Obituaries

Melinda Lee Dale, age 51, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at her home. She was born July 5, 1967, in Three Rivers, a daughter of Earl Dean and Margaret (Crawford) Hammond, Sr. Melinda had resided in Sturgis for the past 18 years, coming from Three Rivers. Melinda was a homemaker who enjoyed camping and gardening, and …

Bonnie L. Levitz, 85 of Centreville passed away March 12, 2019 at Borgess Hospital.  She was born on August 14, 1933 in LaGrange, IN, a daughter of Walter and Lexie (Powers) Jennings.  Bonnie went to Springfield Schools, and later obtained her GED in 1985. In 1969, she married Raymond Wall in Howe; he preceded her in death on January 16, …

Constance Joan “Connie” Stull, age 81, of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday morning, March 12, 2019 at home surrounded by her family. She was born Sept. 25, 1937 in Coldwater, daughter of the late Maynard and Virginia (Steele) Ash. Connie resided in Sturgis since 1972 coming from Bronson. Her early life was lived in Colon where she was a graduate …

Wallace “Wally” Andrew Kindig, age 65, of Three Rivers passed away on Monday, March 11, 2019 surrounded by family. He was born on June 21, 1953 in Three Rivers the son of the late Paul J. and Vernabell J. (Leister) Kindig. He is preceded in his passing by his parents; step-father: Chet Bingaman; brothers: Milo and Kevin Kindig; nephews: Kevin …

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. …