Obituaries

Judy Ann Russell, age 67, of Vicksburg, died Friday, Dec. 29, 2017 at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo following a long illness. She was born in Kalamazoo on July 30, 1950 the daughter of Lyle V. and Ethelin G. (McLaughlin) Coburn and was a lifetime resident of the Vicksburg/Scotts area. She graduated from Galesburg-Augusta High School, and worked briefly at Brown …

Barry W. Cheeks, age 64, of Constantine, died at 5:30 pm on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Centreville.  He was born on May 14, 1953 in Welch, WV, to Charlie M. and Ethel Mae (Robinson) Cheeks. Survivors include his son, Earl Cheeks of Constantine; two grandchildren and several brothers. He was preceded in death …

Blanca Weaver, age 72, of White Pigeon, passed away at her home on Wednesday, December 27, 2017. She was born in Germany on January 22, 1945 to her late parents Gustav and Hella (Nuemer) Conradi. On March 6, 1963 she married Larry Weaver of Mishawaka. He preceded her in death January 15, 1987. You would always see her in the …

Roger “Rocky” Matheson Rathburn, age 55, passed away tragically on Tuesday, December 26, 2017.  He was born to Roger and Sally Rathburn on August 29, 1962 in Grand Rapids. Roger graduated from Hackett High School in 1981 where he met his high school sweetheart and lifelong love, Susan Reisterer. He graduated from Western Michigan University where he earned a Bachelors …

Randy W Strawser, age 68, of White Pigeon, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2017, at his home. He was born on Sept. 28, 1949, at Sturgis Memorial Hospital. He has been a life-long resident of White Pigeon, graduating from White Pigeon Community Schools with the class of 1969. He attended Glenn Oaks Community College and was employed at Weyerhaeuser …

Gary Thomas Berger, age 69, of Three Rivers passed away suddenly at home on Wednesday, December 27, 2017. He was born in July 11, 1948 in Three Rivers, the son of James E. and Marjorie (Selby) Berger. Gary was a lifetime resident of Three Rivers. He graduated from Three Rivers High School class of 1966 and went on to attend …

Joseph “Joe” R. Kuratko passed away on Wednesday, December 27th, 2017 surrounded by his family at Heartland Health Care Center after lengthy health issues. Joe was born August 5th, 1928 in Chicago, to Joseph and Anna (Blaha) Kuratko. They moved to Three Rivers when he was 4 years old. He graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1947. He was …

Charles L. Oxender, age 73, of Three Rivers, died Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born in Three Rivers on May 23, 1944 the son of the late Ira T. and Ann (Penn) Oxender and for most of his life resided in St. Joseph County. Charles graduated from Mendon High School with the Class …

Dannie Nathan Hall, age 62, of Three Rivers, died Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Ann Arbor. He was born in Anderson, Indiana on Sept. 4, 1955 the son of Nathan E. and Norma (Nutt) Hall. His mother, Norma was later married to Dannie’s step-father, Richard Leighton. Dannie served in the U.S. Navy from November of …

Ruth Nadine Garlinger, age 85, of Mendon, died Monday, Dec. 25, 2017 at Three Rivers Health. She was born in Camp Point, IL on Jan. 27, 1932 the daughter of Russell and Hazel (Kestner) Johnson. She graduated from Camp Point High School. For many years she resided in Nashville, MI where she was the proprietor of Little’s Country Store, and …