Obituaries

Marion L. Evans-Smith, age 76, of Colon, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. Marion was born March 23, 1943, in Three Rivers, a daughter of the late Jesse C. and Elizabeth I. (Hartman) Evans. Marion grew up in Three Rivers, graduating from Three Rivers High School, then continued her education at Glen Oaks …

Allan Ray Decker, age 82, of Vicksburg, died Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at his home following a long illness. He was born in Colon on Jan. 16, 1937 the son of Clair and Frances (James) Decker. He graduated from Colon High School with the class of 1955. Allan enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Korea with the Signal …

Glenna Jean Bennett (Reber) was called to her heavenly home on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 following a sudden illness.  Her devotion to family and love for Three Rivers and Fishers Lake communities brought much joy to her life on this Earth.  Glenna was 86 years old. She was born to Russell Coleman Wince and Sarah Elizabeth Wince (Haught) on September …

Nancy Ann (Clayton) Hipelius, age 87, of Lawton, passed away Tuesday morning, April 23, 2019. Nancy was born in Chicago  on March 24, 1932, the daughter of Henry and Laura (Himan) Clayton. She married Carl Robert Hipelius in 1955. They were married for 49 years before Carl sorrowfully passed away in August of 2004. Together, they had three children: Laurie …

Eleanor (Ellie) Virginia Grunert, age 94, of Three Rivers, went to be with the Lord early Monday, April 22, 2019, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born May 17, 1924, in Akron, Ohio, the daughter of Wint and Lottie (Kapp) Hughes. Ellie grew up in Detroit where she met her beloved husband Fred. After Fred came …

Richard William Tymkew Sr., age 84, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday morning, April 21, 2019, at his home. He was born Feb. 20, 1935, in Albion, a son of the late Walter and Stella (Klimkiewicz) Tymkew. Richard resided in Sturgis since 1969, coming from Springport. On July 18, 1968, he married Carole Baum in Springport. Richard retired in June 1995 …

Kenneth R. Bir, age 67, of Bronson, passed away Friday, April 19, 2019, at his home. A celebration of his life will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 25, 2019, at Dutcher Funeral Home in Bronson, with Pastor Ryan Bibb from Radiant Life Church in Sturgis officiating. Visitation will take place 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at Dutcher Funeral …

Martha L. “Marty” McClain, age 87, of Mendon, died on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019 at the family farm. She was born in the same farmhouse on Sep. 21, 1931 the daughter of Robert J. and Martha L. (Rench) McClain. She was a lifetime resident of Mendon, and after retirement spent winters in Texas. She was a member of the …

Richard Carl Detloff, age 68, formerly of Sturgis, passed away peacefully April 6, 2019. Born in Mishawaka on April 27, 1950, to parents Carl and Rose Detloff, Richard grew up in Sturgis, where as a youth he played baseball and basketball and attended Trinity Lutheran Church. Following graduation from Sturgis High School, he attended Michigan State University before moving to …

Robert C. King, age 90 of Porter Twp., passed away at home on Saturday, April 20, 2019.  Robert was born in Porter Township, Cass County, on December 21, 1928, a son of Carl and Bernice (Artley) King.  He graduated from Bristol High School in 1949 and went on to serve in the Army during the Korean War. On December 15, …