Obituaries

Larry James (Butch) Engel, age 78, of Traverse City, (formerly of East Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Sturgis, and Petoskey) passed away Monday evening, November 27, 2023 at a wonderful care facility not far from their Traverse City home. He passed peacefully with his wife of almost 38 years, Lisa, by his side. Larry married Lisa on March 22, 1986 in Kalamazoo. …

Lynda Kay Riddle-Taulbee, age 63, a lifelong resident of Sturgis, passed away Monday, November 27, 2023 at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born May 23, 1960 in Grand Rapids, a daughter of Robert D. and Janice M. (Holtz) Riddle. Lynda was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1978 and also took a few college courses …

Donna Mae Spidle, age 88, of Dowagiac, passed away on Monday, November 27, 2023, at The Timbers of Cass County in Dowagiac. Donna was born on May 12, 1935, in Claire, Michigan, a daughter to the late Clare and Bernice (Rose) Strouse. On July 4, 1953, Donna married Gerald (Jerry) Spidle in Battle Creek. Gerald preceded Donna in death on …

Marjorie Jean Probst, age 97, of Sturgis, died Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at Optalis Health and Rehabilitation where she has resided the past month. She was born in Centreville on February 28, 1926 the daughter of Roy Russell Nicholas and Clara E. (Gerdes) Nicholas and was a lifetime resident of St. Joseph County. Marjorie graduated from Centreville High School with …

The world lost a bright light when Victoria Rose Marckini, age 17, of Three Rivers, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 25, 2023. Born August 4, 2006 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Richard Marckini and Melissa Jo Frye, she touched many lives at Three Rivers High School where she was a senior. Victoria participated in the Aristocrats choir, ran track, …

Joann “JoJo” Royeton, age 80, of Sturgis, passed away on November 21, 2023 in Marshall. She was born in Valparaiso, Indiana to Jack and Barbara Royeton. Joann lived in Sturgis for all of her life and she was known for her friendly and independent nature, as well as her strength and pride. She enjoyed riding her bike around town, playing …

Christine Anne Saunders, age 55, of Mendon, passed away at her home on Monday, November 27, 2023 surrounded by her family after battling a long illness.  She was born in Sturgis, the daughter of Philip and Maureen (Carkenord) Cupp.  Chris graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1986 and went on to play volleyball at Kalamazoo Valley Community …

David M. Broker, age 69, of Three Rivers, passed away Saturday, November 25, 2023 at his home, surrounded by love. He was born May 14, 1954 in Three Rivers, the son of Jack and Margaret (Cassell) Broker, and graduated from Three Rivers High School with the Class of 1972. David worked as a millwright at American Axle for more than …

Marilyn Ethel Ramp (nee Creager), age 80, of Centreville, passed away on Sunday, November 26, 2023 at Birch Meadows in Three Rivers.  She was born on September 1, 1943 in Oak Park, IL, daughter to Franklin and Marian (Doherty) Creager. Marilyn lived in Oak Park for the majority of her life. There she married her late husband, James “Jim” Ramp, on …

Nancy E. Allen Crabtree, age 78, of Mendon, passed away on Sunday, November 26, 2023 at The Sparrow House in Sturgis.  She was born in Mendon at her home on August 28, 1945 the daughter of Arthur and Una (Shingledecker) Smith.  She was a lifetime resident of the Mendon area.  On September 30, 1961 Nancy would marry Roger Allen in …