Obituaries

Jeremiah Joseph “Jeremy” Slemp, age 41, of Hoisington, Kansas, formerly from Constantine, passed away Friday, April 30, 2021, at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington, Kansas. Jeremy was born November 19, 1979, in Sturgis, the son of Joseph E. and Sandra K. (McClain) Slemp. He was a resident of Hoisington, Kansas, for one year, moving from Bison, Kansas. A 1998 graduate of …

William J. Sanderson, age 68, of LaGrange, passed away Sunday, May 9th, 2021, at the VA Hospital in Marion, IN following an extended illness. William was born on August, 10th 1952 in LaGrange, to Frank and Leona (Shafer) Sanderson. He spent a majority of his life living in LaGrange. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, competitive shooting and traveling. William was a …

Sharon Lynn Baker, age 83, of Sturgis, passed away early Thursday morning, May 6, 2021 at her home with her daughter and son-in-law by her side. Sharon’s beautiful smile and contagious laugh was a daily reflection of how much she loved life, family, friends… and a tall glass of iced wine. In her glory days she would serenade friends at …

Douglas James Keefer, age 67, of Sturgis, passed away Monday morning, May 7, 2021 at his home. He was born April 24, 1954 in son of the late Charles Russel and Myrtle Keefer. Doug resided most of his life in Sturgis. He had been employed by the Kirsch Company in Sturgis for several years until the closing of the company. …

Mildred Ida (Saddison) Pearson, age 96, died peacefully early Thursday morning on May 6, 2021 in Kalamazoo. Millie, as she was known to friends and family, was born to Charles and Thelma May (Harding) Saddison on September 13, 1924 in Sturgis. On May 13, 1942 she married Axel Clyde Pearson in Goshen. They were married for 47 years and raised …

Donna Lee Roach, age 86, of Union City, died Saturday, May 8, 2021 at Bronson-Battle Creek Hospital. She was born near Hastings, Michigan on May 11, 1934 one of eight children born to Clyde and Carrie (Thompson) Marble and was a lifetime resident of Southwest Michigan. She attended country schools in Barry County. For several years Donna was employed at …

Betty Lou Whitney, age 92, of Kalamazoo, passed away Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at Friendship Village of Kalamazoo. Betty was born in Athens, Michigan on October 27, 1928 the daughter of Leo Oscar Wood and Minnie E. Vedder, and the fourth of eight children. On June 28, 1947, in LaGrange, she married Glenn Kenneth Whitney, who preceded her in death …

Katherine “Kathy” D. Alexander, age 61, of Centreville, passed away on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at home surrounded by her loving family. Kathy was born in Kalamazoo on August 29, 1959, a daughter of Robert and Bertha (Baird) Jeffries. She graduated from Mendon High School in 1977.  On September 18, 1977, she married Michael Alexander.  Kathy retired from IAC in …

Rodney E. Irwin, age 62, of Three Rivers passed away Saturday morning, May 1, 2021 at his home. Rodney was born February 24, 1959 in Three Rivers, the son of Eldon and Martha (VanKirk) Irwin. He had been employed with Meijer for the past several years in the deli and was an avid bowler and Notre Dame fan. Rodney is …

Juan Jose Cavazos, age 59, of Elkhart, passed away Friday morning May 7, 2021 at Goshen Hospital. Juan was born on January 2, 1962 in Alice, Texas son of Armando and Maria Ruth (Garcia) Cavazos. His early years were spent in Lansing, moving to LaBelle, Florida in his teenage years. Juan resided in LaBelle, until relocating to Elkhart, 6 months …