Obituaries

Christina Slusher, age 28, of Centreville, passed away Saturday, May 26, 2018 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Chrissy was born in Sturgis November 1, 1989 to Russell and Amy (Keckler) Slusher. She graduated from Constantine Schools in 2008 and then got her Medical Administrative Assistant degree from Everest Career Institute, Kalamazoo. Chrissy worked for Summit Polymers, Vicksburg, and …

Jamie S. Waltemath, age 57, of Sturgis, passed away Monday afternoon, May 28, 2018, at Heartland Health Care Center in Three Rivers. She was born May 16, 1961, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Estol O. “Red” and Letha J. (Wagar) Conrad. Jamie was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of …

Molly B. Luttman, age 87, of Sturgis, died Monday, May 28, 2018, at her home, following an extended illness. She was born April 10, 1931, in Sturgis, a daughter of Roscoe A. and Wilma C. (Kilbury) Bassett. She was a lifelong resident of the Sturgis and White Pigeon area. She was a homemaker, and with her husband owned and operated …

Damian James Lee Long, age 22, of Sturgis, passed away early Saturday morning, May 26, 2018, in Florence Township, due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born July 22, 1995, in Sturgis, a son of James Long and Dawn (Rhoades) Hayes. Damian resided most of his life in Sturgis and attended Sturgis High School. He was currently …

Juanita M. Diller, 90, of Klinger Lake, White Pigeon, went to be with her Lord on Friday, May 25, 2018, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, following a brief illness. She was born Aug. 26, 1927, in Adamsville, a daughter of Cyril and Lauretta (Fisher) Dale. She was a resident of Klinger Lake and White Pigeon for more than 50 years, coming …

Hazel C. Ray, age 92, of Mendon, died Friday, May 25, 2018 at Heartland Healthcare Center in Three Rivers.  She was born in Sturgis on Oct. 8, 1925 the daughter of George Albert Taylor and France Marie (Lampe) Taylor.  She graduated from Sturgis High School with the Class of 1944.  Hazel was married to Keith Ray on Oct. 26, 1946, …

George E. Koomler, age 91, formerly of Burr Oak and Sturgis, passed away Friday, May 25, 2018, at Caring Circle Nursing Home in Benton Harbor. He was born March 16, 1927, in Waynedale, Ind., a son of the late George C. and Tillie (Kroom) Koomler. George moved to St. Joseph County in 1950 and to Burr Oak in 1966. He …

Gwendolyn Eunice Buys Goodwin McLaughlin, age 97, passed away on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. She was born born on January 21, 1921 in Finley, North Dakota, the twelfth child of Jessie Lossing Buys and Marlin P. Buys. Gwendolyn owned Gwen’s Beauty Shop in Three Rivers for many years. She was also an avid golfer …

Alan Duane Otterson, age 66, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2018, after a difficult illness. Alan was born in Vicksburg, on November 15, 1951.  He graduated from Vicksburg High School, attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and served in the US Air Force before marrying his true love, Cathy (Hinz) Otterson, on August 24, 1989.  They …

William Allen, aka “Billy,” “The Blade,” passed away unexpectedly May 22, 2018, in Three Rivers. He was born May 10, 1971, in Bradford, England. He graduated at age 16 and immediately served with the English Army in the Gulf War and Bosnia for seven years. While he lived only for 47 years, he led a very full life. He was …