Obituaries

David Vandenbos, age 71, of Sturgis, beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away Monday afternoon, October 7, 2019 at Parkview LaGrange Hospital in LaGrange, Indiana following a hard fought battle of several years and under hospice care for the past few months. He was born December 20, 1947 in Platte, South Dakota son of the late Benjamin and Catherine (Weerheim) …

Margaret May Borgert, age 97, of Sturgis, passed away Monday, October 7, 2019 at the home of her daughter, Sharon, after an extended illness. Margaret was born August 8, 1922 in Troy Township, MI a daughter to the late Earnest and Stella (Hogan) Little and was later adopted by Melvin and Elba (Wagner) Swihart. Margaret grew up in Bronson graduating …

Thomas Owen Wilson, age 85, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully at his home on Corey Lake surrounded by his family on Monday, October 7, 2019. He was born in Chicago on June 24, 1934, to Irving and Della Wilson of Chicago. He married Joyce Helmholz on June 16, 1956 and had two boys Thomas William and Gregg Donald. Nothing …

Harley Pierce, age 93, of Sturgis, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2019 after a long, productive, and happy life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Bessie (Torbet) Pierce, and his wife of 60 years, Eva Pierce. He is survived by a son Harley Jr (Mary) Pierce of Paw Paw, 4 grandchildren, Carl Tokarchick, Walter Tokarchick, …

AnnMarie Malesh, age 91, of Colon, passed away Monday, October 7, 2019 at ProMedica Coldwater Hospital. AnnMarie was born in Chicago on August 28, 1928, a daughter to the late Michael and Ann (Bracik) Barbic. AnnMarie grew up in the Chicagoland area, moving to Colon in 1992. Before moving to Colon, AnnMarie and her family made Colon their second home …

Helen May (Olson) Shellenberger, age 91, of DeWitt, Michigan passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 6, 2019. She was born in Muskegon on October 20, 1927 the daughter of Oscar and Grace (Miel) Olson. In 1948 Helen was united in marriage to Jack William Shellenberger and together they celebrated 42 years of marriage until his passing …

Mike Dwane VanPelt, age 61, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, October 5, 2019 at his home. He was born February 25, 1958 in Sturgis, son of the late Norman D. and Betty Jean (Jourdan) VanPelt. Mike was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1976. Mike was employed by Morgan Olson in …

Barbara Louise Thrapp, age 96, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday afternoon, October 5, 2019 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born November 3, 1922 in Ann Arbor, daughter of the late Leo B. and Wilma E. (Case) Purdy. Barbara resided most of her life in Sturgis with the exception of living in California for 12 years. She married …

Edward “Popps” Schrader, Sr., age 80, of Constantine, left his loved ones to be with God on Saturday, the 5th of October 2019 in his home. At the time of his departure, he had his wonderful wife of 57 years, Wanda (Howard) Schrader, and three sons, Edward Schrader Jr. of Constantine, Scott Schrader of Three Rivers and Shawn Schrader of …

Kathryn Mast, age 95, of Sturgis, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. She was born in Sturgis on June 23, 1924 the daughter of Eli and Polly (Miller) Overholt. She attended the Truckenmiller Country School. Kathryn was married to Melvin J. Mast on March 31, 1951 in Sturgis. They moved to Mendon in 1956 where …