Obituaries

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 …

Norman Eugene Weston, age 76, of Three Rivers passed away on Thursday, May 2, 2019 at Grace Healthcare Center. He was born in Detroit on August 28, 1942 the son of Leroy and Ethel (Eash) Weston. Norman was preceded in passing by parents and one brother, Terry Weston. Surviving to cherish his memory is sister, Sue (Dave) Norton of Three …

Hobey Edsel Edmisten Jr, age 60, of White Pigeon, passed away to be with the lord surrounded by his family in the early morning hours of Friday, May 3, 2019. He was born in Grand Rapids on October 31, 1958 the son of Hobey Edsel and Tenefern Louise (Clayton) Edmisten Sr. Hobey was a graduate of Three Rivers High School. …

Jeralyn M. Savasta, age 67, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday morning, April 30, 2019, at the Sturgis Hospital emergency room. She was born May 17, 1951, in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada, a daughter of the late George and Bernice (Wiles) McGregor. Jeri resided in Sturgis for more than 30 years. She was a 20-year employee of Walmart in Sturgis. …

Timothy Francis Shook, age 63, formerly of Fulton, died Thursday, March 21, 2019 in Miami, Florida where he had resided the past 35 years. He was born in Battle Creek on Oct. 4, 1955 the son of Robert and Adele Shook. Tim graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1973, and later earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Western Michigan University. He …

Kelly Sue (Hester) Elnick, age 52, of Three Rivers, passed away in the evening hours on Friday, April 26, 2019 after battling lung and bone cancer courageously for two years. She was born in Three Rivers on October 19, 1966 the daughter of Ray J. and Joyce A. (Ash) Hester. Kelly grew up in Vicksburg, and attended Vicksburg Schools graduating …

Ruth Ann Horton, age 81, of Sturgis, passed away late Saturday morning, April 27, 2019, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born April 19, 1938, in Odessa, Texas, a daughter of the late Eva (Horan) Austin. Ruth Ann resided in Sturgis since 1974, coming from Washington, Ind., and was a graduate with the class of 1956 from Dunkirk …