Obituaries

Jeffery Alan Miller, affectionately known as Jeff, age 51, resident of De Queen, Arkansas, passed from this life on Saturday, May 30, 2020 in Portland, Texas. Jeff was born to Ray and Pat Miller on July 14, 1968 in South Bend. He was a 1986 graduate of White Pigeon High School, and faithfully served his country with the United States …

Michael Scott Mortimore, age 21, of Marcellus/Dowagiac, passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2020. He was born in Kalamazoo on June 5, 1998 the son of Daniel Scott Mortimore and Tammie Jo Mortimore. Michael graduated from Dowagiac High School in 2017. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed playing softball and played pool on a league. He loved to hunt and …

Edna Artley Howard, age 92, of Sturgis, died Sunday morning, May 31, 2020 at her home surrounded by her children. She was born in Rockwood, Michigan, the daughter of the late J. Kenneth and Ruth (Janney) Artley. Mrs. Howard was a graduate of Monroe High School. She furthered her education at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant where she earned …

Richard A. “Dick” Schaeffer, age 88, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his children, on Friday, May 29, 2020. Dick was born Feb. 4, 1932, in Sturgis, to Harold A. and Kathryn (née Bassett) Schaeffer. His parents’ only and beloved child, Dick was raised on the family farm in White Pigeon, which was purchased by his grandfather, Daniel Erastus Schaeffer, in …

Bonnie Ropp Gray, age 74, of Sturgis, died on Thursday, May 28, 2020, at her home. She was born Oct. 17, 1945, to Anna (Smucker) and Bill Ropp in Detroit. Bonnie lived and attended schools in Detroit and then moved with her family to Goshen around 1963. She met Don Gray on Oct. 16, 1971, and they were married nine …

The Rev. Darrell A. Baum, age 93, of Sturgis, passed away early Thursday morning May 28, 2020 at Heartland Health Care Center in Three Rivers. He was born July 11, 1926 in Cherry Tree, Pennsylvania son of the late Don D. and Bessie (Adams) Baum. Pastor Baum resided in the Michiana area since 1972 coming from Marion, Indiana and his …

Ruth Ann Ochala, age 88, formerly of Jones and Three Rivers, passed away at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Centreville on Friday, May 29, 2020. She was born January 25, 1932 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Clark (Pete) and Jennie (McGary) Ulrich. On November 5, 1950, she married Frank K. Ochala of Jones, who preceded her in death. …

Roeberta Lee (Barnes) Shingledecker, age 90, of Three Rivers, died on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. She was born on April 20, 1930 in Three Rivers to George Lee and Mattie Mae (McCreary) Barnes. Roeberta graduated from Three Rivers High School and married Robert Edward Shingledecker on October 15, 1949. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and …

Lois Ann Riggs Johnson, age 84, of Three Rivers, passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2020. Born on Nov. 22, 1935, Lois graduated from Three Rivers High School and Parsons Business School. She worked for Bronson Hospital for 23 1/2 years. She loved square dancing and spending time with family and friends. She is survived by her daughter, Marianne (James) Johnson …

E. Merritt Brown, age 73, of Schoolcraft, portaged his last obstacle in life on Friday, May 22, 2020 with his wife Mary at his side. Born in Petoskey on June 15, 1946, Merritt grew up near Indian River with his loving mother Joy, grandparents Clark and Mary Most, and cousin Mary Carol. Merritt graduated from Indian River High School and …