Obituaries

Harley Pierce, age 93, of Sturgis, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2019 after a long, productive, and happy life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Bessie (Torbet) Pierce, and his wife of 60 years, Eva Pierce. He is survived by a son Harley Jr (Mary) Pierce of Paw Paw, 4 grandchildren, Carl Tokarchick, Walter Tokarchick, …

AnnMarie Malesh, age 91, of Colon, passed away Monday, October 7, 2019 at ProMedica Coldwater Hospital. AnnMarie was born in Chicago on August 28, 1928, a daughter to the late Michael and Ann (Bracik) Barbic. AnnMarie grew up in the Chicagoland area, moving to Colon in 1992. Before moving to Colon, AnnMarie and her family made Colon their second home …

Helen May (Olson) Shellenberger, age 91, of DeWitt, Michigan passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 6, 2019. She was born in Muskegon on October 20, 1927 the daughter of Oscar and Grace (Miel) Olson. In 1948 Helen was united in marriage to Jack William Shellenberger and together they celebrated 42 years of marriage until his passing …

Mike Dwane VanPelt, age 61, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, October 5, 2019 at his home. He was born February 25, 1958 in Sturgis, son of the late Norman D. and Betty Jean (Jourdan) VanPelt. Mike was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1976. Mike was employed by Morgan Olson in …

Barbara Louise Thrapp, age 96, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday afternoon, October 5, 2019 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born November 3, 1922 in Ann Arbor, daughter of the late Leo B. and Wilma E. (Case) Purdy. Barbara resided most of her life in Sturgis with the exception of living in California for 12 years. She married …

Edward “Popps” Schrader, Sr., age 80, of Constantine, left his loved ones to be with God on Saturday, the 5th of October 2019 in his home. At the time of his departure, he had his wonderful wife of 57 years, Wanda (Howard) Schrader, and three sons, Edward Schrader Jr. of Constantine, Scott Schrader of Three Rivers and Shawn Schrader of …

Kathryn Mast, age 95, of Sturgis, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. She was born in Sturgis on June 23, 1924 the daughter of Eli and Polly (Miller) Overholt. She attended the Truckenmiller Country School. Kathryn was married to Melvin J. Mast on March 31, 1951 in Sturgis. They moved to Mendon in 1956 where …

Kenneth R. Moser, age 81, of Sturgis, passed peacefully in the early morning hours on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. Ken was born Jan. 13, 1938, in Altoona, Pa., to the late William and Bertha (Muller) Moser. He was proud to be “100% Swiss.” Ken grew up in South Bend, and graduated from Riley High School in 1956. He joined the …

Sharon L. Klopfenstein, age 71, of Burr Oak, passed away Friday morning Oct. 4, 2019 at her home. She was born May 5, 1948 in Kalamazoo, a daughter to the late Harold Largent and Loma (Stephens) Beck. Sharon resided in the Kalamazoo and Vicksburg area until moving to Sturgis in 1977. She was previously married to Victor Triezenberg. On Oct. …

Frederick E. Borgert, age 73, of Burr Oak, passed away Friday, October 4, 2019 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo surrounded by his family. Frederick was born in Sturgis on August 24, 1946, a son to Earl and Margaret (Swihart) Borgert. He lived in the Nottawa and Centreville areas for part of his life, graduating from Centreville High School with …