Obituaries

Walter “Gene” “The Crank” Curnow, age 77, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday afternoon, Oct. 22, 2020, at Sturgis Hospital. He was born Dec. 15, 1942, in Maywood, Calif., a son of the late Walter N. and Mary Ella (Symmonds) Curnow. Gene resided in Sturgis since 1975. His early life was spent in Keokuk, Iowa, where he was a graduate of …

Paul Charles Coomer, Jr., age 23, of Mendon, died Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 at his home. He was born in Grand Rapids, on May 8, 1997 the son of Paul C. and Linda M. (Frazine) Coomer. He graduated from Jennison High School with the Class of 2015 and completed the welding program at Glen Oaks Community College. He enjoyed fixing …

Malcom M. Alderson went to his eternal home in heaven with his Savior on Friday, October 23, 2020 in Kalamazoo. He was born February 16, 1936 in Farmers, Kentucky the son of Bert and Bernice (Green) Alderson. Malcom co-owned and operated Alderson and Goodman Lumber Company in Mendon for almost 30 years. His work was his passion and he was …

Barbara Louise Gibson, age 94, of Three Rivers, passed away on Friday, October 23, 2020 at Edgewood Health & Rehabilitation Facility. She was born on February 20, 1926 in Elkhart, the daughter of James H. and Dorothy E. (Sharkey) Rowe. She married Herbert G. Gibson June 15, 1946 in Elkhart, and they lived in Three Rivers since 1952, where they …

Margaret (Peg) Mary Connelly, age 73, of Constantine, passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2020, at her daughter’s home, in Kalamazoo. Margaret was born in Pittsburgh on March 31, 1947. She is the daughter of James and Pauline (Novak) Raimar.  She graduated from Carrick High School, in Pittsburgh and attended Glen Oaks Community College.  On April 21, 1964, she married …

Benedict L. Bontrager, age 73 of Colon, died Friday, October 23, 2020 at Edgewood Health and Rehabilitation in Three Rivers. He was born in Sturgis on November 9, 1946 the son of Levi and Mary (Yoder) Bontrager. He was married to Connie Yoder on May 11, 1969 in Centreville. Ben may be remembered working at Frye Copy Systems in Sturgis …

Alton M.K. Burk III, age 59, of Wichita Falls, Texas, passed away at home on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, from cancer. He was born Oct. 2, 1961, at Fort Campbell, Ky., to Alton M.K. Jr. and Judith Burk. Alton attended White Pigeon schools, graduating with the class of 1980. After graduating, he joined the U.S. Air Force in July 1980, …

Larry Miller, age 83, of Palestine, IL, died Wednesday, October 7, 2020, in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family. He was born on April 29, 1937, the son of Luther & Ruth (Musgrave) Miller, both of whom preceded him in death. On May 23, 1987, he married his childhood sweetheart, Barbara Hardesty, and she survives. He is …

Shirley Teadt, age 77, of Three Rivers passed away peacefully surrounded, by her family on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at Bronson Hospital. Shirley was born in Fort Wayne, a daughter of William and Eva (Buehrer) Pitney.  She attended Rome City High School graduating in 1961. Donald J. and Shirley were married May 17, 1968 in Kendallville. Shirley worked several harvest …

Guy W. Savage, age 77, of Sturgis, passed away Monday, Oct. 19, 2020 at Parkview Hospital in Ft. Wayne. He was born Aug. 25, 1943 in Summer Shade, Kentucky a son to the late Edison and Vera (Shockley) Savage. Guy had been employed at FMC Corp. in Hoopeston, IL and Abbot Laboratories in Sturgis where he retired. He enjoyed farming, …