cooking and …

Dale Eugene Mais, age 74, of Marcellus, passed away on May 5, 2026 at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo. He was born on March 24, 1952 in South Bend, the son of Rollin and Violet (Pane) Mais. Dale met the love of his life, Ellen Barrell, when they were just 16 years old at John Adams High School in South Bend. …

Jarod Allyn Mayer, age 47, of Kansas City, Missouri, and a former resident of Bronson and Burr Oak, Michigan, passed away on April 27, 2026, at his home. A Celebration of Life for Jarod will be held at a later date. He was born June 1, 1978 in Sturgis, son of Nile L. and Beverly L. (Arver) Mayer. Many special …

Gundars Strautnieks, age 93, of Three Rivers, passed away Friday, May 15, 2026 at Centrica Rose Arbor Place. He was born Sept. 28, 1932 in Rauna, Latvia, the son of Edgars and Irma (Smukulis) Strautnieks. Moved from Rauna to Penkule, Latvia where he finished 5th grade before being displaced by the war and spending the next 6 years in various refugee …

Jerry Calvin Metzger, age 80, of Sturgis, passed away on May 10, 2026 at Medilodge of Portage in Portage, Michigan. He was born May 9, 1946 in Battle Creek, son of the late John and Beulah (Young) Metzger. Jerry made his home in Sturgis until 1972 when he moved to Fayette, Ohio, where he was employed by the Walther Corporation. …

Patsy Jean Noe, passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Birch Meadows in Three Rivers, at the age of 88. She was born on February 17, 1938 in Niles, Michigan, to Harold and Virginia Mitchell. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brothers, Gail and Paul Mitchell. Patsy married Louis Noe on April 11, 1962. …

Caroline Louise Barkow, age 95, of Kalamazoo, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 2, 2026. Caroline was born in Kendallville, Indiana, on February 2, 1931, the daughter of Homer L. and Mildred J. (Yentes) Seng. Caroline married Roland Richard Barkow on Nov. 29, 1958, and they shared 58 years together prior to his passing …

David Leslie Buck, Jr. age 60, of Three Rivers, went dancing with Jesus, Monday, May 11, 2026 in the comfort of his wife’s presence. His life began July 7, 1965 in Dowagiac, Michigan the eldest of four children born to David, Sr. and Barbara Buck. He married Debrah Blosser October 21, 2006 in Vandalia. David was an avid Chicago Bears …

Yvonne Marcella Yager, age 70, of Sturgis, passed away peacefully at her home Monday afternoon, May 11, 2026.  She was born September 6, 1955 in Muskegon, daughter of the late Emmanuel and Evelyn (Casteel) Yager. Yvonne made her home in Sturgis since 2019 after relocating from Muskegon. She retired in 2015 from Alcoa Howmet Aerospace Carriers in Whitehall following more …

James P. Lung, age 66, of Sturgis, passed away early Sunday morning, May 10, 2026, at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. He was born April 18, 1960 in LaGrange, son of the late Larry L. and Pearlee (Gray) Lung. Jim resided most of his life in Sturgis and was a proud graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1979. …