Obituaries

Donald Ralph DeVerna, age 71, of Klinger Lake Road, Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly in his home May 31, 2025. He was born November 27, 1953 to Dallas and Hazel (Keck) DeVerna. Don worked for Lazy Boy and GM, where he worked for 43 years before retiring in 2019. He married Barbara Lee Stevenson on June 30, 1973 in Temperance, Michigan. …

Dolores D. Ware, age 91, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday afternoon, May 31, 2025, at her home. She was born April 27, 1934 in Chicago, daughter of the late John and Helen (Butrimas) Pokorny. Dolores resided in Sturgis for the past 70 years. Her early life was spent in Chicago. On May 22, 1954, she married Richard I. Ware at …

Ronald Leo Johnson, age 91, of Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. He was born December 27, 1933 in Kalamazoo, the son of Elmer and Leone (Kern) Johnson, and graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1952 and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Western Michigan University. Ron served his country in the …

Ralph Max Chapman, age 62, of Three Rivers, passed away Friday, May 30, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born October 7, 1962 in Three Rivers, the son of Max and Oneda (Hostetler) Chapman, and graduated from Three Rivers High School. Ralph served his country in the Army National Guard. In 1986, he married Lori …

Carol Ann Keagle, age 77, of Portage, Michigan, and former Sturgis resident, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday evening, May 28, 2025, at the Bronson Methodist Hospital emergency room in Kalamazoo. She was born in Sturgis on July 10, 1947, daughter of the late Donald R. and Elsie (Smoker) Wittenberg. Carol has resided in Portage since 2013 coming from Arizona where she …

Pamela Jean Pugh, age 68, of Colon, passed away at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Pamela was born in Sturgis on June 26, 1956, a daughter to the late Lloyd and Carolyn (Llewelyn) Babcock. Pamela was a graduate of Sturgis High School. On December 20, 1973, Pamela married Leroy Pugh in Howe, Indiana. Leroy preceded …

Thomas William Lee, age 80, of Burr Oak, passed away at his home on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Thomas was born on October 31, 1944, in Three Rivers, a son to the late He was a lifelong resident of Burr Oak. Thomas worked for more than 30 years at Ross Labs in Sturgis, as a powerhouse engineer. He was a …

Michael W. Stiver, age 75, of Centreville, died on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at Fairview Living and Rehabilitation. He was born February 21, 1950 in Three Rivers, a son of Paul and Dorothy (Bolender) Stiver. Mike attended Roys School and Centreville Schools. He worked at Weyerhaeuser Paper Company in White Pigeon from 1968 until his retirement in 2016. Mike also …

Larry Lee Waltke, age 73, of White Pigeon, died on May 22, 2025. He was born on March 24, 1952 in Sturgis, the son of Eldred and Priscilla (Smith) Waltke. Larry was a White Pigeon resident all of his life and graduate of White Pigeon Schools in 1971. He was a retired welder and enjoyed cars, guns, and bowling. He …

Harriet Jean Vollmar, age 82, of Constantine, died on May 23, 2025. She was born on October 7, 1942 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Clifford and Dena (Kiewiet) Becker. Harriet was a Constantine resident since 1990, and a retired secretary. She was married to William Vollmar, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her son Michael (Bonnie) Kramer; …