Obituaries

Gerald D. Barnes, age 94, of Leonidas, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2019, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, after several months of failing health. Gerald (those from grade school knew him as “Duane,” in Leonidas as “Joe”and in Battle Creek as “Jerry”) was born Nov. 17, 1924, in Fulton, a son of the late Perry and Eola Barnes. He …

William H. Johnson, Three Rivers, passed away peacefully at his home on Corey Lake on Saturday, March 9, 2019. Bill was born on December 12, 1928, in Elkhart, to Lorene and Herbert Johnson. He grew up in Elkhart, along with his beloved sister, Marilyn Claire (Teller), who preceded him in death in 2013. He attended Elkhart High School before Augustana …

Michael Ralph Shelton-Shea, age 47, died on Friday, March 8, 2019. Arrangements are pending at Hohner Funeral Home.

Patrick Joseph Hempel, age 59, was called home by the Lord on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. He was born in Three Rivers Hospital on Oct. 29, 1959 the son of Robert L. and Sarah F. “Sally” (Thorsdale) Hempel. Pat graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1978 and later earned his Associate Degree at Glen Oaks Community College. …

Terry Dale Nieman, Sr., age 64, of Sturgis, died Saturday, March 9, 2019 at his home following a long illness. He was born in Alma, Michigan on May 1, 1954 the son of Dale George Nieman and Elva Jane (Witting) Nieman. He was a longtime builder of recreational vehicles in northern Indiana, building boats in LaPorte and JAYCO Campers in …

Rhea M. Long, age 79, Nottawa, passed away on Friday, March 8, 2019 surrounded by her family at Bronson Hospital, Kalamazoo.  She was born in LaGrange on March 30, 1939, a daughter of Paul and Ella (Sams) High.Rhea attended Ashley Schools in Indiana. In 1955, she married Arnold Long in Angola.  He preceded her in death on January 26, 2016. …

Idella Katherine Troyer, age 87, of Sturgis, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at Thurston Woods Village. She was born Oct. 10, 1931 in Miami County, Indiana a daughter to the late Willard and Norma (Miller) Sommers. Idella moved to Sturgis in August of 2000 from LaGrange, Indiana. On Nov. 25, 1962 …

Grace Eloise Pridgeon, age 82, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday evening, March 6, 2019, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born Sept. 19, 1936, in Fawn River Township, a daughter of the late Ora and Mary Ann (Miller) Schrock. Grace was a lifelong Sturgis area resident and a graduate of Centreville High School with the class of 1955. …

Clifford “Cliff” L. Bowlby, age 68, of Bristol, passed away at Elkhart General Hospital on Friday, March 1, 2019. He was born in Three Rivers on Jan. 8, 1951 to the late Hiram and Hazel (Kreitzer) Bowlby. He was married to his wife, Virginia “Polly” Hicks, on April 16, 1977 who survives at home after 42 years. He is also …

Florence Alice Roberts, age 89, died on Sunday, March 3, 2019. In accordance with Florence’s wishes cremation will be conducted and no public services will be held at this time. Arrangements by Hohner Funeral Home.