Obituaries

James Martin Harter Sr. age 77, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday afternoon, Feb. 2, 2020, at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Kalamazoo. He was born Oct. 27, 1942, in Sturgis, son of the late Virgil Martin and Viola Belle (Nusbaum) Harter. Jim was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1960. Later …

The Reverend Floyd A. Kunce, age 86, of Sturgis, passed away peacefully Jan. 31, 2020, at his home, surrounded by family. He was born Jan. 25, 1934, in Elkhart, a son of Helen and Ivan Kunce. On April 22, 1978, he married his beloved wife, Mary Kay at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Floyd resided in Sturgis most of his life, …

Webb Miller was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. A caring nurturer, he cherished his years as a father and was delighted with the arrival of his grandchildren and great grand children. Living his life to the fullest and enjoying the company of each and every person who came his way, he leaves behind a wonderful example of accepting all …

Barbara May Nicholas, age 82, formerly of Mendon, died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020 at her daughter’s home in Galesburg following a long illness. She was born in Kalamazoo on Oct. 30, 1937 the daughter of John and Genevieve (Smith) Hiatt. She graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School with the class of 1955. Barbara was married to Maurice Nicholas on May …

Joyce Elaine Kline, age 83, of Three Rivers passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2020. She was born on May 15, 1936 in Elkhart, IN the daughter of Jess and Helen (Cripe) Hardesty. Joyce was employed for many years at Continental Can and Coachmen Viking Trailers. She then went onto work for over twenty years at General Motors and retired …

Virgil Joseph Eirschele, age 80, passed away on Friday, January 31, 2020. He was born on May 10, 1939 in La Crosse, Wisconsin to Reuben and Gertrude (Ray) Eirschele. Virgil spent the majority of his life in Three Rivers and graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1958. He worked at the Sebo Foundry, Essex Wire, Peterson Springs, and retired …

Jean Elizabeth Bastion, age 100, died on Friday, January 31, 2020. In accordance with family wishes, cremation has been conducted and graveside services will be held in Illinois at a later date. Arrangements by Hohner Funeral Home.

Joseph W. Nowaski, age 55, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, Jan. 29, 2020, at his home. He was born Jan. 20, 1965, in Coldwater, a son of the late Maurice and Doris (Linton) Nowaski. Joseph resided in Coldwater until 1983, when he moved to Palatka, Fla. He resided there until 2010, when he moved back to Sturgis to be closer …

Kenneth Bruce Kaiser, age 73, of Three Rivers, passed away at his home on Wednesday, January 29, 2020. He was born in Three Rivers on March 4, 1947, the son of Donald and Hillis “Mock” Kaiser. He loved working on cars and motorcycles. That love drove him to open his own auto body and mechanic shop in 1977, K & …

Michelle Diana Bixler, age 37, and Cheyenne Ruth Bixler, age 16, both of Three Rivers, went to be with their Lord Tuesday, January 28, 2020 as the result of a house fire. Michelle was born September 27, 1982 in Bluffton, Ind., the daughter of Steve and Ellen Musser. A devoted wife and mother, Michelle also owned a cleaning service, actively …