Obituaries

Larry L. Carpenter, age 63, of Bristol, Ind., and formerly of Sturgis, passed away early Tuesday evening, Nov. 6, 2018, at Center for Hospice Care in Elkhart. He was born April 8, 1955 in Sturgis, a son of the late Lloyd and Hope (Hedglin) Carpenter. Larry resided most of his life in Sturgis, living the past six years in Bristol. …

Elijah Jawan Hamilton, age 21, passed away on Friday, November 2, 2018 in Three Rivers. He was born on November 15, 1996 in Sturgis, the son of Kevin and Ericka (Wright) Hamilton. He was a graduate of Three Rivers High School Class of 2015.  In high school, Elijah participated in basketball, student council, TRAM (Three Rivers Area Mentoring), and was …

Deb Providakes, age 59, of Sturgis, passed away Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born March 26, 1959, in Springfield, Mass., a daughter of the late Anthony F. and Barbara (Chaffee) Marino. On Oct. 29, 1977, she married Bill F. Providakes in Springfield. Deb was a florist for more than 40 years and was …

Virgil Leroy Lancaster, age 82, of Burr Oak, passed away Monday morning, Nov. 5, 2018, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born Nov. 12, 1935, in Burr Oak, a son of the late Kenneth B. and Maude A. (Schrader) Lancaster. Virgil’s early life was spent in Burr Oak until entering sixth grade, when the family moved to Mesa, …

Raeann Marie Snook, age 70, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on Friday, November 2, 2018 at her home.  She was born in Kalamazoo on January 5, 1948 the daughter of Niles Ray and Illa Mae Williams. She was raised by her mother, Illa, and Illa’s second husband, Jerry Triano in Flowerfield, Michigan. Raeann worked at Upjohn/Pfizer for many years …

Louise F. Clipfell, age 84, of Colon, passed away Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, at her home, surrounded by her family. Louise was born March 4, 1934, in Leonidas Township, a daughter of the late Carl and Georgia (Fitzgerald) Drumhiller Sr. Louise had lived in the Colon area all her life and had attended Colon schools. On July 14, 1951, she …

Louis Steve Baima Jr., age 82, of Three Rivers, passed away on Friday, November 2, 2018. He was born on July 22, 1936 in Houghton, son of Louis and Lena (Noncitina) Baima. He graduated from White Pigeon High School in 1955. On September 2, 1956 he married the love of his life Marjorie Garber. Louis was an insurance salesman by …

Felicia A. Grandstaff, age 32, of Constantine, died Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, in Mottville Township, from injuries of an automobile accident. A celebration of her life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, at Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon. Cremation will follow. Donations may be directed to the family.

Yvonne L. Bogen, age 88, of Sturgis, passed away Monday, Oct. 29, 2018, at Grace Healthcare in Three Rivers. She was born Oct. 29, 1930, in Climax, a daughter of the late Edgar and Ina (Foss) Vanderlip. Yvonne attended school in Battle Creek, and moved to Sturgis, where she graduated from Sturgis High School with the class of 1948. In …

Melinda R. Studeman, age 53, of Lecanto, Fla., and former resident of Sturgis, passed away Friday morning, Oct. 26, 2018, at VITAS Inpatient Hospice Unit in Lecanto. She was born Dec. 22, 1964, in Sturgis, a daughter of Kenneth and Joyce (Balk) Studeman. Melinda resided in Florida since 2005. Prior to moving to Florida, she lived in Illinois and her …