Obituaries

Gerald (Jerry) Laverne Johnson Sr., age 84, of Three Rivers, passed away on Monday, January 4, 2021. He was born August 6, 1936 in Constantine, the son of William (Bob) Tolbert and Dora Louise (Norton) Johnson, Sr. Gerald married JoAnn Burt on October 23, 1954 at the Methodist Church in Constantine. They moved into a tenant house on the Ertah …

Omer L. Sheteron, Sr., age 88, of Constantine, passed away on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at Heartland Health Care Center in Three Rivers. Omer was born in Indiana on January 30, 1932, a son of Joseph and Minnie (Hunsberger) Sheteron.  He attended Constantine Schools. In 1953, he married Mary F. Salter; she preceded him in death in 1984. Omer worked …

Zachary Justin Shafer, age 25, of Ault, Colorado, went to be with Jesus on Thursday, December 31, 2020 as the result of a motor vehicle accident. Zachary was born on May 10, 1995 to Justin and Heather (Harshberger) Shafer in Battle Creek. He grew up in Overland Park, Kansas and graduated from Blue Valley West High School in 2013. He …

Beverly D. Whitney, age 63, of Mendon, died unexpectedly on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021 at her home. She was born in Sturgis on Dec. 22, 1957 the daughter of Charles A. and Lena (Yurkovich) Hinchen. She graduated from Mendon High School in 1976 and earned her Associates Degree at Glen Oaks Community College. Bev was married to Robert L. Whitney …

Andrew Jay Trattles, age 62, of Constantine, passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at Heartland Health Care Center in Three Rivers. He was born in Sturgis on June 1, 1958 the son of the late Elmer and Kathryn (Randel) Trattles. He attended school at the Roys Elementary School, Huss Elementary School, and Three Rivers High School. He graduated with the …

John Edward Baker, age 83, of LaGrange, and a former resident of Sturgis, passed away Monday, January 4, 2021 at Parkview LaGrange Hospital in LaGrange. He was born March 4, 1937 in LaGrange, son of the late Cletus and Evelyn (Parson) Baker. Ed resided most of his life in the Sturgis area and was a graduate of Sturgis High School …

Richard C. Fleckenstein, age 78, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, due to failing health over the last year. He was born March 7, 1942 in Kalamazoo, a son to the late Harold and Katheryn (Crane) Fleckenstein. On June 25, 1988 in Lansing, he married Shirley (Skinner) Holcom. Richard retired from Sparrow …

Dr. John Franklin Lindamood, Jr., DVM, age 77, of Sturgis, passed away on January 3, 2021 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. He was born December 16, 1943 in Jackson, son of the late John F. and Naomi Louise (Treadwell) Lindamood. Dr. Lindamood resided in Sturgis since 1974 coming from Grass Lake where he was a graduate of Grass Lake …

Roberta L. Layson, age 81, of Sturgis, died on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, at Miller’s Merry Manor in LaGrange. Ms. Layson was born Sept. 10, 1939, in Detroit, to Catherine (Jewell) Walberg. Roberta was a homemaker and nanny for many years. She enjoyed spending time with her family and had a special relationship with her sister, Judy and Judy’s family. …

Rodney Clair “Rod” Decker, age 59, of Schoolcraft, died Monday, Jan. 4, 2021 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born in Vicksburg on Nov. 23, 1961 the son of Allan R. and Geraldine M. (Spealman) Decker and was a lifetime resident of Kalamazoo County. He graduated from Vicksburg High School with the class of 1979 and later attended …