Obituaries

Elizabeth Faye Meek, age 90, of Peoria, Arizona passed away on Saturday, September 25, 2021 surrounded by her loving family. Elizabeth (Betty) was born on June 15, 1931 in Colon to the late Charles and Faye (Eggleston) Williams. Betty graduated from Colon High School with the class of 1950. She moved to Battle Creek and worked at Michigan Bell and …

Jack Duane Melchi, age 81, of Three Rivers, passed away on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at his home. He was born December 10, 1939 in White Pigeon, the son of Dale and Emily Mae (Waldren) Melchi, and graduated from Sturgis High School with the Class of 1958. He served in the U.S. Navy from January 28, 1958 to January 26, …

David Harold Hardenbrook, age 70, of Marcellus, passed away Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at home. He was born in Vicksburg , on September 5, 1951 the son of Harry Francis Hardenbrok and Alice Cecelia Potter. Nancy R Barnum and David were together for 31 years. David was a “jack of all trades” including small engine repair, drove truck, was a …

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 …