Obituaries

Laura June Krick, age 79, of Sturgis, passed away early Monday morning, May 13, 2024, at her home. She was born August 4, 1944, in Sturgis, daughter of the late John and Ann (Halsey) Kelly. Laura resided most of her life in the Sturgis area except for the 21 years she lived in Goodrich, Michigan. She was a graduate of …

Vicki A. Budd of Sturgis, was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, following a brief but courageous battle with cancer. She faced her diagnosis with grace and dignity, the same way she lived her life. A devoted caretaker to the end, she worried less about herself and more about those she would leave behind. …

Robert (Bob) Wayne Cooper, age 62, of Battle Creek, passed away Monday May 6, 2024, surrounded by his family members at Bronson Hospital in Battle Creek. Bob’s life began October 18, 1961, in Norfolk, VA, the son of Richard Thomas and Patricia Ann (Flynn) Cooper. As a young boy, Bob grew up in Jones, MI after his family moved from …

Ann Donnelly of Fisher Lake, passed away at the age of 90 on May 5, 2024 in her home and with her family by her side. She was born in An Siléar Rosmuc, County Galway, Ireland, on June 28, 1933, the fifth of 14 children born to John Nee and Bridget Walsh. Ann Nee grew up in the Gaeltacht (Irish …

James S. Mathews, age 76, of Kalamazoo, passed away at his home on Monday, May 6, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Chicago, the son of the late Dr. John and Wilma (Wasser) Mathews. He was raised by his grandparents James and Lena Mathews along with his father and stepmother, Shirley. At a young age he moved …

Dolores A. “Dee Dee” Wise, age 88, of Sturgis, passed away early Thursday morning, May 9, 2024 at the Center for Hospice Care Esther House in Elkhart. She was born July 20, 1935, in Battle Creek, a daughter to the late Fahm and Dorothy (Crocker) Mahmet. Dee Dee resided in Sturgis since 1978 coming from Battle Creek where she was …

Roy J. Buel, age 84, of Centreville, died Thursday, May 9, 2024. Arrangements are pending at Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis.

Jean C. Kelly, age 87, of Goshen, and formerly of Howe, died on May 4, 2024 at Greencroft Healthcare in Goshen. Jean was born on June 25, 1936 in Battle Creek to Urban and Nell (Leestma) Wise. She and her family were long-time members of the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis. Jean worked as a purchasing agent for General Fireproofing, …

Loved and cherished by her family and friends, Laurie McCawley Van Tassel, age 94, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at her Corey Lake home near Three Rivers. She was born November 4, 1929 in Chicago, the beloved and only daughter of Albert and Blanche (Helmholz) McCawley. Her early married years were spent raising a family with her …

Ervan Leroy Taylor, age 61, of Three Rivers, passed away Monday, May 6, 2024 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. He was born July 11, 1962 in Three Rivers, the son of Charles and Agnes (Brooks) Taylor, and graduated from Three Rivers High School. Ervan, also affectionately known as “ET,” worked at Three Rivers Hospital for some time, Harder’s Manufacturing for five …