Obituaries

Vernon Lee Hammond II, age 58, of Marcellus passed away on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, following a tragic motorcycle accident. He was born on Jan. 28, 1961 in Muskegon, the son of the late Vernon L. and Joyce J. (Rohm) Hammond. Mr. Hammond was formerly self-employed at Bubbas Tires and also worked in the expediting business. He leaves to cherish …

James Lewis Gage, age 86, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 14, 2019 at the Bowman House.  James was born on January 8th, 1932 in Kalamazoo, the son of the late Beryle and Dorothea (Yeomans) Gage. James was born and raised in Three Rivers where he graduated with the class of 1949.  On July 1st, 1956 James …

Gregory B. Staines, age 61, passed away in the late hours of  Monday, August 5, 2019 at his stepdaughter’s home. He was born Oct. 25, 1957, in Anderson, to Austin and Betty (Kurtz) Staines. Both preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by a nephew, David. He is survived by two stepchildren, Justin Cripe, Goshen, and Amber …

Carolyn J. King, age 84, formerly of Colon, passed away Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at Amber Way in Kalamazoo. Carolyn was born June 14, 1935, in Detroit, to the late James and Della (Gustafson) Merrifield. She lived most of her life in Colon, graduating from Colon High School with the class of 1953. She then continued her education at The University …

Edwin G. Austin (“Ed”), age 55, of Kalamazoo, made his transition from this life on Saturday, July 20, 2019. Ed was born on February 22, 1964, to Edwin R. and Mary J. (Carney) Austin. He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Daniel B. Austin; his father Edwin R. Austin; and his mother Mary J. (Carney) Austin. Ed is …

Paul LeRoy Edwards, age 64, of Battle Creek, formerly of Burr Oak, passed away Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. Paul was born on February 17, 1955 in Three Rivers, a son to the late Don LeRoy and Alice Elizabeth (Babcock) Edwards. He lived most of his life in the Burr Oak area. After graduating from …

John Earl Evilsizor, aka “John Boy” Variety DJ, age 52, a lifelong resident of Sturgis, passed away Friday, Aug. 9, 2019, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born Dec. 18, 1966, in Sturgis, a son of Clarence Russell and Joan (Knapp) Evilsizor. John graduated from Sturgis High School with the class of 1986. He had been employed at …

Mary E. Klett, age 89, of Constantine, passed away on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Goshen Hospital.  Mary was born January 21, 1930 in Three Rivers, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Cerutti) Granzotto.  She graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1948 and then received her Medical Secretary’s degree from Elkhart College.  On April18, 1959, she married Garth Klett in …

Ryan James Allen, age 26, of Sturgis, formerly of Bronson, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, at his home. Visitation for Ryan will take place from 11 a.m. to noon Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, at Church of Christ at Bronson, with the funeral service immediately following at noon. Evangelist Mike Roberts will officiate. Interment will take place at a …

Mrs. Ann Ruth “Cam” Battishill, age 92, of Three Rivers, passed away Friday evening, August 9, 2019 at Grace Heathcare in Three Rivers. She was born November 19, 1926 in Portage du Fort, Quebec, Canada, to the late Joseph O’Kane and Catherine Elizabeth (Loonam) Cameron.  She was married to David Gates “Dave” Battishill, in Detroit.  Dave passed away November 18, …