Obituaries

Randy W. Bright, of Vicksburg, formerly of Mendon passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, after a brief illness at the age of 67. Randy was born in Anderson, IN and was the son of Joyce Bright. He attended Mendon High School where he enjoyed playing football. During Randy’s life he loved adventure and lived in many wonderful places. Some …

Shirley Karen Zierle, age 84, of Sturgis, passed away on Friday, November 1, 2024 at her son’s home.  She was born in Three Rivers on April 5, 1940 the daughter of Fred and Shirley (Strobel) Oxender.  Shirley attended Sturgis Community Schools and was part of the 1957 graduating class.  She would then continue her studies at Western Michigan University on …

Bertha Bontrager, age 98, of Sturgis, passed away early Sunday morning, November 3, 2024, at Nu-Care Assisted Living in Sturgis. She was born May 22, 1926, in Burr Oak, daughter of the late Joseph and Fannie (Eicher) Carpenter. Bertha resided in Sturgis since 2007 coming from Centreville, where she lived for over 50 years. On October 10, 1953, she married …

Gilbert L. Jones, age 75, of Sturgis, passed away late Thursday evening, October 31, 2024, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, surrounded by his family. He was born November 26, 1948, in Sturgis, the only child of the late Lee R. and Winnifred E. (Bell) Jones. Gilbert was a lifelong Sturgis resident. On October 2, 1970, he married Patricia Stevens …

Elizabeth A. Bower, age 86, of Colon, passed away on Friday, November 1, 2024, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Portage. Elizabeth was born on October 20, 1938, in Marshall, Michigan, a daughter to the late Manley and Frances (Noneman) VanVoorhees. Elizabeth moved to Colon in middle school, coming from Mattawan. On February 14, 1959, Elizabeth married her husband of 64 …

Lora L. Huff, age 64, of Mendon, passed away at her new home in Three Rivers on Thursday, October 31, 2024 after battling an illness for 15 years. She was born in Vicksburg on October 8, 1960 the daughter of Richard “Dick” and Janice (McVay) Clark. Lora attended Mendon High School and was part of the 1978 graduating class. On …

Charles  A Carpenter, age 86, of White Pigeon,  died on Thursday, October 31, 2024 following a short illness. He was born on June 13, 1938 in Clear Springs Township, Indiana the Son of Kenneth and Maureen (Holman) Carpenter. Charles moved to White Pigeon in 1979 from Shipshewana. He was the owner of Carpenter’s Construction. He was a member of the …

Roxane J Weaver, age 64, of Shipshewana, died on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo following a short Illness. She was born on February 27, 1960 in Sturgis, the daughter of John F and Ruby Jean (Whisler) Logan. She was a White Pigeon resident most of her life. She was employed by Sturgis Hospital for 24 …

Mark Andrew Thornton, age 64, passed away on Tuesday, Oct 29th, 2024, at his home in Colon surrounded by loved ones. Mark was born in Salem, Ohio on March 12, 1960, the youngest of four children, to J.W. Thornton & Norma Jean Stuart. Mark was a proud Magi and longtime Colon resident – graduating from Colon High School in 1978 …

Paul James Chapman, age 62, a lifelong Nottawa resident, passed away Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born Feb. 28, 1962 in Sturgis, a son to Jim and Rose (Schwartz) Chapman. Paul has been employed as a cook at Yosemite National Park and also on Catalina Island, a welder at Continental Accessories, and custodian …