Obituaries

Velda V. Hooley, age 102, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday morning, January 14, 2021 at Thurston Woods Villa in Sturgis. She was born January 24, 1918 in Elkhart County, Indiana daughter of the late Landon “L.J” and Luella (Johns) Pletcher. Mrs. Hooley’s early life was spent in Middlebury, where she was a graduate of Middlebury High School with the class …

Robert F. Bowling, age 73, of Constantine, passed away Friday, January 15th, at his home. He was born in Harlan, KY on Oct. 7, 1947, a son of James and Lena (Bonner)Bowling. Bob graduated from Campbellsville High School in KY. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Bob was the owner and operator of a radiator …

Chuck Hamlin of LaGrange, and formerly of Sturgis, passed away Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, at the age of 69. Chuck was born Feb. 14, 1951, in South Haven. He was the son of Harley and Beverly (Wickham) Hamlin. Chuck graduated from Paw Paw High School with the class of 1969. After high school, he married the love of his life, …

Gary Dean Summey of Fort Myers, Fla., passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, following some recent health challenges. He was 78 years old. Gary was born in Burr Oak, the proud son of Laura L. (Milliman) and Junior G. Summey. In 1960, he graduated from Burr Oak High School where he …

Darla Jean Smith, age 74, of Three Rivers, passed away Friday, January 8, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She was born November 24, 1946 in Mishawaka, the daughter of Lawrence and Adabele (Kruger) Johnson. Darla worked in inventory and logistics for Republic Roller and Kirsch, and worked at Three Rivers Public Library. She loved her church, her family, …

Bonnie J. Wesse, age 90, of White Pigeon, died on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, at Heartland Health Care, following an extended illness. She was born July 18, 1930, in Casey, Ill., a daughter of Frank W. and Bonnie L. (Stelle) Schultz. She was a White Pigeon-area resident most of her life. She was employed at Union Products for 15 years, …

Joy Anne Prey of Plymouth, Michigan passed away on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021 from complications with dementia. She, along with her twin sister Janice were born on Oct. 5, 1945 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Ernest and Anne (Schmitt) Baker. Joy was a 1964 graduate of Mendon High School. She then attended and graduated from Wright Beauty Academy in …

Dr. Charles R. (Chuck, Doc, Ziggy) Zimont passed peacefully on to glory, pre-dawn on Monday, January 11, 2021, at home with his loving wife of 66 years, Joey, by his side. Born December 22, 1932, in Berwyn Illinois, to Raymond D. and Mary (Soper) Zimont, he dedicated his entire life to learning and taking care of people in his hometown …

Larry F. Shingledecker, Sr., age 67, of Centreville, passed away on Friday, January 8, 2021 at Bayfront Health Hospital in Brooksville, FL. Larry was born in Three Rivers on May 18, 1953, a son of Forrest “Bud” and Eleanor (Waltz) Shingledecker, Jr.  He graduated from Sturgis Schools.  On July 7, 1973, he married Teresa Juday. Larry worked for the St. …

Christopher B. Wilson, age 43, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born June 16, 1977 in Coldwater, a son to Ronald and Brenda (Tullos) Wilson. Christopher’s early years were spent in Bronson, MI and he moved to Sturgis during high school and graduated from Sturgis High School with the class …