Obituaries

Our Dad. Our best friend, mentor, rock, guiding light, personal advisor, and above all else – our hero. “Never ask someone to do something you aren’t willing to do yourself.” “Be careful not to pat yourself on the back too soon.” “Plan the work – Work the plan.” “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” The many codes he lived by. A …

David J. Smith, age 84, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday evening, Jan. 26, 2021, at Promedica Coldwater Regional Hospital in Coldwater. He was born Aug. 6, 1936, in Grand Rapids, a son of the late Clarence Justice and Beatrice Marie (Borrink) Smith. Dave resided in Sturgis since 1970, coming from Allegan, where he was a graduate of Allegan High School …

Jeffery Lynn Johnson, age 79, passed peacefully to Heaven on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. He has been reunited with his wife of 52 years, Diana Marie Johnson, whom he lost 4 years prior. He was a resident of Centreville, along with his two sons, William Michael and Jeffery Charles. Jeffery was born January 25, 1942 and grew up in and …

Barbara Julaine Reisterer, age 73, of Lawton, died Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021 at White Oaks Assisted Living Center. She was born in Vicksburg on Feb. 28, 1947 the daughter of Joseph and Bertha (Moessen) Stermer. She was a 1965 graduate of Vicksburg High School and lifetime resident of Southwest Michigan. She worked at Meijer where she met her husband, Thomas …

James L. VanAken, Sr., (“Jim,” “Bumbles”), age 62, of Constantine, passed away on Monday, January 25, 2021 at Three Rivers Health. Jim was born on April 26, 1958 in Sturgis, a son of Richard and Barbara (Wakefield) VanAken. He graduated from Constantine High School in 1976 and went on to learn the mechanics trade. In 1979, he married Penny Casselman …

Patrick Long, age 71, of Ypsilanti, passed away Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021, at Lutheran Life Villages in Kendallville, Ind. He was born July 3, 1949, in Sturgis, to Clarence Long and Mary (Urbanc) Long. Patrick was a 1967 graduate of Sturgis High School. He went on to receive his Associate of Technology degree in 1970 from Glen Oaks Community College. …

Howard W Strayer, age 55, of Rapid City, SD (formerly of Three Rivers), died on on Monday, January 25, 2021. He was born on September 25, 1965. Memorial services will be at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD on Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 2pm. Ellsworth Air Force will render full military honors. Behrens Wilson Funeral Home in Rapid …

Lucinda Bess Shelters, age 67, passed away on Sunday, January 24, 2021 passed away in Burr Oak.  She was born in Three Rivers on January 12, 1954 the daughter of Edgar L. and Helen (Morris) Shelters. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Prairie River Cemetery, Nottawa Twp, on Friday, January 29, 2021,

Tina M. Black, age 59, of Three Rivers, died on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, at Three Rivers Health. Burial of cremains will take place at a later date at Constantine Cemetery. Arrangements by Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon.

Mark Edward Harmon, age 69, of Mishawaka, died Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, at Paul’s Group Home on Portage Avenue in South Bend. He was born March 21, 1951, in Sturgis, to Edward and Joan (Messner) Harmon. On Aug. 17, 1974, he married Ranah Hoard in Battle Creek. She survives, along with two daughters, Amy (Shawn) Gillespie of Ontario, Canada, and …