Obituaries

Upon her last breath Feb. 27, 2019 at Bronson Methodist Hospital emergency room in Kalamazoo, she was reunited with her heavenly family: her parents, Burr and Erma Howland; a sister, Wilma Carr; her husband, Joseph Gest; and a son, Larry Gest. Loved ones left to celebrate her life are sisters Wanda Kosmerick and Sharon (Jerry) Carpenter,; a daughter and son-in-law, …

Russell L. Forrest, age 97, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at Thurston Woods Village. Per his wishes cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Schipper Funeral Home in Colon.

Wayne Oxender, age 87, of Fort Myers, Fla., passed away Feb. 2, 2019, at Lee Health Center. He was born April 11, 1931, at home near Centreville, the first son of Harry and Myrtle (Sherck) Oxender. He graduated from Centreville High School in 1949. He completed an ag short course at Michigan State University, then married Joan Smith in 1950. …

Robert Wayne Seager, age 72, of Jones, passed away on Sunday, February 24, 2019 at Borgess Medical Center.  He was born in Three Rivers on May 2, 1946, the son of Walter B and Melvina M. (Clute) Seager. Robert enjoyed farming, fishing, and spending time with the Amish at the Middlebury Hay Sale which he owned and operated for many, …

Margaret L. Wayne, age 93, of Three Rivers passed away on Friday, February 22, 2019 at Grace Healthcare Center. She was born on September 5, 1925 the only daughter of Clarence and Maude (Munser) Becker. Margaret was united in marriage to Richard E. Wayne. In the early years of her marriage she babysat many young children of working parents. Later …

Myrtle “Sally”Carroll, age 92, of Constantine, died on Friday, February 22, 2019 at Grace Health Care of Three Rivers. She was born November 8, 1926 in Harrison, Maine a daughter of Robert and Grace Higgins. On July 26, 1952 Sally married Franklin R. Carroll at Holy Cross Church in Rochester, N.Y. Surviving are her daughters:  Suzanne Manzo of Bolivia, NC, …

Jack William Armstrong, age 61, of Marcellus, passed away Thursday afternoon, on February 21, 2019. Jack was born May 13, 1957, in Charlevoix, Michigan the son of Joseph Allen and Melva Marie (Pardee) Armstrong. On February 26, 1977, he married Kay M. Valitchka, in Jones, whom together had one daughter: Carrie (David) Hiemstra of Marcellus, who survives. Also surviving is …

David Scott Warner, age 56, passed away on Friday, February 15, 2019 at his residence in Three Rivers. David was born on October 1, 1962 in Three Rivers the son of Jerrold and Gaylee (Stowell) Warner. David was a lifelong resident of Three Rivers. He enjoyed watching Michigan State University sporting events. In his youth he loved riding motorcycles and …

Mary A. Nihart, age 87, of Three Rivers, died Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, at Grace Healthcare in Three Rivers, following an extended illness. She was born May 13, 1931, in Elkhart, a daughter of Charlie and Catherine (Thilman) Parks. Her early life was spent in Elkhart. She lived one year in Three Rivers and most of her life in the …

George William Fish, age 89, passed away in his family home on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Fish, known as “Bill” to his friends and family, was born in Hillsdale Township, Mich. on Sept. 28, 1929 to Edward and Gladys Fish. He attended high school in Three Rivers, fand served in the Army Reserves after graduating. An Army veteran, George William …