Obituaries

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 …

Karen Kay (Blood) Adkins, age 71, of Portage, passed away in the early hours of Monday, May 25, 2020. She was born in Three Rivers on May 28, 1948 the daughter of John and Bernice (Mellor) Blood. Family was important to Karen and she loved spending time with her grandchildren. She liked to make people happy and in her later …

Royce Monroe Jacobs, age 93, of Three Rivers, formerly Constantine, passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at Bowman House in  Three Rivers. Royce was born November 20, 1926 in Constantine, son of Fred and Evelyn (Nolan) Jacobs. He graduated from Constantine High School. On December 22, 1945, he married Helen Schultz; mother of his children. She preceded him on March …

Barbara Schmidt, age 91, of Mendon, died peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at Birch Meadows in Three Rivers. She was born on May 9, 1929 in the German speaking town of Grgurevci, Serbia, and was the eldest of three daughters raised by their widowed mother, Elizabeth Koch on a farm. The family fled to Salzburg, Austria in 1944 to …

It is with great sadness that Don Langefeld’s family:  Wife, Ann (Haradine) Langefeld; Daughters, Susan (Chuck) Detmar, Amy (Robert) Yustick, and Grandchildren, Charlie (Jacquelynn) Detmar, Teri (Trevor) Yorke, Abby Detmar, Bryce, Paige, and Blake Yustick announce his passing on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at his home from natural causes at the age of 85. He is also survived by nephews …

Norman Wayne Essex, age 77, of Marcellus, passed on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at home. He was born in Dowagiac on November 25, 1942 the son of Frank Dixon Essex and Edith Francis (Alden) Essex. On March 7, 1964 he married Marilyn (Sue) Kahler who survives. Wayne was a Journeyman working for GM for many years. He loved animals especially …

Ned L. Bower, age 88, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday evening, May 23, 2020 at the home of his son John in Sturgis. He was born March 21, 1932 in Rose City, Michigan son of the late Ernest and Carry Louise (Olney) Bower. Ned resided in Sturgis since the age of 13. On October 11, 1969 he married Rosamond Irene …