Obituaries

Patrick W. Welch, age 63, of Three Rivers, passed away November 1, 2019, due to complications of recently diagnosed Melanoma Cancer. The son of the late Homer and Virginia Welch, Patrick was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. Patrick attended West Seattle High School Class of 1974 and became a reservist in the National Guard. He spent many years working …

Marc David Yunker, age 75, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. He was born Nov. 1, 1944, in Sturgis, to the late Paul and Grace (Brown) Yunker. Marc was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a 1963 graduate of Sturgis High School, where he excelled in athletics, especially wrestling. He furthered his education …

Ronald (Ron) Lee Summers, passed away on Sunday, November 17, 2019, at the age of 76, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Centreville on September 26, 1943, to William Ronald and Evelyn Etna (Hill) Summers. Ron grew up in Leonidas, working at his parents Shell station.  That’s where he realized his love of cars and painted his …

Randy Allen Travis, age 71, of Centreville, passed away early Wednesday morning November 20, 2019 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born September 2, 1948 in Whittemore, Michigan son of the late Alvin C. and Betty (Manning) Travis. Randy resided in the Bronson, Sturgis and Centreville area since 1997 coming from National City, Michigan. He had been employed …

Norman Frank Pagels, age 90, of Sturgis, went to be with his Lord Monday evening, Oct. 14, 2019, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service celebrating the life of Norman F. Pagels will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, at Mongo United Methodist Church, SR 3 …

Mary Lou Ball, age 64, of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday morning November 19, 2019 at her home. She was born August 24, 1955 in Muncie, Indiana daughter of the late Marvin and Lucille (Andres) Rigby. Mary resided most of her life in the Sturgis area and was a graduate of Centreville High School with the class of 1973. On …

Dale “Grubby” Curtis Rice, age 87, of Schoolcraft, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, Nov. 18th, 2019 with his loving wife Betty at his side.  He was born in Schoolcraft on Nov. 17th, 1932 the son of the late Freeland and Eva Mae (Hill) Rice and was raised by the late Ned and Bessie Jewell of Three Rivers …

Shirley Ruth Harker, age 88, of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday morning November 19, 2019 at her home. She was born February 12, 1931 in Detroit, daughter of the late Osborn and Ruby (Enders) Gauss. Shirley resided in Sturgis and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1949. On June 4, 1949 she married Jack E. …

Richard L. Freeman, age 100, passed away Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, at his home on Klinger Lake in White Pigeon. Richard was born Feb. 17, 1919, in Detroit, and moved to Sturgis in 1935. On July 12, 1945, Richard married Mildred Quantick, in Chicago. He is remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, World War II veteran, business owner, community leader, gifted …

Michael T. Maskow, age 44, of Howe, died Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Mishawaka. Michael was born July 25, 1975, in LaGrange, to Thomas J. and Barbara J. (Woodworth) Maskow. They survive in Howe. Living in the Howe area for many years, he had worked in manufacturing. Along with his parents, he …