Obituaries

Judith Ann Schroeder, age 68, of Sturgis, passed away late Monday evening, Dec. 2, 2019, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born March 3, 1951, in Detroit, a daughter of the late Norby and Rita (Strzalkowski) Ortmann. Judy resided most of her life in Sturgis and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1969. …

Sharon Joyce Swartz, age 77, of Marcellus, passed away Sunday, December 1, 2019 in Dowagiac. She was born in Three Rivers on September 8, 1942 the daughter of Lester LeRoy Tase and Frances Joyce (Stuebegen) Tase. On March 5, 1960, in Newburg, Michigan she married Wayne Kay Swartz who survives. Sharon was a factory worker but enjoyed spending time with …

Gerald Lee Preston, age 77, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at his home. Jerry was born in Three Rivers on January 26, 1942 a son of Kenneth Earl and Mary (Dalmon) Preston. He graduated from Centreville High School in 1961. He later attended trade school for Ferrier Services at Olivet College. He was first married to Peggy …

Tyler J. “Sparky” Mitschelen, age 25, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019 at his home. He was born January 30, 1994 in LaGrange, a son to James Mitschelen and Lori VanDosen-Mitschelen. Tyler graduated from Sturgis High School with the class of 2012 and also attended Glen Oaks Community College where he studied automotive. He was currently employed …

Jeanette Louise (Careggio) DalPonte, age 88, of Three Rivers, passed away on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at Three Rivers Health.  She was born on July 3, 1931 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Paul and Irene (Boggio) Careggio. She graduated from Three Rivers High School with the class of 1948.  She then attended Medical Secretary School in Elkhart, and began …

Pauline Elizabeth Kane, age 95, of Sturgis, passed away early Friday morning November 29, 2019 at Thurston Woods Villa in Sturgis. She was born January 4, 1924 in Sylvania, Ohio daughter of the late John T. and Anna (Whitney) Kennedy. Mrs. Kane resided in Sturgis since 1978 coming from Burr Oak, where she lived for many years. Her early life …

Vyrl W. Hayford Jr., age 74, of Jones, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019, at his home following an extended illness. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Chapel Hill Missionary Church in Jones, where services will be at 11 a.m.  Interment will be in Shavehead Cemetery. Donations may be directed to the church or Three Rivers Hospice. …

John Richard Cromie, age 84, of Bay City, passed away Thursday, November 28, 2019. He was born July 20, 1935, in Bryan, Ohio, to Irving and Mildred Cromie. After graduating from Central High School in 1953 in Sturgis, he attended Tri-State College in Angola, to learn the drafting trade. Upon graduation, he worked as a draftsman for three companies, including …

Sharon Dolores Long, age 69, of Three Rivers, passed away on Monday, November 25, 2019 at her home in the care of her daughter.  She was born on April 23, 1950 in Aurora, IL the daughter of Elmer D. and Dolores Irene (McGuire) Bright. She was employed for many years at Days Molding in Constantine and Felpaugh until her retirement.  …

Rolland “Stub” J. Westfall, of Schoolcraft passed away on Thursday, November 28, 2019 at the age of 98. He was born on January 8, 1921 in Newberg, Township in Cass County (Michigan) to Leo and Lila (Jones) Westfall. He graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1940. Rolland married Pearl Modert on June 9, 1945 in Three Rivers. After a …