Obituaries

Faye Jean Walker, age 97, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday afternoon, September 28, 2002 at her home. She was born April 2, 1924 in Coral, Michigan daughter of the late George and Pearl (Durst) Snow. Mrs. Walker resided in Sturgis since 1954 coming from Greenville, Michigan. On July 16, 1949 she married Arthur C. Walker in Greenville. With her husband …

James L. Frays, age 93, of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday morning, September 28, 2021 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. He was born August 1, 1928 in Sturgis, son of the late Arthur F. and Velma I. (Fry) Frays. On Sept. 15, 1951 he married Lois A. Stump in Angola. She preceded him in death March 17, 2000. In …

Richard K. “Dick” Bechtloff, age 83, of Colon, passed away Sunday, September 26, 2021 at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. He was born October 3, 1937 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania only child of John and Evelyn Bechtloff. Dick resided in Colon for the past 32 years coming from Omaha, Nebraska. On October 29, 2010 he married Jacqueline “Jackie” …

James D Chaffee, age 58, of Edwardsburg, died on Sunday, September 26, 2021 . Born on May 20, 1963 in Elkhart Son of David N and Shirleyl (Dunithan) Chaffee. Employed at Elkhart Products for 27 years. Member of The Lords House in Cassopolis, Ordained Minister, and Shop Steward. Survived by his Father, Sisters Annette(Douglas)Troyer, Sherry(Eric) Kramer, Ruth (Larry) Russ Elizabeth …

Jeanne V Wallman Gibbeny, age 76, of Sturgis, died Sunday, September 26, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital following a short illness. Jeanne was born on July 20, 1945 in Nottawa Township the daughter of Joel and Vivian (Wilds) Schwartz. She lived in St. Joseph County all of her life. Employed By the Kirsch Company in Sturgis 34 years. She enjoyed …

Mr. Ernest Walker Palmer, age 81, of Navasota, Texas went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 6, 2021.. He passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family. Ernest was born in Whiting, Indiana on February 16, 1940 to Mark Twain Palmer and Jennie (Chelesz) Palmer. He was one of six children. Ernie moved his family to Navasota, …

Ruth Ellen Herman, age 86, of Sturgis, passed away on Monday, Sept. 27, 2021 at Sturgis Hospital. She was born Dec. 29, 1934 in Columbia City, IN a daughter of the late Lawrence Adam and Mary Jane (Mohn) Friend. Ruth has been a resident of Sturgis since 1980, previously living in the Middlebury, Shipshewana, Stone Lake area. She had been …

James Edward Wragg, age 84, of Centreville, passed away on Monday, September 27, 2021 at Skagg’s Assisted Living in Burr Oak after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.  Jim was born in Paw Paw on November 19, 1936, a son of Merrill and Kathryn (Cummings) Wragg.  He graduated from Paw Paw High School in 1955 and went on to receive …

Doris A. Fitch, age 93, of Three Rivers died Sunday, September 26, 2021 at Edgewood Nursing Home and Rehab. She was born in Sturgis on May 30, 1928 the daughter of Clyde and Caroline (Schaefer) Eicholtz. Doris was a graduate of Sturgis High School in 1945. In 1948, she was married to Donald Fitch in Three Rivers. Doris was a …

Alvin A. “Buck” Starks, age 91, of Three Rivers, died Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 at his home following a long illness. He was born in Thornwood, WV on Oct. 9, 1929 the son of Isaac and Edith V. (Lambert) Starks. He was married to Rose Marie Howe on Sept. 8, 1949 and they resided briefly in Indiana before moving to …