Obituaries

Elaine M. Noland, age 87, of Howe, Ind., passed away Thursday, May 9, 2019, at home. She was born March 3, 1932, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Elmer and Helen (Fisher) Yunker. On Nov. 3, 1950, she married Thurl B. Noland at Lima United Methodist Church in Howe, Ind. He preceded her in death April 19, 2015. Elaine …

Noel H. Wiley, age 82, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday evening, May 9, 2019, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born Nov. 20, 1936, in Chicago, a son of the late Edwin and Marjorie (Packard) Wiley. Noel resided in Sturgis since 1964 coming from North Carolina. He was a graduate of George Rogers High School in Hammond, Indiana. …

Jean Ann Swan, age 85, of Burr Oak, and a former longtime Sturgis resident, passed away early Tuesday evening, May 7, 2019, at Three Rivers Health. She was born March 28, 1934, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Fredrick and Regina (Ankney) Rasbaugh. Jean resided most of her life in the Sturgis area and was a member of the …

Erma Virginia Kuhl, age 93, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday, May 4, 2019, at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center in Foley, Ala. She was born April 22, 1926, in New Carlisle, Ind., a daughter of the late Harold “Guy” and Mildred (Roe) Geyer. Virginia resided most of her life in the Sturgis and White Pigeon area and was a graduate …

Betty Jane Wallace, age 91, of Three Rivers, formerly of Centreville, died on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at her home, She was born November 7, 1927 in Coldwater, a daughter of George and Myrtle (Raymond) Carpenter. Betty attended school in Bronson, MI. On January 22, 1945 she married George Wallace in San Diego, CA. He preceded her in death February …

On Tuesday, May 7, 2019, Albert William Warnement died peacefully at home in Sturgis, contented and surrounded by loving family and friends. “Big Al” had a strong constitution – a 25-year cancer survivor and veteran of the U.S. Army – and an even stronger faith. He was an active parishioner and volunteer at Holy Angels Catholic Church and a long-time member of Knights of …

Donald C. Knauss, age 90, of Constantine, died Saturday, May 4, 2019, at Three Rivers Health, following a brief illness. No services are planned. Private burial of cremains will take place at a later date. Arrangements are in care of Farrand Funeral Home of White Pigeon.

Chester H. Niblock Jr., age 89, of Mottville Township, White Pigeon, died Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at his home, following a brief illness. He was born Aug. 13, 1929, in Elkhart, a son of Chester H. and Esther M. (Bardon) Niblock Sr. He was a graduate of Middlebury High School and a resident of Middlebury, Mottville Township and a winter …

Kermit Ward Gray, Jr., age 71, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, May 5, 2019, at his home. He was born July 17, 1947, in New Port, R.I., a son of the late Kermit and Mary (Ukraniac) Gray. Kermit had resided in Sturgis since 1978, coming from New Port. He had been employed for several years by Grumman Olson in …

Charles K. “Chuck” Hopper, age 57, of LaGrange, died unexpectedly Saturday, May 4, 2019, at Parkview LaGrange Hospital. Chuck was born Dec. 8, 1961, in LaGrange, to John H. “Bud” and Nancy (Hart) Hopper. He retired from the LaGrange County highway department after working there for 30 years. Chuck was currently working part-time for Miller’s Super Valu in LaGrange. Chuck …