Obituaries

Marietta Louise Abston, age 78, of Howe, Ind., died on Monday, Nov. 19, 2018, at her home. Mrs. Abston was the first-born child to Ralph Nicholas and Florence Marietta (Howard) Burgi on March 8, 1940, in Sturgis. For 35 years, Mrs. Abston taught elementary school. She was very active in her community with various civic and social organizations along with …

Janet L. Mueller, age 74, of Three Rivers, passed away at her home on Wednesday, November 21, 2018.  She was born in Blue Island, IL on January 17, 1944, a daughter of Edward and Ruth (Struven) Stump.  Janet graduated from Dalton Schools in Illinois.  On April 25, 1960, she married Charles Mueller in Chicago. Janet previously worked for Mathew’s Eye …

Berneda Onnaleah Cole, age 74, 0f Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on Monday, Nov. 19th, 2018 at Borgess Medical Center.  She was born on Feb. 15, 1944 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of the late Paul and Fannie (Lewis) Pirtle. Berneda and her family have peace in their hearts knowing that Berneda lived her life with compassion, courage, faith, and a …

Barbara Jean Bell, age 92, formerly of Mendon and Vicksburg, died Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018 at Sue’s Loving Care Home in Kalamazoo. She was born in Three Rivers on July 10, 1926 the daughter of the late John Henry and Zella Blanchard (Avery) Fenwick. She graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1944 and attended Western Michigan University and the Bronson …

Douglas Anthony Novak, age 67, of Leonidas, died Monday, Nov. 19, 2018 at Bronson Methodist Hospital after an extended illness. He was born in Flint, MI on Aug. 1, 1951 the son of the late Harry and Lorraine (King) Novak. Doug graduated from Bentley High School in Flint and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Viet Nam war. …

Linda Dee Linn, 71, of Interlochen, formerly of Edwardsburg, died peacefully at her home on November 7, 2018.  She was born on September 14, 1947 to Donald and Irene (Sheets) Aldrich in Sturgis. Linda attended White Pigeon Community Schools, graduating with honors in 1965. She went on to study at Central Michigan University and Western Michigan University where she graduated, …

Donald A. Maystead, age 78, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday afternoon, Nov. 17, 2018, surrounded by his family at Grace Health Care of Three Rivers. He was born March 23, 1940, in Burr Oak, son of the late Earl and Edna (Lankanau) Maystead. Don was a lifelong resident of the Burr Oak and Sturgis area and a graduate of Burr …

Evelyn May Blucker, age 78, of Sturgis, passed away peacefully Saturday afternoon, Nov. 17, 2018, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born Aug. 26, 1940, in Cassopolis, daughter of the late Menno and Nora (Weldy) Richer. On Feb. 2, 1958, she married John Blucker in Goshen. Evelyn was employed as a recess teacher at Congress School in Sturgis …

Gene “Binky” LuRay Bontrager, age 53, of Constantine, passed away on Friday, November 16, 2018 at Borgess Medical Center.  Binky was born on March 20, 1965 in Kalamazoo, a son of Jacob and June (Hood) Bontrager. He attended schools in Beecher City, IL and in Three Rivers, and later received his GED while in the U.S. Army National Guard.  He served …

Ernest A. Willman, age 96, of Constantine, passed away on Friday, November 16, 2018 at home.  Ernie was born December 22, 1921 in Chesterton, IN, son of Ernest and Emma (Milbrandt) Willman.  He attended school in Three Rivers until 8th grade, when he started farming on the family farm in 1931.  Ernie was a lifelong farmer, purchasing his first farm …