Obituaries

Ronald Lee Hamilton, age 89, of Three Rivers, died Sunday, November 7, 2021 at Skaggs AFC in Burr Oak.  Ronald was born April 20, 1932 in Kalamazoo to Harold E. and Gladys O. (Wedell) Hamilton.  He graduated from Old Central High School in 1950.  He attended Western Michigan University and graduated from the Paper School in 1955.  Ronald served in …

Randy W. Riley, age 66, of Constantine, died Monday November 8, 2021 at his home. He was born July 6, 1955 in Goshen, a son of Ronald C. and Joann (Rink) Riley. Randy graduated from Northridge High School in Middlebury in 1973. He was employed at T&M Rubber Co. of Goshen and Ohio before starting, with his family, Southern Michigan …

Eugene C. “Gene” “Wheels” Wheeler, age 80, of Sturgis, passed away early Sunday morning, November 7, 2021 at his home. He was born June 20, 1941 in Sturgis, son of the late Fred Leroy and Emma (Koehl) Wheeler. Gene was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1959. On May 28, 1960 …

Tonna Marie Grubb, age 69, of Burr Oak, passed away Saturday evening, November 6, 2021 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. She was born January 26, 1952 in Lansing, daughter of the late John L. and Nancy Lee (Kahlor) Garvie. On July 7, 1979 she married the love of her life, best friend and savior David L. Grubb, …

Eli Schwartz, age 80, of Bronson, passed away Saturday morning, November 6, 2021 at the home of a dear friend in Three Rivers. He was born May 7, 1941 in Burton, Ohio, son of the late Christian “Butch” and Elizabeth (Hostetler) Schwartz. Eli resided in Bronson since 2013, coming from Sturgis. On February 28, 1960 he married Clara M. Mast …

Mario Orlando Vela, age 42, of Centreville, passed away on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born December 28, 1978, a son of Mario and Rachel (Torres) Vela in Weslaco, TX. Mario graduated from Progreso High School in Progreso, TX. On June 9, 2009, following an 8 year courtship, he married Jesusa Cruz Trevino …

Ruth J. Lilly, age 76, of Burr Oak, passed away Saturday, November 6, 2021 at her home. Ruth was born on December 9, 1944 in Fawn River Township, a daughter to the late Fay and Mary (Sanders) Mathews. Ruth attended Burr Oak High School and would later obtain a GED. Ruth also attended Glen Oaks Community College. Ruth worked at …

Jerry D. Waltke, age 60, of Burr Oak, passed away unexpectedly Friday evening, November 5, 2021 in Burr Oak Township. He was born January 25, 1961 in Sturgis, son of Thomas Eugene and Helen (Wondergem) Waltke. Jerry resided in the Sturgis, Colon and Burr Oak area his whole life and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class …

Charles D. Skeen, age 72, of Centreville, passed away Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born January 30, 1949 in Sturgis, a son of Elmer and Anna “Chris” (Haney) Skeen. Charles attended Centreville High School with the class of 1967. He served in the US Marine Corp. during the Vietnam War from 1968 – …

Matthew E. Lawless, age 75, of Three Rivers, passed away Thursday, November 4, 2021 at South Bend Memorial Hospital. He was born on March 31, 1946 in Chicago, a son of Thomas and Mary (Malley) Lawless. Matthew graduated from Holy Trinity High School in Chicago. He loved to tinker and was a maker of all things. Matthew worked at Sears …