Obituaries

Roy A. Merritt, age 84, of White Pigeon, died Monday, June 8, 2020, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, following a two-week illness. He was born June 29, 1935, in Constantine, a son of Frank and Cora (Sawyer) Merritt. He live in the Constantine and White Pigeon area all his life and was a graduate of Constantine High School. He …

Kenneth Jack Simmons, age 75, of Grand Blanc, MI, went home to be with the lord on Sunday, June 7, 2020. He was the son of Ray M. & Helen Maude (Hartman) of Jones.  Ken was a multiple sport athlete and a 1963 graduate of Marcellus High School where he was inducted into the Wildcats sports hall of fame. Ken …

Virginia Lee Soule, age 60, of Three Rivers, died Sunday, June 7, 2020 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. She was born in Sturgis on Dec. 19, 1959 the daughter of Richard Lee Watson and Shirley Long , and later adopted by David Chapman, Sr. She attended Auburn, Indiana Schools. She was married to Garry Fogleson on Dec. 11, 1977 …

Beverly Joyce (Klingerman) Phillips, age 79, of Colon, died unexpectedly on Sunday, June 6, 2020 at her home. She was born in Prescott, MI on April 11, 1941 one of 13 children born to Charles and Mildred (Sutton) Dobler. She attended West Branch Schools and spent most of her adult life in St. Joseph County. Beverly was married to James …

Arlene Lois (Young) Peeke, age 88, of Sturgis, passed away Friday morning, June 5, 2020, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, after suffering a stroke earlier in the week. Arlene was born Sept. 28, 1931, the fourth child of William and Grace (Rost) Young of Sturgis. She attended Sturgis public schools and graduated from Sturgis High School in 1949. She …

Charles R. Owens, age 89, of Cedar Lake, Howe, passed away Saturday afternoon, June 6, 2020, at his home. He was born June 15, 1930, in Jacksonville, Ill., a son of the late Floyd and Sophie (Linker) Owens. Mr. Owens resided at Cedar Lake since 1955. His early life was lived in St. Louis. On Sept. 3, 1955, he married …

Barry Eugene Blesing, age 82, of Three Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 21, 1938 in Kalamazoo, the son of the late Eugene and Ida (Campbell) Blesing. Barry was raised in Gobles, on Brandywine Lake, where he spent time fishing with his Mom and working …

Laura Felch, age 98, of Three Rivers, died Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at Three Rivers Health. She was born in Mishawaka on Oct. 8, 1921 one of eight children born to Orville and Evelyn (Emmans) Shirk. After graduation from Constantine High School, Laura attended Western Michigan University where she received her Master’s Degree in education. She specialized in special needs …

Beverly Jeanne (Van Drunen) Zuidema went home to be with her Savior on May 31, 2020 in her home, surrounded by loving family. She was born November 12, 1934 in her family home on Ridge Road that is still in the family. Beverly had an unconditional love for her family. She was also very passionate in her 46 year teaching …

JaNean Elaine Houck, age 88, of LaGrange, passed away Wednesday morning June 3, 2020 at Miller’s Merry Manor Nursing Home in LaGrange. She was born September 7, 1931 in Sturgis, daughter of the late Allison Neil and Beulah Ann (Roe) Mizner. JaNean resided in the Sturgis and LaGrange County area most of her life and was a graduate of LaGrange …