Obituaries

Joan Elizabeth Dykstra, age 65, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday, July 25, 2021 in Engadine, Michigan. She was born February 13, 1956 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Ray C. and Joyce Elaine (Rider) Gilbert. Joan met her husband, Terrill “Terry” Dykstra while working at Harding’s Pharmacy in Three Rivers; the couple married on May 14, 1976. Terry was the …

Mary Lou Frederick, age 85, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021 at the Bowman House where she resided. She was born in Three Rivers on March 8, 1936 the daughter of the late Earl and Viola (Burrow) Hitesman. Mrs. Frederick graduated from Three Rivers High School and was united in …

Carolyn Chiyoko Ward, age 100, passed away Saturday morning, September 4, 2021 at Dear Country Adult Foster Care in Burr Oak. She was born August 7, 1921 in Yokohama, Japan daughter of the late Yozo and Chitose Kanayama. Mrs. Ward came to the United States in 1951 and resided in Sturgis since 1953. On March 2, 1949 she married Raymond …

David Arlen Falkenstein, age 78, of Sturgis, passed away late Friday evening, September 3, 2021 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. He was born April 27, 1943 in Sturgis, son of the late Edward C. and Dorothy Belle (Chapman) Falkenstein. Dave was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1961. On July …

Charles Lewis Wood, age 82, of rural White Pigeon, died Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021 at Ascension Borgess Hospital. He was born in Vicksburg on Feb. 17, 1939 the son of Melvin and Eva (Huntington) Wood. He was married to Vera Mae Gage in Parkville on July 25, 1959, and they have made their home near White Pigeon since their marriage. …

James Richard “Rick” Bibb, age 69, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday evening, August 31, 2021 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. He was born April 16, 1952 in Sturgis, son of the late James and Melva (Wiser) Bibb. Rick was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1970. On July 27, …

Long time Klinger Lake resident James Ellsworth Riley, age 70, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by friends and family. Jim was born on May 20, 1951 to Fred and Emily Riley. He attended Quincy High School in Quincy, Michigan, where he played many sports and graduated in 1969. After high school he served in the United States Army from …

Clayton Frank Rogers, age 83, died on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. A celebration of Frankie’s life will be held Friday, September 17, 2021 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Three Rivers Elks Lodge #1248, 603 W. Michigan Ave. Arrangements by Hohner Funeral Home.

Richard I. Ware, age 88, of Sturgis, passed away Monday evening December 21, 2020 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born March 2, 1932 at the family home near the Marantette Bridge in Mendon, son of the late Victor and Delcie (Johnson) Ware. Dick was a longtime Sturgis resident of Sturgis. Before moving to Sturgis he lived in …

Kurk D. Bernheisel, age 57, of Leonidas, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Kurk was born a son to Kenneth and Alma “Jeanie” (Hochstetler) Bernheisel, on November 22, 1963, in Battle Creek. Kurk’s greatest love was watching his daughter Kendalynn play sports. Surviving Kurk is his daughter Kendalynn Bernheisel of Leonidas, mother Jeanie Berheisel of …