Obituaries

Carolyn A. Gruber, age 88, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday morning, Dec. 1, 2020, at The Gardens of The Fountains at Bronson Place in Kalamazoo. She was born in Peoria, Ill., a daughter of the late George and Julia (Roguszka) Dammann. Mrs. Gruber resided in Sturgis since 2000, coming from Kalamazoo. Her early life was spent in Peoria, where she …

Jon Michael “Frank” Falkenstein, age 78, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday morning, Dec. 2, 2020, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. He was born Nov. 29, 1942, in Sturgis, a son of the late Glen E. and Henrietta Lucille (Boughton) Falkenstein. Frank was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1961. On April …

Daniel Lee Gales, age 67, of Colon, went home to Jesus on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. On June 26, 1953 Daniel was born in Fort Wayne, a son of the late John and Joan (McLatcher) Gales. Daniel graduated from Colon High School with the class of 1971. After graduation Daniel served his county with the …

Reinald “Ron” A. Lilly, age 69, of Burr Oak, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at his home in Burr Oak. Ron was born on September 4, 1951 in Battle Creek, a son of Max and Ethel (Mock) Lilly. Ron attended and graduated from Bronson High School with the class of 1969. On June 30, 2001 Ron married Ruth …

Daniel Beryl Disbro, age 65, died Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020 at Argosy House in Centreville. He was born in Three Rivers on May 24, 1955 the son of Clyde and Janet (Gage) Disbro and has been a lifetime resident of St. Joseph County. He attended the Upjohn School in Kalamazoo and the Pathfinder School in Centreville. Dan worked at ARCH …

Robert Michael “Mitch” Foster, age 63, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, at his home. He was born Jan. 9, 1957 in Battle Creek, a son of Gerald G. and Maxine Virginia (Reed) Foster. Mitch was a lifelong Burr Oak and Sturgis area resident and a graduate of Burr Oak High School with the class of 1975. On …

Phyllis June Shuey, age 71, of Centreville, passed away early Wednesday morning, Dec. 2, 2020, at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Centreville. She was born April 22, 1949, in Three Rivers, a daughter of the late Henry and Jeanette M. (Bender) Shuey. Phyllis was a lifelong resident of St. Joseph County. She was a homemaker and enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, collecting …

Stephen E. Walters, age 74, of Kalamazoo, passed away on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. Steve was born in Three Rivers on December 6, 1945, a son of Earl and LaVonne (Minger) Walters. He graduated from Centreville High School in 1964 and then went on to obtain his Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in …

Steven Lee Miller, age 71, a lifelong Sturgis resident, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020 at his home. He was born July 21, 1949 in Sturgis, a son to the late Howard and Jenny (Fox) Miller. Steven had been employed with Abbot Laboratories in Sturgis for over 38 years. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, bowling, and darts. Surviving are one …

Mark R. Babb, age 60, of Sturgis, died peacefully on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born in Wilmington, Ohio on January 29, 1960 to the late Robert and Betty (Rose) Babb. His early life was spent in Wilmington where he graduated from Wilmington High School with the class of 1978. He furthered his …