Obituaries

Barbara Joan Wilkins, age 83, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, following a brief stay. She was born Aug. 21, 1937, in Ligonier, a daughter of the late Woodrow and Mildred (Hewitt) Sheley. Barbara was a homemaker and enjoyed playing the organ, was fond of pets, especially cats, and was a member …

Our family mourns the death of Bryan Junior Van Skike, who died on September 24, 2020, in Sturgis. He was 92 years old. Bryan was born at home in Holliday, Missouri on October 25, 1927, delivered by the doctor who arrived in a horse and buggy. His parents were Reva Smith Van Skike and Harry Bryan Van Skike. Bryan’s childhood …

Nancy E. Fox, age 75, of Centreville, died Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. Nancy’s life began in Schoolcraft on April 12, 1945. The family moved to St. Joseph County where she attended Upper Flatbush and Park Community schools. She attended Three Rivers High School where she graduated in 1964. Nancy worked for Denton Mills in …

Thomas C. Colpetsir, age 64, of Colon, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his family. Tom was born Jan. 30, 1956, in Sturgis, a son of the late Clayton C. and Barbara A. (James) Colpetsir. Tom graduated from Colon High School with the class of 1973. Following high school, Tom completed plumber apprentice school to …

Robert Neil Baxter, age 83, of Colon, passed away unexpectedly Monday, September 28, 2020 at his home. Robert was born on April 25, 1937 in Hudson, Michigan, a son of the late Neil and Velma (Thompson) Baxter. Robert graduated from Hudson High School with the class of 1955. Following high school Robert attended Grand Rapids Baptist College and Theological Seminary. …

Gatha Jean Harris, age 94, of Burr Oak, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, at Thurston Woods Village. She was born Jan. 23, 1926, in Bronson, to Albert Henry and Mary Elizabeth (Mock) Leverence. Gatha attended Worden Schools for eight years and graduated valedictorian from Burr Oak High School with the class of 1942. She then graduated from Michigan State …

Sharon Kay Harker, age 56, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday morning, Sept. 29, 2020, at her home. She was born June 1, 1964, in Sturgis, the only daughter of Willard W. and Barbara J. (Backman) Harker. Sharon resided most of her life in Sturgis. Most of Sharon’s working life was involved in the plastic industry. She had been employed by …

Mary Louise Schemahorn, age 90, of Sturgis, was reunited with her husband, Ernie, Monday afternoon, Sept. 28, 2020. She was born April 5, 1930, in LaGrange, a daughter of the late Lloyd and Martha (Rush) Keck. Mary had resided in Sturgis since 1954. Her early life was spent in LaGrange, where she was a graduate of LaGrange High School with …

William J. Burkhead, age 78, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, at Sturgis Hospital. He was born Aug. 26, 1942, in Sturgis, a son of the late Ralph M. “Hap” and Eulalia M. (Houser) Burkhead. Bill was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1960. On July 1, 1961, he …

Clara M. Schwartz, age 78, of Bronson, passed away early Saturday afternoon, September 26, 2020 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. She was born December 29, 1941 in Kosciusko County, Indiana daughter of the late Martin E. and Susan (Hochstetler) Mast. Clara resided in Bronson for the past seven years coming from Sturgis. On February 28, 1960 she …