Obituaries

Betty M. Finnerman Schlagheck, age 87, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 16, 2020, at her home in Sturgis. Born April 26, 1933, to Rudolph and Alma (Miller) Quirin, Betty was a life-long resident of Sturgis, having never lived more than a 2-mile radius from the home in which she was born. On Oct. 25, 1952, she was united in …

William Carl Croy, age 49, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at his home. He was born September 14, 1970 in Sturgis, son of the late Donald and Diann Marie (Hardesty) Croy. Billy resided most of his life in the Colon and Sturgis area and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1989 and …

Mary Lou Gragg, age 82, of Mendon, died Monday, July 13, 2020 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born near Clifton, Tennessee on Aug. 27, 1937 one of nine children born to Jess Earl Hobbs and Gracie (Tucker) Hobbs. She attended school in Tennessee. It was while working as a waitress, she met her future husband, Howard A. …

Carol Marie Oakes, age 74, of Tekonsha, passed away on Friday, July 10, 2020 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. According to Carol’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no services. The family is being served by Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation of Union City. Carol was born on October 16, 1945 at Bixby Hospital in Adrian. She …

Ralph Gaylord Troyer, age 91, of Burr Oak, passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at The Birches in Leonidas. A memorial service is planned for Sunday, July 26, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Calvary Chapel in Sturgis. Arrangements by Schipper Funeral Home.

Mark Steven Truckey, age 61, of Mendon, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 13, 2020 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. He was born in Warren, MI on July 23, 1958 the son of John “Jack” and Claire (Delehanty) Truckey. The family moved back to Mendon in 1966, where Mark was a lifelong resident. He graduated from Mendon High School …

Randy Lamar Waite, age 61, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday July 11, 2020 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born January 10, 1959 in Sturgis, son of the late Garnet and Myrtle (Draper) Waite. Randy was a talented tree trimmer by trade, working for several area tree trimming companies. He is survived by one sister: Carol M. Wilbur …

Janis M. Phillips, age 63, of Mason, Ohio and a former Sturgis resident passed away Thursday, July 2, 2020 at her home. She was born May 28, 1957 in Jackson, Michigan daughter of the late Burton and Dorothy (Steckle) Dowley. Jan resided in Mason since 2011 coming from Sturgis. On July 28, 1979 she married James Phillips at the First …

Judith Marie Stepp, age 73, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday evening, July 9, 2020 at the home of her son in Sturgis. She was born September 6, 1946 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Harlow and June (Neuschaefer) Hanselman. Judy was a longtime Sturgis resident. Her early life was spent in Kouts, Indiana where she was a graduate of Kouts …

Phyllis Jean Apple, age 82, of Sturgis, passed away at home on Friday, July 10, 2020 after a brief battle with Cancer. Phyllis was born on December 20, 1937 to Laurence and Esther Rager.  Phyllis attended Ball State University from 1955 – 1958, graduating with a degree in Education.  She taught at Knapp Elementary School until her retirement. Phyllis married …