Obituaries

James (Jim) W. Best, age 74, of Three Rivers, lost his battle with Alzheimer’s disease surrounded by the love of his family on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents Eleanor A. (Richardson) Best and Grey J. Best; his sister Barbara Best; father-in-law Robert E. Dodge, mother-in-law Wathena (DeWitt) Dodge; and his brother-in-law Leon Bagwell. …

Richard Buys, age 54, of Three Rivers passed away at home on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. He was born in Sturgis on December 3, 1966, the son of the late Albert and Stella (Kanouse) Buys. He remained a life long resident of Michigan living in different parts throughout his life. He had a wonderful smile and great sense of humor. …

Mary Ann Gratkowski (Piekarczyk), age 103, of Marcellus, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. She was born in East Chicago, Indiana on January 21, 1918, the daughter of Andrew and Mary (Koscielniak) Piekarczyk. She is the last living sibling out of 10. On October 11, 1941 in East Chicago, Indiana she married Frank J. …

Marie A. St. Louis, age 82, of Sturgis, went home to be with our Lord and Savior late Wednesday evening, April 7, 2021, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born April 20, 1938, in Cheboygan, a daughter of the late Steven and Elizabeth (Warner) Grawey. Mrs. St. Louis resided in Sturgis since 1959, coming from Detroit. On Dec. …

Robin Lynne Tilden, age 64, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday evening, April 7, 2021, at her home. She was born Dec. 17, 1956, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Maurice M. and Sharon Lou (Brown) Pippinger. Robin resided most of her life in Sturgis and was graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1975. She furthered her …

Brian (Bic) Keith Johnson, age 60, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at home. He was born Sept. 4, 1960, in Breckenridge, Minn. He was a son of the late Omer and Phyllis (Blouin) Johnson. Brian graduated from Wyndmere High School in 1978. He served in the United States Army as a radio operator and was stationed in …

John G. “The Bug” Kasner, age 70, of Constantine, died Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at his home. He was born March 20, 1951 in Highland Park, MI a son of Gerald and Edna (Phelps) Kasner. He graduated from Lapeer High School and went on to serve in the United States Army from 1981 to 1983. On May 3, 1980 he …

Grace I. Patrick, age 95, of Sturgis, went to be with her Lord and Savior Easter morning, Sunday, April 4, 2021, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born March 28, 1926, at her parents’ farm on Decker Road in Colon, a daughter of the late Zoe and Sadie (Pulver) Flanders. As a youngster, she lived in South Colon, …

Gregory Alan McCully, age 70, of Jones, passed away on Friday, April 2, 2021. He was born June 27, 1950 in Gary, Indiana, the son of George L. and Mildred Ada (Rudd) McCully. Greg graduated from trade school and was a salesman in the meat industry. He served his country proudly in the 82nd Airborne during the Vietnam era. Greg loved …

Charles Odell Crawford, age 83, of Three Rivers went to be with his Lord on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at home surrounded by his family following a courageous battle with a lengthy illness. He was born on August 31, 1937 in Casa, Arkansas, the son of Percy and Gola (Tanner) Crawford. He worked in the paper box manufacturing industry as …