Obituaries

DiAnn Lynn Bucknell Bernheisel, age 78, of Three Rivers, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025 in her home. She was born April 17, 1946 in Three Rivers. She is the daughter of Helen (Bowen) Bucknell Fornaresio, Lee Bucknell, and Joe Fornaresio. DiAnn attended Huss Elementary School, and graduated from Three Rivers High School with the Class of 1964. On …

Thomas J. Hansman Jr., age 63, of Colon passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. Thomas was born on September 14, 1961 in Coldwater, a son to Thomas J. and Linda (Letts) Hansman Sr.  Thomas lived a lot of his life in Texas working construction, eventually moving back to Michigan. Thomas was once married …

Carol Jean (Peters) Melville passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025, after a brief illness at the age of 82.  Carol was born August 13, 1942 in Marquette to Walter and Bernice (Quayle) Peters. Carol attended Bishop Baraga Catholic School in Marquette and graduated in 1960. On October 16,1965 she married Richard Melville in Marquette. They moved to Constantine, where …

Phyllis Elaine Van Aken, age 88, of Colon, passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Monday, February 10, 2025. Phyllis was born on April 13, 1936, in Reading, Michigan, daughter to the late Lawrence and Dorothy (Burger) Wiler. Phyllis was a graduate of Bronson High School with the class of 1954. Phyllis worked for 35 years for …

Carolyn Ann Vickers, age 73, of Colon, passed away at her home on Sunday, February 9, 2025. Carolyn was born on August 27, 1951, in Pontiac, Michigan, a daughter to the late Dewey and Vandaray (Combs) Deaton. Carolyn was a graduate of Pontiac Northern High School with the class of 1969. She then worked many years in finance.  She was …

Joseph C. Panarici, age 71, of Burr Oak, passed away at his home on Sunday, February 8, 2025. Joseph was born on February 2, 1954, in Chicago, a son to the late Anthony and Jesse (Tritto) Panarici. Joseph attended and graduated from DeLaSalle High School. He worked as a truck driver. Joseph and Ann moved to Colon 25 years ago …

Ronald L. Heath, age 95, of Lake Wales, Florida passed away on February 1, 2025.  He was born on May 26, 1929 in Kalamazoo, the son of Harry and Lillian (Bush) Heath.  He attended school in the Kalamazoo area; after school he would began working at Kalamazoo Vegetable Parchment Company.  While employed there Ronald was drafted by the United States …

Roger G. Spillers, age 86, of Colon, passed away on Friday, February 7, 2025, at his home on Palmer Lake. Roger was born on May 13, 1938, in Fort Wayne, a son to the late Donald Spillers and Garnett Roth. Roger attended Central High School in Fort Wayne. Roger had made his home in Colon since 1979, coming from Fort …

Ralph “Jerry” Burkhead, age 77, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday morning, February 8, 2025, at Edgewood Nursing and Rehabilitation in Three Rivers. He was born February 4, 1948 in Sturgis, son of the late Ralph M. “Hap” and Eulalia M. “Pat” (Houser) Burkhead. Jerry was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1968. …

Herbert G. Steffey, age 92, of Mendon, passed away at is home surrounded by his loving family on Friday, February 7, 2025. He was born on October 10, 1932 in Little Shoal, Kentucky the son of Willie and Mary (Chaney) Steffey. Herbert honorably served his country with the United States Army. Following his army days, he married Susan Misener on …