Obituaries

Norma “Helen” Krueger, age 85, born in Wolfe County, Ky., and long-time resident of Sturgis, passed away peacefully in her sleep Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, at Sue’s Loving Care in Kalamazoo. Born on March 23, 1935, the youngest and last living of nine children to the late Edd and Dovie (Proffitt) Carroll, Helen lived in Kentucky into young adulthood, then …

Scott W. Brown, age 83, of Sturgis, passed away Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, at Sturgis Hospital. He was born April 10, 1937, in Sturgis, a son of the late Fred and Lena M. (Borgert) Brown. Scott was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a 1955 graduate of Sturgis High School, where he excelled in track. On June 21, 1958, he married …

Clarence E. Wentzel of Kalamazoo, passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2020, at the age of 80, after losing his short battle with COVID-19. Clarence was born in Chicago on May 30, 1940 to father Clarence Julius and mother Mary Bowen. He graduated from Constantine High School in 1957. It was there he met his wife Marcy. Following high school, …

Sandra Kay Cooley was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, October 15, 2020. She was the firstborn bundle of joy to Don and Irene Wardle in June 1948, followed by Luann Holverstott in 1950 and Janine English in 1953. Sandra lived a Christian life exuding a friendly loving personality and never wanted for …

Beverly Jean Keeler, born on November 4, 1932, was the youngest surviving child of Dowagiac fire chief, Earl Clayton Keeler, and Hazel Mae Everhart. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Curtis; three brothers, Earl Jr., Wilbur, and Lester; two sisters, Zilpha (Rutherford) and Yvonne (Greenman); and infant twin siblings, Donald and Doris. October 6, 2020, Beverly died …

Margaret Ann Baker, age 72, of Sturgis, passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2020 in Constantine. Margaret was born in Three Rivers on July 6, 1948, a daughter of Frederick and Christina (Myer) Baker. She attended Constantine High School, graduating in 1966. After high school, Margaret received an Associate’s Degree from Jackson Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from …

Mrs. Leoda H. Candelaria, age 88, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at Edgewood Health and Rehabilitation. She was born on January 31, 1932 in Bradford, Arkansas the daughter of the late James and Fannie (Acklin) Allen. On September 3, 1952 Leoda was united in marriage to the love of her life, Mr. Santos M. …

Joanne LaForce, age 80, of Leonidas, passed away Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, at Glenn Arbor Hospice Residence in Battle Creek. Joanne was born Sept. 1, 1940 in Sherwood, a daughter of the late George and Gladys Harvey. Joanne lived all of her life in the Sherwood area. On May 22, 2004, Joanne married Benjamin LaForce Sr. in Colon. Joanne is …

Roger A. Webb, age 92, of Sturgis, passed away on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, at home, surrounded by his loving family. Roger was born in Grand Rapids, the youngest son of Robert P. Webb and Adelaide M. King. At age 17, he followed his brothers, David and Leslie, into the service of our country. Roger served in the Coast Guard, …

Larry Duane Briggs, otherwise known as “Mr. DQ, ” “Briggsie” and “Lion,” passed away peacefully on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, at the age of 79, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Larry was always equipped with a joke that would unquestionably paint a smile on anyone’s face, so it was unsurprising that, even in his last days here on …