Obituaries

Gary Junior Hobson, age 58, of Hephzibah, Georgia; formerly of Marcellus, passed away Thursday, May 20, 2021 at Augusta Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia. Gary was born in Portsmouth, Ohio on November 26, 1962 the son of Phillip Gary Hobson and Kathryn King. On August 17, 1986 in Vanceburg, Kentucky Gary married the love of his life Cathryn (Sights) Young, …

Philip James Stevens, age 48, of rural Vicksburg, died Sunday, May 23, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born in Kalamazoo on Aug. 12, 1972 the son of Ronald W. and Suzanne (Papierz) Stevens. He graduated from Comstock High School with the class of 1990, and later attended the Fire Academy. Philip was a firefighter, and first …

Robert “Rob” Leon Norton, age 55, of Sturgis, and formerly of LaPorte, IN passed away Saturday evening, May 22, 2021 at Sturgis Hospital. He was born March 14, 1966 in LaPorte, a son to James Norton and Jean (Smith) Cannan Rob was a 1984 graduate of LaPorte High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in Business and Marketing from Indiana …

Jerry Ray Melchi, age 72, of Kalamazoo, passed away Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at his home. He was born Aug. 31, 1948 in White Pigeon to Chester and Lilian (Whisler) Melchi. Jerry graduated from White Pigeon High School and received his Tool & Die certification from Glen Oaks Community College. He had been a resident of the Sturgis area most …

Donald L. Houser, age 84, of Sturgis, moved on peacefully to his eternal home on Friday, May 21, 2021, surrounded by his family. He was born October 7, 1936, in Buhl, Idaho to Jay and Florence (Roth) Houser. He grew up in Filer and Twin Falls, ID. He served in Volunteer Service at Heston College in Heston, Kansas for 2 …

Jean Marie Klein, age 52, of rural Mendon, died Monday, May 17, 2021 at her home. She was born in Battle Creek on Dec. 14, 1968 the youngest of fourteen children born to Vincent E. and Henrietta C. (Pluester) Klein. Born with special needs, God carefully chose a wonderful, loving family to raise her. She attended the Pathfinder Educational Center …

Bernard “Skip” Leon Nisonger, age 87, of Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at home. He was born March 4, 1934 in Three Rivers, the son of Leon and E. Bernice (Simon) Nisonger. He was a graduate of Three Rivers High School where he was part of the basketball team. Drafted into the Army, he served in the …

Sandra Lou Hansen, age 84, passed away April 16, 2021. She was born March 23, 1937 in Constantine to the late Max R. and Madonna (Burcham) Hill. Her early years included living in Three Rivers and Muskegon, while raising her three sons. Sandra and her husband Owen are residents of Spring Lake, Michigan and have been part-time residents of Ellenton, …

Kathy Regina Freeby, age 66, of Three Rivers, went to be with the Lord Jesus on May 14, 2021 after a nine-month-long battle with cancer. She was born November 25, 1954 in Oneonta, Alabama to Euel and Robbie (McCay) Faile, who preceded her in death. Kathy leaves behind her husband of 31 years, Michael Freeby; three siblings, Debbie Faile, Tina …

Edwin O. Harker, age 87, a lifelong Sturgis resident, passed away Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at Parkview LaGrange Hospital. He was born Nov. 1, 1933 in Sturgis, a son to the late Peter W. and Roma M. (Rifenberg) Harker. On Feb. 16, 1952 in LaGrange, he married Wanda W. Teall. She preceded him in death on Dec. 15, 2017. Edwin …