Obituaries

Elaine K. “Lainnie” Morris, age 62, of Sturgis, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021 at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born June 5, 1959 in Springfield, TN a daughter to the late Jack and Cookie (Birkley) Jackson. On Feb. 12, 2010 in Centreville, she married Melvis E. “Tex” Morris Jr.  He preceded her in death Feb. 21, 2012. …

Thomas Wayne Clewley, age 69, of Sturgis, passed away on August 27, 2021 at his home. He was born April 1, 1952 in Grand Rapids. Tom resided most of his adult life in the Colon and Sturgis area. He had been employed by Morgan Olson and Precision Speed both in Sturgis. He was a life member of Captain John J. …

Donald Lee Eastman, age 75, of Colon, died on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at his home. He was born August 4, 1946 in Chikaming, MI a son of Donald T and Martha (Woodrick) Eastman. Donald graduated from Three Oaks High School class of 1966 and from Glen Oaks Community College, receiving a degree in drafting and design. He was a …

Mary J. Keely, age 94, of Sturgis, passed away Friday, October 15, 2021 at her home. She was born May 17, 1927 in Haven, Kansas, a daughter of Jacob and Ida Borntrager. Mary earned her teaching degree from Goshen College. On August 30, 1959 she married Martin D. Keely in Goshen. He preceded her in death January 1990. Mary was …

Margaret Mary (Ehlers) Kool (“Maggie”), age 60, passed away at her home in South Haven on September 26th, 2021. She was born April 22nd, 1961 in Rockford, IL; the first child of Albert G. Ehlers and Judith L. (Barrett) Ehlers. Maggie graduated from Olympia High School in Stanford, IL in 1979, where she was an academic high achiever with a …

Darlynn P. Vedder, age 75, died on Thursday, October 14, 2021 in Kalamazoo. In accordance with family wishes, cremation will be conducted and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Hohner Funeral Home.

Betty Robinson passed away on September 22, 2021. She was born April 4, 1933 in Sturgis, and was the eldest daughter of Mabel and Clayton Reed. Betty was known for her kind, vivacious, and positive spirit. She will be profoundly missed by everyone who had the honor to know her. She is survived by her daughter Jana (Marty) Colver; sister, …

Mary Lou Kolassa, age 94, of Sturgis, passed away early Friday morning, October 15, 2021 at Birch Meadows Adult Foster Care in Three Rivers. She was born January 8, 1927 in Three Rivers, daughter of the late Leo and Lillian (Gilbert) Jacox. Mrs. Kolassa resided her whole life in the Sturgis and Three Rivers area. She was a graduate of …

Carolyn Ruth (Allred) Sutton, age 86, of Burr Oak, passed away Wednesday afternoon, October 13, 2021 at her home. She was born September 11, 1935 in Hastings, Michigan daughter of the late James Robert and Emma Ruth (Jenkins) Jordan. Carolyn resided in Sturgis most of her life and was a graduate of Belleview High School in Belleview. On March 20, …

Pearl Leone “Tootie” Blondia, age 81, of Centreville, and longtime Sturgis resident, passed away Tuesday afternoon, October 12, 2021 at Fairview Living and Rehabilitation in Centreville. She was born May 7, 1940 in Coldwater, daughter of the late Lyle Edwin and Viola May (Collins) Tilden. Tootie resided most of her life in Sturgis. She had been employed by Grumman Olson …