Obituaries

Connie Joan Roberts, age 75, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday afternoon July 18, 2020, at Miller’s Merry Manor Nursing Home in LaGrange. She was born March 2, 1945, in Three Rivers, a daughter of the late Myrl and Maxine (Kinney) Milhahn. Connie resided in the Sturgis area her entire life and was a graduate of Constantine High School with the …

It is with great sadness we announce that John Howard Weaver, beloved son, brother, husband, uncle, friend and mentor, passed away on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, due to health complications following a stroke in April of this year. He is predeceased by his parents, Howard and Elsie Weaver, and in-laws, Mike and Anna Cholak. John is survived by his devoted …

Marie E. Zinsmaster, age 93, Centreville, passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2020.  Marie was born in South Bend on April 17, 1927, daughter of Bailey and Lillly (Crabtree) Murphy.  She graduated from Washington High School, South Bend, in 1945.  She later attended Glen Oaks.  On November 27, 1948, she married Clarence Pianowski in South Bend; they were divorced in …

Robert John (Bobby) Hawkins, age 65, of Centreville, formerly of Constantine, passed away Friday, July 17, 2020 at Ascension Borgess Hospital, Kalamazoo. Robert was born in Sturgis on December 13, 1954, a son of Junior and Marjorie (Westphal) Hawkins. Robert was a graduate of the Adapt Day Program. He enjoyed fire trucks, school buses, and carousels, especially riding the carousel …

William “Rick” Commenator, age 71, of Iron River, MI, passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at UP Health System-Marquette. He was born on April 1, 1949 in Lansing, the son of the late Ralph and Rita (Rickey) Commenator. Rick graduated from high school in Constantine with the Class of 1967. Rick married Mary Blackmore on September 19, 1970 at …

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.